Private Edinburgh City Tour
Traveler rating
4.6/5
Based on 10 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Edinburgh City Tour worth booking?
Private Edinburgh City Tour is a 8-hour experience in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, from $1,056 per person. It scores 53 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 10 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 53 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (10)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $1,056 per person
Explore Edinburgh, which has been the capital of Scotland since the 15th Century and stands proudly on seven hills, from the comfort of your own private vehicle. Compare Edinburgh’s medieval Old Town, where people lived in cramped conditions, to the elegant Georgian New Town. Enjoy undivided attention from your private guide and learn all about this fascinating city on this 8-hour tour.
What you get
About this experience
Explore Edinburgh, which has been the capital of Scotland since the 15th Century and stands proudly on seven hills, from the comfort of your own private vehicle. Compare Edinburgh’s medieval Old Town, where people lived in cramped conditions, to the elegant Georgian New Town. Enjoy undivided attention from your private guide and learn all about this fascinating city on this 8-hour tour.
What's included
Included
- Private tour
- Driver/guide
- Live commentary on board
- Hotel/port pickup and drop-off
Not included
- Lunch
- Optional visits
What you'll see and do
Edinburgh Castle
Optional visit time is available
Pass by without stopping
St Giles' Cathedral
Scotlands High Kirk
Pass by without stopping
Greyfriars Bobby
Edinburgh's best know dog!!
Pass by without stopping
Scott Monument
The National monument to Sir Walter Scott
Pass by without stopping
Edinburgh Old Town
Medieval Edinburgh
120 minutes here
New Town
James Craigs iconic "New" Town
60 minutes here
Royal Mile
Edinburgh's medieval City
Pass by without stopping
Calton Hill
See the Nelson memorial, Royal Observarory and the whole of Edinburgh spread out below you!!
30 minutes here
Palace of Holyroodhouse
The official residence of the Monarchs, when they visit the city. Optional visit
90 minutes here · Admission not included
Grassmarket
Medieval market area
Pass by without stopping
National Museum of Scotland
Scotlands National museum
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
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 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Ecosse Executive
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
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- A maximum of 8 people per booking
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 10 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
10 verified traveler reviews for Private Edinburgh City Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
worth every penny - fantastic guide for the end of our European and UK ttour
the best way to end our trip ~ fantastic, funny, so knowledgeable, great with my kids flexible. can't say enough. was a very cold day and kept us in areas to help keep warm, entertaining stories, knew locals at stores and restaurants, was just so much fun to be with for the day
Response from the operator: Hi Kim!! Thank you for your lovely review, I'm delighted that you had such a good time. It was an absolute pleasure to spend time with you all. Very best & warmest regards, Alan
via Tripadvisor
Our group went on a six hour tour of Edinburgh including the castle and palace. Delightful, educational, knowledgeable with a bit of “blarney” for fun are a few words to describe our guide. Alan was extremely familiar with the town for ease of travel and very mindful of time with regard to returning to our cruise ship. Highly recommend this company.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your lovely review, it was an absolute pleasure to spend time with you, and I'm delighted that you had such a good experience. Very best & warmest regards, Alan
via Tripadvisor
Edinburgh city tour
Clean and comfortable car for 4 of us Paul was great and full of knowledge of the city We had a good time even with multiple city streets been blocked during the festival Recommend
Response from the operator: Good afternoon Leo. Thank you for your 5* review, it's greatly appreciated. I shall ensure that Paul is given a copy. Many thanks, Alan
via Viator
Paid $718 to be stood up
Booked a full day tour with Ecosse Executive Tours through Trip Advisor three months in advance of our day visit in Edinburgh so that my 80-something parents could enjoy the city without exhausting themselves. I confirmed the booking directly with the company two months ago and received a pleasant response that our booking was confirmed, and I could rest assured we would be well taken care of. Today we disembarked, happily walked up to Alan, the tour director, only to be told that we would be traveling with a different tour guide today. Paul, he said, would be here by 9am (the contracted time for our tour to begin), "I promise." And with that, Alan drove off with a different party. At 9:20am, after watching the precious minutes of our limited stay in Edinburgh tick away, we decided we probably needed to pivot as neither the "promise" nor the contracted-and-paid-for tour were going to be fulfilled. Thanks Ecosse and Trip Advisor for a thoroughly disappointing, stressful and crappy experience.
Response from the operator: I am so sorry that this happened and that your shore excursion was ruined. When I saw you at the quay side I was under the impression that your driver/guide was on his way and would be with you very shortly. Unfortunately that didn't turn out to be the case, as I found out later on that day when it was way to late in the afternoon to arrange another guide for you. It will be of no interest to you I know, but that person was dismissed on the spot and no longer works for my company. If you ever come back to Edinburgh, I would like to offer my personal guiding services to you free of charge for a full day Edinburgh City Tour. Regards, Alan
via Tripadvisor
Lifetime of wonderful memories
This was a fantastic experience. Alan was professional, respectful, courteous, always mindful of our comfort/care/needs, full of history and interesting facts. So many that we started writing them down so that we could remember them all! We started joking (my daughter and I) saying that we'd make another note of the Fee-isms. Alan's last name is Fee. Worth every cent and more! He gave us the best tips, best jokes, best insight, and most importantly......a lifetime of wonderful memories. I have made a note to keep his contact information and definitely come back and tour with him again. I believe that he is even opening up his personal residence (it's spectacular by the way) as a B&B and if it's available, I'll be staying there with him upon our return! Can't say enough good things about this company. You'd be wasting your money to book with anyone else.
Response from the operator: Oh Ursula, what can I say in reply to that except thank you for your wonderful review. It was my ABSOLUTE pleasure to spend time with you, and I look forward to seeing you again on your return? Alan
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 4
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Ecosse Executive, who run 3 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 55.1.
See everything Ecosse Executive runsWhy this scores 53
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Edinburgh City Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Edinburgh.
How much does Private Edinburgh City Tour cost?
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Prices start at $1,056 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 Edinburgh City Tour take?
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Plan for about 8 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 Edinburgh City Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 53 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 10 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 Edinburgh City 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 Private Edinburgh City Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Edinburgh City Tour?
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Around 4 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 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Edinburgh City 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 Private Edinburgh City Tour?
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Included: Private tour; Driver/guide; Live commentary on board; and Hotel/port pickup and drop-off. Not included: Lunch; and Optional visits. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Private Edinburgh City Tour include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 151 listed pickup locations in and around Edinburgh. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Private Edinburgh City Tour 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 Edinburgh City 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 Private Edinburgh City 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 All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Private Edinburgh City 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 Private Edinburgh City Tour?
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Across 10 reviews averaging 4.6 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, value for money. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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