Private Edinburgh driving tour
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.6/5
Based on 7 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Edinburgh driving tour worth booking?
Private Edinburgh driving tour is a 7-hour experience in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, from $720 per person. It scores 52 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 7 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 52 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (7)
- Duration
- 7 hours
- From
- $720 per person
This tour is perfect for those who want to see the best Edinburgh has to offer by combining the comfort of private transportation and being able to stop and wander as much or as little as you like. You will see the main
What you get
- Private transportation
- Bottled water
- In-vehicle air conditioning
About this experience
This tour is perfect for those who want to see the best Edinburgh has to offer by combining the comfort of private transportation and being able to stop and wander as much or as little as you like. You will see the main sights of Edinburgh plus visit local spots with a local guide who knows Edinburgh inside out. You will learn and the history and the culture of Scotland's Capital and see the best of Edinburgh has to offer and by the end of the day you will have seen more and learned more than most tourists do in days of walking.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- Bottled water
- In-vehicle air conditioning
Not included
- Lunch
- Tea and coffee
- Alcoholic beverages
What you'll see and do
St Giles' Cathedral
Stop nearby St Giles to see this magnificent building and find out about the famous peoples from it's past.
20 minutes here · Admission not included
Advocate's Close
We stop so you can get this Iconic view down to the New Town.
5 minutes here
Royal Mile
We drove down the Royal Mile stopping to get some amazing views and explore a bit more.
20 minutes here
White Horse Close
See this stunning little close tucked away off the Royal Mile.
5 minutes here
Edinburgh Castle
We stop to give you some great views of the castle from different locations on this tour. If you want to visit inside the castle we can drop you off nearby and pick you up when you finish.
15 minutes here · Admission not included
Palace of Holyroodhouse
We can stop to see Holyrood Palace, but if you want to visit inside we can drop you off and wait for you.
30 minutes here · Admission not included
Royal Yacht Britannia
If you want to visit the Royal Yacht Britannia, we can take you there and wait as you explore on the self guided tour there.
45 minutes here · Admission not included
Rosslyn Chapel
For any Da Vinci code or Knights Templar fans, we can take you to Rosslyn Chapel outside of Edinburgh. If you want to visit this will be your first stop of the day other than on Sundays when it would have to e after service.
30 minutes here · Admission not included
Greyfriars Kirk
Stop to wander this amazing old graveyard and find out about it's rather fascinating past.
20 minutes here
Leith
Stop for lunch where the locals eat in Leith, with eateries for every taste and some great local pubs there is something for everyone.
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Stockbridge
Drive along stunning Circus Lane and explore this lovely local part of Edinburgh.
15 minutes here
Dean Village
Step back in time to the 1600's with this amazingly well preserved part of Edinburgh. You won't believe you are in the Capital City of Scotland.
20 minutes here
Cramond Village
Explore this lovely little village down by the coast if we have time.
20 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.
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
- Iconic Tours
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Vehicle and child seats are supplied. There will also be room for a folding wheelchair if required.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 7 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
7 verified traveler reviews for Private Edinburgh driving tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
A bad guide makes a difference
We had a bad guide in an excellent city. More concerned about the time to finish than showing the beauty of the city.
Response from the operator: Dear Eduardo, Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback. We're genuinely sorry that the tour did not meet your expectations, especially as we always aim to provide every guest with an enjoyable experience. We would however like to provide some additional context for future readers. Your tour was booked at very short notice by a third party. After accepting the booking, we were contacted to ask whether the tour could be conducted in Spanish. Unfortunately, we do not offer Spanish-language tours, and we suggested that the booking be cancelled so you could find a Spanish-speaking guide. We were assured that an English-language tour would be perfectly acceptable, so we proceeded on that basis. Despite the late booking, Adrian made every effort to give you as much of Edinburgh as possible. In addition to covering all of the locations on our standard itinerary—including the Old Town, the Royal Mile, Grassmarket, Victoria Street, the New Town, Dean Village and Stockbridge—he also included a guided walk through the Old Town, drove you up Calton Hill, around Arthur's Seat, and added a visit to Holyrood Palace. These were all extra additions beyond what is normally included. The main disappointment appeared to be your request to enter Edinburgh Castle to purchase official St Andrews Old Course golf merchandise. Unfortunately, this had never been communicated to us before the tour and is not part of our usual itinerary. As Castle tickets often sell out well in advance, none were available on the day. We understand that your travel agent may have led you to expect that you would be able to freely enter the castle, but sadly it was not something we could arrange at such short notice. Adrian nevertheless went out of his way to take you to other golf shops in an attempt to help, even though this was also outside the planned tour. Finally, at your last requested stop, the Royal Yacht Britannia, which is located immediately beside where your cruise ship was docked, Adrian offered to wait for up to an hour and drive you the short distance back afterwards, or alternatively suggested the three- to four-minute walk if you preferred. When you chose to leave without a word to Adrian, your wife kindly thanked Adrian for the tour and said goodbye, so he understood that you had decided to walk back, although he was still happy to wait had you wished. He was in no way concerned about finish times and was willing to give you extra time for the short drive back had you requested it. We always strive to go above and beyond for our guests, and we genuinely believe we did so on this occasion. While we completely understand that you would have preferred a tour in Spanish and that you were angry we were unable to accommodate one of your many unexpected requests to enter Edinburgh Castle, we do feel that a two-star review does not fairly reflect the effort Adrian put into making your day as enjoyable as possible. His consistent record of five-star reviews reflects the care and enthusiasm he brings to every tour, and this tour was no exception. We wish you all the best with your future travels and hope that, when booking private tours in the future, you, or your agent, are able to choose one that fully matches your language and specific itinerary requirements from the outset and any extra requests are communicated in advance.
