English
English
Route name: Near Stop 7, Grassmarket (Red Route)
Attraction timings: 9:30am to 6pm
Big Bus Edinburgh Bus Tours
Routes
TimelineMap
1. Waterloo Place
Waterloo Place
1 minute walk
Calton Hill
5. Royal Yacht Britannia
Royal Yacht Britannia
4 minutes walkPort of Leith Distillery
5 minutes walk7. Royal Botanic Garden
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
1 minute walkTimelineMap
8. National Museum of Scotland
National Museum of Scotland
10. Holyrood Palace
Palace of Holyroodhouse
1 minute walk13. Regent Road
Robert Burns Monument
1 minute walkSee Edinburgh’s 20 must-sees in a self-paced tour by bus with a multilingual audio guide.
- Hop on and off at your own speed through 24 or 48 hours of Edinburgh’s castles, cobbled lanes, and lively streets full of history and layered charm.
- Choose one or both routes for unlimited rides up to 20 must-see landmarks, with buses swinging by every 10–60 minutes to serve Edinburgh two ways.
- Plug into the multilingual audio guide that plays like a personal podcast with stories and nuggets about everything you’re breezing past on the ride.
- Spot the crown-shaped towers of Edinburgh Castle, stroll the cobbled Old Town, wave to Britannia, meet Bobby the pup, and gaze at Calton Hill’s columns.
See Edinburgh’s 20 must-sees in a self-paced tour by bus with a multilingual audio guide.
- Hop on and off at your own speed through 24 or 48 hours of Edinburgh’s castles, cobbled lanes, and lively streets full of history and layered charm.
- Choose one or both routes for unlimited rides up to 20 must-see landmarks, with buses swinging by every 10–60 minutes to serve Edinburgh two ways.
- Plug into the multilingual audio guide that plays like a personal podcast with stories and nuggets about everything you’re breezing past on the ride.
- Spot the crown-shaped towers of Edinburgh Castle, stroll the cobbled Old Town, wave to Britannia, meet Bobby the pup, and gaze at Calton Hill’s columns.
Inclusions
- 24/48-hour unlimited hop-on hop-off bus tour
- Access to Red & Blue routes (based on option selected)
- Audio guide in English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Russian, Portuguese, Japanese & Mandarin
- Mobile app with a detailed map and live bus tracking
Hop-on Hop-off Route - Red Route
The Red route is your classic Edinburgh adventure, expect sweeping views of dramatic castles, grand monuments, and winding medieval streets, all narrated with lively stories as you loop through the city’s historic heart.
Popular stops: The Mound, St Andrew Square, Grassmarket
Hop-on Hop-off Route - Blue Route
The Blue route is a journey from Edinburgh’s elegant city centre to its bustling waterfront, mixing stately Georgian squares with the salty tang of the Port of Leith.
Popular stops: Waterloo Place, Victoria Quay, Royal Yacht Britannia
- Most buses are wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
- Your guide dogs and pets are welcome onboard the bus.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Why choose the Edinburgh Big Bus tours?
Wide city and harbour coverage
Big Bus offers two well-designed sightseeing routes: the City (Red) Route, which takes you through iconic landmarks like Edinburgh Castle, the Old Town, and the Royal Mile, and the Britannia (Blue) Route, which extends out to the scenic waterfront and the Royal Yacht Britannia. With both routes included in one ticket, you get comprehensive coverage of the city and harbour areas.
Flexible ticket options & ease of travel
Travellers can choose between 24-hour or 48-hour passes, giving them complete freedom to explore at their own pace. Whether you want to see everything in one busy day or spread sights over two relaxed days, Big Bus makes it easy to tailor your visit.
Comfortable open-top buses with great views
Big Bus uses open-top double-decker buses that offer panoramic views of Edinburgh’s dramatic skyline, medieval architecture, and coastal scenery. It’s an ideal option for visitors who want to enjoy the city without constant walking, especially on hilly routes or when covering long distances between attractions.
Multilingual audio guide and engaging commentary
Every ride includes a multilingual audio guide packed with engaging facts, historical stories, and helpful context. It enhances the journey by turning each stretch of road into a sightseeing experience with meaningful insights into Edinburgh’s culture and landmarks.
