Edinburgh

Where can I buy a ticket for the tour?

You can purchase tickets on this website, from one of our on-street ambassadors, or on the bus at any hop-on hop-off point.

Is tour commentary available in my language?

Is tour commentary available in my language?

Our Edinburgh bus tours feature pre-recorded commentary which offers fascinating insights into the city's history, culture, architecture and landmarks. The commentary is available in the following languages:

- English
- French
- German
- Italian
- Spanish
- Japanese
- Portuguese
- Russian
- Mandarin

Tune in via complimentary earphones available on board the bus.

Where can I hop on the bus?

Where can I hop on the bus?

You can join the tour from any stop. Please visit our Find a Bus Stop page to find your nearest stop.
The principal starting location for both tours is Stop #1 Waterloo Place (27 Waterloo Pl - outside Princess Suit Hotel).

What time does the tour start and how often do the buses run?

What time does the tour start and how often do the buses run?

Our service operates daily. The City Tour runs every 20 minutes (approx.), and the Britannia Tour runs every 60 minutes (approx.). See our Service Information page for tour schedule information and notices. Alternatively, you can check times with a Big Bus Tours team member, or contact us with any questions.

More Questions & Answers

Do I need to choose a date for my tour?

Yes – when you book, you will need to select the date you’d like to hop on the bus. If you’re touring with us for more than one day, your ticket must be used across consecutive days, and the date you select at time of booking should be the first day of your tour. Some tours also require you to select a time of travel, to secure your seat. If your ticket has extra inclusions, you may also need to book dates and times for these inclusions after your purchase is complete via our Booking Portal. For more information, please see the instructions on your booking confirmation email.

Tell me about Big Bus Tours Edinburgh

Big Bus Tours offers hop-on hop-off sightseeing tours of Edinburgh on an open-top double-decker bus. Pre-recorded commentary is provided in a choice of languages. You can hop on and off at any of our stops to visit attractions and places of interest, while enjoying fantastic views of all the city’s top landmarks along the way.

What can I see and visit?

Bus stops are conveniently located, so you can hop-on and off both the City and Britannia tours as you please. Each stop has been selected because it provides access to an attraction or place of interest. You can hop-on and off as many times as you wish, and are of course welcome to stay on board for the entire circuit. Sit back and relax on the upper deck as the tour passes, the historic Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, the Royal Yacht Britannia, St Andrew Square and many more!

On which days does the tour operate?

The Big Bus Tour Edinburgh runs every day of the year, except Christmas Day (25th December) and New Year's Day (1st January). Our Tours run a reduced service on Christmas Eve (24th December), Boxing Day (26th December) and Hogmanay (31st December). For up-to-date information, please visit our service information page.

How long does the tour take?

The City Tour takes 1 hour, 10 minutes (approx.) and the Britannia Tour takes 55 minutes (approx.). Please allow for more time if you plan to hop-on and off at any of our stops.
Please note that our tour duration may be affected by traffic or road closures on some occasions.

How do I redeem my ticket?

Please redeem your ticket with one of our Big Bus staff members, who will scan your device or printed ticket when you board our tour bus.

Can I make a group booking?

Yes, we welcome group bookings. We offer discounts for groups of 20 or more, please contact us directly for more information.

Are child tickets available?

Yes, a child ticket is available for children between the ages of 4 - 15. Children under 4 may travel free of charge. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Are the buses wheelchair accessible?

Yes, most of our buses are wheelchair accessible. Please contact us for further information.

I bought a ticket for someone else, but it has my name on it, is this ok?

Yes. The person taking the tour will need to present the booking confirmation (printed or on a device) to a uniformed staff member before hopping on the bus. Staff will scan the QR code and present the guest with a ticket that can be used to board the tour. Tickets must be retained for hopping on the bus - please note that tickets cannot be replaced if lost.

Can I take my dog on the bus?

Yes, all dogs are very welcome, both service dogs and pets. Please consider other passengers when on the bus.

Is there a guide on the bus?

Unfortunately we currently do not have live guides on board.

Where does the tour end?

You can hop-on and off at any of our stops. Check out our routes and maps page to discover all of our routes, stops and nearby landmarks & attractions. The tour commentary starts and finishes at Stop #1 (Waterloo Place).

How far in advance should I arrive for my tour?

Please arrive at Stop #1 (Waterloo Place) 15 minutes ahead of your tour departure time in order to redeem your booking confirmation voucher with one of our staff.

Can I change the date (and time) of my tour?

Yes - but if you want to change the date (and time) of your tour, we’ll need to know no later than 72 hours before your tour to make any changes. The speediest way to make changes to your booking is to chat with our friendly customer services team – just click the chat button in the bottom right corner of your screen, or download the Big Bus Tours app. If you have purchased the tickets online, your tickets will be in the form of a voucher that will be redeemed for your tickets when you wish to take the tour. These will still be valid if unredeemed.

Are buses available for private hires and charters?

Yes, buses are available for private hires and charters. For more information please or to receive a quote, submit an enquiry via our private hires and charters page.

How do I know when the next bus is coming?

Download the Big Bus Tours app and you’ll be able find your nearest stop and better still, check to see if a bus is heading your way thanks to real-time bus tracking. Don’t forget you’ll need to enable location services and data on your mobile device (please speak with your mobile / cell provider regarding data roaming costs).