
City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Kids Go Free
Traveler rating
4.3/5
Based on 2,870 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Kids Go Free worth booking?
City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Kids Go Free is a 1.2-hour experience in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, from $27 per person. It scores 75 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 2,870 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 75 / 100
- Rating
- 4.3/5 (2,870)
- Duration
- 1.2 hours
- From
- $27 per person
Explore the historic and vibrant city of Edinburgh in your own time, with an award-winning unlimited 24 hour hop-on hop-off bus tour. From the open-top deck you’ll have a fantastic 360 degree view of the spectacular surroundings, which are a blend of stunning natural beauty, and wonderfully historic architecture. This Scottish sightseeing adventure will take you to all of Edinburgh's key points of interest, including Waverley Bridge, Grassmarket, Johnston Terrace, Old Town, Canongate, Palace of Holyroodhouse, Our Dynamic Earth and much more! There's also an informative audio tour commentary on the double-decker bus, so you can make sense of the fabulous sights you're experiencing. With access to 14 stops around the city, and the ability to hop on and off the bus as much as you please within the given time period, you can truly immerse yourself into the culture of this charming destination.
What you get
About this experience
Explore the historic and vibrant city of Edinburgh in your own time, with an award-winning unlimited 24 hour hop-on hop-off bus tour. From the open-top deck you’ll have a fantastic 360 degree view of the spectacular surroundings, which are a blend of stunning natural beauty, and wonderfully historic architecture. This Scottish sightseeing adventure will take you to all of Edinburgh's key points of interest, including Waverley Bridge, Grassmarket, Johnston Terrace, Old Town, Canongate, Palace of Holyroodhouse, Our Dynamic Earth and much more! There's also an informative audio tour commentary on the double-decker bus, so you can make sense of the fabulous sights you're experiencing. With access to 14 stops around the city, and the ability to hop on and off the bus as much as you please within the given time period, you can truly immerse yourself into the culture of this charming destination.
What's included
Included
- 24 hour hop-on hop-off bus tour
- Vouchers valid for 12 months from travel date selected at check-out
- KIDS GO FREE - Up to 3 children travel for free with every full paying adult
- Multilingual audio commentary in 9 languages + free headphones & kids commentary!
Not included
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Entry to attractions
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 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- City Sightseeing Ltd - UK and Ireland
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Visit Scotland 5 star award-winning tour and Gold Green Tourism award winner
- Until 31st October 2026: First departure from Stop 1 at 8:45am. Last departure from Stop 1 at 6pm. Tour duration: 70 minutes approximately. Frequency: every 7 - 10 minutes
- 1st November 2026 - 20th March 2027: First departure from Stop 1 at 8:55am. Last departure from Stop 1 at 3:55pm. Buses run every 20 minutes. Tour duration: 70 minutes approximately
- Mobile and printed paper vouchers are both accepted on this tour and can be redeemed at any of the stops along the route
- Vouchers are valid for 12 months from travel date selected at check-out
- Kids go free! Up to 3 kids can travel for free per adult ticket. Child tickets must be added to basket when purchasing tickets. Valid for travel before 31st March 2027
- Waterloo Place is closed for approx. 11 weeks and therefore, the new departure point is Stop GG on George Street
- Sunday 11th October due to an event: Stops 9,10,11,13 & 14 will not be served between 12:00pm and 1:00pm
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 2,870 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
2 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
2,870 verified traveler reviews for City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Kids Go Free. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Excellent all round....
Excellent all round. Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Great audio listening. Fascinating city to tour around.
Response from the operator: Dear Wikitoria, Thank you so much for your fantastic 5-star review! We are so pleased you had such an enjoyable experience exploring Edinburgh with us. It is lovely to hear you felt well looked after by the team and that you enjoyed discovering the city on our tour. We hope to welcome you back again very soon! City Sightseeing Edinburgh Team Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Kids Go Free
via Viator
Good
Was nice to be able to ride to determine what I wanted to see next
via Tripadvisor
Great way of seeing the...
Great way of seeing the city. The bus had multi language headsets to listen about the area sights. Ticket is good for 24 hrs with easy hop/hop off ability. Would highly recommend this activity.
Response from the operator: Hi Paul, Thank you so much for your kind review of the City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Kids Go Free. We are delighted you enjoyed exploring the city with our open-top bus and that the commentary and flexibility of the ticket made your day easier. We hope to welcome you back on board again soon! Team City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Kids Go Free
via Viator
Excellent.tourost option....
Excellent.tourost option. Just as described and a great way to explore Edinburgh. And the on/off feature is great.
Response from the operator: Hi, Jane, Thank you very much for your excellent review of City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour 🙂 We are delighted that you found it an excellent option, just as described, and a great way to explore Edinburgh with our hop-on hop-off service on the sightseeing bus. We hope to welcome you back on board soon! Team City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Kids Go Free
via Viator
Edinburgh Hop-on Hop-off is great!
Simply the best way to learn your way around a new city when visiting for the first time. The Edinburgh Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour was really great and the audio-based tour guide is filled with good local knowledge. The folks who work for the tour are very friendly and will answer any questions you may have. I highly recommend this tour!
via Tripadvisor
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
- Booked in 30 days
- 1,004
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by City Sightseeing Ltd - UK and Ireland, who run 7 experiences we rank across 7 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 72.3.
See everything City Sightseeing Ltd - UK and Ireland runsWhy this scores 75
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Kids Go Free: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Edinburgh.
How much does City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Kids Go Free 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 City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Kids Go Free 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 City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Kids Go Free worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 75 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 2,870 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Edinburgh, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Kids Go Free?
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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 City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Kids Go Free 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 City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Kids Go Free?
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Around 1,004 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 City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Kids Go Free 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 City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Kids Go Free?
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Included: 24 hour hop-on hop-off bus tour; Vouchers valid for 12 months from travel date selected at check-out; KIDS GO FREE - Up to 3 children travel for free with every full paying adult; and Multilingual audio commentary in 9 languages + free headphones & kids commentary!. Not included: Gratuities; Food and drinks; Hotel pickup and drop-off; and Entry to attractions. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
What languages is City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Kids Go Free 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 City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Kids Go Free?
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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 City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Kids Go Free wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; and Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Kids Go Free if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Kids Go Free?
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Across 2,870 reviews averaging 4.3 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
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