The 6 Best Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours in Scotland

1.City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Kids Go Free

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,683 reviews · 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.) · from $24Our pick

Use a 24-hour City Sightseeing pass to circle Edinburgh on an open-top double-decker bus, with 15 stops, commentary in nine languages, and a children’s track. Ride the full 70-minute route first, then hop off near Edinburgh Castle, Grassmarket, Holyrood, Dynamic Earth, and the Royal Mile. Up to three children travel free with each paying adult until March 31, 2026.

“A fab thing to do especially with our children, helped explore the city and rest their legs in hilly edinburgh, the commentary was informative and everyone learnt something new! Fab offer of kids go free made it excellent value for money.”

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2.City Sightseeing Glasgow Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,873 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $27

Ride Glasgow’s Red Route year-round, with a 90-minute loop, recorded commentary, or a live guide from April to September. In high season, add the electric-bus Yellow Route. Hop off for Glasgow Cathedral, Kelvingrove Museum, the Riverside Museum, the West End, George Square, and more. Tickets last one or two calendar days.

“The bus was an excellent way to get to know where things in the city were and to decide where to get off.”

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3.Royal Edinburgh Ticket – Hop-On Hop-Off and Attraction Admissions

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,023 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $105

Use one 48-hour pass on three Edinburgh bus routes, with entry to Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse in season, and Royal Yacht Britannia. Ride the live English Edinburgh Tour or choose recorded commentary in several languages. It is a useful two-day plan for major sights, hills, and longer trips to Leith.

“Very simple, easy to use bus experience with tremendous service from the ticketing agent and drivers. It's important to get the app for your phone and study it to know where you are going. The people who were upset (it's an hour circuit around each line) didn't do their homework and expected the bus to operate like a cab. All of the stops are well mapped and the drivers would tell you the best stops for attractions. Buses came very frequently and it really helped us see everything we wanted to see.”

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4.Big Bus Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off City and Britannia Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 172 reviews · 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.) · from $34

Use one ticket on two Edinburgh routes for 48 hours. The City Tour links Waterloo Place with the Old Town, Holyroodhouse, Dynamic Earth, and the National Museum. The Britannia route runs to the Shore, Victoria Quay, the Royal Yacht Britannia, Fishmarket Square, and the Botanic Garden. Audio commentary comes in nine languages, with headphones provided.

“It was very easy to find the bus and both the drivers and street staff were friendly and helpful. Would definitely recommend.”

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5.City Sightseeing Inverness Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 171 reviews · 55 minutes (approx.) · from $20Best value

See Inverness from an open-top double-decker bus on a 55-minute loop linking the castle area, River Ness, parks, Dochgarroch Loch, and the Caledonian Canal. Your 24-hour ticket lets you ride, hop off, and rejoin the route, though buses run only hourly and the route is short.

“A nice little loop around Inverness highlighting all of the places of interest, and even going out of the city to help facilitate anyone who fancies a river cruise on the River Ness! Friendly driver and very reasonably priced.”

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6.Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Britannia Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 77 reviews · from $21

Ride Bright Bus Tours’ Britannia route from Waterloo Place through Leith, the Royal Botanic Garden, and Royal Yacht Britannia. Your 24-hour ticket includes multilingual audio commentary, free headphones, and unlimited hop-on access. Plan carefully: this is a separate route from Edinburgh’s city tour, and Britannia admission costs extra.

“Great for what my wife and I needed. Some history of the city and transportation from the Britannia station.”

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