Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few of the questions we are asked most regularly. If you can't see the answer to your question or you would like us to add something please get in touch.

Tickets, Booking & Payment

Do I need to book in advance?

Yes, it is best to book in advance. However, it is possible to purchase your ticket in person on board any of our bus tours, or from a ticket seller on Waterloo Place (during operating hours of Edinburgh Bus Tours).

How long is my ticket valid?

Individual tour tickets and Grand 24 tickets are valid for 24 hours from time of purchase.

Grand 48 tickets offer access to all city tours for 48 hours.

The Royal Edinburgh Ticket gives access to all city tours for 48 hours from the time of purchase, plus entry to Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Royal Yacht Britannia.

Online tickets from our website are valid for 6 months from the date of purchase, with their 24 or 48 hour validity activated when your confirmation is scanned by a member of staff. See the Terms and Conditions page for details about voucher validity and usage.

How can I pay for my tickets?

We accept debit and credit cards. When buying your tickets in person we also accept cash in Pounds Sterling.

How do I book a group visit?

Please contact our sales team at [email protected] or call 0131 556 2244 to arrange a group visit.

Pre-booking is necessary to receive a group discount. The discount applies to groups of 10 or more (or groups of 15 or more for the Royal Edinburgh Ticket and Airlink).

We can also offer private hires.

Can you hire Edinburgh Bus Tours privately?

Yes you can, please contact [email protected] or call 0131 556 2244 to arrange a private hire.

What Terms and Conditions apply to Edinburgh Bus Tours visitors?

Both the Edinburgh Bus Tours Terms and Conditions and the current Lothian Buses Conditions of Carriage apply to our visitors.

I cannot print my online voucher, what should I do?

You do not need to print them as these can be scanned from your mobile device to obtain your valid tickets. If you need assistance please ask our ticket sellers on Waterloo Place who will be happy to help.

Does my ticket give me any discounts?

You can view the current discounts here. There is also a list of discounts in our tour leaflet.

Can I reserve a seat?

It is not possible to reserve seats. Please arrive in plenty time for your chosen departure.

Do I need to print my online vouchers?

What are hop-on, hop-off tickets?

Hop-on - hop-off tickets allow you to get on and off buses at your leisure for as long as your ticket is valid (24 or 48 hours).

Do I have to start my tour at Waterloo Place?

It is possible to start from any tour bus stop – please signal clearly to the driver that you wish to board. If you have purchased the Royal Edinburgh Ticket, you need to exchange your voucher at Waterloo Place and you can board at any stop on our routes to get you there.

Destinations & Route Details

Does Edinburgh Bus Tours visit Edinburgh Zoo?

Currently we do not visit Edinburgh Zoo, but Lothian Buses services 12, X18, 26, 31 and Airlink 100 stop there.

Lost Property & Customer Support

What should I do if I think I have left something on a tour bus?

If you lost an item today:
Please call 0131 475 0618 or speak to a supervisor at Stop 1, Waterloo Place.

If you lost an item on a previous day:
Please complete the form and select the tour you were on from the list. A member of our team will contact you if your item has been found.

Please note: lost property is kept for up to 4 weeks, and a small charge applies to retrieve items.

Accessibility & Travel with Companions

Do children need to be accompanied?

Yes. Children up to and including 15 must be accompanied by an adult or senior citizen.

Is Edinburgh Bus Tours accessible to disabled users?

All tour buses are fully accessible to wheelchairs and Class 2 mobility scooters, with low floor ramped access and two wheelchair spaces.

All dogs are welcome on board our buses.

For deaf and hearing-impaired persons, screens are available on the lower decks of City Sightseeing and Regal Tour buses so that information available via the commentaries can also be read.

I have a carer – do they have to pay full fare?

Customers who need additional support are entitled to a free ticket for 1 accompanying carer. Please note this applies to individual tours only.

These can be requested via TourHub or by emailing [email protected]

Can I bring my dog?

Edinburgh Bus Tours welcomes well behaved dogs on board tour buses.

Do young children travel free?

Up to 3 children( 5-15 years) travel free with a paying adult/senior ticket on our city tours and Grand24 tickets.

Under 5s are free on all City Tours.

Tour Information & Operations

What are your opening times?

Edinburgh Bus Tours operates 365 days a year including Christmas Day. Operating times are seasonal – please check the summer/winter guide on the home page for tour times.

How long does a tour with Edinburgh Bus Tours last?

City Sightseeing lasts 70 minutes, Edinburgh Tour lasts 65 minutes and Regal Tour lasts 80 minutes but tickets are valid for 24 hours allowing you to hop-on and off.

Can I join the tour at any stop?

Yes, while our main departure point is Waterloo Place you may board at any tour stop on each tour route. Please signal clearly to the driver that you wish to board.

Will I be able to recognise the bus stops?

All tour bus stops have the name of the tour on the bus stop flag.

Royal Edinburgh Ticket

Can I visit the attractions included in the Royal Edinburgh Ticket outwith the 48-hour validity?

The Royal Edinburgh Ticket is valid for 48 consecutive hours on board all of our city tours, while the ticket portion for the Palace of Holyroodhouse will be accepted outwith this period if required.

Do I have to pre-book attractions included with the Royal Edinburgh Ticket?

Our Edinburgh Bus Tours ticket sellers will book your Edinburgh Castle timed entry slot, and at Royal Yacht Britannia and The Palace of Holyroodhouse you can join the next available tour.

Do I get a refund if I don’t visit one of the Royal attractions with my Royal Edinburgh Ticket?

Sorry this is not possible, however when the Palace is closed Royal Edinburgh Ticket holders are offered entry to the King’s Gallery plus a Palace guidebook.

This does not apply Tuesdays and Wednesdays (15 Sep – 20 May) when the Palace and Gallery are both closed.

The Palace* and Gallery are open 7 days 21 May to 14 September.

*In 2026 the Palace is closed on the following dates:

12-20 May & 26 June- 3^rdJuly.

Can you suggest an itinerary for using the Royal Edinburgh Ticket?

Yes - take a look at the two day options on our Itineraries page for some great ideas.

If I purchased a Royal Edinburgh Ticket, do I have to start my tour at Waterloo Place?