Edinburgh: City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

Layering the city's rich history and architecture, the Edinburgh City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour offers a customizable and family-friendly way to explore Scotland's capital.

The Edinburgh City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour provides an efficient way to explore the city’s top attractions. Featuring open-top double-decker buses and multi-lingual commentary, the tour allows visitors to customize their experience and uncover the city’s rich history and architecture. Priced reasonably, the tour’s flexibility and family-friendly offerings make it a compelling choice for those seeking a comprehensive introduction to Scotland’s capital.

Key Points

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  • The Edinburgh City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour offers 60 minutes of sightseeing with 24-hour hop-on hop-off access for €21.51 per person.
  • The tour features open-top, double-decker buses with panoramic views, audio commentary in 9 languages, and up to 3 free kids per paying adult.
  • Key stops include St. Andrew Square, Lothian Road, Grassmarket, Chalmers Street, and attractions like the National Museum of Scotland and Holyrood Palace.
  • Temporary stop adjustments may occur due to ongoing resurfacing works until early March 2025, and passengers are advised to check for updates.
  • The tour has an impressive 4.6/5 overall rating from over 5,000 reviews, with positive feedback on knowledgeable guides, comfortable transportation, and excellent value for money.
You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview

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The Edinburgh City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour offers visitors a convenient and flexible way to explore the historic city.

Priced from €21.51 per person, the tour provides 60 minutes of sightseeing with 24-hour hop-on hop-off access.

Audio commentary is available in 9 languages, and up to 3 kids can travel free per paying adult.

The open-top, double-decker buses provide panoramic views, and headphones are provided for the audio guide.

The tour runs from 8:50 am to 4:20 pm, with buses departing every 30 minutes.

Temporary stop adjustments may occur due to resurfacing works until early March 2025.

Tour Features

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Open-top, double-decker buses provide panoramic views of the city, allowing visitors to take in the sights from above.

The tour offers 24-hour hop-on hop-off access, so travelers can explore at their own pace. Up to 3 kids travel free per paying adult, and kid-friendly historical stories are included to engage young minds.

Headphones are provided for the audio guide, which is available in 9 languages. The tour also offers full mobility facilities, ensuring accessibility for all.

With a high overall rating of 4.6/5 from over 5,000 reviews, this Edinburgh bus tour provides a convenient and informative sightseeing experience.

Itinerary and Stops

The tour begins at Waterloo Place and hits major stops throughout the city, including St. Andrew Square, Lothian Road, Grassmarket, and Chalmers Street.

It then heads to Johnston Terrace, Lawnmarket, and the National Museum of Scotland before continuing to High Street, Canongate, and Holyrood Palace.

The tour also includes stops at Dynamic Earth and Abbeyhill before ending at Regent Road.

The itinerary is subject to change, and temporary stop adjustments may occur due to resurfacing works until early March 2025.

Buses run every 30 minutes, with the first departure at 8:50 am and the last at 4:20 pm.

Starting Location and Major Stops

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The hop-on hop-off bus tour begins at Waterloo Place, providing easy access for visitors.

The major stops along the route include:

  • St. Andrew Square

  • Lothian Road

  • Grassmarket

  • Chalmers Street

The tour also stops at key attractions like the Johnston Terrace, Lawnmarket, National Museum of Scotland, High Street, Canongate, Holyrood Palace, Dynamic Earth, and Abbeyhill.

Passengers can hop on and off at their leisure to explore these iconic Edinburgh landmarks and neighborhoods.

The itinerary is subject to change, so travelers should check for any temporary stop adjustments due to ongoing resurfacing works.

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Tour Schedule and Frequency

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The hop-on hop-off bus tour operates from 8:50 am to 4:20 pm, with buses running every 30 minutes. This ensures visitors have ample time to explore Edinburgh’s top sights at their own pace.

Temporary stop adjustments due to resurfacing works will be in effect until early March 2025, so travelers should check for updates.

The tour’s schedule and frequent departures allow passengers to maximize their sightseeing time, hopping on and off as they please.

With frequent departures, the tour schedule allows passengers to maximize sightseeing time by hopping on and off as desired.

Whether you want to linger at a museum or simply enjoy the city’s stunning architecture, the bus service provides a convenient and flexible way to discover Edinburgh.

Temporary Stop Adjustments

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Due to ongoing resurfacing works in the city, travelers should be aware of temporary stop adjustments for the Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour until early March 2025.

The tour’s itinerary may be subject to change during this period:

  • Some stops may be relocated or temporarily closed

  • Passengers should look for signs and listen to announcements for the latest updates

  • Tour guides will provide information about any changes to the route

  • Travelers are advised to check the tour operator’s website for the most up-to-date information before their visit.

Policies and Restrictions

Passengers must adhere to certain policies and restrictions when using the Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour.

Smoking is strictly prohibited on the buses. Pets, with the exception of service animals, aren’t allowed on board.

The tour operates from 8:50 AM to 4:20 PM, with buses running every 30 minutes.

Due to ongoing resurfacing works, some temporary stop adjustments may be in place until early March 2025. Customers are advised to check the tour itinerary for the latest information.

The tour offers full mobility facilities, making it accessible to passengers with disabilities.

Customer Feedback

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According to over 5,000 customer reviews, the Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour has earned an impressive overall rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.

Travelers consistently praise the:

  • Knowledgeable and engaging tour guides, rated 4.7/5

  • Comfortable and convenient transportation, rated 4.6/5

  • Excellent value for money, rated 4.4/5

The variety of stops and informative commentary have also received positive feedback from visitors.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Can I Bring My Own Snacks on the Bus?

Yes, you can bring your own snacks on the bus. The tour information states that pets and smoking are not allowed, but it does not mention any restrictions on bringing personal food and drinks.

How Accessible Is the Bus for Wheelchair Users?

The bus offers full mobility facilities for wheelchair users. They can freely access the bus and move around during the tour.

Can I Get a Discount if I Book Online?

Yes, you can get a discount if you book the Edinburgh City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour online. The tour website offers discounted prices for online bookings, typically saving you a few euros per ticket.

Do the Buses Have Wi-Fi Available?

The buses do not have Wi-Fi available. According to the tour overview, the key features include an audio guide in multiple languages and full mobility facilities, but Wi-Fi access is not mentioned as an amenity.

Are Audio Guides Available in Any Other Languages?

The audio guides are available in 9 languages: Spanish, English, French, German, Italian, Russian, Chinese, Portuguese, and Japanese. Passengers can use the provided headphones to listen to the historical stories in their preferred language.

The Sum Up

The Edinburgh City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour offers an excellent way to explore the city’s highlights. With a 24-hour pass, flexible hop-on hop-off access, and audio commentary in multiple languages, it’s a convenient and informative choice for visitors. The tour’s high ratings and family-friendly features make it a recommended option for discovering Edinburgh’s rich history and architecture.

You can check availability for your dates here: