
Edinburgh Afternoon Tea Experience
Traveler rating
4.3/5
Based on 1,323 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Edinburgh Afternoon Tea Experience worth booking?
Edinburgh Afternoon Tea Experience is a 1.5-hour experience in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, from $65 per person. It scores 69 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 1,323 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 69 / 100
- Rating
- 4.3/5 (1,323)
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- From
- $65 per person
Enjoy the very best afternoon tea that Edinburgh has to offer. Indulge in a selection of sandwiches, cakes, savouries and warm home baked scones with Traditional preserves and fresh whipped cream. The Tour explores all the main attractions in Edinburgh, including the historic Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Old Town to name a few. Duration of tour is between 70 – 90 minutes. We are licensed so additional drinks can be purchased from our onboard bar. This tour is not suitable for children 5 and under and they can not be permitted on board the bus.
What you get
About this experience
Enjoy the very best afternoon tea that Edinburgh has to offer. Indulge in a selection of sandwiches, cakes, savouries and warm home baked scones with Traditional preserves and fresh whipped cream. The Tour explores all the main attractions in Edinburgh, including the historic Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Old Town to name a few. Duration of tour is between 70 – 90 minutes. We are licensed so additional drinks can be purchased from our onboard bar. This tour is not suitable for children 5 and under and they can not be permitted on board the bus.
What's included
Included
- Home baked warm scone with cream, jam and strawberry garnish
- Handmade Sandwich selections
- Selection of Petit Fours
- Tea and coffee
- Sumptuous cupcakes
Not included
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
- Souvenir drinks cup
What you'll see and do
Scott Monument
The Scott Monument is a Victorian Gothic monument to Scottish author Sir Walter Scott
Pass by without stopping
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is a historic fortress which dominates the skyline of Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland.
Pass by without stopping
The Meadows
The Meadows is a large public park in Edinburgh, Scotland, to the south of the city centre.
Pass by without stopping
Greyfriars Bobby
Greyfriars Bobby was a Skye Terrier who became known in 19th-century Edinburgh for spending 14 years guarding the grave of his owner until he died himself on 14 January 1872. The story continues to be well known in Scotland, through several books and films.
Pass by without stopping
Grassmarket
Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh's historic Old Town, behind Edinburgh Castle, the Grassmarket area is one of the most vibrant, picturesque and lively areas of the city.
Pass by without stopping
Arthur's Seat
Arthur's Seat is an extinct volcano which is the main peak of the group of hills in Edinburgh, Scotland, which form most of Holyrood Park, described by Robert Louis Stevenson as "a hill for magnitude, a mountain in virtue of its bold design"
Pass by without stopping
Palace of Holyroodhouse
The Palace of Holyroodhouse, commonly referred to as Holyrood Palace, is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland, Queen Elizabeth II.
Pass by without stopping
The Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament is the unicameral legislature of Scotland.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Edinburgh
Regent Road Coach Parking 5 Regent Terrace next to Rabbie Burns Statue
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Regent Road Coach Parking 5 Regent Terrace next to Rabbie Burns Statue
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 20 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Red Bus Bistro Company Limited
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- We do not offer live or recorded guide commentary on our buses. We are a dining Experience whilst touring Edinburgh or Glasgow.
- Red Bus Bistro Bookings are only valid for the date and time stated.
- Patrons should expect to share a table especially on our busier weekend tours. If patrons would rather not share a table we can try and accommodate them on a quieter tour.
- Patrons are requested to arrive 10–15 minutes before departure at waterloo Place opposite Apex Hotel. Unfortunately we cannot wait for late comers as we only have a limited time on stand. Refunds will not be offered to latecomers.
- We offer gluten free or vegetarian options. Our Products may contain nuts. Please specify requirements upon reservation.
- No tickets are issued for the tour.
- Your Surname is passed to the Bus Manager prior to your tour, this will be requested upon arrival at the bus, you can print this email out purely for your own information.
