The Red Bus (with kids)
How Kids-Friendly is The Red Bus?
What makes it 60% Kids-Friendly: Kids 5–12 ride free on city loops and get a fun Horrible Histories track, yet there is no toilet, no stroller space, tight vintage seating and strict refusal of under-5s.
Positives:
- Kids ride free: Up to three kids 5–15 ride free per paying adult; under-5s always free.
- Engaging audio: The Horrible Histories track keeps children interested during the tour.
- Flexible breaks: Hop off at any stop for snacks, playgrounds or restroom breaks.
Challenges:
- Weather exposure: The open top deck has no cover, so sun or rain can affect comfort.
- Busy buses: Summer peak times fill up quickly; you may have to stand on some legs.
- No baby facilities: No stroller storage or changing tables on board; plan to use stops.
What is The Red Bus?
- A sightseeing bus service operating vintage double-decker Routemaster coaches on a scheduled loop of Edinburgh’s major landmarks
- A hop-on, hop-off network linking key sites such as Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace and the Royal Mile
- A transport operator providing multilingual audio commentary and live route tracking via a dedicated mobile app
What is so special about The Red Bus for with kids?
- Unlimited 24-hour hop-on hop-off access for family sightseeing
- Kids ride free under age 15 and under-5s always free
- Fun Horrible Histories commentary to engage children
- Open-top deck offers panoramic city views
- Stops near playgrounds, zoo, castle and family attractions
Recommended visit duration: 2–3 hours
Why 2–3 hours visit duration is ideal for with kids: Allows a full loop with two hop-off stops for breaks without tiring younger children.
Kids-Friendly Activities in The Red Bus
Hop-on Hop-off City Loop:
Board the open-top bus to circle Edinburgh’s top landmarks.
Tip: Sit at the front of the top deck for clear city views and easy photo spots.
Horrible Histories Kids Commentary:
Use the free kids’ audio track for fun, child-friendly stories.
Tip: Download the bus app before you go and bring earbuds for each child.
Grand 24 Family Ticket:
Use your 24-hour family pass for unlimited rides and stops.
Tip: Start at Edinburgh Castle then hop off at the zoo and palace playground.
Playground Break at Princes Street Gardens:
Hop off for a half-hour at the children’s play area.
Tip: Check the live bus schedule in the app to time your return ride.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit to The Red Bus
- Book online early: Reserve family tickets in advance to secure the best price and seats.
- Ride off-peak: Travel in the morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds on board.
- Use the app: Check live bus times and plan hop-off stops for smooth transitions.
Reviews of The Red Bus
Joanna O'Connell
We had an amazing experience with the Red Bus transporting our guests for our wedding. All of our guests were raving about it. They loved the conductor handing out real tickets, the music and the drinks/snacks being handed out to our guests. We even got to personalise the entrance sign and take it home! We would highly recommend the red bus for anyone who wants to give their guests a fun and uniqu...
Hannah Fisher
The Red Bus were incredibly professional and helpful throughout our wedding planning process. All the guests loved the buses (as did everyone who apparently waved to them on their way to our wedding!) and the fact we got to keep our personalised signs after is a lovely bonus. Thank you!
Bri Jytta
We chose The Red Bus for our special day to get all our guests and the groom to the venue on our wedding. Everyone had so much fun and loved the bus as we had most of our guests coming from Italy. The journey to the venue was so memorable for the groom and our family. It was very nice to finally meet for few minutes Emma who I was in contact with during the wedding preparation and has been fantas...
Lorena & Danny
We hired The Red Bus to transport our guests from Edinburgh to Longniddry and back for our wedding, and they were absolutely amazing! The vintage Routemaster was not only a practical solution, it was a total highlight of the day. The bus was beautifully maintained, full of charm and character, and added such a fun, nostalgic touch to the experience. Our guests loved riding in it — it made the jou...
Phyllis Dickson
Myself and now husband Jamie had a truly memorable wedding day having hired The Big Red Bus for our wedding guests. It was a big surprise for all guests and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Very inclusive for guests as young as 2 years old and my Gran at 95. There was nothing we could fault and set the perfect vibe for the rest of the day. Big thanks to Emma who I was mainly in contact...
When is the best time to visit The Red Bus (Edinburgh, United Kingdom)?
Summer: Bring sunscreen and hats for the uncovered top deck. Rainy days: Pack lightweight ponchos; the lower deck windows shield you. Winter: Dress kids in layers and gloves to stay warm.
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Typical Budget for a Family of 4 (2 Adults + 2 Kids)
| Item | Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Grand 24 Family Ticket (2 adults + 2 kids) | GBP 71 |
| Onboard snacks and water | GBP 10 |
| Total Estimated | GBP 81 |
Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
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Map of The Red Bus
Address: 28 W Harbour Rd, Edinburgh EH5 1PN, UK
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