Combos

Combo (Save 5%): Edinburgh Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour + Palace of Holyroodhouse Tickets

4.6/5(6,195)

Jim F

Couple

Verified booking

5 days ago

Despite living in Edinburgh for 30 years from birth, I had never visited inside of Palace of Holyroodhouse. Some of the Roual household were in residence at that time. An opportunity arose when living in the south of England to take my partner to Edinburgh to visit both the tattoo and Hollywood Palace. I thoroughly enjoyed the occasion, knowing much of the Scottish heritage, and my partner also enjoyed the experience so much that she would like to visit again, which we will do. Guides on every level were knowledgeable and helpful together with the handheld description of every room. A great experience, not to be missed.

Diane T

Group

Verified booking

Last week

Self guided tour was excellent. We had our tickets and were ready to go when we arrived. The listening devices were great very easy to follow. You could take your time. See the things you want. Skip the things you don't it made for a delightful tour. Having a window in which to arrive was also great because if our day got a little out of control, we had room nine till four to make it one of our other tours. We had to miss because we couldn't be there.

Fozia K

Solo

Verified booking

6 days ago

Book g woz esey with no que the headphone and journey though each and every room woz both interesting with so much to see and learn beutiful portraits in every room esp enjoyed the little gift shop inside managed to find small gifts for the grandchilden the abbey woz very beutiful and gardens with a reward of cake and coffie in the palace cake highly recommended

Terence W

Group

Verified booking

5 days ago

Fabulous house & gardens. Loved listening to the audio with all the history of each room. It was fun looking for the footprint in the picture, learning about how he used prisoners' faces used in his portraits. Staff really helpful and friendly. Good value for tickets. Would definitely visit again when I visit Edinburgh.

Pamela W

Family

Verified booking

3 days ago

A very interesting place to visit with a good guide. I didn’t attempt the stairs to the Queen Mary's bedchamber though, a step too steep for me. I found the ruins of the Abbey and the gardens very pleasant to walk around too.

Joann V

Couple

Verified booking

2 days ago

The palace is a beautiful counterpoint to the ruggedness of Edinburgh Castle. The history is well presented and the comments from the Royal Fsmily add perspective.

Snap up this smart combo to save money! Hit Edinburgh’s top sights on a bus tour and enjoy a Holyrood Palace visit with a drop off right at its doorstep!

Zip around Edinburgh on a 24-hour hop-on hop-off bus adventure with 15 stops near all the big hits like Edinburgh Castle, with a bus every ten minutes.

Kids ride for free and listen to hilarious audio tales, while you enjoy the sights with audio guides in your language; it's a win for everyone.

Get dropped off a stone's throw from the magnificent Palace of Holyroodhouse for your chance to wander the King's stunning Scottish home.

Tread the very same floors as Mary, Queen of Scots, and the eclectic State Apartments, while listening to the palace's thrilling, centuries-old secrets.

24-hour unlimited hop-on hop-off pass by City Sightseeing

Access to Red Route

Audio guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, and Russian

Kids' commentary on Horrible Histories'

Headphones

Free kids' tickets

Entry to the Palace of Holyroodhouse (near Stop #7 Holyrood on Red route)

Audio guide in English, Brazilian Portuguese, French, Gaelic, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Russian, and Spanish

You can cancel these tickets up to 36 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

