Explore Edinburgh with megabus

Take a bus to Edinburgh and start exploring straight away. Fill your shopping bags along Princes Street, or boost your Instagram feed with photos from the top of the Scott Monument. Tuck into a plate of gourmet food at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Edinburgh’s New Town, or put your palate to the test with a whisky tasting session in the Old Town. Scotland’s capital city – also known as Auld Reekie – is the kind of place you’ll want to come back to again and again. Here’s some inspiration to get you started…

Edinburgh: top 3 things to do

1. Climb Arthur's Seat

One of the best places to soak up Edinburgh’s true beauty is from the top of Arthur's Seat. You can either give it a go on your own, or join a local for a personalised and private walking tour.

2. Visit the Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Billed as the largest arts festival in the world, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe crams thousands of open-access performances into three weeks every August. It runs alongside the Edinburgh International Festival, so you’ll want to book your coach to Edinburgh nice and early for this one.

3. Have a Whisky experience

Celebrate all things whisky, with tours and tastings on a number of different whisky attractions in the city. The Scotch Whisky Experience is based at the top of the Royal Mile and lets you take a tour, visit the shop and restaurant and they even have events of tasting on offer too.

Edinburgh: getting around

Take the megabus to Edinburgh and you won’t need to worry about petrol or parking. Plus, you’ll usually get all mod-cons – like charging points* and free WiFi* – on the way, not to mention a 20kg luggage allowance.

Once you’re in Edinburgh itself, it’s really easy to get around. This Scottish city may be hilly, but it’s also nice and compact, so you can walk between lots of the big attractions.

If your journey is a little longer, take the bus or the tram. And if you’re heading to Edinburgh Airport, the Airlink100 runs a 24-hour service.

Edinburgh: best for TV and film buffs

If you're a fan of Outlander, then the location tours will be right up your street. Explore some of the filming locations on the Outland Adventure tour.

And if you love Harry Potter (who doesn't?), then give the walking tour a try. Grab your wand and put on your robe to discover the magical locations that inspired JK's characters and scenes in the series, as well as visit the places where she wrote the books.

Edinburgh: best for nightlife

Here for the night? Then you’re in luck, because Edinburgh’s nightlife scene runs the gamut from traditional pubs to high-tech clubs, and everything in between. If drinks are on the agenda, head to one of the pubs in Edinburgh’s Old Town, where cask ales and local whiskies are the order of the day.

If cocktails are more your thing, Edinburgh’s swanky New Town will be a better option. And it goes without saying that if you’re looking for a night like no other, you’ll want to book your Edinburgh coach travel for the city’s Hogmanay celebrations. This New Year's festival schedule will be announced in the late summer, so keep your eyes peeled on their website.

Edinburgh: best for shopping

Princes Street is the name on everyone’s lips when it comes to shopping in Edinburgh. This mile-long stretch is packed with places to shop, including high street names like Primark, Zara and River Island. The shops only line one side of the street, so you’re treated to amazing views of Edinburgh Castle along the route. And they run parallel to George Street, which is where you’ll find the bulk of designer stores and upmarket boutiques. If you're looking for something bigger, head to St James Quarter which houses more than 40 retailers with more to follow.

Edinburgh for free: our top 3

1. Visit the Royal Botanic Garden

Take a break from the buzz of the city with a visit to Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden. It’s open all year round, apart from Christmas Day and New Years Day and is totally free - unless you fancy exploring inside the 10 glasshouses. In summer, another great outdoor spot is The Meadows. Expect sunbathing uni students and picnicking families galore.

2. Visit the National Museum of Scotland

Right in the city centre, the National Museum of Scotland has just undergone multi-million-pound redevelopment. And with more than 20,000 artefacts under one roof, it’s no wonder it’s one of the top 20 most-visited museums in the world. Check out the museum’s timetable of exhibitions, talks and special events before you visit.

3. Set off on a city walking trail

There’s no better way to get to grips with Edinburgh’s rich history than a walking trail around the city. Thankfully, Edinburgh World Heritage has made things really easy with a collection of free trails you can download and follow at your own pace. You’ll soon see why the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Or you can try our Showstoppers guide which will take you to many of the great TV and film locations in the city.

Book your coach to Edinburgh using the journey planner on this page to find the best deals.

We serve Edinburgh from over 10 routes including:

*Subject to availability and connection