Convenience, value for money, and user-friendly features
With a single ticket covering transport to many of Edinburgh’s top attractions, Big Bus provides an affordable and time-efficient sightseeing option. The service is easy to use and offers useful tools like live-tracking and route information through its app, making your sightseeing smooth and stress-free.
Big Bus tours Edinburgh routes, stops, and maps
City Route (Red Route)
For a classic Edinburgh adventure, hop on the red route to see dramatic castles, grand monuments, and winding medieval streets, all narrated with lively stories as you loop through the city’s historic heart.
- First stop: Waterloo Place
- Timings: 9am to 6:20pm
- Frequency: Every 10 to 20 minutes
- No. of stops: 13
- Full loop duration: 70 minutes
Britania Route (Blue Route)
Hop on the blue route and journey from Edinburgh’s elegant city centre to its bustling waterfront, mixing stately Georgian squares with the salty tang in the air.
- First stop: Waterloo Place
- Timings: 9:05am to 6:05pm
- Frequency: Every 1 hour
- No. of stops: 7
- Full loop duration: 55 minutes
Highlights of your Edinburgh Big Bus tour
Edinburgh Castle
Read more
Suggested Edinburgh Big Bus tour itineraries
24-hours
48-hours
Only spending a day in Edinburgh? Here’s a flexible itinerary you can follow using a Big Bus Edinburgh Hop-on Hop-off pass.
- Start at Waterloo Place around 9am and hop on the City (Red) Route and enjoy relaxed morning views as the bus takes you toward the Old Town.
- Visit Edinburgh Castle next! Hop off near the Old Town stop to explore the city’s most iconic fortress, known for panoramic views and centuries of Scottish history.
- Next, walk the Royal Mile & Old Town, where you can wander through cobbled streets, browse shops, and grab lunch while soaking in Edinburgh’s medieval charm.
- In the early afternoon, stop at the National Museum of Scotland to spend some time exploring interactive exhibits covering Scottish culture, science, nature, and world history.
- Switch to the Britannia (Blue) Route in the late afternoon to enjoy a scenic ride toward Edinburgh’s waterfront for a refreshing change of pace.
- End your day at the Royal Yacht Britannia or The Shore. Explore the historic royal ship or unwind with a harbour-side stroll and dinner as the day draws to a close.
Day 1: Historic core & castle highlights
Spend two days exploring Edinburgh's top attractions with the Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off pass. Here’s how you can spend two whimsy-filled days.
- Start early and ride the City (Red) Route to Edinburgh Castle, where you will explore ramparts, royal history, and panoramic city views.
- Late morning, around 11am, wander down the Royal Mile, browsing shops, marvelling at street performances, and admiring historic architecture.
- Next, hop off at St Giles’ Cathedral for a quick visit to this iconic medieval church.
- Grab lunch in Old Town, then pop into the National Museum of Scotland to explore Scottish culture, history, and natural science exhibits.
- Hop back on the bus and ride toward Princes Street Gardens, where you can stroll through green lawns and take photos with castle views.
- As evening sets in, ride toward Calton Hill to enjoy sunset views over Edinburgh’s skyline. Grab dinner at a local restaurant nearby.
Day 2: Waterfront, royal yacht & relaxed exploration
- Begin your second day of sightseeing by riding down the Britannia (Blue) Route toward Royal Yacht Britannia, where you get to explore the historic ship at Ocean Terminal / Leith harbour.
- From there, hop off at The Shore, Leith and stroll through the harbour’s side streets and brunch by the water.
- Hop back on and ride to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Spend a relaxing hour among exotic botanical collections and landscaped grounds.
- Hop back on and head to Arthur’s Seat. Hike up this short, iconic hill for sweeping city and sea views.
- End your day by riding through New Town and its main boulevards. Hop for dinner at a nearby spot and afterwards, end your trip with an evening stroll, enjoying the sights and sounds of Edinburgh at night.
Frequently asked questions about Edinburgh Big Bus tours
How do Big Bus Edinburgh Hop-on Hop-off buses work?
These buses let you board and disembark at various stops along a pre-designated route, providing a flexible way to explore key attractions.
What are the major inclusions of the Big Bus Edinburgh bus tour ticket?
The Big Bus Edinburgh bus tour includes audio guides in 9 languages and a mobile app with a detailed map and live bus tracking features.
