Edinburgh Big Bus Tour

The Big Bus Tour in Edinburgh offers an excellent opportunity to discover the heart of Scotland's capital effortlessly. This experience allows you to hop on and off at various designated stops, allowing you to delve into its historical avenues, magnificent architecture, and intriguing tales.

Routes, Stops & Timetables

This open-top double-decker bus features audio guides in English and operates two distinct routes. Key stops on this journey include Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, the Scottish Parliament, the National Museum of Scotland, and the Scott Monument. Each location promises to leave a lasting impression!

You can find details regarding the routes, stops, and schedules of the sightseeing bus below:

Detailed route and stops for the Edinburgh sightseeing bus

Bus Options

Upon booking, you will have the choice between three ticket types, depending on how long you wish to explore Edinburgh and which routes pique your interest the most.

The 24-hour ticket provides access exclusively to the red line, making it ideal for a quick overview of the city’s highlights.

For a more comprehensive exploration, the 48-hour ticket allows access to both the red and blue lines.

Red Line: This primary route traverses the Old Town and the Georgian New Town. You will pass by major attractions such as Edinburgh Castle, Holyroodhouse, Dynamic Earth, and the Scottish Parliament.
From October 27, 2025, to March 29, 2026, buses run every 20 minutes from 9 am to 4 pm. The total journey time is about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Blue Line: Covering northern Edinburgh, this route offers a glimpse of the port area and the Leith neighborhood. It features sights like the Royal Yacht Britannia, once a floating home for Queen Elizabeth II, the Royal Botanic Garden, and the Robert Burns Monument.
This route lasts approximately 55 minutes. From October 27, 2025, to March 29, 2026, departures occur hourly from 9:05 am to 4:05 pm.

Please be aware that these times may be subject to change.

Operational Details

Your ticket is valid for 24 or 48 consecutive hours from the moment you first use it. Throughout this period, you have the flexibility to hop on and off as frequently as you wish at any of the stops. Although a start date is required during the booking process, the service can be utilized for 2 weeks after the planned date.