Edinburgh skyline with Edinburgh Castle, the Old Town and Arthur's Seat

Hop-on Hop-off Edinburgh. Best price guaranteed.

Plan your perfect day in Edinburgh — and book your hop-on hop-off bus ticket here. We compare live prices from both bus operators and three trusted resellers, so you always get the best deal. Your ticket is delivered to your phone within seconds.

Edinburgh · 2026
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OPERATORS

Compare the 2 Hop-on Hop-off operators in Edinburgh

Edinburgh has two sightseeing-bus operators. They differ in routes, number of stops and audio guide languages. Pick the one that matches your day.

3 routes · 30+ stops · local favourite

Edinburgh Bus Tours is the city's official sightseeing operator, run by Lothian Buses. They operate three colour-coded routes covering the Old Town, New Town, Royal Mile, Holyrood, the port of Leith and the Royal Yacht Britannia. All routes include a multilingual audio guide, and the City Sightseeing route offers a live English-speaking guide on the upper deck.

Routes
3 routes (City, Majestic, Edinburgh Tour)
Stops
30+ stops across all routes
Frequency
every 10–20 min (seasonal)
Loop duration
60–90 min per loop
Languages
10+ audio languages
Operating hours
09:00–18:00 (extended in summer)
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2 routes · audio guide · international brand

Big Bus Edinburgh operates two routes covering the key landmarks: Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace, Grassmarket and Princes Street. The Discover ticket includes a recorded audio guide in multiple languages and a free Big Bus app with live tracking. Tickets are available for 24 or 48 hours.

Routes
2 routes
Stops
15+ stops
Frequency
every 15–20 min
Loop duration
75 min full loop
Languages
8 audio languages
Operating hours
09:30–17:30
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COMBO TICKETS

Combo tickets: bus + Edinburgh attractions

Save by bundling your bus ticket with top Edinburgh experiences. Each combo includes a hop-on hop-off pass plus a skip-the-line attraction entry.

Bus + Royal Yacht Britannia
Most popular

Bus + Royal Yacht Britannia

Hop-on hop-off pass plus entry to the Royal Yacht Britannia at the port of Leith.

via GetYourGuide
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Bus + Edinburgh Castle

Bus + Edinburgh Castle

Hop-on hop-off pass plus entry to Edinburgh Castle with guided tour.

via Tiqets
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Bus + 3 Royal Attractions

Bus + 3 Royal Attractions

Hop-on hop-off pass plus entry to Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse and Royal Yacht Britannia.

via Headout
View deal
ROUTES & STOPS

Where the buses stop in Edinburgh

Both operators cover the major landmarks. Edinburgh Bus Tours runs three routes with 30+ stops in total, while Big Bus operates two routes with 15+ stops. Here are the key stops you should know about.

1 Edinburgh Castle / Castlehill

The iconic fortress sits atop Castle Rock, dominating the Edinburgh skyline. Both operators stop here.

Worth getting off for: Edinburgh Castle, Camera Obscura, The Scotch Whisky Experience

Walking radius: 5 min to Grassmarket, 10 min along Royal Mile to St Giles' Cathedral

2 Royal Mile / High Street

The historic spine of Edinburgh's Old Town, connecting Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace. Multiple stops along the route.

Worth getting off for: St Giles' Cathedral, The Real Mary King's Close, Museum of Edinburgh

Walking radius: 5–10 min to Princes Street via The Mound, 15 min to Calton Hill

3 Holyrood Palace

The official Scottish residence of the British monarch, at the foot of the Royal Mile. Arthur's Seat rises directly behind the palace.

Worth getting off for: Palace of Holyroodhouse, Scottish Parliament, Arthur's Seat

Walking radius: 30–60 min hike to the summit of Arthur's Seat (251 m), 5 min to Scottish Parliament

4 Grassmarket

A lively square in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle, lined with pubs, restaurants and independent shops. Edinburgh Bus Tours stops here.

