Edinburgh Bus Tours

Edinburgh Bus Tours runs the city's official hop-on hop-off guided bus tours, a practical way to see the main sights quickly, especially on a first visit or for anyone who finds the Old Town's hills tiring. There are several routes: CitySightseeing Edinburgh, the Edinburgh Tour with a live guide and the Regal Tour. As hop-on hop-off tours, they let you get on and off at stops around the city while your ticket is valid.

Ticket options suit different lengths of stay. Individual tour tickets and the Grand 24 ticket are valid for 24 hours, the Grand 48 for 48 hours, and the Royal Edinburgh Ticket covers 48 hours of city tours from a chosen start date. Tickets bought online can be used on any date up to six months after the selected start date, which gives flexibility if the weather changes your plans. Children go free on individual tour and Grand 24 tickets, up to three per paying adult or senior.

Accessibility is a strength: the buses are wheelchair accessible, dogs are welcome on board and screens on the lower decks show commentary for deaf and hard-of-hearing passengers. Bring a waterproof and a warm layer if you plan to sit upstairs, as Edinburgh weather changes quickly even in summer.

Note the current departure arrangements. Because of road works, from 6 September 2026 tours start at stop GG on George Street, opposite the Assembly Rooms, and no longer serve Waterloo Place. Check the website for the latest stop information before you set out. The company also points out that the Palace of Holyroodhouse is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 15 September 2026 to 31 May 2027, which is useful when planning which day to use your ticket. The website also promotes the Airlink bus, which runs around the clock between the airport and the city centre in about 30 minutes.

Edinburgh Bus Tours suits families, older travellers, visitors with limited mobility and anyone with only a day or two in the city. For a deeper look at the Old Town, combine the bus with a walking tour; the bus is best for orientation and for reaching sights spread across the city, such as Holyrood at the foot of the Royal Mile.