Hop-on Hop-off Tours Edinburgh

Edinburgh: Royal Attractions Tickets + 48-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

Name: Edinburgh: Royal Attractions Tickets + 48-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
Start: 2026-09-12T09:00:00
End: 2026-09-12T18:00:00
Location: Edinburgh

4.6/5(236)

Nunzio A

Couple

Verified booking

Last week

We particularly appreciated the attention given to the elderly and people with disabilities: staff members who were always ready to guide you along alternative routes.

Craig L

Couple

Verified booking

Jul 2026

The driver was very knowledgeable and helpful to make surenwenwere on the right bus for our hop on hop off tour. Very personalbe and friendly. And helped us to make sure we got off on the right stop.

Suzanne W

Couple

Verified booking

Jun 2026

Absolutely loved Gemma's guided commentary. The routes conveniently overlapped in certain spots making it so easy to switch or reach attractions. The App helped enormously with stop locations and timetables. With a tight timeline and so much to see in a fascinating and historically rich city we feel we covered as much as possibly to experience the wonderful city of Edinburgh. You wouldn't be able to see as much any other way.

Nicole M

Group

Verified booking

May 2026

We loved the convenience of how often the buses came by the stops so that we could literally "Hop on and off" at the locations we wanted to see more about! The stop for us to pick up the bus was conveniently located close to our hotel and we were able to ride all three bus lines in the city of Edinburgh. We will definitely be using the system again when we head to London.

Gil S

Group

Verified booking

May 2026

Top-notch—I highly recommend it. You skip the line at the castle, and the bus driver is very friendly. It’s easy to get to, and the audio commentary saves you time too.

Bruce G

Couple

Verified booking

May 2026

Tour was exactly as expected. Easy to find place to get event tickets. Dominic was very helpful!! Busses clean, talk was very good as well. Bus drivers knowledgeable and friendly.

Unlock Edinburgh’s royal heritage with entry to three iconic landmarks and 48-hour hop-on hop-off access to 50+ well-placed stops across the city.

Travel across 3 routes covering the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle and the Scottish Parliament, with the freedom to hop on and off as you explore.

Buses run approximately every 30 minutes and include multilingual audio guides on Red and Blue routes, live English commentary on the Green route, Horrible Histories children’s narration, and a mobile app with live tracking.

Visit Edinburgh Castle to see the Crown Jewels, explore the royal apartments at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and tour the State Apartments aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia.

With dedicated stops near each attraction, this combo ensures seamless travel between castle, palace, and royal yacht, keeping your sightseeing efficient.

Royal Attractions

Entry to 3 royal Edinburgh attractions (see details here)

Entry to Edinburgh Castle

Entry to Royal Yacht Britannia

Entry to Palace of Holyroodhouse

Audio guide in 30 languages at the Royal Yacht Britannia

Audio guide in 9 languages at the Palace of Holyroodhouse

Edinburgh Hop-on Hop-off

48-hour unlimited hop-on hop-off tour

Access to City Sightseeing (Red), Edinburgh Tour (Green), and Regal Tour (Blue) routes (route details here)

Audio guide in English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Japanese, Russian, Chinese & Portuguese (Red & Blue routes)

Horrible Histories children’s commentary on City Sightseeing (Red)

English-speaking guide (Green route)

Headphones provided (Red and Blue routes)

