The 15 Best Edinburgh Bus Tours

1.City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 6,775 reviews · 1 day · from $24Our pick

See Edinburgh from an open-top double-decker bus with a 24-hour hop-on hop-off ticket. The 70-minute loop links Waterloo Place, the Castle, Grassmarket, the Royal Mile, Holyrood, Dynamic Earth, and Regent Road. Audio commentary comes in nine languages, plus a Horrible Histories channel for children. Up to three children travel free per paying adult until March 31, 2026.

“What an amazing city! The buses are super clean, very prompt (every 8 minutes), give a great explanation of the places via the headphones. We did a full lap first (took about 70 mins) and then worked out what we were interested in getting off and seeing one the next lap. Would strongly recommend at stop number 1, crossing across the road and going to Nelson Monument - the most amazing views of all of Edinburgh. Do not miss going to Edinburgh Castle, but repurchase your ticket as they can sell out. Enjoy!!!”

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2.Comedy Horror Ghost Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 3,932 reviews · 1h 15m · from $28

Join a costumed guide such as Tommy Terror or Eerie Ian aboard Edinburgh’s midnight-black vintage double-decker. In 75 minutes, you’ll hear tales of Burke and Hare, executions, witches, plague victims, and hauntings while passing Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Grassmarket, and Holyrood Palace. Expect jokes, theatrical scares, and a short graveyard stop.

“I loved this tour!! The guide, Tommy Terror was amazing- very knowledgeable and funny. The bus was comfortable and cozy. I only wish the tour was longer! Highly recommend”

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3.Ghost Bus Tour of Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,761 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $24

Board a vintage Routemaster at 7-9 George IV Bridge for an English-language evening ride through Edinburgh’s darker past. Your guide covers Burke and Hare, witch hunts, executions, Greyfriars, Grassmarket, and Maggie Dickson, with theatrical effects and stops near major Old Town sights. Guides may include Tommy Terror or Sinead O’Horror.

“It gives a bus journey around Edinburgh city with good knowledge of the history. 1hr long, easy to find the pick up point.”

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4.Royal Attractions with Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,736 reviews · from $102Top rated

Use three hop-on hop-off routes for 48 hours and visit Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the Royal Yacht Britannia. Start at Waterloo Place, where staff arrange your castle entry time. Green buses feature live guides such as Scott and Mike, while audio tours cover several languages at the attractions.

“Take the bus and leave this driving to us, best sums it up!”

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5.City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Kids Go Free

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,683 reviews · 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.) · from $24

Use a 24-hour City Sightseeing pass to circle Edinburgh aboard an open-top double-decker bus. The 70-minute route links Waterloo Place, Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Holyrood, Dynamic Earth, and Carlton Hill. Audio runs in nine languages, with a kids’ commentary option, and up to three children travel free with each paying adult before March 31, 2026.

“Fab experience in Edinburgh the drivers of the city sightseeing were simply amazing, really friendly, good spirit, helpful and knowledgeable. My children and I had the best time going through the various sights. Thank you very much for a lovely break in your amazing city”

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6.Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Pass with 3 City Tours

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,193 reviews · 1 - 2 days · from $33

Use one ticket on Edinburgh’s three bus routes for 24 or 48 hours. Hear live English stories on the green Edinburgh Tour, or choose audio in nine languages on the red City Sightseeing and blue Majestic routes. Stop at Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood, the Botanic Gardens, Leith, and Royal Yacht Britannia.

“Fun, informative. Got to see many parts of city by 3 routes available”

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7.Big Bus Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour by Open-Top Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 1,079 reviews · 1 - 2 days · from $24

Start at Waterloo Place and use a 24 or 48-hour Big Bus ticket to reach Edinburgh’s main sights. The City Tour covers the Old Town and Holyroodhouse, while the Britannia route reaches the Royal Yacht, Botanic Garden, and Leith. Expect recorded commentary in nine languages, open-top views, helpful staff, and some walking between stops.

“Very convenient, excellent way for those with mobility issues especially to see the sights”

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8.Royal Edinburgh Ticket – Hop-On Hop-Off and Attraction Admissions

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,023 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $105

Use one 48-hour pass on Edinburgh’s three sightseeing routes, with live English guiding on the Edinburgh Tour and multilingual audio on the other two. Your ticket includes Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse in season, and Royal Yacht Britannia. Waterloo Place is the main redemption point.

