In a nutshell
- There are two hop-on hop-off providers in Edinburgh — we’ll show you which one is worth it and exactly what sets it apart.
- The Edinburgh sightseeing buses cover six routes through the city center and out to the harbor district of Leith and the Royal Yacht Britannia.
- Short on time? Our top pick is Edinburgh Bus Tours — great value, three year-round routes, and kids under 15 ride free.
What You Should Know About Hop-on Hop-off in Edinburgh
In Edinburgh there are two hop-on hop-off providers: Edinburgh Bus Tours and Bright Bus Tours.
You can’t go wrong with either one. The tours are very similar in nature — both take you from one highlight to the next and are super reliable. The differences come down to the details of what each offers.
Edinburgh Bus Tours runs on four routes through the city: Green, Red, Blue, and in spring and summer there’s also the 3 Bridges Tour to Queensferry, including a boat tour.
Bright Bus Tours has only two routes: the City Tour in the center and the Britannia Tour to the port of Leith.
Highlights You Can Reach by Hop-on Hop-off Bus in Edinburgh
- Grassmarket
- Lawnmarket, Edinburgh Castle
- John Knox House
- National Museum of Scotland
- Holyrood
- Dynamic Earth
- Royal Yacht Britannia
- Water of Leith
- Stockbridge
Our Recommendation: Edinburgh Bus Tours
Edinburgh Bus Tours is our absolute favorite and a genuine winner for value for money!
The provider is a combination of three different operators — Edinburgh Tour, City Sightseeing, and Majestic Tour — which is why you get three really great routes through the city right from the start.
The tours kick off right in the Old Town, which is super convenient if you’re staying centrally. Our favorite hotels in Edinburgh are located right near many of the stops.
In spring and summer, a fourth route heads to the coast and includes a boat trip from Queensferry. Just keep in mind this fourth route is only available with the 48-hour ticket.
You can choose between a 24-hour ticket (Grand 24) for around 29 euros and a 48-hour ticket (Grand 48) for around 33 euros.
Pros:
- Best value for money
- One route with live commentary
- Route extending to the Leith harbor district
- Additional route in spring and summer
- Children up to age 15 ride free for 24 hours
- Discounted tickets for seniors and families
Cons:
- Additional spring/summer route only available with the 48-hour ticket
Book your Edinburgh Bus Tours ticket online
Note: Hop-on hop-off tickets don’t include admission to Edinburgh’s attractions! Entry tickets for the highlights can be purchased in advance online or on-site.
Hop-on Hop-off Providers in Edinburgh at a Glance
There are two hop-on hop-off providers in Edinburgh. Our comparison table shows you the key differences at a glance.
| Edinburgh Bus Tours | Bright Bus Tours | |
|---|---|---|
| Validity | 24h & 48h | 24h & 48h |
| Prices for 24h | 29 € | 23 € |
| Children free | up to 15 years (24h) | No |
| City pass discount | included in the Royal Edinburgh Pass | not included |
| Routes | 4 routes | 2 routes |
| Stops | 9 (Green Edinburgh Tour) 9 (Red City Sightseeing) 9 (Blue Majestic Tour) 4 + boat tour | 16 (City) 14 (Britannia) |
| Frequency | 15 minutes | 15 minutes & 60 minutes |
| Operating hours | approx. 9 AM–4 PM | 9 AM–4 PM |
| Audio guide / Live | DE & EN + Live in English (Green) | DE & EN |
| Buy here | Buy here |
Our Verdict on the Hop-on Hop-off Bus in Edinburgh
If you want to explore Edinburgh by hop-on hop-off bus, we’d strongly recommend Edinburgh Bus Tours.
The three main routes, which run year-round, cover all the major attractions across the city.
Along the way you can use an audio guide, and on the green route you even get live commentary from a real guide — a nice touch that makes a real difference.
The stops are spread across the city so well that you’ll always have a perfect starting point for continuing on foot.
And in spring and summer, the 48-hour ticket (Grand 48) adds a fourth route to Queensferry with a boat tour included.
In short: With the Edinburgh hop-on hop-off bus from Edinburgh Bus Tours, you can explore the city in a totally relaxed way at a genuinely fair price.
Book your Edinburgh Bus Tours ticket online
Frequently Asked Questions About Hop-on Hop-off in Edinburgh
#1 Is Hop-on Hop-off Worth It in Edinburgh?
Absolutely! Hop-on hop-off in Edinburgh is seriously worth it — not only because you can keep sightseeing even in the worst Scottish weather, but also because you get a perfect overview of the city and its highlights.
Edinburgh Bus Tours is our favorite hop-on hop-off operator in Edinburgh!
#2 Should I buy my hop-on hop-off ticket in advance?
Yes — we’d recommend booking in advance. You’ll often save a few euros and can plan which routes you want to take and when.
If you’re not yet sure whether you’ll use the Edinburgh hop-on hop-off bus at all, you can also buy your ticket spontaneously at tourist information offices on the day, or book later through Tiqets.
#3 Is the hop-on hop-off tour in Edinburgh wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the hop-on hop-off tours in Edinburgh are all wheelchair accessible according to the providers. That’s really great news — it means you can explore the entire city comfortably, even with limited mobility.
#4 Is Hop-on Hop-off in Edinburgh suitable for children?
Yes, totally! Hop-on hop-off is a fantastic way to discover Edinburgh with kids.
The rides make sightseeing so much more relaxed, and children under 15 ride free with a 24-hour ticket from Edinburgh Bus Tours.
There are also great family ticket options and plenty of room for strollers on the buses.
#5 Are dogs allowed on the Hop-on Hop-off bus in Edinburgh?
Yes, dogs are welcome on the hop-on hop-off buses in Edinburgh and even ride for free. How great is that!
#6 What do the colors mean on the Hop-on Hop-off Edinburgh?
The colors represent the different routes on the Edinburgh hop-on hop-off bus:
- Green = city center ride with live commentary
- Red = city center ride with audio guide
- Blue = ride out to the Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh Leith
#7 Are the hop-on hop-off buses included in the Edinburgh Pass?
Yes! Edinburgh Bus Tours is included in the Royal Edinburgh Pass.
For just under 76 euros, you get 48 hours on all three year-round routes plus admission to Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, and the Royal Yacht Britannia. Really good value if you’re planning to visit all three.
#8 How much luggage can I bring on the Edinburgh Hop-on Hop-off?
For safety reasons, bulky luggage and large travel bags aren’t permitted on the Edinburgh hop-on hop-off buses. A backpack is perfectly fine to bring on board.
Our tip: If your bag fits on your lap, you’re good to go. Otherwise, we’d suggest leaving your luggage at your accommodation in Edinburgh before hopping on.
#9 Are there alternatives to the hop-on hop-off bus in Edinburgh?
Definitely! You can also check out guided tours in Edinburgh. There are also some really fun one-time city tour options we love:
- Vintage City Tour with Tea: A charming vintage bus tour of Edinburgh’s top attractions — during the ride you’ll enjoy tea, gin, sandwiches, cupcakes, and warm scones.
- Ghost Bus Tour Edinburgh: Explore dark Edinburgh on a black bus, rolling past spooky locations while the driver shares true crime stories and ghost tales. Brilliant fun.