Mobile app with a detailed map and live bus tracking

TOTAL DURATION1 hour 10 minutes
FREQUENCYEvery 7 to 10 minutes
FIRST DEPARTUREWaterloo Place at 8:45 AM
LAST DEPARTUREWaterloo Place at 6:00 PM
Timeline
Map
1. Waterloo Place
Get direction
2 attractions
Calton Hill
1 minute walk
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
6 minutes walk
2. Lothian Road
Get direction
2 attractions
Usher Hall
3 minutes walk
Traverse Theatre
1 minute walk
3. Grassmarket
Get direction
2 attractions
Grassmarket Square
1 minute walk
Victoria Street
6 minutes walk
4. George IV Bridge
Get direction
1 attraction
Edinburgh Castle
5 minutes walk
5. St. Andrew Square
Get direction
2 attractions
St. Andrew Square Gardens
2 minutes walk
Scott Monument
5 minutes walk
6. John Knox House
Get direction
2 attractions
National Museum of Scotland
4 minutes walk
Bedlam Theatre
5 minutes walk
7. Holyrood
Get direction
3 attractions
Palace of Holyroodhouse
1 minute walk
Scottish Parliament Building
Holyrood Park
11 minutes walk
8. Our Dynamic Earth
Get direction
1 attraction
The Queen’s Gallery
6 minutes walk
TOTAL DURATION1 hour 5 minutes
FREQUENCYEvery 15 mins
FIRST DEPARTUREWaterloo Place at 8:50 AM
LAST DEPARTUREWaterloo Place at 5:50 PM
Timeline
Map
1. Waterloo Place
Get direction
2 attractions
Calton Hill
1 minute walk
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
6 minutes walk
2. St. Andrew Square
Get direction
2 attractions
St. Andrew Square Gardens
Scott Monument
3 minutes walk
3. Holyrood
Get direction
3 attractions
Palace of Holyroodhouse
1 minute walk
Scottish Parliament Building
Holyrood Park
8 minutes walk
4. Museum of Childhood
Get direction
5. Chambers Street
Get direction
1 attraction
Edinburgh Castle
4 minutes walk
6. Grassmarket
Get direction
2 attractions
Grassmarket Square
1 minute walk
Victoria Street
6 minutes walk
7. Charlotte Square
Get direction
2 attractions
The Georgian House
Princes Street Gardens
9 minutes walk
8. Frederick Street
Get direction
TOTAL DURATION1 hour 20 minutes
FREQUENCYEvery 15 mins
FIRST DEPARTUREWaterloo Place at 8:40 AM
LAST DEPARTUREWaterloo Place at 5:25 PM
Timeline
Map
1. Waterloo Place
Get direction
2 attractions
Calton Hill
1 minute walk
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
6 minutes walk
2. North St. David Street
Get direction
3. Royal Botanic Garden
Get direction
2 attractions
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
1 minute walk
Inverleith House
4. Newhaven
Get direction
2 attractions
Newhaven Harbour Lighthouse
2 minutes walk
Newhaven Fish Market
2 minutes walk
5. Ocean Terminal
Get direction
2 attractions
Royal Yacht Britannia
4 minutes walk
Ocean Terminal Mall
7 minutes walk
6. Leopold Place
Get direction
1 attraction
Gayfield Square
5 minutes walk
7. Holyrood
Get direction
3 attractions
Palace of Holyroodhouse
1 minute walk
Scottish Parliament Building
Holyrood Park
8 minutes walk

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

236 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, Canada, Australia and over 15 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Nunzio A
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
We particularly appreciated the attention given to the elderly and people with disabilities: staff members who were always ready to guide you along alternative routes.
Beth K
Couple
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
Loved their were 3 different routes to take. I feel like I really got to see Edinburgh.
Craig L
Couple
Verified booking
Jul 2026
The driver was very knowledgeable and helpful to make surenwenwere on the right bus for our hop on hop off tour. Very personalbe and friendly. And helped us to make sure we got off on the right stop.
Calogero C
Family
Verified booking
Jul 2026
Being able to relax on the bus while the guide explains the sights... it's the best!
Suzanne W
Couple
Verified booking
Jun 2026
Absolutely loved Gemma's guided commentary. The routes conveniently overlapped in certain spots making it so easy to switch or reach attractions. The App helped enormously with stop locations and timetables. With a tight timeline and so much to see in a fascinating and historically rich city we feel we covered as much as possibly to experience the wonderful city of Edinburgh. You wouldn't be able to see as much any other way.

What's not allowed

Royal Attractions

Large bags, rucksacks and suitcases (30L or over) are not allowed inside the Edinburgh castle.

Accessibility

Royal Attractions

Parts of Edinburgh Castle and Palace of Holyroodhouse are wheelchair accessible.

The Royal Yacht Britannia experience is wheelchair accessible.

Edinburgh Hop-on Hop-off

This experience is wheelchair accessible.

Mobility scooters are allowed if folded and stored as luggage.

Your guide dogs and pet dogs are welcome aboard.

Additional information

Royal Attractions

The Palace of Holyroodhouse is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, except from 25 May to 8 September 2025, when it remains open daily.

Holyrood Palace is closed between June 26 and July 4, 2025. Entry to The King's Gallery and a Palace Guidebook are offered as an alternative to Royal Edinburgh Ticket customers.

Entry to the Edinburgh Castle is guaranteed – when you validate your prepaid voucher you will be offered a choice of entry slots. This cannot be booked in advance. Even if the Castle’s own website is sold out, tickets are allocated for Royal Edinburgh Ticket customers.

Note that the ticket lets you visit Edinburgh Castle and Royal Yacht Britannia within 48 hours. If you need to visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse outside of that timeframe, your ticket will still be valid.

The 48 hours start when you validate your voucher – you will be issued a Royal Edinburgh Ticket with a tear off portion for Britannia and the Palace. You will also receive a tour ticket to get you on and of the tours. At that point we shall reserve your Castle entry.

Children aged 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult or senior citizen during their visit.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.