via Viator (translated)
5+ STARS!!!
We spent the day with our amazing tour guide Scott! He took us to explore St. Andrews and he was extremely knowledgeable about all of the sites. He told great stories about everything we saw and my parents and I walked away with such an appreciation of the city / culture. We couldn’t recommend booking with Scott more!!! I can’t wait to come back to explore even more of beautiful Scotland!
Response from the operator: Dear taylornN9703AW, Thank you so much for taking the time to write a review of your tour to St.Andrews with Scott. We at Iconic Tours really love St.Andrews and Scott always managed to bring all his tours to life his mix of story telling, making history understandable and Injecting a good mix of humour. We hope you can come tour with us again one day. Many thanks Will
via Tripadvisor
Scotland!!!!! Excellent experience! Thank you Will and Iconic Tours!!
We recently returned from an unforgettable trip to Scotland, and we can’t say enough good things about the experience! From the breathtaking landscapes to the rich history around every corner, it was a journey we’ll treasure forever. A huge part of what made this trip so special was our driver and guide, Adrian. He was incredibly knowledgeable, sharing fascinating insights about Scottish history, culture, and hidden gems we would have never discovered on our own. His passion for his country was infectious, and his stories added so much depth and meaning to every stop along the way. On top of that, Adrian was friendly, professional, and made us feel completely at ease from day one. We’d also like to extend our sincere thanks to Iconic Tours for organizing such a seamless and personalized experience. Every detail was thoughtfully arranged, and we always felt well taken care of. If you’re planning a trip to Scotland and want more than just the typical tourist route, we highly recommend Iconic Tours – and be sure to ask for Adrian if you can! Scotland stole our hearts, and we’re already dreaming of our next visit.
Response from the operator: Dear shV3792HI, Thank you so much for taking the time to write a review for the tours you had with us of Edinburgh and up through the Highlands. I am always happy to work with people to make an itinerary to suit their interests and make sure the guides give a good personal touch to the day. Adrian is a real star, his stories and knowledge of history really brings Scotland to life. We look forward to touring with you again in the future. Kind regards, Will
via Tripadvisor
Outstanding, engaging, comprehensive tour!
We had an absolute blast while getting a comprehensive yet entertaining tour of Edinburgh and surrounding areas with Scott, whom we recommend in the highest regard! We were very satisfied with the day, which just flew by, seeing many sites but being ery informed of these and associated histories. All of the major highlights of Edinburgh and surroundings are included in this incredible experience.
Response from the operator: Dear Charles O, Many thank for taking the time to write a review for your wonderful Edinburgh driving tour with Scott. Scott is a wealth of knowledge and had a wonderful sense of humour, in his company time does fly when you arrive having such a good time. We hope you can come tour withbus again. Many thanks, Will
via Viator
Iconic Tours of Edinburgh Scotland with Gary Ross
We took a tour of Edinburgh Scotland with Mr. Gary Ross, I must say Gary Ross was fantastic, professional, everything you want in a tour guide, if you’re going to go to Edinburgh, Scotland, Make sure you ask for Gary Ross with Iconic tours. Thank you Gary, Tim & Susan Spellman
Response from the operator: Dear Tim and Susan, Thank you so much for your lovely review of your tour with Gary. He is an amazing guide and we are delighted you enjoyed the tour so much. Kind regards, Will
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 7 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
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 52
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Edinburgh driving tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Edinburgh.
How much does Private Edinburgh driving tour cost?
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Prices start at $720 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 driving tour take?
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Plan for about 7 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 driving tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 52 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 7 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 driving 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 driving tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Edinburgh driving tour?
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Around 2 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 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Edinburgh driving 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 Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe and The Highlands, Edinburgh: Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe & Fort William, Edinburgh Ghost Tour: Mysteries, Legends and Murders. 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.
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