Big Bus Edinburgh 24 or 48 hour Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour
Edinburgh, Scotland
- 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.)
- Offered in: English
Why travelers loved this
·
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
As Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh packs historical monuments, regal landmarks, cultural destinations, and more—and this hop-on hop-off bus tour provides a thorough introduction to the city’s top sights. Board and disembark as and when you wish. On-board commentary will share the stories behind landmarks such as the Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh Castle, and more.
- Discover many of Edinburgh’s top attractions, all in one bus tour
- This hop-on hop-off bus tour offers a flexible and accessible way to explore
- Learn stories about Edinburgh’s landmarks and history as you go
What's Included
- 24- or 48-hour hop-on, hop-off bus ticket
- Access to City Tour (available with all options)
- Access to Britannia Tour (available on 48-Hour Tour on City & Britannia Routes option only)
- Audio commentary available in 9 languages
- Dog friendly
- Hotel Pick-up & Drop-off
Meeting and Pickup
Departure Point
- You may start this tour at any of the stops listed.
Ticket Redemption Point
27 Waterloo Pl, Edinburgh EH1 3BG, UK
Itinerary
Big Bus Edinburgh City Tour (Red Route)
15 Stops
41 Points of Interest
Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes
Operating Schedule: Summer (May–October): First departure at 09:00 from Stop 1 (Waterloo Place), every every 15minutes till 17:00 then every 20Minutes, last tour at 18:20. Winter (November–March): Departures from 09:00 every 15 minutes, last tour at 16:00. For the latest stop locations, timings, and live bus tracking, visit the Big Bus website or download the Big Bus App before you travel.
1
29 Waterloo Pl
2
St Andrew Square
3
Lothian Road
4
Bread Street
5
The Mound
6
George IV Bridge
7
Grassmarket
8
National Museum of Scotland
9
Canongate Kirk
10
Palace of Holyroodhouse
11
Dynamic Earth
12
Abbeyhill
13
Regent Road
14
Lauriston Place
15
John Knox House
Points of interest passed by on this route
Multrees Walk
Saint Andrew Square
Princes Street
Princes Street and Gardens
Scott Monument
St Cuthbert's Parish Church
Festival Square
Grassmarket
Greyfriars Kirk
Greyfriars Bobby
Museum of Fire
Edinburgh Castle
National Galleries Scotland: Portrait
Usher Hall
Edinburgh College of Art
Edinburgh Farmers' Market
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
The Scotch Whisky Experience
Gladstone's Land
Writers' Museum
National Library of Scotland
National Museum of Scotland
Museum of Childhood
John Knox House Museum
The Museum of Edinburgh
The Scottish Parliament
The King's Gallery
Palace of Holyroodhouse
Dynamic Earth
Arthur's Seat
Holyrood Park
Regent Road Park
The Burns Monument
Calton Hill
Nelson Monument
Observatory House
National Monument
Waverley Mall
Edinburgh Waverley Station
Irene Forte Spa, Edinburgh
Melville Monument
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.2
based on 456 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
arpit_s, Jul 2026
Good overview of the city, be mindful of the weather. Can be clubbed with passes. Highly recommended as day 1 experience.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for sharing your feedback! We're pleased to hear you enjoyed the city overview and found the tour a great way to start your visit. We appreciate your helpful tip about checking the weather and are glad you found the pass options convenient. We hope to welcome you on another Big Bus Tours experience soon! Daniel@BigBusTours
Mary_J, Jun 2026
We booked so we could ride the red and blue routes as we had tickets for the Royal Yacht Britannia . It worked out well so we made our reservations and also made it back to the downtown area.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Hi Mary_J. Thank you for your valuable feedback! We are pleased to hear that you enjoyed our bus tour, and we hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back on board in the future. Best regards, Razvan @BigBusTours
Anastasia_S, Jun 2026
Overall positive experience. Equipment worked well. Commentary was good, but could have used more. Easy way to see the highlights of a city.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
We’re glad to hear that you had an overall positive experience and that you found the equipment easy to use. It’s also great to know the tour helped you see the highlights of the city in a convenient way.
We also appreciate your comment regarding the commentary because your feedback is very valuable, and we will certainly take it into account as we continue to improve our service. We hope to see you again soon for more adventures! Calin@BigBusTours
Lisa_C, Jun 2026
Great experience to see the city and decide where to get off and explore. Very helpful employees at every stop helping answer your questions. Very friendly people and the audio was very informative.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your kind words! We’re delighted you had a great experience exploring the city and found our team helpful and friendly throughout. It’s great to hear the audio added to your visit as well!
