
Big Bus Edinburgh 24 or 48 hour Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tour
Traveler rating
4.2/5
Based on 496 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Big Bus Edinburgh 24 or 48 hour Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tour worth booking?
Big Bus Edinburgh 24 or 48 hour Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tour is a 1.2-hour experience in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, from $27 per person. It scores 66 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.2/5 rating across 496 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 66 / 100
- Rating
- 4.2/5 (496)
- Duration
- 1.2 hours
- From
- $27 per person
Discover Edinburgh with a Big Bus hop-on, hop-off open-top bus tour. Explore the city at your own pace on the City Tour or Britannia Tour, with stops at top attractions including Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the Royal Yacht Britannia. Enjoy panoramic views and engaging onboard audio commentary throughout your journey. Start your adventure at Waterloo Place and choose the route that suits you best. From historic landmarks to hidden gems, Big Bus makes sightseeing in Edinburgh easy, flexible, and fun — whether you’re relaxing on the top deck or travelling inside the bus.
What you get
About this experience
Discover Edinburgh with a Big Bus hop-on, hop-off open-top bus tour. Explore the city at your own pace on the City Tour or Britannia Tour, with stops at top attractions including Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the Royal Yacht Britannia. Enjoy panoramic views and engaging onboard audio commentary throughout your journey. Start your adventure at Waterloo Place and choose the route that suits you best. From historic landmarks to hidden gems, Big Bus makes sightseeing in Edinburgh easy, flexible, and fun — whether you’re relaxing on the top deck or travelling inside the bus.
What's included
Included
- Dog friendly
- Access to City Tour (available with all options)
- 24- or 48-hour hop-on, hop-off bus ticket
- Access to Britannia Tour (available on 48-Hour Tour on City & Britannia Routes option only)
- Audio commentary available in 9 languages
Not included
- Hotel Pick-up & Drop-off
Options you can book
24-Hour Edinburgh City Tour
Duration: 1 day: This option includes 24-hour hop-on, hop-off bus access for travel on the City Route. Edinburgh City Tour : Hop-on, Hop-off at over 10 central stops.
48-Hour Edinburgh City Tour
Duration: 2 days: This option includes 48-hour hop-on, hop-off bus access for travel on the City Route. Edinburgh City Tour: Hop on Hop off over 10 central stops!
48-Hour City & Britannia Tours
Duration: 2 days: This option includes 48-hour hop-on, hop-off bus access for travel on the City & Britannia Routes. Travel on 2 routes: Unlimited Hop-on, Hop-off Access on both the City and Britannia Tours.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, ru, pt, cmn, ja, en, it, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 30 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Bright Bus Tours Hop On Hop Off
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 495 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
495 verified traveler reviews for Big Bus Edinburgh 24 or 48 hour Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Big disappointment
Nothing but trouble...we were directed to an address to pick up our tickets and a bus stop that was closed. There was construction in the area causing the closure. Complaints to Viator went to deaf ears. We had to buy tickets from another bus company to tour Edinburgh. Surprisingly, the other bus company's tickets were less expensive. Now I am being billed for this on my credit card. This was very upsetting. It also cost us $15.00 to even get to the closed ticket pick up location
via Tripadvisor
Ok tour
Bus was comfortable. It was a nice break from walking Edinburgh. Audio guide could be a bit better. Down load their app so you can see interactive map of where the busses currently are.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your review! We're delighted to hear that you found the bus comfortable and that it provided a welcome break from walking around Edinburgh. It's also great to know that you found the app useful for tracking bus locations and navigating the route. We appreciate your feedback regarding the audio guide and will share your comments with the team for review as we continue to improve the experience for our guests. Thank you for traveling with us, and we hope to welcome you on board again soon! Alex@BigBusTours
via Viator
Great introduction to Edinburgh
Great views and storys of the city, Easy access to main sights. We did this at the start of our vaccination, it's a good introduction to Edinburgh
via Tripadvisor
Professional Service
While we had decided to actively seek out tickets we were approached by one of the company's staff to offer us tickets outside Waverley Market area. I must praise his professionalism when part way through our conversation with him, we were somewhat rudely interrupted by a member of staff from another company who tried to convince us to go with his company instead. Very unprofessional of him to do this and made the atmosphere very awkward. We stated we would stay with the staff member from the Big Bus company to which the other guy pulled a face. Fair play to the ticket seller for not rising to this rude intervention and calmly waiting for us with no pressure from him on us. We bought our tickets from him and he helpfully directed us to the first stop to get on. We weren't disappointed with the subsequent tour. It was a great tour very informative and gave us a flavour of what was available to visit in the city. It's a shame we left it till our last day but we now know where we would like to visit for our next stay. The addition of earphones and an audio accompaniment was very useful. The bus was clean and comfortable. Driver was pleasant and friendly and the guy at stop no 2 who assisted everyone on was lovely. Well done to your ticket seller for being patient and professional - he deserved the sale!
via Tripadvisor
Great! The bus was easy...
Great! The bus was easy to identify and hop on or off. Good commentary on sites to see in Edinburgh!
Response from the operator: Thank you for your lovely feedback! We're delighted to hear that you found our buses easy to identify and enjoyed the hop-on, hop-off experience. It's also wonderful to know that you appreciated the commentary and learning about Edinburgh's fascinating sights. We hope to welcome you aboard again soon for another memorable Big Bus Tours experience! Alex@BigBusTours
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $27 to $30
- Booked in 30 days
- 174
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 66
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Big Bus Edinburgh 24 or 48 hour Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Edinburgh.
How much does Big Bus Edinburgh 24 or 48 hour Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tour cost?
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Prices start at $27 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Edinburgh usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Big Bus Edinburgh 24 or 48 hour Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tour take?
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Plan for about 1.2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Edinburgh is not rushed.
Is Big Bus Edinburgh 24 or 48 hour Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 66 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.2/5 across 496 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Edinburgh, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Big Bus Edinburgh 24 or 48 hour Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Big Bus Edinburgh 24 or 48 hour Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Big Bus Edinburgh 24 or 48 hour Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tour?
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Around 174 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Edinburgh can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Edinburgh and add a light layer if any part of the 1.2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Big Bus Edinburgh 24 or 48 hour Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Edinburgh within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Edinburgh?
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On Outty we rank every Edinburgh experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include The Chocolatarium Chocolate Tour Experience in Edinburgh, The Mountebank Comedy Walk of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Old Town: Historical Guided Walking Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Edinburgh?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Edinburgh?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Big Bus Edinburgh 24 or 48 hour Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tour?
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Included: Dog friendly; Access to City Tour (available with all options); 24- or 48-hour hop-on, hop-off bus ticket; Access to Britannia Tour (available on 48-Hour Tour on City & Britannia Routes option only; and Audio commentary available in 9 languages. Not included: Hotel Pick-up & Drop-off. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
What languages is Big Bus Edinburgh 24 or 48 hour Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tour offered in?
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It is offered in German, Russian, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, English, Italian, French and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Big Bus Edinburgh 24 or 48 hour Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tour?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Big Bus Edinburgh 24 or 48 hour Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Transportation options are wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Big Bus Edinburgh 24 or 48 hour Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tour if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Edinburgh. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Big Bus Edinburgh 24 or 48 hour Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tour?
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Across 496 reviews averaging 4.2 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for Big Bus Edinburgh 24 or 48 hour Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tour?
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There are 3 options to choose from, including 24-Hour Edinburgh City Tour, 48-Hour Edinburgh City Tour, 48-Hour City & Britannia Tours. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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