Edinburgh Hop On Hop Off - Bus Tours

Routes and Stops Covered By Edinburgh City Bus Tour

Edinburgh sightseeing buses generally loop through three routes: the City Tour, the Britannia Tour, and the Regal Tour.

The ‘City Tour’ route takes you through the medieval Old Town and passes highlights like Grassmarket, Greyfriars Kirkyard, the Royal Mile, and Edinburgh Castle, making it ideal for visitors exploring Edinburgh for the first time.

The ‘Britannia Tour’ route extends toward Leith and the waterfront district, where you can explore the Royal Yacht Britannia and Ocean Terminal shopping complex.

The ‘Regal Tour’ route connects New Town attractions such as the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, offering access to quieter cultural areas beyond the historic center.

Edinburgh tourist buses typically operate from 08:40 AM to 06:00 PM with a frequency of every 10-60 minutes, completing a loop within around 1 hour 10 minutes, depending on the route.

Why Book with Us

Compare different ticket options in one place – Check Edinburgh bus routes, ticket validity, and inclusions without visiting multiple official websites.

Book early for peak travel periods – Secure tickets in advance with seasonal discounts during summer and other festival months when availability is limited.

Instant mobile tickets for flexible boarding – Board your bus directly with e-tickets without waiting in the long counter queues.

Manage multiple city tours in one platform – Book hop-on hop-off Edinburgh tickets along with other destinations in a single place.

Help when you need it – Friendly customer support is available before and after booking to keep things simple.

Plan your itinerary before arrival – Read our informative travel guides and prepare your 24- or 48-hour Edinburgh itinerary before reaching the city.

How to Make the Most of Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours

Plan Old Town attractions in one stretch: Avoid repeated uphill walking and visit Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Greyfriars Kirkyard, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse at a stretch.

Always board the bus from the starting point: Boarding the bus from any stop is allowed, but it is recommended to always start from the point mentioned in the information. That’s how you will save time and be able to enjoy the whole loop.

Use the Britannia route on Day 2: Complete exploring the Old Town and then continue toward Royal Yacht Britannia on your second day.

Switch routes for New Town museums and gardens: Take the Regal Tour, which connects quieter stops like the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art that are difficult to include on walking routes.

Choose a 48-hour Edinburgh bus tour ticket during festival season: Be practical and get a 48-hour ticket during Edinburgh Festival Fringe as travel time increases significantly.

Edinburgh Things to Know Before Planning

Edinburgh’s historic center is small, but its cobblestone lanes and steep slopes make it difficult to move quickly between the attractions. The distances seem shorter on maps, but in reality, travel takes longer, particularly during peak season.

Another thing is, weather conditions in Edinburgh can change quickly throughout the day, making flexible transport like an Edinburgh city bus tour helpful for planning sightseeing trips. Lastly, you can definitely see the major landmarks in one day, but the Old Town, New Town museums, and waterfront areas demand two or three days to explore in detail.