- Please be prepared to redeem any Gift Voucher you may have used for payment to the bus on the day of the tour.
- If you have booked using an Itison voucher, we may ask to see your voucher on your phone.
- Children have to be 5 years and older to be allowed onboard Red Bus Bistro children aged 5 to 9 years old are charged at £20 pounds and children aged 10 and over are charged as full paying adult.
- Anyone under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult
- There may be occasions where the tour has to be cancelled without advance notice, in the event of a cancellation patrons will be refunded in full or transferred onto another tour date.
- If the tour is cancelled after the first half an hours commencement, we will then offer availability on another tour.
- Smoking is not permitted on the Bus at any time.
- Red Bus Bistro does not take any responsibility for the loss, damage or theft of personal belongings while on the Bus.
- Conditions of carriage are subject to legislation set out by the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981; all details can be given by the Red Bus Bistro head office.
- We would like to point out that we operate Vintage Routemaster Buses, and although we keep our vehicles in the best possible maintenance condition there will be times that unforeseen maintenance issues may arise and result in a disruption to the tours, or cancellation; however we will endeavour to do everything in our power to avoid any disruption.
- Red Bus Bistro Company reserves the right to refuse carriage of patrons who are intoxicated, or displaying threatening or abusive behaviour, no refunds will be given under these circumstances. We also ask that a reasonable standard of behaviour is adhered to while on the tour, as there are other passengers to consider.
- Red Bus Bistro is not responsible for any damage caused by breaking the rules.
- RED BUS BISTRO COMPANY LIMITED ACCESS POLICIES
- It is not the policy of Red Bus Bistro Company Ltd to discriminate in any way against employees or passengers regarding disability, gender, race, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.
- Red Bus Bistro’s Bus was registered in 1966; it consists of Drivers Cab, upper deck, lower deck, and will always have at least 4 staff on board. The bus seats 12 downstairs and 28 upstairs; unfortunately due to the age and design of the Bus we cannot accommodate wheelchair passengers. Red Bus Bistro can reserve seating in advance for the lower deck for those with mobility concerns. As per above, patrons should otherwise be prepared to share a table, where the patrons would rather be seated alone we can try and accommodate them on a quieter tour however not guaranteed,
- There is no toilet on board.
- The tour will last between 70-90 minutes dependant on conditions, in which time our patrons will be served with an Afternoon Tea or Gin Tour. For private hire all requests are considered.
- Red Bus Bistro Company Limited will go out of its way to cater for as diverse and audience as possible within the physical confines of the bus, and will follow the DDA Legislation guidelines at all times.
- All information gained from Patrons will never be given to any third parties; Red Bus Bistro Company Limited is responsible for all online transactions.
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What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 1,323 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
5 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Value for money
3 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
1,323 verified traveler reviews for Edinburgh Afternoon Tea Experience. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Poor food hygiene standards..AVOID.
The bus was late signalling a poor start but gave us the opportunity to meet another couple due onboard, and we sat with them. One of the waitresses was sat on the ground beside us, which we only realised when she stood to go on the bus and set up. The bus driver then got out to say they had run late and supplier issues so had to stop off and buy food, they would need to time prep and set up. His shirt and jeans were filthy with food/ grease stains on his shirt and if this was the first tour of the day, clearly not clean uniform. The couple we just met shared the same thoughts as us that so far two of the staff we had seen should not be handling food so instantly we were put off. As a result we did not eat the food and having seen the downstairs set up with no apparent running water, I’d suggest food hygiene standards are low. The glasses holding the prosecco appeared dirty too so we didn’t touch that either. Staff did not wear uniforms and the girl sat on the floor had cream joggers on that were dirty. She actually served up the scones, while holding the basket AGAINST her stomach and clothes. With long hair too not fully tied up, we were horrified. Some food servings were plentiful and other sine not so much variety or amount. On the surface this seems a nice wee treat but it was quite the opposite. Seeing some of the sights twice eg Edinburgh University buildings, showed a lack of variety so all in all, not worth it for the tour nor food!
