Call Us · 1300 080 371
About Us
Australia AUD
United States USD
United Kingdom GBP
New Zealand NZD
Canada CAD
Speak to a Tour Specialist
Europe Asia Americas Africa & Middle East British Isles Australia & NZ
✓ Guaranteed Departures Popular Tours Up to 10 days 11–17 days 18–24 days 25+ days All Tours
About Us Why Odyssey Contact Us
Destination Guides Travel Tips Latest Articles
Speak to a Tour Specialist

Small Group Tour

Edinburgh Festival Fringe Small Group Tour

9 days · Small group · Up to 16 travellers

View dates & prices View itinerary
People-free editorial view of Festival Fringe Hero.
86% return to travel with us again 40+ years of small-group escorted touring 43,000+ travellers have toured with Odyssey

Tour Overview

Experience Edinburgh at its most vibrant world-famous Fringe.

Odyssey Traveller’s fully escorted small-group tours are designed for mature travellers, including solo travellers, couples or friends travelling together.

Experience Edinburgh during the world’s largest arts festival on this nine-day small-group tour. Based in the Scottish capital for eight nights, we combine selected Fringe performances with guided walks, cultural visits and time to explore the city at your own pace.

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe began in 1947, when eight theatre groups performed outside the official International Festival. It has since grown into a remarkable celebration of theatre, comedy, music, dance, cabaret and performance from around the world. Artists bring shows to theatres, pubs, halls and other unexpected venues, filling the city with creative energy throughout August.

The Fringe is the focus of the tour, with four performance tickets included. As the programme changes each year, the selected shows are confirmed closer to departure. The itinerary also includes free time, so you can browse the programme and choose additional performances that appeal to you, or simply enjoy the atmosphere in the city’s streets and gathering places.

Discover Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s historic streets and cultural landmarks provide a rich setting for the festival. A guided orientation walk introduces the city, including its literary heritage and the Royal Mile, which links Edinburgh Castle with the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Along its length, cobbled closes and narrow wynds open onto historic buildings, courtyards and unexpected viewpoints.

The programme includes visits to the National Galleries of Scotland and the National Museum of Scotland, offering time to explore their collections and exhibitions. There is also space to discover Edinburgh independently: browse its bookshops and cafés, visit the Royal Yacht Britannia, or enjoy Scottish food and whisky in one of the city’s many pubs and restaurants.

Alongside the festival, the tour offers opportunities to learn more about Scotland’s creative life. Activities include a festival orientation, a talk with an experienced journalist, and a whisky tasting over dinner. These shared experiences provide context for the city and its cultural scene, while leaving room for your own discoveries.

Tour highlights

  • Attend four selected Fringe performances, with the annual programme confirmed closer to departure.
  • Explore Edinburgh on a guided orientation walk and discover the city’s literary heritage.
  • Visit the National Galleries of Scotland and the National Museum of Scotland.
  • Enjoy free time to choose additional festival shows or explore the city independently.
  • Take part in a journalism talk and a Scottish whisky tasting.

 

Tour highlights

  • Explore Edinburgh on foot
  • Experience the quirkiness of the famous Edinburgh Festival Fringe
  • Indulge in local food and Scottish whiskey tastings at local bars
  • Immerse yourself in the vibrant, cosmopolitan city
  • Explore Scoland's finest museums

Value built into your journey

What’s included

  • 8 nights of hotel accommodation.
  • 8 breakfasts, 2 dinners, and 1 whiskey tasting.
  • 4 tickets for Fringe performances.
  • Detailed preparatory information.
  • Services of a Tour Leader for the duration of the tour.
See all inclusions & exclusions →

The Odyssey difference

Small enough to experience more

One dinner table, shared experience

Our groups are deliberately small enough to dine together around one table—an intimate way to get to know fellow travellers, whether you join as a couple or on your own.

Access that larger groups miss

A smaller group can visit more intimate venues, stay in characterful places, and reach experiences that are often impractical for larger coach parties.

Time to understand a place

Expert Program Leaders and local guides add depth, while a considered pace leaves room to explore, rest, or follow your curiosity.

Discover why travellers choose Odyssey →
A

Have a question? Talk to Anna, our Travel Specialist

Available Mon–Fri

Journey journal

Read, learn & explore before you travel

Expand your journey before departure with destination stories and carefully selected reading that bring the history, art and culture of this tour into sharper focus.

