Hop-on hop-off & bus tours

It is the most reviewed trip on this site, and it is a long day: about twelve hours, most of them in the coach, with short stops at Glencoe, Fort William and Loch Ness. If you only have one day outside the city and like scenery, it works. If you dislike long drives, Stirling, St Andrews or Rosslyn are shorter alternatives.

No. Skye is roughly 236 miles from Edinburgh, a drive of five and a half to six hours one way. The offers that include Skye run for several days, and the listings here say so in the title.

No. Edinburgh is tied to the books: J. K. Rowling wrote in its cafés, and Victoria Street and Greyfriars Kirkyard are associated with the stories. Film locations such as the Glenfinnan Viaduct and Alnwick Castle are outside the city and are reached on day trips.

Yes, it is safer to. Entry is timed and slots sell out, especially in summer, and once online tickets are gone none are sold at the gate. A guided offer with a fixed entry time is one way to secure a slot.

The tram takes about 30 to 35 minutes to Princes Street and the Airlink bus about 25 to 35 minutes, depending on traffic. Both leave from the terminal. Airport transfers are not listed on this site.

The Old Town and New Town are compact and most sights can be reached on foot, though the Old Town is steep and cobbled. A hop-on hop-off bus is useful mainly for outlying stops such as the Royal Yacht Britannia in Leith.