Edinburgh Like a Local: Private & Personalized Experience (3 hrs)
Overview
Edinburgh is a city that reveals itself in layers. One moment you are in a narrow medieval close, the next in a wide Georgian square, with the landscape rising unexpectedly around you.
Exploring it well is not about following a set route, but about understanding how these contrasts connect. This experience is shaped to reflect that, moving through the city in a way that feels coherent rather than scripted.
Your host brings context to what you see, drawing from lived experience to connect places, stories, and everyday life. The focus is not on covering as much as possible, but on making sense of what you encounter along the way.
Before your experience begins, you will complete a short questionnaire so your host can understand your interests. They will then reach out directly to plan your time together, creating something flexible, personal, and grounded in how Edinburgh is actually experienced.
What's Included
- Online questionnaire link sent after booking to tailor your experience and match you to a local host
- Get picked up (on foot) at your accommodation if it's central
- 3-hour walking experience exploring Edinburgh's highlights and hidden gems
- Private and personalized walking experience with insider tips from a passionate local
- Direct communication with your host for itinerary planning and local recommendations
- Food, drinks and tickets to any attractions
- Transportation (primarily a walking experience, public transport may be used at an additional cost)
- Gratuities (optional)
- Hotel drop off
Meeting and Pickup
This is a private walking tour. Your host will meet you at your chosen hotel, or you can select the central meeting point instead, which we recommend for the best overall experience. If your hotel isn’t listed, please choose the central landmark option. No private vehicle is included.
High Street
Edinburgh EH1 1RE, UK
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
What To Expect
Book Online
Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free
Edinburgh (pass by)
Dean Village (pass by)
Writers' Museum (pass by)
Scott Monument (pass by)
Royal Mile (pass by)
Arthur's Seat (pass by)
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- This is a private City Unscripted experience: real people, real connections
- After booking, you'll receive a short online questionnaire to share your interests, preferences, and must-sees. Your City Unscripted guide will personally reach out to craft a fully customized itinerary that suits your style—whether you love history, food, hidden gems, or cultural experiences.
- This private tour is a walking experience. A private vehicle is not included.
- Public transportation or local taxis may be used to transfer between sites. Exact transportation costs can be discussed with your host after your reservation is finalized.
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Edinburgh Like a Local: Private & Personalized Experience (3 hrs)?
Cancellation Policy
Still have questions?
We're here to help.
Activity code: C-30791P535
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.39 out of 5 stars based on 18 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
Similar Tours & Activities
Locally owned and operated, this is not your average food tour. We visit exceptional restaurants and other stops serving superior-quality food. Our guides are some...
$143
NOTE: Please arrive 15 mins before tour start time to set up. Kids under the age of 13 yrs old can join us only on...
$86
Embrace the beauty of Scotland in this private adventure tailored specifically for you. Join us on a magical journey to the best of the Highlands,...
$5,586
Old Edinburgh Private Walking Tour
Edinburgh's Old Town has a long and eventful past. Explore the area within the Old City Walls. Hear stories of our city's character, some real...
$266
Locally owned and operated, this is not your average food tour. We visit exceptional restaurants and other stops serving superior-quality food. Our guides are some...
$143
NOTE: Please arrive 15 mins before tour start time to set up. Kids under the age of 13 yrs old can join us only on...
$86
Embrace the beauty of Scotland in this private adventure tailored specifically for you. Join us on a magical journey to the best of the Highlands,...
$5,586
Edinburgh's Old Town has a long and eventful past. Explore the area within the Old City Walls. Hear stories of our city's character, some real...
$266
Travelers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Port of Leith Distillery Tour and Tasting
The Port of Leith Distillery is a remarkable new landmark in Edinburgh’s historic whisky district of Leith. This is the UK’s first vertical whisky distillery...
$34
Embark on an unforgettable 1-day adventure into the heart of the Scottish Highlands where the legendary Loch Ness await. Experience a day packed with incredible...
$67
A chocolate experience to remember! Fully indoors and perfect come rain or sunshine! See and touch the fruit of the chocolate tree, and learn all...
$38
Scotland’s second-most-popular tourist attraction as you learn about the bloody history including stories of the kings and queens who lived in this castle. There is...
$56
The Port of Leith Distillery is a remarkable new landmark in Edinburgh’s historic whisky district of Leith. This is the UK’s first vertical whisky distillery...
$34
Embark on an unforgettable 1-day adventure into the heart of the Scottish Highlands where the legendary Loch Ness await. Experience a day packed with incredible...
$67
A chocolate experience to remember! Fully indoors and perfect come rain or sunshine! See and touch the fruit of the chocolate tree, and learn all...
$38
Scotland’s second-most-popular tourist attraction as you learn about the bloody history including stories of the kings and queens who lived in this castle. There is...
$56
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Balloon Tours customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (GMT).
- Online questionnaire link sent after booking to tailor your experience and match you to a local host.
- Get picked up (on foot) at your accommodation if it's central.
- 3-hour walking experience exploring Edinburgh's highlights and hidden gems.
- Private and personalized walking experience with insider tips from a passionate local.
- Direct communication with your host for itinerary planning and local recommendations.
- Food, drinks and tickets to any attractions.
- Transportation (primarily a walking experience, public transport may be used at an additional cost).
- Gratuities (optional).
- Hotel drop off.
There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Edinburgh Like a Local: Private & Personalized Experience (3 hrs) is as follows:
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Edinburgh Like a Local: Private & Personalized Experience (3 hrs) will be included in your confirmation email from City Balloon Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- Online questionnaire link sent after booking to tailor your experience and match you to a local host
- Get picked up (on foot) at your accommodation if it's central
- 3-hour walking experience exploring Edinburgh's highlights and hidden gems
- Private and personalized walking experience with insider tips from a passionate local
- Direct communication with your host for itinerary planning and local recommendations
- Food, drinks and tickets to any attractions
- Transportation (primarily a walking experience, public transport may be used at an additional cost)
- Gratuities (optional)
- Hotel drop off
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- This is a private City Unscripted experience: real people, real connections
- After booking, you'll receive a short online questionnaire to share your interests, preferences, and must-sees. Your City Unscripted guide will personally reach out to craft a fully customized itinerary that suits your style—whether you love history, food, hidden gems, or cultural experiences.
- This private tour is a walking experience. A private vehicle is not included.
- Public transportation or local taxis may be used to transfer between sites. Exact transportation costs can be discussed with your host after your reservation is finalized.