Raul@BigBusTours
Jason_G, May 2026
Totally worth it. Very well done. Perfectly timed. 10:00-12:15, as scheduled. Then we spent three more hours at the castle. Ricky was a great personality, full of history and fun stories. I highly recommend.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear that you found the experience totally worth it and that everything ran smoothly and on schedule. It’s great to know you were able to enjoy extra time exploring the castle afterward as well.
Ricky will be especially happy to hear your kind words—he truly loves sharing his knowledge and stories, and we’re glad his personality made your visit even more memorable.
We sincerely appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again for another fantastic experience in the future! Alex @ Big Bus Tours
Iris_P, May 2026
Very nice views of the castles and prince street also like the hop on hop off options able to visit different places
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re so pleased to hear that you enjoyed the beautiful views of the castles and Prince Street. It truly is a stunning area with so much to take in.
It’s also great to know that the hop-on, hop-off option added value to your visit and gave you the flexibility to explore different locations at your own pace. That freedom is something we’re proud to offer, so it’s wonderful to hear it enhanced your overall experience.
We really appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you again soon for another memorable visit! Alex @ Big Bus Tours
maureen_t, May 2026
It is very informative and we had a lovely day to sit on top. The hop on hop off system is a good way to cover a lot of distance when your visit is only a day or so . Well worth it
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for your kind feedback! We’re delighted to hear you found the tour informative and enjoyed a lovely day on the top deck. The hop-on hop-off option is indeed a great way to see a lot in a short time, and we’re so glad you found it worthwhile.
Florin @ BigBusTours
Catherine_S, May 2026
Please book the castle prior to doing the tour during high season. Bus ticket doesn't give you automatic entry.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for the helpful tip! We appreciate you pointing out the importance of booking castle entries in advance during peak season, as they are not included with the bus ticket. This is great advice for future travelers to plan ahead and make the most of their visit.
Florin @ BigBusTours
Vicki_B, May 2026
Some current road/street construction has the route altered, but manages to cover everything listed covered.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for your feedback! We’re glad to hear that despite the temporary road and street changes, you were still able to enjoy a full overview of the sights included on the route.
We appreciate your understanding as adjustments are sometimes needed, and we’re pleased the experience still covered the highlights. We hope you had a great time and look forward to welcoming you on board again soon!
Ciprian @ Big Bus Tours
Sarah_R, May 2026
The guid was very funny and interactive. It was a lot of fun. Learned a lot of the city and the castle stories!
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the fun and interactive experience, and that the stories about the city and castle made the tour even more memorable. We truly appreciate you joining us and hope to welcome you on board again soon! Denis @Big Bus Tours
Cynthia_G, May 2026
Wonderful experience! It was nice to be able to get an overview of the city and then go to wherever wanted to spend extra time.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for sharing your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed getting an overview of the city before exploring your favourite spots in more detail. That’s exactly the kind of flexible and enjoyable experience we hope to create for our guests. We truly appreciate you choosing Big Bus Tours and hope to welcome you on board again for another adventure soon! Denis @Big Bus Tours
Amanda_S, May 2026
Easy to find bus and hop on and off when you like. Also very informative about Edinburgh. Would highly recommend
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear you found the tour easy to use and informative, and that it helped you explore Edinburgh with ease. Your recommendation truly means a lot to us. We’re so glad you enjoyed the experience and hope to welcome you back on board again soon!
Ciprian @ Big Bus Tours
PatriciaG, Apr 2026
It’s well worth it to get your bearings around Edinburg and see the main sites and neighbourhoods from the bus.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hi PatriciaG. We wish to thank you for your feedback. We are happy to learn that the tour was the perfect way to explore Edinburgh. We hope to have you back soon. Best, Vlad from Big Bus Tours.
