Edinburgh: Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off 24 & 48 Hour Tours

Edinburgh Castle & the Royal Mile from an Open-Top Bus, at Your Own Pace

You board at Waterloo Place and choose your route: the City Tour hits Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace and the National Museum; the 48-hour option adds the Britannia Tour to the Royal Yacht. Hop off whenever you want, listen to audio commentary in nine languages, and ride the open-top deck for views of the castle and Georgian streets. The whole thing is wheelchair accessible, dogs travel free, and you're back on the next bus whenever you're ready.

Step-by-step itinerary

Edinburgh hop-on hop-off bus tour

• Start at Waterloo Place
• Board Big Bus Edinburgh City Tour
• Visit Edinburgh Castle
• Explore Royal Mile stops
• Stop at Palace of Holyroodhouse
• See Royal Yacht Britannia
• Enjoy panoramic city views
• Listen to onboard audio commentary
• Hop off at top attractions
• Hop on to continue tour

The Experience

The bus fills up fast on Princes Street, and if you're standing at Waterloo Place waiting for the first one to arrive, you'll notice something: everyone's already looking up. The open-top deck means you're not just seeing Edinburgh, you're sitting inside it — the castle looming on the left, the Georgian terraces sliding past on the right, and the audio commentary telling you which stone is 400 years old and which one's from last Tuesday. You pick the 24-hour or 48-hour hop-on hop-off ticket depending on how many times you want to get off and wander, and that's the whole deal. No fixed itinerary, no group waiting for you, just a bus that comes every few minutes and stops at fifteen places around the city.

The City Tour (the red route) is the main loop — it hits the obvious ones: Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Palace of Holyroodhouse, Grassmarket, the National Museum of Scotland. But if you take the 48-hour ticket, you unlock the Britannia Tour as well, which swings out to the Royal Yacht Britannia and gives you a second route to explore without buying another ticket. The audio's available in nine languages, which means you're not dependent on a guide's pace or mood; you listen when you want, skip ahead, or just sit there and watch the city roll past. Dogs ride free, strollers fold up on the lower deck, and the whole bus is wheelchair accessible, so there's no gatekeeping about who gets to see what.

Most people treat it like a greatest-hits run on day one — hop off at the castle, the museum, maybe Calton Hill for the view — then use the second day (if they've got the 48-hour) to fill in the gaps or just ride the top deck with coffee and watch the light change. The stops are spaced so you can do three or four in a morning without rushing, or you can get off at Grassmarket, spend two hours in a café, and catch the next bus when you're ready. That flexibility is what makes it work, especially if you're tired or the weather turns.

What’s included

• 24- or 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus ticket.
• access to the City Tour with fifteen stops including Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Palace of Holyroodhouse, Grassmarket, and the National Museum of Scotland.
• access to the Britannia Tour (48-hour ticket only).
• audio commentary in nine languages.
• dog-friendly travel.
• wheelchair-accessible bus and stops.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Bright Bus Tours Hop On Hop Off

Is this one for you?Best for travelers who want to see Edinburgh's main sights without committing to a guided group or fixed schedule — you hop off when something catches your eye and catch the next bus when you're ready to move on.

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Top questions

How often do the buses run?

Buses arrive every few minutes at each stop throughout the day, so you don't need to plan around a schedule.

Can I use the ticket on both the City Tour and Britannia Tour?

Only on the 48-hour ticket. The 24-hour ticket covers the City Tour; the 48-hour ticket includes both routes.

Is the bus wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the entire bus is wheelchair accessible, including the lower deck and facilities.

Can I bring my dog on the bus?

Yes, dogs ride free on the Big Bus.

What languages is the audio commentary available in?

Nine languages, so you can listen at your own pace without a guide.

Where does the tour start?

At Waterloo Place, outside the Princess Suit Hotel, where you board and choose your route.

Can I bring a pram or stroller?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, which fold up on the lower deck.