Edinburgh Buses
Getting the bus is a fantastic way to get around the city, and doing some sightseeing! Find out everything you need to know about tourist buses, and the main public buses: First and Lothian.
Edinburgh Hop On Hop Off Tourist Bus
A hop-on hop-off tourist bus is one of the best ways to explore the city. You’ll pass by major landmarks while enjoying recorded commentary in English and eight other languages through earphones. Want to explore something more closely? Just hop off and rejoin the tour whenever you’re ready.
Routes and Stops
The bus has 1 route that takes approximately 1 hour. It passes many of the city's main attractions, such as Princes Street, Calton Hill, Grassmarket, Holyrood House, the Scottish National Gallery, and the iconic Edinburgh Castle overlooking the city.
Check out the full route and stops on the following map:
Bus Prices
| Ticket Type | Adults | Seniors over 65 | Children under 15 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 hours | £ 18 (US$ 24.35) | £ 16 (US$ 21.65) | Free |
Public Bus Companies
Edinburgh has several bus companies that run through the heart of the city, but the most important are Lothian and First. Both companies share the same bus stops, but the bus numbers are different
Lothian is the dominant city operator with most buses and routes, while First, has fewer bus routes and focuses on the city's outskirts.
If you’re not going to buy a day-ticket, then you won’t have to worry about what bus you take. However, if you decide to stay a little further away from the center and need to buy a day-ticket, it’s important to see which bus line runs closest to your accommodation. Normally, the best option is to get a Lothian day-ticket, but it will depend on where you're staying.
Pay Contactless
The best way to pay your bus fare is with a contactless card (including Apple Pay). On First Bus, you can tap on when you board the bus, and top off when you get off, meaning you don't need to figure out your fare when taking the bus. You can also prepay on the First Bus app. On Lothian buses, you don't need to tap off when getting off the bus, a cap will automatically apply.
If you're paying with cash for a single, return, or day ticket on a Lothian or First bus, make sure to have the exact fare, as drivers cannot provide change. Cash is inserted directly into the fare box at the front of the bus.
Bus Fares
Check out the bus fares for First Bus and Lothian, (updated in May 2025):
- Single-journey adult ticket: £ 2.20 (US$ 2.97)
- Single-journey child ticket: £ 1.10 (US$ 1.48).
- Lothian adult DAYticket: Lothian offers unlimited use of their buses and Edinburgh trams for one day for £ 5.50 (US$ 7.44). First doesn't offer this type of ticket.
- Lothian child DAYticket: £ 2.75 (US$ 3.72).
- Lothian Adult Airport DAYticket: This ticket offers unlimited use of Lothian buses and trams and includes travel to and from Edinburgh Airport for one day for £ 9 (US$ 12.17). First buses do not run to the airport.
- Lothian Child Airport DAYticket: £ 4.50 (US$ 6.08).
Note that a Lothian DAYticket is not valid on the night buses or on the Airlink (service 100) to Edinburgh Airport.
Bus Timetable
Day buses run daily from 6 AM to midnight. After that, night buses (identified by an "N" before the route number) operate on selected routes throughout the city.
