City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

Edinburgh’s City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour provides visitors with a comprehensive way to explore the city’s iconic landmarks at their own pace. Offering multilingual commentary, an open-top double-decker experience, and access to 26 points of interest, the tour allows travelers to customize their sightseeing adventure. From the magnificent Edinburgh Castle to the interactive museum of Our Dynamic Earth, this tour ensures an engaging and flexible way to discover the heart of Scotland’s capital. Whether seeking a family-friendly outing or a personalized exploration, the City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour offers a convenient and insightful experience that may just leave you…

Key Points

• The City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour provides an open-top double-decker sightseeing experience with multilingual commentary.
• The tour allows visitors to explore Edinburgh’s top attractions, including Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, and the Royal Mile, at their own pace.
• The tour includes flexible hop-on hop-off feature with 14 stops across the city and a duration of 60 minutes without hopping off.
• The tour operates from 9am to 4pm every 30 minutes until March 2024, and from 8:45am to 5:57pm every 10-12 minutes from March to November 2024.
• The tour offers discounts for online bookings and allows children (5-15 years) to travel free with an adult.

Tour Overview

The City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour provides an open-top double-decker sightseeing experience with onboard multilingual commentary, allowing visitors to explore the city’s top attractions at their own pace.

The tour includes iconic landmarks such as Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, and the Royal Mile, as well as the interactive museum Our Dynamic Earth.

With the hop-on hop-off feature, travelers can disembark at any of the 14 stops across the city and rejoin the tour when they’re ready.

The 24-hour ticket also comes with free headphones and a kids’ commentary, ensuring a convenient and engaging experience for all.

Inclusions

Included in the 24-hour hop-on hop-off bus tour are multilingual audio commentaries available in 9 languages, along with complimentary headphones and a kids’ commentary, ensuring an engaging experience for all visitors.

The tour provides a versatile and convenient way to explore Edinburgh’s top attractions, with the flexibility to hop on and off at any of the 14 stops along the route.

The inclusions, however, don’t cover gratuities, food, drinks, hotel pickup/drop-off, or entry to attractions, allowing guests to customize their experience as desired.

The tour duration without hopping off is 60 minutes, providing a rundown of the city’s iconic sights.

Pricing and Discounts

City Sightseeing’s Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour offers competitive pricing, with kids traveling for free when accompanied by a full-paying adult. Discounts are available for online bookings, making the tour an affordable sightseeing option for families and budget-conscious travelers.

Ticket Type	Price
Adult	£20
Child (5-15 years)	Free with adult
Senior (60+)	£18

The tour operates on a flexible schedule, allowing passengers to hop on and off at their convenience. With a duration of 60 minutes without stops, the tour provides a rundown of Edinburgh’s top attractions, making it an excellent value for money.

Operating Schedule

Passengers can enjoy the Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour‘s convenient operating schedule, which runs until March 2024 from 9am to 4pm every 30 minutes.

From March to November 2024, the tour operates from 8:45am to 5:57pm with increased frequency, running every 10-12 minutes.

The service then reverts to the winter schedule from November 2024 to March 2025, operating from 9am to 4pm every 30 minutes.

On the 24th and 31st of December, the tour ends at 3pm.

The tour duration without hopping off is 60 minutes, allowing passengers to see Edinburgh’s top attractions at their own pace.

Route Details

The Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour follows the Red Route, with 14 stops that showcase 26 points of interest throughout the city.

These include renowned landmarks like St Giles Cathedral, Parliament House, and the iconic Greyfriars Bobby statue.

The comprehensive route allows passengers to easily explore Edinburgh’s most famous attractions, hopping on and off at their convenience.

Whether it’s admiring the stunning architecture of the Parliament House or paying tribute to the beloved Greyfriars Bobby, the tour’s diverse stops cater to a wide range of interests.

With the ability to explore at their own pace, visitors can create a personalized sightseeing experience that suits their preferences.

Top Attractions

Among the top attractions visited on the Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour is the iconic St Giles Cathedral, a magnificent example of Gothic architecture dating back to the 12th century. Passengers can admire its stunning stained-glass windows and historic significance as the Mother Church of Presbyterianism in Scotland.

The striking Parliament House, home to the Scottish Parliament.

The charming Greyfriars Bobby, a bronze statue commemorating a loyal Skye Terrier.

The impressive Holyrood Palace, the official residence of the Queen in Scotland.

The unique Our Dynamic Earth, an interactive science museum exploring the Earth’s history.

Hop-On Hop-Off Benefits

One key benefit of the Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour is its flexibility, allowing passengers to design their own sightseeing itinerary by hopping on and off the bus at any of the 14 conveniently located stops along the route.

This enables visitors to explore the city at their own pace, spending as much or as little time as they wish at each attraction.

The multilingual audio commentary, available in 9 languages, provides an informative and engaging way to learn about the city’s history and landmarks, while the free headphones and kid-friendly commentary make the tour enjoyable for the whole family.

With a tour duration of 60 minutes without hopping off, this hop-on hop-off experience offers an efficient and convenient way to see the top sights in Edinburgh.

Helpful Tips

To make the most of the Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour, visitors should plan their route in advance, considering the 14 stops and 26 points of interest along the Red Route.

Checking the operating schedule and being mindful of the adjusted hours during the holiday season can help ensure an efficient and enjoyable sightseeing experience.

Other helpful tips include:

• Bringing comfortable walking shoes to explore sights in-depth after hopping off the bus
• Packing a snack or water to stay refreshed throughout the tour
• Downloading the City Sightseeing app to access digital maps and tour information
• Arriving early to secure prime seating on the open-top double-decker bus

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the Buses Wheelchair Accessible?

The buses on the City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour are wheelchair accessible. They have ramps and spaces for wheelchairs, ensuring that all passengers can enjoy the sightseeing experience.

Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks on the Bus?

Passengers can bring their own food and drinks on the bus. However, the tour operator encourages responsible consumption and asks that travelers avoid consuming messy or strong-smelling items that may disturb other passengers.

How Reliable Is the Bus Schedule in Heavy Traffic?

The bus schedule’s reliability in heavy traffic can vary. While operators aim to maintain the schedule, delays from congestion may cause some buses to run behind. Passengers should account for potential delays when planning their journeys.

What Are the Options for Purchasing Tickets?

Tickets can be purchased online, at the tour’s departure points, or through select Edinburgh hotels and visitor centers. Discounts are available for children, while some packages may include bundled attractions. The tour offers flexibility with a 12-month validity period.

Are There Any Discounts for Seniors or Students?

While the tour doesn’t offer specific senior or student discounts, it does provide a "Kids Go Free" deal where up to 3 children can travel for free with each full-paying adult.

Recap

The City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour offers a flexible and comprehensive way to explore Edinburgh’s top landmarks.

With multilingual commentary, discounts, and a family-friendly experience, the tour allows visitors to discover the city at their own pace across 26 points of interest.

Whether you’re seeking iconic sights or interactive experiences, this hop-on hop-off tour provides an excellent way to make the most of your time in Scotland’s captivating capital.