audrey_W, Dec 2025
All day hop on hop off, a great way to get around the city. I do wish they used a live guide and not an audio recording though, I didn’t know what was being pointed out most of the time
Response from Host, Dec 2025
audrey_W thank you so much for your 5-star rating and for sharing your thoughts! We’re glad you enjoyed using the Hop-On Hop-Off service to explore the city. We appreciate your suggestion regarding live guides — currently, our tours include audio commentary to provide flexibility for all guests. Your feedback is valuable, and we’ll make sure to share it with our team for future improvements. Cheers! Gabriel - Big Bus Tours
Margaret_T, Nov 2025
The recorded narrative was pretty good. It would have been helpful to mention the # of the site to match the map. It ends at four. Don’t get too busy and miss the last bus!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Hi Margaret_T,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us! It really helps us to improve our services. We are happy to know that you enjoyed your afternoon with us! Knowing that our guests have a great time on our tours is incredibly important to us. We recommend using the Live Tracking feature in our app to assist you in planning your route for the day. We look forward to seeing you back on a bus soon! Best wishes. Cristian T, Big Bus Tours
Skye_F, Oct 2025
Really liked how there’s the option to listen to commentary on the bus while’s it’s driving round to give you information about each area and stop alone the way.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Hi Skye_F,
Thank you for your feedback! It means a lot to us to know that our guests enjoy their time on our tours. We offer regular training to our staff, to make sure you always receive a 5* service. We hope to see you again in the future! Best wishes. Cristian T, Big Bus Tours
Ronald_N, Oct 2025
Drivers were friendly and patient. Buses were very clean and timely. Would have preferred an actual person instead of the recording for the narrative.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Hi Ronald!
We are genuinely delighted to hear that you had an amazing experience on the Edinburgh tour, thanks to the drivers and the cleanliness of the bus. We have also taken note of your preference for the commentary. We look forward to seeing you again soon, and thank you for your review!
Alexandra I. @ Big Bus Tours
Sheila_N, Oct 2025
What a great way to see the city. We rode the whole route first then decided where to hop off and on again
Great friendly driver and other staff
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Hi Sheila!
We are thrilled to hear that your Edinburgh tour was an excellent way to explore the city with the help of the route and friendly staff. Thank you for sharing your review, and we look forward to seeing you again soon!
Alexandra I. @ Big Bus Tours
Susan_W, Sep 2025
The tour covered the city center. Audio was very informative. Great to do on our first day. We got a good feel for the city.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Hello Susan, thank you for your feedback! We're delighted to know that you enjoyed our Edinburgh Hop-on Hop-off tour. We can't wait to welcome you back on board soon. Best, Alice w/Big Bus Tours
Susan_T, Sep 2025
The bus drivers are amazing, they navigate the narrow streets with expertise! Lots of popular stops. The staff were also great!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Hello Susan, we are thrilled to learn that you had a wonderful time on our tour and that you were impressed by our bus drivers, who skilfully maneuverer through the narrow streets. We can't wait to welcome you back on board again soon. Thank you, Alice w/Big Bus Tours
Fred_G, Sep 2025
Excellent way for a sight seer to get around Edinburgh. Interesting recorded tour information, informative and entertaining.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Hi Fred_G. We wish to thank you for your feedback. We are glad to hear that the tour was excellent and insightful. We hope to have you back soon. Best, Vlad from Big Bus Tours.
Stephen_W, Aug 2025
Without warning, the route was changed leaving us waiting for buses that were never coming, trying to travel to stops that were no longer on the route, having to use public transport and needing to book a taxi to return from Leith.
Fast to sell you tickets but no prior warnings given of removal of services.
Complaints ignored.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Hi Stephen_W, we're sorry to hear that your Edinburgh tour was affected by route changes, leading to longer waiting times and missed buses. We regularly update our Service Information page, that is available on our website and app, with details on temporary detours or stop closures. You can also reach out to our Live Chat team, available 24/7, to help you plan your day. We hope to welcome you on board again soon! Alexa B @ Big Bus
Sarah_E, Jul 2025
We were unable to experience anything. I called to ask if there was anyway that we could get a voucher online ( yes, I know the site says you cannot) because my RA was acting up and I wasn't able to walk that far right now. I still wanted to pay but just asked for an accomodation. After 20 minutes my call was disconnected.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Hello Sarah_E! Thank you so much for your feedback. We're really sorry to learn that you weren't able to get your tickets. You can definitely book online and simply show your vouchers at any stop you prefer. Additionally, if you require help, feel free to reach out to us through live chat, and our agents will be more than happy to assist you right away. We look forward to welcoming you back soon. Best regards, Vlad from Big Bus Tours.
Lara_P, Jul 2025
Bus will take you to all the major locations, you might just have to sit in traffic, if you can't be bothered walking it's great otherwise you see much more on your feet.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Hi Lara!