Scottish Islands - Isle of Skye

Blog

Country Spotlight: Scotland

Tours of Scotland Scotland is a world-renowned travel destination. Travellers enjoy a terrific diversity in the Tours of Scotland that are offered to this popular country. Such diversity results in  countless memorable experiences for visitors. Known for its dramatic scenery, rich cultural history, and distinctive food and drink, Scotland is an unforgettable country to visit. […]

Read the article →
Jacobites, Scottish History small group mature travellers tour

Blog

11 places to consider visiting in Edinburgh off the beaten track
Read more →
Scotland cattle

Blog

10 great books to read on the Scottish Isles
Read more →
Scottish Islands -Portree, Isle of Skye

Blog

Scotland & Scotch Whisky
Read more →
Explore tour resources →
Prefer to book or enquire by phone?
☎ 1300 080 371 Toll free within Australia
What's Included:
Tour Inclusions
  • 8 nights of hotel accommodation.
  • 8 breakfasts, 2 dinners, and 1 whiskey tasting.
  • 4 tickets for Fringe performances.
  • Detailed preparatory information.
  • Services of a Tour Leader for the duration of the tour.
What's Not Included in Our Tour
  • Return international airfare and departure taxes.
  • Comprehensive travel insurance.
  • Meals not specified in the itinerary.
  • Items of a personal nature, such as telephone calls and laundry.

Activity Level

Level 1 - Introductory to Moderate
Participants must be able to carry their own luggage, climb and descend stairs, moderate walking on uneven surfaces for 3 - 5 kilometres per day. Suitable for most fitness levels.
Learn about activity levels

Good to Know:

🛏 Select Room Type

Prices shown per person

Prices displayed below are per person, twin share occupancy.
Departure Date Price Availability
10 Aug – 19 Aug 2027
$8,250 AUD
✓ Available Book This Date
10 Aug – 19 Aug 2027
$8,250 AUD
✓ Available
Book This Date

A deposit of A$1,000 per person secures your place. Balance is due 120 days before departure. All prices are per person. View Terms & Conditions.

A

Speak with Anna

Travel Specialist · Odyssey Traveller

"Not ready to book yet? I'm happy to answer any questions about this tour — from itinerary details to what past travellers have said. No obligation."

Send Anna a question →

Available Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm AEST

🔒

Prefer a Private Tour?

Travel with your own group on your own dates. We can customise the itinerary to suit your interests.

Enquire Now

Plan your journey

Available dates & prices

Choose a departure and room type to see the current tour price. Every departure travels in a small group of up to 16 travellers.

Choose your room

Prices shown per person, twin share occupancy. Select a departure to view booking details.

Small-group touring with up to 16 travellers Meals: 8B · 2D included Comfortable accommodation and expert local guidance A$1,000 deposit per person secures your place

How many travellers?

Twin share Sharing a room with a companion
Solo traveller A room of your own

0 travellers Deposit due today: —

Review your booking details next. Balance due 120 days before departure.

◈

Book with confidence

Your departure, room type and price are confirmed before checkout.

↺

Flexible booking support

Our travel specialists are available to help you choose the right departure.

Your route

Experience Edinburgh at its most vibrant world-famous Fringe.

Follow a carefully paced route through the places, stories and experiences that bring this journey to life. Open any day for the detail behind the itinerary.

Route map for this tour
⌖ 9 days · 9 stops
⌗ View larger map
1 1 day

Edinburgh

We arrive in Edinburgh to settle into our hotel and gather for an introductory dinner, beginning a week immersed in Scotland's vibrant cultural scene. Walking the city's storied streets with our guide, we encounter world-class performances—from the Soweto Gospel Choir to stand-up comedy—while exploring renowned galleries and museums. Between curated experiences, we enjoy freedom to

Upon arrival in Edinburgh, you will make our own way to the hotel. Late afternoon we meet for an introductory meeting at the hotel lobby and then take a short stroll to a nearby restaurant for our welcome dinner. The city of Edinburgh, the capital of modern-day Scotland, is of great political, cultural, and historical interest. Located near the Firth of Forth, in the Scottish Lowlands, Edinburgh is a city of 2 halves. The old part, with its impressive castle and the Royal Mile stretching down to Holyrood Palace, contrasts with the more recent section of garden squares and elegant Georgian architecture. Princes Street is one of its best-known thoroughfares. Edinburgh is a sophisticated city with a long and rich history, gothic monuments, a royal palace, challenging museums, interesting art galleries, and many churches.

2 1 day

Edinburgh

We start our day with a guided walking tour of the city to view the main sights including Holyrood Palace and Edinburgh Castle (no internal visits). We walk…

We start our day with a guided walking tour of the city to view the main sights including Holyrood Palace and Edinburgh Castle (no internal visits). We walk along the Royal Mile and visit Blackwells bookshop. We return to the hotel and have some free time to freshen up and grab a quick snack (own arrangements) before we make our way to our first group performance: Asian, but wrong at 5:20pm atSlice 2 at Hoots @ Hilton (Bread Street).

