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Small Group Tour

Edinburgh Festival Fringe Small Group Tour

9 days · Small group · Max 14 travellers

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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 offers easy, convenient, and relaxed escorted small group tours across Scotland and beyond into the British isles. We explore Edinburgh's heritage, its World Heritage Sites, and world famous city attractions. This and more is all waiting to be explored on one of Odyssey’s small group tours, designed for the senior traveller, and led by experienced, and enthusiastic like minded people.

Explore the world’s largest arts festival; The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, born from eight theatre groups who turned up uninvited at the postwar Edinburgh International Festival in 1947, is among the most celebrated of all the festivals in Edinburgh, Scotland.

This extraordinary festival encompasses almost an entire month's worth of theatre, cabaret, children’s shows, experimental performance art, circus, comedy, and dance. Every year, an eclectic showcase of new and established artists and street performers from across the globe turn unconventional venues into performance spaces. Known for experimentation, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe feature free, paid, and pay-what-you-want programmes, giving us the opportunity to see and hear plenty of performances in this art festival. On this educational tour, we experience nine enthralling days of the Fringe.

In the world's first City of Literature (UNESCO, 2004), Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, will also be explored on this tour. While the Fringe is the tour's highlight, we will embark on walking tours around this fascinating city. Numerous sightseeing opportunities promise something for everyone.

You will also have free time to explore the city at your own pace. This visit to Edinburgh can take you to the Royal Mile, which runs downhill and book-ended by Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the British monarch's official residence in Scotland. The iconic Royal Mile in itself is an attraction, with its cobbled streets and wynds (minor streets) branching out of the main road, as well as countless historic buildings. You can also check out the Royal Yacht Britannia, which used to be the nautical residence of the Royal Family, and is now a five-star tourist attraction. Indulge in local Scottish food and whiskey tastings at charming city bars, or relax at the pubs on High Street. Get ready to experience what the United Kingdom's art hub has to offer.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe Small Group Tour Highlights

A few of the Fringe's past performances included in this programme:

As the exhaustive programme is only published when bookings for performances open in June each year, tour selections and the updated itinerary will be confirmed closer to the date.

Please note that the performances mentioned in the current itinerary are from past performances and are included here to give you an idea of the mix of sightseeing and performance attendance on this tour. The itinerary will be updated with the new performances before the 2024 tour begins.

Secure Your Place at The Fringe

You can learn more about Britain and Scotland with our profiles where all the other tour departures are listed as well. For further information, check out the ‘Top 5’ or ‘Itinerary’ pages above. To make a booking, please call, send us an email, or simply fill in the form on the right hand side of this page.

Odyssey aims to secure accommodation in central Edinburgh, at the heart of the festival. Due to high demand for such locations, early booking for this tour is advised.

 

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
  • Enjoy the nightlife

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 →
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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.

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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.

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

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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 no more than 14 travellers.

Choose your room

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

Small-group touring with a maximum of 14 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

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Flexible booking support

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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. An introductory meeting and dinner to familiarize ourselves with one another will be held at the hotel.

2 1 day

Edinburgh

After breakfast at the hotel, we embark on an orientation tour of Edinburgh with our tour leader. The walking tour will bring you to a diverse range of…

After breakfast at the hotel, we embark on an orientation tour of Edinburgh with our tour leader. The walking tour will bring you to a diverse range of sights and monuments. In the early afternoon, you will have some spare time to explore the city at our own pace. In the mid afternoon, we will meet for our first performance. Enjoy unique interpretations of international classics by the two-time Grammy award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir. They have performed for many world leaders including Nelson Mandela, the British Royal Family, Desmond Tutu, and former US President, Barack Obama. Come early evening, we make our way to the oldest bookshop in town, Blackwells, for a glimpse into Scotland's literary scene.

3 1 day

Edinburgh

This morning, the tour leader will hold a festival orientation; learn about the Fringe and its cultural significance in great detail. We will then visit the National Galleries…

This morning, the tour leader will hold a festival orientation; learn about the Fringe and its cultural significance in great detail. We will then visit the National Galleries of Scotland. From surrealism, contemporary art, to historic photography, their astounding collection is not to be missed. More information on the featured exhibition will be released closer to the date. The afternoon will be free for you to soak in the city before we attend Alexei Sayle's stand-up comedy show in the evening. A well-known comedian, Sayle's career spans varied works as novelist, actor, and columnist.

4 1 day

Edinburgh

This morning is free for you to enjoy the city and the festival. After lunch, we will attend a performance by two of the oldest and best a…

This morning is free for you to enjoy the city and the festival. After lunch, we will attend a performance by two of the oldest and best a cappella groups from the University of Cambridge. Get ready for some jazz, soul, and pop music. Afterwards, we will see Ruby Wax's Frazzled. Based on her book A Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled wherein she uncovers the secrets of the mind, learn practical tips on mindfulness from an actress, author, and mental health campaigner.

5 1 day

Edinburgh

The day is free for you to explore the festival at your own pace and watch any events and performances that most appeal to you. We highly recommend…

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

6 1 day

Edinburgh

The morning is free for you to enjoy the city at your own pace. We meet at lunch for a talk with Allan Little, former BBC reporter, special…

The morning is free for you to enjoy the city at your own pace. We meet at lunch for a talk with Allan Little, former BBC reporter, special correspondent, and presenter of Radio 4's Today programme. Little is an award-winning journalist and broadcaster who has covered many important historical moments, such as the Gulf War in 1991 from Baghdad, the break-up of Yugoslavia, the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide, among others. Afterwards, we make our way to the National Museum of Scotland. More information on the featured exhibition will be released closer to the date.

7 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.

8 1 day

Edinburgh

The morning is free for you to explore the festival and the city. In the afternoon, we will watch The Accidental Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. This play follows…

The morning is free for you to explore the festival and the city. In the afternoon, we will watch The Accidental Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. This play follows Sherlock Holmes as he attempts to track down a criminal mastermind. Filled with plot twists, meta-fiction, and twisted logic, it is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. Come evening, we will walk to a local restaurant to sample Scottish whiskey and enjoy dinner together. Improv legends Mike McShane and Colin Mochrie, and master hypnotist Asad Mecci will complete our evening. We will join these three amazing artists for a mind-blowing, side-splitting show -- Hyprov: Improve under Hypnosis - crafted from the subconscious of each night's audience!

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
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Edinburgh Festival Fringe Small Group Tour
$8,250 AUD
per person · 9 days
Next departure
10 Aug 2027
View dates & prices