Top 10 Hop-On Hop-Off Edinburgh Bus Tours: Prices, Maps & FAQs
By Of course! 🇬🇧🚌 Edinburgh — with its historic Old Town, castle-topped hill, and charming Georgian streets — is a perfect city for Hop-On Hop-Off (HOHO) bus tours.
The city is compact yet hilly, and a HOHO bus saves you time and energy while offering amazing views across the city’s medieval and royal highlights.
Here’s your full guide to the Top 10 Hop-On Hop-Off Edinburgh Bus Tours, with updated prices, maps, and FAQs:
🏰 Top 10 Hop-On Hop-Off Edinburgh Bus Tours
1. Edinburgh City Sightseeing – Red Route
- Price:
£18 ($23 USD) for a 24-hour ticket
- Route: Historic Old and New Town loops
- Map: 📍 View Map
- Highlights: Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, Royal Mile, Grassmarket
- Best For: Classic sightseeing with recorded multilingual audio 🎧
2. Edinburgh Tour – Green Route
- Price: ~£18
- Includes: Live local guide (in English)
- Highlights: Princes Street, Royal Mile, Scottish Parliament
- Best For: Visitors who prefer a live, humorous commentary 🗣️
3. Majestic Tour – Blue Route
- Price: ~£20
- Route: Extended loop including Newhaven, Royal Botanic Gardens, Leith
- Best For: Exploring beyond the Old Town into Leith and the harbor 🚢
4. Royal Edinburgh Ticket (HOHO + Attractions)
- Price: ~£65
- Includes: 48-hour HOHO bus + entry to
- Edinburgh Castle
- Palace of Holyroodhouse
- Royal Yacht Britannia
- Best For: Serious history lovers and royal enthusiasts 👑
5. Edinburgh Night Bus Tour (Panoramic Only)
- Price: ~£21
- Duration: ~75 minutes, non-hop-off
- Highlights: Floodlit Castle, Scott Monument, Holyrood lit up
- Best For: Magical city views after sunset 🌙
6. HOHO + Ghost Bus Tour Combo
- Price: ~£39
- Includes: HOHO sightseeing bus + spooky theatrical Ghost Bus ride 👻
- Best For: Fun, theatrical history tours
7. GetYourGuide Edinburgh HOHO 24–48 Hour Tickets
- Price: ~£18–20
- Route: Flexible between Red, Green, or Blue tours
- Perks: Easy online booking and cancellation
- Best For: Digital-savvy travelers
8. Tiqets HOHO Edinburgh Pass
- Price: ~£18
- Same access as City Sightseeing, with mobile ticketing
- Best For: Last-minute and mobile ticket users 📱
9. City Sightseeing + Dynamic Earth Entry Combo
- Price: ~£36
- Includes: HOHO pass + Dynamic Earth science and planetarium center entry
- Best For: Families with kids 🌍
10. Private Hop-On Hop-Off–Style City Minibus Tour
- Price: ~£300–£400 for private group (up to 6–8 people)
- Includes: Personal driver-guide and customizable city route
- Best For: VIPs, families, and private groups
🗺️ Most Popular Hop-On Hop-Off Stops in Edinburgh
| Stop | Nearby Attractions |
|---|---|
| Waverley Bridge (Main Start) | Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh Waverley Station |
| Edinburgh Castle | Historic fortress, war memorials, Crown Jewels |
| Royal Mile | Medieval street, shops, museums, St Giles’ Cathedral |
| Holyrood Palace | Royal residence and ruins of Holyrood Abbey |
| Scottish Parliament | Modern architecture, free entry to public debates |
| Grassmarket | Historic pubs, boutique shopping, lively cafés |
| Royal Yacht Britannia (Blue Route) | Royal ship at Ocean Terminal mall in Leith |
| Royal Botanic Garden | Stunning gardens and glasshouses (Blue Route) |
❓FAQs – Hop-On Hop-Off Edinburgh
✅ Is a HOHO bus worth it in Edinburgh?
Absolutely!
The hills and distances between key landmarks can be tiring — HOHO buses help link the Castle, Holyrood, New Town, and waterfront areas without exhausting yourself.
🕒 How long is the full loop?
- Red Route: ~60–75 minutes
- Green Route: ~60 minutes
- Blue Route: ~75–90 minutes
📍 Where can I start?
- Most routes start at Waverley Bridge (near Princes Street Gardens), but you can hop on at any official stop.
🗣️ Are there live guides?
- Green Route: Yes (live English guides)
- Red/Blue Routes: No — recorded multilingual audio available
📱 Are mobile tickets accepted?
Yes!
Both City Sightseeing and GetYourGuide allow QR code boarding.
🕘 When do buses operate?
- Daily
- First departures: ~9:00 AM
- Last departures: ~4:00–5:00 PM
- Buses every 10–20 minutes depending on the season
♿ Are the buses wheelchair accessible?
Yes — lower decks are wheelchair accessible with ramps.
Would you like me to help design a perfect 1–2 day Edinburgh HOHO sightseeing plan — including historic pubs 🍻, castle tours 🏰, and sunset views over Arthur’s Seat?
Or I can create a custom Google Map with stops, secret alleys, and must-try shortbread shops — just say the word! 🚍✨