3 1 day

Edinburgh

This morning, the tour leader will hold a festival orientation; and the remainder of the day is free for you to explore the city and the festival on…

This morning, the tour leader will hold a festival orientation; and the remainder of the day is free for you to explore the city and the festival on your own.

4 1 day

Edinburgh

Today we gather mid-morning and make our way to our second group event: Adam Riches: The Captain 11:45am at Anatomy Lecture Theatre at Summerhall. The remainder of the…

Today we gather mid-morning and make our way to our second group event: Adam Riches: The Captain 11:45am at Anatomy Lecture Theatre at Summerhall. The remainder of the day is free for you to attend the festival following your own interests.

5 1 day

Edinburgh

After breakfast at the hotel, we set out on foot to visit the National Galleries of Scotland – Modern One, main exhibition only, if you wish to also…

After breakfast at the hotel, we set out on foot to visit the National Galleries of Scotland – Modern One, main exhibition only, if you wish to also view the current Special Exhibition, we recommend you book your tickets in advance online via the link: https://www.nationalgalleries.org/ There are no group activities today until later this afternoon. We encourage you to meander the streets and attend some of the free outdoor performances in the city during the day. Today we have our third group performance at the festival: Jason Byrne – 30 Years Byrning at 7:10pm at Assembly Hall.

6 1 day

Edinburgh

Once again, the day is free for you to explore the festival at your own pace, and enjoy the events and performances that most appeal to you. We…

Once again, the day is free for you to explore the festival at your own pace, and enjoy the events and performances that most appeal to you. We highly recommend you to pre-book tickets via the Fringe's website to avoid missing out.

7 1 day

Edinburgh

In the morning we’ll make our way to visit the National Museum of Scotland, where world-class collections will take you on a journey through the history of Scotland,…

In the morning we’ll make our way to visit the National Museum of Scotland, where world-class collections will take you on a journey through the history of Scotland, the wonders of nature and diverse cultures from around the globe. We then have some free time and later meet for the final performance we attend as a group: 1 King, 2 Princes and Shakespeare’s lie at 6:15pm at theSpace @ Symposium Hall.

8 1 day

Edinburgh

Today we have most of the day at leisure. We meet late afternoon afternoon and make our way to the Royal Mile for a Whisky tasting at the…

Today we have most of the day at leisure. We meet late afternoon afternoon and make our way to the Royal Mile for a Whisky tasting at the Scotch Whisky Experience (6:10pm start) followed by our group farewell dinner at a local restaurant nearby.

9 1 day

Edinburgh

After breakfast, our tour concludes.

After breakfast, our tour concludes.

Plan with confidence

Travel Information

Everything you need to know before you travel, presented in one easy-to-read planning guide.

What’s Included

Tour Inclusions
  • 8 nights of hotel accommodation.
  • 8 breakfasts, 2 dinners, and 1 whiskey tasting.
  • 4 tickets for Fringe performances.
  • Detailed preparatory information.
  • Services of a Tour Leader for the duration of the tour.
What's Not Included in Our Tour
  • Return international airfare and departure taxes.
  • Comprehensive travel insurance.
  • Meals not specified in the itinerary.
  • Items of a personal nature, such as telephone calls and laundry.

Traveller stories

What our travellers say

Real reflections from travellers who have experienced this journey with Odyssey.

Featured traveller review

Great hotel (perfect location), wonderful tour guide (Robert was excellent in every respect), the half-day walking tour was fun and informative, and the events selected exposed me to Fringe events I probably wouldn't have seen otherwise. Very well thought out and put together.
★★★★★
Participant -17

More traveller reflections

Stories from this Odyssey journey

★★★★★

“Lovely hotel and the location could not have been better. I'd stay there again.”

Participant -17
★★★★★

“Please evaluate your tour Program Leader, Robert Williams Communication - Exceeded expectations Organisation - Exceeded expectations Local knowledge - Exceeded expectations Engagement - Exceeded expectations Friendliness - Exceeded expectations Care and concern for your needs - Exceeded expectations Do you have any comments to make (good or bad!) about your tour Program Leader? - I cannot compliment him too highly”

Participant -17
★★★★★

“Excellent selection and diversity from different types of events. We saw wonderful things that would not have occurred to me on my own.”

Participant -17
Recommended For You
Taiwan Lantern Festival small group tour
📍 Discovery
Taiwan Lantern Festival small group tour
11 days
Canals and Railways in the Industrial Revolution Tour
📍 Guaranteed departures
Canals and Railways in the Industrial Revolution Tour
23 days
Discover the history and culture of Mongolia | Small group tour
📍 Discovery
Discover the history and culture of Mongolia | Small group tour
20 days
Edinburgh Festival Fringe Small Group Tour
$8,250 AUD
per person · 9 days
Next departure
10 Aug 2027
View dates & prices