6,195 reviews
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These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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What our guests say
Marco G
Family
Verified booking
Aug 2026
Good evening; I am absolutely certain that this was the most exciting experience of our family vacation (myself, my wife, and our 7-year-old daughter). Unfortunately, we spent only five days in Edinburgh, but the Royals' summer residence is truly unforgettable. The rooms—intimate in size yet exquisitely furnished down to the last detail—create a genuinely welcoming, home-like atmosphere. It is easy to imagine oneself as a lucky guest at the parties held there, or to relive the tragic moments in the Princess's chambers with a genuine sense of distress—especially upon seeing the bloodstain left by Rizzio, still visible on the beautiful wooden floor of the meeting room. Creaking floors and oak-paneled walls that carry the scent of history—unforgettable! The grandeur of the gardens shown in the photos and the splendid Rolls-Royce—royal in the true sense of the word.
Mrs Sharon T
Couple
Verified booking
Aug 2026
I have been to Holyrood Palace many times in my life. This time I had a Japanese visitor with me. We both enjoyed the visit immensely and she really appreciated the audio guide. The way the tour is organised now makes it very easy to get a picture of the history and the current use by The Royal Family.
Sharon S
Family
Verified booking
Aug 2026
It was an epic visit!! To see the Queen's private rooms was a special treat for my daughter and I who were on a trip to my mom's homeland of Scotland. My mom saw the coronation of the queen. So it was extra special. They guides were outstanding ❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
Fertons M
Couple
Verified booking
Aug 2026
Friendly staff. An extremely well-done, detailed audio guide with very interesting videos. Very informative commentary on the royal family. A magnificent palace steeped in history.
Jim F
Couple
Verified booking
5 days ago
Despite living in Edinburgh for 30 years from birth, I had never visited inside of Palace of Holyroodhouse. Some of the Roual household were in residence at that time. An opportunity arose when living in the south of England to take my partner to Edinburgh to visit both the tattoo and Hollywood Palace. I thoroughly enjoyed the occasion, knowing much of the Scottish heritage, and my partner also enjoyed the experience so much that she would like to visit again, which we will do. Guides on every level were knowledgeable and helpful together with the handheld description of every room. A great experience, not to be missed.

Double the delight for less! Enjoy a money-saving deal on a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus tour through Edinburgh’s top attractions and a regal day out at the Holyrood Palace.

Edinburgh Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

This hop-on hop-off route whisks you through Edinburgh’s best bits, blending grand Georgian streets with quirky old-town vibes and royal showstoppers. Kick off at Waterloo Place and St. Andrew Square, roll down lively Lothian Road, soak up the buzz of Grassmarket, wander past storybook closes on Lawnmarket and John Knox House, then end big at Holyrood’s palaces and the space-age Our Dynamic Earth.

Schedule

First bus: 8:45am from stop #1 Waterloo Place

Last bus: 6pm from stop #1 Waterloo Place

Frequency: Every 10 minutes

Popular stops: Waterloo Place, St. Andrew Square, Holyrood, Our Dynamic Earth

Please click here for the detailed route map and boarding points.

You can join a tour at any stop and hop on and off for the duration of your ticket.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

At the foot of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile rises the majestic Palace of Holyroodhouse, Scotland’s royal residence for over five centuries and still the setting for important state occasions. Inside, you’ll uncover Mary, Queen of Scots’ dramatic chambers, the opulent State Rooms, and the grand Great Gallery where Bonnie Prince Charlie once danced. Step outside to explore the romantic ruins of Holyrood Abbey and wander gardens framed by Arthur’s Seat; a picture-perfect royal escape. A visit here beautifully blends history, grandeur, and scenery; leaving you with a true taste of Scotland’s royal heart.

What's not allowed

Palace of Holyroodhouse

Large bags, rucksacks, and suitcases (30L or over) are not allowed inside for security reasons.

Due to venue restrictions, pets cannot tag along for this experience.

Keep your camera tucked away – photography is strictly not allowed inside the State Apartments.

Accessibility

Edinburgh Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

This experience is wheelchair accessible.

Wheelchairs must be no larger than 70cm wide, 120cm long, and 135cm high to board the bus. If unsure, contact the service provider.

Just a heads up, each bus can only accommodate 1 wheelchair at a time. If there is already a passenger in a wheelchair, please wait for the next one.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible, except in some parts of Mary, Queen of Scots' rooms.

Your guide dogs are welcome at the venue.

Additional information

Edinburgh Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

Children aged 3 and under travel for free. Child tickets must be added to the cart at the final stage of booking.

Small and well-behaved dogs are allowed on board.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

The Palace of Holyroodhouse will be open on Tuesday, December 23, 2025. However, it will be closed on Christmas Day.

As the Palace of Holyroodhouse is a working royal palace, security and opening arrangements may be subject to change at short notice.

The palace is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

Please display the same on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the time of redemption.

Ticket redemption point

Please check your final voucher for redemption point details and specifics.