The 4 Best Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours in Edinburgh

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

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

Use a 24-hour Edinburgh hop-on hop-off pass to circle the city by open-top double-decker bus. Hear commentary in nine languages, follow a kids’ track, and stop near Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace, Dynamic Earth, and other major sights. Up to three children travel free with each paying adult before March 31, 2026.

“Windows fog up easily in the rain and cold. Scott was great on the Edinbyrg live tour. Drivers great on all three. Great way to embrace the city. We did red, green and blue route.”

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

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

Use three Edinburgh hop-on hop-off routes for 48 hours, with live English guiding on the Edinburgh Tour and multilingual audio on the others. Your pass includes Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse in season, and Royal Yacht Britannia, making it a useful two-day plan for first-time visitors.

“Give yourself a whole day. Everything is worth seeing but can’t be rushed and you have to take into account travel times.”

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3.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 rides for 48 hours. You’ll get recorded commentary in nine languages, free headphones, and stops near the Castle, Grassmarket, Holyroodhouse, Dynamic Earth, the Botanic Garden, and Royal Yacht Britannia. Britannia admission costs extra.

“Great way of getting around the city without expensive taxis or Ubers. Just be aware of the end time which can be early”

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4.Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Britannia Tour

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

Ride Bright Bus Tours’ Britannia route from Waterloo Place to Leith and back, with stops at the Royal Yacht Britannia, Royal Botanic Garden, Fishmarket Square, and Victoria Quay. Use the nine-language audio guide, get off where you like, and remember that Britannia admission costs extra.

“I had to take taxi back. I was told bus would leave every hour on the half hour and I waited and finally decided to take taxi. Cost me 25 Pounds”

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