We're sorry to hear that you experienced more traffic than you expected. Thank you for your candid feedback! We do our best to keep an eye on traffic patterns, but occasionally they can surprise us too. We suggest visiting the main attractions early in the morning for a smoother experience. We look forward to welcoming you back in the future!
Alexandra I. @ Big Bus Tours
Cynthia_M, Jul 2025
It was a great experience and so convenient to hop on and off to see the sights. The only problem we had was finding the first stop to hop on. The stops weren't identified very well. Otherwise I would totally recommend.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Hi Cynthia!
We're glad to learn that you found our Edinburgh tour to be a great way to see all the sights. Thank you for your honest review and your kind words! We're sorry to hear that you had trouble finding the first stop you boarded. I can assure you that they are correctly marked on our map on both the website and the app, and each stop includes an address for your convenience. We look forward to seeing you again soon!
Alexandra I. @ Big Bus Tours
Jennifer_R, Jul 2025
Excellent way to get acclimated to the city if you have never been before! We learned a great deal, enjoyed the sights, and decided what places we wanted to visit. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Hi Jennifer!
Your kind words truly mean so much to us, thank you for your lovely review! We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our Edinburgh tour as a fantastic way to explore the city, gaining knowledge, savoring the sights at your leisure, and having the freedom to choose what to see next. We look forward to welcoming you back soon!
Alexandra I. @ Big Bus Tours
kathryn_w, Jul 2025
I was disappointed to find out that the ticket I bought did not include both routes that were listed. (I saw no other option other than the one I bought!)Also, the app was not accurate about the bus locations so we missed the bus at the stop we were trying to catch. The bus was clean and narration of landmarks was okay.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Hi Kathryn!
It saddens us to learn that your ticket was missing both routes and that the app's live tracking feature wasn't accurate. We truly value your honest feedback! We recommend reviewing the inclusions before buying your tickets and checking our website in advance, as the Explore package is the sole option that includes both routes. Moreover, we want to emphasize that we are constantly working on improving the live tracking feature, particularly for Edinburgh, which is our latest addition. We're happy to hear that you found the buses clean and the commentary and landmarks acceptable, and we look forward to seeing you again soon!
Alexandra I. @ Big Bus Tours
Richard_S, May 2025
Great way to get the feel for the city and also learn about the history. I would highly recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback, we greatly appreciate you taking the time to do so.
Kelly_C, May 2025
The hours for on-season which includes May… stayed the bus ran until 7:55pm… and after waiting for 30 minutes (and seeing 3 Red tour buses stop) I called customer service and was told the bus stopped at 4pm on Sunday…. I told them what was on the web site regarding on-season and was told it was only 4pm…. The bus driver didn’t bother to “remind us” of this 4pm last pick up when we got off of the bus at 3pm….. thank goodness it was NOT raining but it was very cold and we didn’t see any of the main stops we wanted too… a total waste of money
Response from Host, May 2025
We are very sorry that we have not met your expectations and fallen below the standards we have set ourselves. I have refunded you in full which may take a few days to process. Please contact me directly gregor.forbes@mcgillsbuses.co.uk if you wish to share anything further.
Camille_P, May 2025
This company's pick up location was hard to locate compared to their competitors.
It was a decent enough tour, but could have a few more places that were easier to find to get onto the bus.
Additionally, there seemed to be a problem with the viator tickets the day we were in Edinburgh. Where viator kept telling me to get the voucher from my email, but when I clicked to get the voucher from my email, it took me back to the viator app. The people at the bus stop gave us tickets and let us on the bus as the viator app wasn't working.
Likely to Sell Out
From $29.92
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Likely to Sell Out
Big Bus Edinburgh 24 or 48 hour Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour
456
1 hour 10 minutes
Free Cancellation
From
$29.92
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Attractions in Edinburgh, Scotland
- Linlithgow Palace Tours & Tickets
- Grassmarket Tours & Tickets
- Real Mary King's Close Tours & Tickets
- Hopetoun House Tours & Tickets
- Palace of Holyroodhouse Tours & Tickets
- Arthur's Seat Tours & Tickets
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Tours & Tickets
- Royal Mile Tours & Tickets
- Loch Lomond Tours & Tickets
- Stirling Castle Tours & Tickets
- Princes Street Tours & Tickets
- Scottish National Portrait Gallery Tours & Tickets
- Scottish Parliament Tours & Tickets
- Alnwick Castle Tours & Tickets
- John Knox House Tours & Tickets
- Scotch Whisky Experience Tours & Tickets
- Edinburgh Zoo Tours & Tickets