“Easy access and friendly helpful staff. Can do all major sites in one day but suggest doing them in two”

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9.Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus Tour City & Britannia Combo

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 767 reviews · 2 days · from $34

Use one 48-hour ticket on Edinburgh’s City and Britannia routes. Ride an open-top bus past the castle, Grassmarket, Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum, then continue to Leith, the Royal Yacht Britannia, and the Botanic Garden. Audio commentary comes in nine languages, and friendly drivers help you plan your stops.

“A good way of getting around Edinburgh over a short stay.”

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10.Vintage Bus Tour with Afternoon Tea or Gin

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 699 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $57

Ride Edinburgh’s vintage Red Bus Bistro for 90 minutes while enjoying prosecco, tea, coffee, sandwiches, warm scones, quiches, cakes, and optional Edinburgh Gin cocktails served in teapots. Staff such as Helen, Jimmy, Mark, and Steven add humor and helpful landmark notes, though this is more a moving tea room than a formal sightseeing tour.

“It was amazing! We loved every second of it 🥰 cant wait to join again sometime!”

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11.Big Bus Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off City and Britannia Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 172 reviews · 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.) · from $34

Use one mobile ticket for Edinburgh’s City Tour and Britannia Tour, with unlimited boarding for 48 hours. Expect recorded commentary in nine languages, free headphones, open-top views when weather allows, and stops near the Castle, Royal Mile, Holyroodhouse, Dynamic Earth, the Royal Yacht Britannia, Leith, and the Botanic Garden. Britannia admission costs extra.

“Great overview of Edinburgh and surrounding area in the brief time of our visit. Still managed to visit the Castle and a few other sights.”

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12.Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Britannia Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 77 reviews · from $21Best value

This 24-hour Edinburgh bus ticket follows a seven-stop route from Waterloo Place to the Royal Yacht Britannia, via Leith, Victoria Quay, Fishmarket Square, and the Royal Botanic Garden. You get multilingual commentary in nine languages, free headphones, and the freedom to ride the full 1-hour-10-minute circuit or hop off along the way. Britannia admission costs extra.

“Definitely invest in the extra $4 to get the option for 48 hours both routes. Perfect way to see a bit of everything and then come back to the places that you want to explore further.”

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13.Edinburgh Hop-on Hop-off City Tour with Live Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 48 reviews · 1 day (approx.) · from $24

Ride Edinburgh Bus Tours for a full day of live English commentary through the Old and New Towns. Stop near Holyroodhouse, the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, the National Museum, Grassmarket, and Princes Street. Guides such as Natalie and Scott add local detail, while onboard WiFi helps you stay connected between stops.

“There are at least two possibly three separate tours from same starting point. We were on the Green bus. Tour moderator very good…but in the course of hoping-on and off, we did have one who talked faster than we could hear and digest her brogue. We caught enough to say…both knowledgeable and helpful. Perhaps do the entire route then start again getting off were you wish. Professional, yet personable…inviting but not intrusive.”

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14.Loch Ness and the Highlands Experience Bus Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 11 reviews · from $95

Leave Edinburgh at 7:30 a.m. for a full day through the Highlands, with stops at Kilmahog, Glencoe, Fort Augustus, and Pitlochry. Your guide shares local stories from the coach, while USB charging, WiFi, and air conditioning make the long ride easier. At Fort Augustus, add a Loch Ness cruise for £19.

“My friend and I had a blast on this tour! Joyce had so much great information and played beautiful Scottish songs. She was delightful, and Craig was a great driver. Would recommend!”

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15.Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with Live Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 9 reviews · 1 day · from $24

Take a one-day Edinburgh Bus Tour with a live English-speaking guide, boarding at Waterloo Place and stopping near Edinburgh Castle, the Scottish Parliament, and Holyroodhouse. Sit upstairs for the best views, listen to local stories, and hop off when you want to explore. Attractions cost extra, and a short walk is required from the nearest stop.

“fantastic experience. great tour guide. very knowledgeable. live tour guide much better than recorded guide. green bus seems shorter than the other tours but much more information. excellent value no complaints other than the state of Edinburgh's road. criminal. in awe of the bus drivers. driver and guide A+”

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