Worth getting off for: Grassmarket Square, Victoria Street, Greyfriars Bobby

Walking radius: 5 min to Victoria Street (colourful curve), 5 min to Greyfriars Kirk and Bobby statue

5 Princes Street / Waverley

Edinburgh's main shopping street with views up to the Castle. Both operators have multiple stops here, making it the easiest place to hop on.

Worth getting off for: Scott Monument, Princes Street Gardens, National Gallery of Scotland

Walking radius: 2 min to Waverley Station (trains), 10 min to Calton Hill

6 Calton Hill

A hill at the east end of Princes Street offering one of the best panoramic views over Edinburgh. Both operators stop nearby.

Worth getting off for: National Monument, Nelson Monument, Old Observatory

Walking radius: 5 min walk up from Waterloo Place, 10 min to Royal Mile via Regent Road

7 Royal Botanic Garden

A peaceful 70-acre garden north of the city centre with free entry. Served by the Edinburgh Bus Tours Majestic route.

Worth getting off for: Glasshouses, Rock Garden, Inverleith House gallery

Walking radius: 20 min walk to Stockbridge, 25 min to Princes Street

8 Royal Yacht Britannia / Leith

The former royal yacht, permanently berthed at Ocean Terminal in Leith. Reached by the Edinburgh Bus Tours Majestic route.

Worth getting off for: Royal Yacht Britannia, Ocean Terminal shopping centre, Leith waterfront

Walking radius: Leith waterfront restaurants 5 min walk, Newhaven harbour 15 min

WHEN & HOW OFTEN

Timetable and practical tips

Edinburgh's hop-on hop-off buses run year-round, with extended hours and extra frequency in the summer months. Here is a side-by-side overview of both operators.

Operating hours at a glance

Operator Hours Frequency Full loop Languages
Edinburgh Bus Tours 09:00–18:00 10–20 min 60–90 min 10+ audio
Big Bus 09:30–17:30 15–20 min 75 min 8 audio

In summer (June–August), Edinburgh Bus Tours often extends service until 19:00 or later and increases frequency. Check the operator website for the latest schedule.

4 tips for your Edinburgh bus tour

  1. 1

    Start early

    Board the first bus at 09:00. The morning light is ideal for photos from the upper deck, and the major attractions are less crowded before 11:00.

  2. 2

    Dress for the weather

    Edinburgh weather changes quickly. Bring a waterproof layer even on sunny days — and a hat for the open upper deck when the wind picks up.

  3. 3

    Do a full loop first

    Stay on the bus for one full loop to get oriented. Use the audio guide to learn about each neighbourhood, then hop off at your favourite spots on the second round.

  4. 4

    Combine with walking

    The Royal Mile is best explored on foot, and the walk from Edinburgh Castle down to Holyrood takes about 25 minutes. Hop off at the Castle, walk downhill and catch the bus again at Holyrood.

BUS VS ALTERNATIVES

Hop-on hop-off bus vs other ways to see Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a walkable city, but a sightseeing bus saves time and connects neighbourhoods that are far apart. Here's how the options compare.

Walking

The Old Town is compact, but hills are steep and landmarks like Leith or the Botanic Garden are 30–40 minutes away on foot. Best for the Royal Mile stretch.

Local buses

Lothian Buses cover the whole city at a flat fare. Cheap, but no audio guide, no open top, and stops are not optimised for sightseeing.

Hop-on hop-off bus

Purpose-built for visitors: open top, multilingual audio guide, stops at every major landmark, and unlimited hop-on hop-off for 24 or 48 hours.

Our take

For a first visit with limited time, the hop-on hop-off bus is the most efficient way to see Edinburgh. Walk the Royal Mile on foot, take the bus to reach Leith, the Botanic Garden, and Calton Hill, and cover the whole city in a single day.

WITH KIDS

Edinburgh by bus with kids

Both operators welcome families and the open-top deck is a hit with younger travellers. Children's tickets are cheaper, toddlers ride free, and with Edinburgh Bus Tours up to three children travel free with each paying adult on the 24-hour tickets.

Age ranges and ticket categories

Operator Child Free under Adult from
Edinburgh Bus Tours 5–15 < 5 16+
Big Bus 3–15 < 3 16+

Age ranges are defined by each operator and may change. Check the booking page for current details.

