
Private City Kickstart Tour: Edinburgh
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 58 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private City Kickstart Tour: Edinburgh worth booking?
Private City Kickstart Tour: Edinburgh is a 1.5-hour experience in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, from $88 per person. It scores 71 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 58 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 71 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (58)
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- From
- $88 per person
Receive a warm welcome to Edinburgh on a private tour that will kick off your time in the city in the best way possible! In only 90 minutes, a local guide will get you acquainted with Edinburgh to help you enjoy the rest of your stay to the fullest. Discover where to find Edinburgh Castle and St. Giles Cathedral and how to explore them away from the crowds. And what about that unique family owned restaurant or that amazing local hotspot? We got you covered; the local guides are experts in the subject! Forget about touristy traps; on this city kickstart tour, your guide will point you in the right direction. Private City Kickstart Tour: Edinburgh is one of Withlocals' signature tours available in major cities worldwide. We work with passionate local guides who earn a fair fee. We support local economies by only offering local produce and prevent over-tourism with only small non-intrusive groups. Our tours are carbon-neutral and away from the standard tourist routes.
What you get
About this experience
Receive a warm welcome to Edinburgh on a private tour that will kick off your time in the city in the best way possible! In only 90 minutes, a local guide will get you acquainted with Edinburgh to help you enjoy the rest of your stay to the fullest. Discover where to find Edinburgh Castle and St. Giles Cathedral and how to explore them away from the crowds. And what about that unique family owned restaurant or that amazing local hotspot? We got you covered; the local guides are experts in the subject! Forget about touristy traps; on this city kickstart tour, your guide will point you in the right direction. Private City Kickstart Tour: Edinburgh is one of Withlocals' signature tours available in major cities worldwide. We work with passionate local guides who earn a fair fee. We support local economies by only offering local produce and prevent over-tourism with only small non-intrusive groups. Our tours are carbon-neutral and away from the standard tourist routes.
What's included
Included
- Local Tips and Tricks
- City Orientation
- Private Tour
- Local Guide
Not included
- Hotel pick-up and drop off
- Food & beverages
What you'll see and do
St Giles' Cathedral
St. Giles Cathedral is a parish church of the Church of Scotland in the Old Town of Edinburgh.
10 minutes here · Admission not included
Edinburgh Castle
The edifice known as Edinburgh Castle was built during the 12th century and sits on an extinct volcano which is called Castle Rock.
20 minutes here · Admission not included
Writers' Museum
Depending on your host and their chosen route for the tour, this stop might also be included in your route.
Pass by without stopping
Grassmarket
Depending on your host and their chosen route for the tour, this stop might also be included in your route.
Pass by without stopping
Greyfriars
Depending on your host and their chosen route for the tour, this stop might also be included in your route.
Pass by without stopping
National Museum of Scotland
Depending on your host and their chosen route for the tour, this stop might also be included in your route.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Edinburgh
Outside the main entrance Burgers and Beers Grillhouse.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Outside the main entrance Burgers and Beers Grillhouse.
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
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Withlocals
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Private tour: only you & your local guide
- Post Covid-19 regulations are applied to this product with regards to the number of participants, delivery methods of the tour and content of the tour.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 58 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
58 verified traveler reviews for Private City Kickstart Tour: Edinburgh. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great Tour Guide
Our guide Mark Jackson was fantastic. He asked our teenage boys about their interests and then did a great job of including them in the conversations. He has lots of interesting facts and made the tour fun for all of us, especially by adding humor.
via Viator
Perfect walking tour
Alec was informative and funny. It was perfect for us since we only had one day. He told some great stories.
via Viator
Great tour guide and experience!
Chris is an awesome guide! He's extremely knowledgeable and engaging. He gave me a lot of great tips for my stay as well. Be sure to take this tour as soon as you get to Edinburgh and not at the end.
via Viator
Great way to start Edinburgh trip
Don’t hesitate if you are thinking of booking the city kickstarter tour. ALEC personalized our tour and it met our needs perfectly. I highly recommend both him and this tour on your arrival to Edinburgh. My granddaughter and myself are thankful to have done this. Thank you again, Alec.
via Tripadvisor
Monica was lovely. ...
Monica was lovely. Knowledgeable and so personable. We live Viator and this was a great way to see so much of the city quickly, privately and tailored to our needs.
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
- Every day
- Price range
- $88 to $153
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 20
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Withlocals, who run 170 experiences we rank across 55 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 67.4.
See everything Withlocals runsWhy this scores 71
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private City Kickstart Tour: Edinburgh: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Edinburgh.
How much does Private City Kickstart Tour: Edinburgh cost?
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Prices start at $88 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 Private City Kickstart Tour: Edinburgh 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 Private City Kickstart Tour: Edinburgh worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 71 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 58 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 Private City Kickstart Tour: Edinburgh?
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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 Private City Kickstart Tour: Edinburgh 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 Private City Kickstart Tour: Edinburgh?
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Around 20 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 Private City Kickstart Tour: Edinburgh 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 Private City Kickstart Tour: Edinburgh?
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Included: Local Tips and Tricks; City Orientation; Private Tour; and Local Guide. Not included: Hotel pick-up and drop off; and Food & beverages. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Private City Kickstart Tour: Edinburgh?
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Outside the main entrance Burgers and Beers Grillhouse. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Private City Kickstart Tour: Edinburgh 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 Private City Kickstart Tour: Edinburgh?
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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.
What happens to Private City Kickstart Tour: Edinburgh 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 Private City Kickstart Tour: Edinburgh?
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Across 58 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
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