via Tripadvisor
Great Food & City Tour
This was so much fun! It was a great way to see the city and to eat yummy food. Our gracious hostess offered me a soft drink since I didn’t want alcohol. She recommended Iron Brew, a Scottish drink. I’m so glad she did because it’s delicious! I drank it every chance I could before leaving Scotland. If you’re on the fence about booking this tour I highly recommend that you do it…It’s totally worth it!
via Tripadvisor
Extremely disappointed
We had reservations for Afternoon Tea Experience. The address they gave us for the meet was under construction and we did not get another meeting address. I tried calling and got a person but it was apparently a third party and could not help. So, we missed the experience and I apparently can not get a refund.
Response from the operator: We’re sorry to hear that you were disappointed with your experience. Unfortunately, the roadworks were beyond our control. We notified all passengers of the change to the meeting location. For bookings made through third-party platforms, such as Viator, we sent the notification through the platform’s messaging system, which is the designated channel for communicating booking updates. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your understanding.
via Viator
Wonderful birthday surprise
This 90 minute bus trip was a wonderful birthday surprise, and we enjoyed every moment. The food was delicious, plentiful and well presented, and the whole experience was made even more enjoyable by our informative and fun guides. A fantastic experience from start to finish. My only small criticism would be that two stops felt unnecessary and took time off the tour.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you chose our Afternoon Tea Experience as a birthday surprise and that you enjoyed every moment. It’s fantastic to know that you loved the food and that our guides helped make the experience fun and informative. We also appreciate your feedback regarding the two stops. We understand that, for some guests, they may feel like they take valuable time away from the tour, and we’ll certainly take your comments on board. Thank you again for celebrating such a special occasion with us. We hope to welcome you back on board for another memorable experience in Edinburgh!
via Tripadvisor
Scenic tour
Great way to see the city & enjoy the champagne. Can see most of where you want to go when it’s done then you can jump on a on & off bus to get around .
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed seeing Edinburgh from our bus while relaxing with a glass of champagne. It’s wonderful to know that you found it a great way to get an overview of the city before exploring further. Thank you for recommending us, and we hope to welcome you on board again on your next visit to Edinburgh!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 463
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Red Bus Bistro Company Limited, who run 3 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 57.6.
See everything Red Bus Bistro Company Limited runsWhy this scores 69
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Edinburgh Afternoon Tea Experience: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Edinburgh.
How much does Edinburgh Afternoon Tea Experience cost?
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Prices start at $65 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 Edinburgh Afternoon Tea Experience take?
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Plan for about 1.5 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 Edinburgh Afternoon Tea Experience worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 69 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 1,323 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 Edinburgh Afternoon Tea Experience?
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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 Edinburgh Afternoon Tea Experience suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Edinburgh Afternoon Tea Experience?
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Around 463 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 1.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Edinburgh Afternoon Tea Experience 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 Edinburgh Afternoon Tea Experience?
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Included: Home baked warm scone with cream, jam and strawberry garnish; Handmade Sandwich selections; Selection of Petit Fours; Tea and coffee; and Sumptuous cupcakes. Not included: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase); and Souvenir drinks cup. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Edinburgh Afternoon Tea Experience?
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Regent Road Coach Parking 5 Regent Terrace next to Rabbie Burns Statue Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Edinburgh Afternoon Tea Experience offered in?
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It runs in English. 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 Edinburgh Afternoon Tea Experience?
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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 Edinburgh Afternoon Tea Experience wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Red Bus Bistro’s Bus was registered in 1966; it consists of Drivers Cab, upper deck, lower. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Edinburgh Afternoon Tea Experience 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 Edinburgh Afternoon Tea Experience?
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Across 1,323 reviews averaging 4.3 out of 5, recurring themes include food and drink, the guide, value for money. The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
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