The free-children rule covers the 24-hour tickets. On the 48-hour Grand pass children pay a child fare — Edinburgh Bus Tours offers a family ticket for two adults and up to three children instead, and the price comparison picks it automatically whenever it works out cheaper.

Tips for families

  • Upper deck in calm weather

    Children love the open top, but Edinburgh wind can be strong. On windy or rainy days, the covered lower deck is more comfortable for small children.

  • Buggy-friendly lower deck

    Both operators have space for folded buggies on the lower deck. Fold the buggy before boarding and store it in the designated area.

  • Edinburgh Castle with children

    The Castle esplanade has cannons, soldiers and a daily 1 o'clock gun that kids love. The steep cobblestones inside are tricky with a buggy — a carrier works better.

  • Audio guide for children

    Edinburgh Bus Tours offers a dedicated kids' commentary channel with stories and quizzes about Edinburgh. Ask the driver or check the app.

More questions about family tickets? See our FAQ.

BEST TIME TO RIDE

Best time for a bus tour in Edinburgh

Edinburgh's weather varies greatly by season, and it directly affects the open-top bus experience. All four seasons have their charm, but some are better for sightseeing from the upper deck.

Spring

March – May
Avg. temp
6–14 °C
Crowds

Quieter months with blooming gardens and longer days. Cool mornings, but the upper deck is pleasant from midday. Bring a jacket.

Summer

June – August
Avg. temp
11–19 °C
Crowds

Peak season, especially during the Edinburgh Festival in August. Longest days, warmest weather, highest bus frequency. Book tickets in advance.

Autumn

September – November
Avg. temp
5–14 °C
Crowds

Fewer crowds after the Festival, beautiful autumn colours in the parks and gardens. Wrap up warm for the open deck in October and November.

Winter

December – February
Avg. temp
1–7 °C
Crowds

The Christmas markets (late November–December) make Edinburgh magical. Cold on the upper deck, but short queues and lower prices. Edinburgh's Hogmanay (New Year) celebrations draw big crowds.

Sweet spot

Late May and September offer the best balance: pleasant weather for the open deck, manageable crowds, and full bus schedules. Avoid the first two weeks of August if you dislike big crowds — the Edinburgh Fringe Festival fills every street.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How many hop-on hop-off operators are there in Edinburgh?

Edinburgh has two hop-on hop-off operators: Edinburgh Bus Tours (run by Lothian Buses, 3 routes) and Big Bus Edinburgh (2 routes). We compare live prices for both across three trusted resellers.

How much does a hop-on hop-off bus ticket cost in Edinburgh?

Adult 24-hour tickets start from around £19.80. Prices vary by operator and reseller. Use our live price comparison to find the cheapest option for your date.

Can I cancel my hop-on hop-off ticket?

Most tickets sold through our partner resellers offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start date. Check the specific cancellation policy on the booking page.

Which Edinburgh hop-on hop-off operator is best?

Edinburgh Bus Tours is the local favourite with 3 routes and deeper city coverage. Big Bus is an established international brand with strong app support. Both are excellent choices and cover the major landmarks.

Where do the hop-on hop-off buses stop in Edinburgh?

Both operators stop at Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace and Princes Street. Edinburgh Bus Tours additionally reaches the port of Leith, Royal Yacht Britannia, Royal Botanic Garden and Calton Hill.

Do children ride free on Edinburgh hop-on hop-off buses?

It depends on the operator and on the ticket. With Edinburgh Bus Tours, up to three children travel free with each paying adult on the 24-hour tickets. On the 48-hour Grand pass children pay a child fare, and a family ticket for two adults and up to three children is offered instead. Big Bus charges a child fare from age 3. Age limits: free under 5 with Edinburgh Bus Tours, under 3 with Big Bus; the child fare runs to 15, and from 16 the adult price applies.

See all frequently asked questions

Ready to explore Edinburgh?

Compare live prices, pick the perfect ticket and ride past Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile and Arthur's Seat — all from one open-top deck.

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