Big Bus Edinburgh City Tour (Red Route) (Route)

Operating Schedule: Summer (May–October):
First departure at 09:00 from Stop 1 (Waterloo Place), every 15 minutes until 17:00, then every 20 minutes, with the last tour at 18:20.

Winter (November–March):
Departures start at 09:00 every 15 minutes, with the final tour at 16:00.

For the most current stop locations, timings, and live bus tracking, please visit the Big Bus website or download the Big Bus App before your journey.

1. 29 Waterloo Pl
Stop 1 - Waterloo Place (Outside Princess Suit Hotel)

2. St Andrew Square
Stop 2 - St Andrew Square (North side of the park)

3. Lothian Road
Stop 3 - Lothian Road (outside kirkyard)

4. Bread Street
Stop 4 - Bread Street (opposite DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel)

5. The Mound
Stop 5 - The Mound (west side of National Gallery)

6. Stop 6 - George IV Bridge (outside the Scottish library)

7. Grassmarket
Stop 8 - Grassmarket (opposite Apex Hotel)

8. National Museum of Scotland
Stop 9 - Chambers Street (opposite Museum of Scotland)

9. Canongate Kirk
Stop 11 - Canongate Kirk (outside Canongate Church)

10. Palace of Holyroodhouse
Stop 12 - Holyrood Palace (opposite north side of Scottish Parliament)

11. Dynamic Earth
Stop 13 - Dynamic Earth (Outside Dynamic Earth)

12. Abbeyhill
Stop 14 - Abbeyhill (North entrance to Holyrood Palace)

13. Regent Road
Stop 15 - Regent Road (At Robert Burns Monument)

14. Lauriston Place
Stop 7 - Lauriston Place (Outside Lauriston Health Centre)

15. John Knox House
Stop 10 - John Knox House (opposite Museum of Childhood)

Points of Interest

• Multrees Walk

• St Andrew Square

• Princes Street

• Princes Street and Gardens

• Scott Monument

• St Cuthbert’s Parish Church

• Festival Square

• Grassmarket

• Greyfriars Kirk

• Greyfriars Bobby

• Museum of Fire

• Edinburgh Castle

• National Galleries Scotland: Portrait

• Usher Hall

• Edinburgh College of Art

• Edinburgh Farmers’ Market

• Camera Obscura and World of Illusions

• The Scotch Whisky Experience

• Gladstone’s Land

• Writers’ Museum

• National Library of Scotland

• National Museum of Scotland

• Museum of Childhood

• John Knox House Museum

• The Museum of Edinburgh

• The Scottish Parliament

• The Queen’s Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse

• Palace of Holyroodhouse

• Dynamic Earth

• Arthur’s Seat

• Holyrood Park

• Regent Road Park

• The Burns Monument

• Calton Hill

• Nelson Monument

• Observatory House

• National Monument

• Waverley Mall

• Edinburgh Waverley Station

• The Balmoral Spa

• Melville Monument

• Dog friendly
• Access to City Tour (available with all options)
• 24- or 48-hour hop-on, hop-off bus ticket
• Access to Britannia Tour (available on 48-Hour Tour on City & Britannia Routes option only)
• Audio commentary available in 9 languages

• Hotel Pick-up & Drop-off

Experience Edinburgh with a Big Bus hop-on, hop-off open-top bus tour. Discover the city at your leisure on either the City Tour or Britannia Tour, featuring stops at major attractions such as Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the Royal Yacht Britannia. Enjoy sweeping views and informative onboard audio commentary throughout your trip.

Begin your journey at Waterloo Place and select the route that best fits your interests. From iconic landmarks to hidden treasures, Big Bus offers a convenient, adaptable, and enjoyable way to explore Edinburgh — whether you’re enjoying the view from the top deck or riding inside the bus.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.