Edinburgh: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour & Kids Free

Edinburgh's Old Town & Royal Mile from an Open-Top Bus, on Your Schedule

You board at any of 14 stops around Edinburgh and ride the open-top bus for as long as you want within 24 hours, hopping off to explore the Royal Mile, Grassmarket, Edinburgh Castle, and Holyrood Palace at your own pace. Audio commentary in nine languages explains what you're seeing; up to three children travel free with each adult ticket. The voucher is valid for a year, so you can book now and travel later.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Edinburgh by hop-on hop-off bus

• Start at Waterloo Place
• Hop on bus at Lothian Road
• Visit Grassmarket area
• Stop at Nicolson Square
• Explore Chambers Street
• See George IV Bridge
• Visit The Mound
• Stop at St. Andrew Square
• Visit John Knox House
• Explore Canongate
• See Holyrood Palace
• Visit Our Dynamic Earth
• Stop at Abbeyhill Crescent
• See Regent Road
• Visit Burns Monument
• Use audio tour commentary on bus
• Hop on and off at 14 stops

The Experience

The bus pulls up to Waterloo Place with the morning light catching the castle on the ridge above. You climb to the open deck, headphones in, and the city unfolds in every direction — the Royal Mile running downhill through centuries of stone, Grassmarket opening out below where markets have run for 500 years, the Scottish Parliament building in pale sandstone at Holyrood. The hop-on hop-off format means you're not locked into someone else's pace; you get 24 hours from when you board, and the bus comes back to each of the 14 stops every 7 to 10 minutes (until the end of October), so you can jump off at Canongate to walk into John Knox House, or stay on through Calton Hill and Arthur's Seat without rushing.

The audio commentary runs in nine languages and actually explains what you're looking at — the architecture, the history, why certain streets matter — instead of just naming things. Kids get their own track, which keeps them engaged on the longer stretches. And here's the thing that changes the math if you're traveling with children: up to three kids travel free with each adult ticket. That's not a small saving on a family trip to Edinburgh. The vouchers work for a full year from your travel date, so you can book ahead without locking in a specific day, and you can redeem them either on your phone or with a printed paper copy at any stop along the route.

The Red Route hits the main attractions — Edinburgh Castle sits at the top of the Old Town, the National Museum of Scotland is on Chambers Street, the Palace of Holyroodhouse anchors the bottom of the Royal Mile, Our Dynamic Earth is right there at Holyrood — but the real advantage is that you're not herded through them on a fixed itinerary. You decide which stops matter to you. If you want to spend two hours in the National Museum and skip the Scott Monument, you can. If Arthur's Seat calls and you want to get off at Regent Road and walk up, the next bus will collect you when you come back down. The tour runs from 8:45am to 6pm most of the year (switching to 8:55am to 3:55pm from November through March), and buses run frequently enough that you're never stranded waiting.

What’s included

• 24-hour unlimited hop-on hop-off bus access across 14 stops on the Red Route.
• multilingual audio commentary in 9 languages with free headphones and kids' track.
• up to 3 children travel free per adult ticket.
• voucher valid for 12 months from your selected travel date.
• wheelchair accessibility and stroller-friendly seating.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by City Sightseeing Ltd - UK and Ireland

Is this one for you?Best for families and independent travelers who want to see Edinburgh's main sights without booking a guided tour or arranging their own transport — the kids-free offer and flexible 24-hour window mean you can move at your own pace and return to stops that interest you most.

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Top questions

How often do the buses run?

Every 7 to 10 minutes until 31st October 2026, then every 20 minutes from 1st November 2026 through March 2027.

Can I use the bus pass on multiple days?

No, the 24-hour pass is continuous from when you first board. However, the voucher itself is valid for 12 months from your selected travel date, so you can book in advance and choose when to use it.

What languages is the audio commentary available in?

Nine languages, plus a dedicated kids' commentary track. Headphones are included.

Do I need to book a specific time to board?

No. You can board at any of the 14 stops along the route whenever you arrive. Just show your voucher (mobile or printed) at the stop.

Is the bus accessible for wheelchairs and strollers?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible. Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller.

What if I want to visit Edinburgh Castle or the National Museum — are those included?

No, the tour pass covers only the bus transportation and audio commentary. Entry fees to attractions are separate and not included.

Can I board and exit at different stops?

Yes, that's the point of the hop-on hop-off format. You can get off at any of the 14 stops and board again whenever you're ready within your 24-hour window.

What happens if I lose my voucher?

Both mobile and printed vouchers are accepted. If you have the mobile version, you can show it on your phone at any stop.