Edinburgh: Royal Attractions Pass & Hop-On Hop-Off Bus 48h

Summary

Edinburgh’s royal sights on your own time with city buses and entry passes

You’ll explore Edinburgh’s royal highlights with flexible hop-on hop-off buses for 48 hours—no rush needed. Walk ancient halls at Edinburgh Castle, feel quiet awe inside Holyroodhouse Palace, and wander decks of Royal Yacht Britannia out by Leith docks. Local guides share stories along the way and you’ll have time for spontaneous stops—maybe even bagpipes echoing down the Royal Mile.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered if you could see Edinburgh’s big royal spots without rushing or missing half the story? That’s what I wanted — so I grabbed this Royal Edinburgh Ticket and just let the city unfold. First morning, the bus rolled up near Waterloo Place (the driver actually smiled, which felt rare for a city). I climbed to the top deck; it was chilly but that kind of sharp air that wakes you up. The audio guide in English started up — not too dry, thankfully — but I kept pulling my headphones off to listen to people chatting below in Scottish accents. You can switch between three different routes with this ticket, which is weirdly freeing. No pressure if you miss your stop; just catch the next one.

The first “wow” moment for me was hopping off at Edinburgh Castle. There’s something about those stone walls against a patchy sky that feels heavy and alive at once. Our guide, Moira, tossed out little stories about sieges and ghosts (she swears she saw something in the dungeons once — not sure if she was joking). Inside, it smelled like old wood and cold stone; I kept touching the walls because they’re rougher than they look. Afterward, we wandered down the Royal Mile toward Holyroodhouse Palace — passed a guy playing bagpipes who winked at us mid-tune (I think he knew he’d end up in every tourist photo). The palace itself is quieter than I expected. There’s a hush in those rooms that makes you walk softer.

I didn’t expect to like the Royal Yacht Britannia as much as I did. It’s docked out at Leith, so you get a different side of Edinburgh on the ride out there — more locals going about their day, less postcard-perfect. Onboard Britannia it smells faintly of polish and sea air; there’s even an old laundry room with uniforms still hanging up (makes you wonder who wore them last). Lunch was just a quick sandwich from Ocean Terminal but honestly, sitting by the window watching gulls swoop over the harbor felt pretty good after all that history.

By day two I’d stopped worrying about squeezing everything in. Sometimes we’d just ride past stops like the National Museum or Botanic Gardens and decide last minute whether to jump off or stay put. There’s no wrong way to use this ticket — which is probably why I still think about those small moments: sunlight flickering through castle battlements or hearing three languages at once on the bus stairs. So yeah, if you want Edinburgh at your pace (with all the royal bits included), this is how I’d do it again.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Edinburgh royal attractions

• Start tour at Waterloo Place
• Hop off at Lawnmarket for Edinburgh Castle
• Visit the Georgian House nearby
• Hop off at Palace of Holyroodhouse
• Hop off at Ocean Terminal for Royal Yacht Britannia
• Hop off at free garden, enjoy afternoon tea discount
• Use hop-on hop-off buses for city sightseeing

Top questions

What does the Royal Edinburgh Ticket include?

The ticket includes 48 hours on three city tour bus routes plus admission to Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse (except closed dates), and Royal Yacht Britannia.

How long is my hop-on hop-off bus ticket valid?

Your ticket is valid for 48 hours from first use across all three included routes.

Are guides available on these tours?

The Edinburgh Tour has a live English-speaking guide; other tours offer recorded commentary in multiple languages via headphones.

Is Palace of Holyroodhouse always open?

No, it is closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays from October to May and during some special dates; alternative entry to King’s Gallery is offered then.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, buses and attractions are wheelchair accessible; transportation options accommodate wheelchairs and strollers.

Can children join this tour?

Yes, children under 15 can join but must be accompanied by an adult; infants can ride in prams or strollers.

Where do I start my tour?

You can board at Waterloo Place opposite Apex Waterloo Hotel or any official stop along any of the three routes.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are welcome on both buses and attractions.

What’s included

Your experience includes 48-hour unlimited rides on three different city sightseeing bus tours with both live English guides and multilingual audio commentary options. You’ll also get admission tickets for Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse (or King’s Gallery when closed), and Royal Yacht Britannia—all with flexible entry so you can visit whenever suits your mood within those two days.