How many routes does Big Bus Edinburgh offer?
There are two routes you can hop on with a Big Bus Edinburgh bus tour ticket. Britania Route (Blue) takes you to the city’s waterfront, while the City Route (Red) will take you through Edinburgh’s classic landmarks and castles.
How frequently can I expect Big Bus tours to roll around in Edinburgh?
Depending on the route you take, Big Bus tours arrive every 10 minutes to an hour.
Are the Big Bus Edinburgh tours accessibility friendly?
Your guide dogs are welcome onboard, and most buses are wheelchair accessible. However, we recommend getting in touch with the operator ahead of your tour to ensure that your needs can be safely accommodated.
How long is my Big Bus Edinburgh ticket valid for?
You can purchase a 24/48-hour Hop-on Hop-off Big Bus Edinburgh ticket, depending on your needs and budget.
From happy customers
Justin
United KingdomJan, 2026
Me and my girlfriend went to edinburgh zoo and it was amazing! We were worried that because it was winter we wouldn't see any animals. However, we were suprised to see all the animals we went in for. The staff were lovely and the enclosures for the animals were amazing. My girlfriend was so excited to see the capybaras, she cried!! Amazing experience, would highly recommend to anyone that has a love for animals and conservation. The zoo seem to be participating in a lot of conservation work which i love to see as a wildlife and conservation management student at SRUC. 10/10 experience, thanks to everyone at Edinburgh Zoo
Combo: Edinburgh Zoo Tickets + Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
Chuma
United KingdomJan, 2026
It was a long walk but worth it.
Saw the Penguin 🐧, tiger and Giraffes. Sadly I couldn't see the cheetah and zebra as they were hiding.
Combo: Edinburgh Zoo Tickets + Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
Claudia
ItalyDec, 2025
A visit to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh's royal residence, was a deeply evocative experience. The complex is impeccably maintained and managed with great attention to detail. The tour remains rich and engaging, offering an authentic journey through centuries of Scottish history.
The interiors, still used today by the Royal Family, are remarkably well preserved and restore a solemn and refined atmosphere. Each room tells stories of intrigue, power and destiny, linked in particular to the intense and tragic figure of Mary Stuart.
Holyrood Palace is an essential stop for anyone visiting Edinburgh: a place where history, elegance and emotion are harmoniously and unforgettably interwoven.
View original review in Italian
Combo: Edinburgh Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour + Palace of Holyroodhouse Tickets
Angel
SpainDec, 2025
Amazing! Holyrood was the main reason of my trip to Edinburgh, really impressive and historical. I would strong recomend to visit it to all my family! Cheers from Spain!
Combo: Edinburgh Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour + Palace of Holyroodhouse Tickets
Fatehyab
IndiaDec, 2025
Loved the dungeon experience
Everyone was extremely engrossed in their roles and felt like we were actually present
Had a wonderful time
Combo: Edinburgh Dungeon Tickets + Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Carole
United KingdomOct, 2025
I had visited before but it was my daughter's first visit and she was picked as Sweaty Betty - she thoroughly enjoyed this and the Judge was particularly excellent in her role. We had a really enjoyable visit, with staff engagement making us laugh and scream in equal measure. I would certainly return to the Edinburgh Dungeons.
Combo: Edinburgh Dungeon Tickets + Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Dolorès
CanadaSep, 2025
I loved being able to get off , visit and carry on later. I did the Red bus around town, and the Blue Eoyal tour that allowed me visiting the outskirts of Edinburgh.
City Sightseeing: Edinburgh Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
Stephen
Sep, 2025
The itinerary covered many places of interest. Generally good balance with travel and visit times for all the places visited. Felt a bit limited in regard to having time to browse gift shops but can't imagine how this could be changed as time for visiting landmarks was very good and wouldn't suggest making day any longer than that already scheduled! We had a wonderful time. Brian, our tour guide, was outstanding! His stories were informative and presented in an entertaining manner. He was very friendly, accommodating and made all feel welcome. He seemed to really care that all the attendees had a wonderful experience and we did!! We were quite impressed with how he wove together history and explanation of local landmarks and legends and supported this with topic specific (Scottish) musical accompaniments.
It has made for a memorable trip!
City Sightseeing: Edinburgh Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour