Combos

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

Open today

9:30am - 6:00pm

Explore at your pace

Choose your entry time, stay as long as you like

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 36 hours before the start of your experience

Audio guide

Enhance your experience with multilingual audio guide

4.6/5(6,005)

Ida S

Group

Verified booking

3 days ago

Holyrood Palace was beautiful and full of history. The visit felt much longer than expected because there was so much to see and explore, but every room was fascinating and worth it. The staff was great, friendly, and helpful throughout the visit. I would definitely recommend it to anyone visiting Edinburgh. Much love from Puerto Rico! 🇵🇷

Irene M

Solo

Verified booking

3 weeks ago

We went early in the morning. Admission was very quick; the staff organized the lines so that those of us who had already made reservations and paid could exchange our tickets right away, while others had to go through the entire process. The audio guide was very helpful. It synchronized with what you were seeing and provided additional information. An enjoyable visit. You’re not allowed to take photos inside.

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.

6,005 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
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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Guests from United States, France, Italy and over 58 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Irene M
Solo
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
We went early in the morning. Admission was very quick; the staff organized the lines so that those of us who had already made reservations and paid could exchange our tickets right away, while others had to go through the entire process. The audio guide was very helpful. It synchronized with what you were seeing and provided additional information. An enjoyable visit. You’re not allowed to take photos inside.
Ida S
Group
Verified booking
3 days ago
Holyrood Palace was beautiful and full of history. The visit felt much longer than expected because there was so much to see and explore, but every room was fascinating and worth it. The staff was great, friendly, and helpful throughout the visit. I would definitely recommend it to anyone visiting Edinburgh. Much love from Puerto Rico! 🇵🇷
Susan M
Solo
Verified booking
5 days ago
The Holywood palace visit was well organised and all the staff were very helpful. Such a beautiful place! The audio guide was excellent, informative and interesting. Magnified the history of the place for me. Would recommend people to visit. Photography is not allowed inside the palace but the guide is an reasonable price.
Mara R
Couple
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
A wonderful tour with an audio guide, where you can see historic rooms of great significance! We were hoping to see the royal apartments where they usually live, but that wasn’t included in the ticket. Unfortunately, I can’t attach any photos because photography is prohibited during the tour inside the palace.
Kim S
Group
Verified booking
Jun 2026
Beautiful grounds, audio tour was very informative and easy to follow. Each passage was not too wordy, easy listening. We stayed for longer than expected, so much to see and the walk of the gardens was very inspirational. Stopped for lunch , food was reasonably priced with good choices

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.