Redbusbistro Arvostelua 

This was a gift for Edinburgh tour.
Email and phone call received of change of collection point due to roadworks.
Firstly I would like to say the staff member serving us was lovely. However…
Bus was late, apparently due to staff illness, and when it did arrive we had to wait outside whilst they prepared the food.
Afternoon tea was nice but not huge.
The staff member was very busy serving everyone but every now and then managed to say a few words about things we were passing. I definitely feel that a dedicated tour person was needed to give constant commentary rather than the occasion bit. It’s quite a perfunctory tour with many bits left out which is a shame.
The toilet stop was at some really grotty public toilets by The Meadows. However the lady offered to allow us to wash our hands on the bus which was good.
We were allowed to climb up into the drivers seat which was fun, on the second stop by Dynamic Earth, which seemed to just use up the time rather than driving round.

My sister got us a voucher for this company through Red Letter days (who I will also be contacting). I called to book and the staff didn’t have a clue about how to book me on. I then got an email asking if I wanted to still book (I had already managed to book on despite the poor customer service at the time). Eventually booked for Edinburgh months in advance. Both phone and email confirmation. We live 2 hours away from Edinburgh, paid for a hotel and made it my birthday weekend. Only found out on their facebook page that the pick-up location had been moved on the 9th September from Waterloo place to St. Andrew’s square. No email to their customers to let them know, so I was lucky that I seen this- or so I thought. We showed up to st Andrew’s square, 20 minutes prior to bus departure. No bus in sight. Walked around the square numerous times, even asking other bus tour operators if they knew where the bus was departing. No one knew, one even stated how much of a nightmare they are. Stayed until 12.30 incase we got the time wrong, even though our confirmation stated 12pm on the 4th October. No-one to contact even though the company is operating today. Absolutely ridiculous. Especially when this was a gift and it wasn’t cheap (we also upgraded the voucher to include a glass of fizz). Would never recommend this company on a million years. Defintely better places to spend your money on. Please avoid.

Had a fantastic afternoon! Afternoon tea was lovely, Helen was amazing, she kept everyone entertained and also gave some lovely snippets of interesting facts on Glasgow. Wasn’t entirely sure what to expect but what we got was brilliant.

The vintage bus itself is lovely, fun thing to do, we were on the Glasgow bus. After various reviews had stated this was a rescheduled trip after original one was cancelled. This was a gift for me so I didnt complain on the day. The staff were lovely. The afternoon tea element of it though is not good. 2 very small sandwich each, not particularly nice, a small stale pastry which tasted of nothiing and a hard stale samosa. thats it for the savoury element. The cakes were dry and stale. Small fruit scone offered with cheap squirty cream and jam. No butter or clotted cream. All cakes seemed to be cheap own brand shop bought stuff. Definitely not worth the money. And definitely not enough for 2 adults for afternoon tea. We had some fizz. Upgraded to the gin tea pot which didn't exist. Instead got 2 glasses gin. Which didnt taste like a botanical gin, more a cheap gin with a nasty flavoured syrup in it.

Absolutely appalling company and customer service.

They failed to turn up for a pre-booked tour, and now won't refund our money.

We bought a gift voucher just before Christmas.
We waited a few months, booked a tour for 2 for Friday 10th July.
We turned up in plenty of time for the tour, and they failed to show up.
They left us standing about the street for about an hour.
We tried calling them, emailing them. they eventually answered one of my emails - and gave some bull.... story about the driver being unwell.
Absolute rubbish, because someone from building opposite saw us standing, came out to us and said they do this all the time - leave people standing around with a no show.
There was an elderly couple in their 80's from down south visiting Scotland, who were standing with us for our tour, and this was to be the highlight of their trip to Scotland.

They then stated on their emails that they will offer a refund. 3/4 weeks later, no refund and now they won't even reply to my emails.

Absolutely appalling, and I would appeal to everyone to avoid them at all costs.
This company has no shame.

I am now having to try and claim my money back via my bank.

I am giving this company no stars. My daughter got us a voucher as a Xmas gift. The booking was cancelled twice by email on the day prior to booking. On the third occasion there was no cancellation & we made our way into town only to find that it had indeed been cancelled again (from other passengers waiting). I had received no email or call to cancel. A trip into Glasgow for nothing. Absolutey disgusting service. Avoid this company at all costs.

Had a really lovely experience with red bus tour Edinburgh, there was 4 of us , afternoon tea and processco, the staff couldnt have done more, we sat up the stairs and the girl was really lovely, so friendly, there took us around the sights of Edinburgh and it was honestly a perfect afternoon , thanks so much. Highly recommend

I took my mum, mother in law and gran (gg) out today and had booked the Glasgow bus, Helen was the host and George the driver. The food was lovely and just enough and the atmosphere was great two ladies sat next to us were so nice and loved in same place as us. The tunes were amazing and Helen and George were friendly professional and a great laugh we were made to feel at home. Highly recommend this ❤️

Unfortunately, the experience was extremely disappointing and very poor value for money, particularly given the additional £20 surcharge that was charged.
The food quality was unacceptable. The sandwiches appeared stale, and one of the main elements of a traditional afternoon tea — the scones — was unavailable. We were provided with cream and jam, only to then be told there were no scones left.
In addition, neither ourselves nor the two women seated beside us were ever asked whether we would like tea or coffee, which is a basic and expected part of an afternoon tea experience.
Overall, the experience felt disorganised, poorly managed, and far below the standard advertised and expected for the price paid. Charging customers a surcharge for an incomplete and low-quality service is unacceptable.

Last-minute cancellation, rude staff, broken promises – not worth the money

I booked the Red Bistro Bus as a special celebration for my two sisters and arranged extensive travel from Birmingham to Edinburgh months in advance specifically for this experience.

Late afternoon the day before, while we were already travelling with limited internet, I received an email cancelling our 12 noon booking with less than 24 hours’ notice, initially stating it was due to a large party cancelling. The only alternative offered was 3pm, which meant changing train tickets at significant extra cost. Emails and phone calls went unanswered.

When I eventually got through the next day, I was spoken to rudely and even accused of lying about the travel and expense involved. A manager later claimed the cancellation was actually due to driver illness, contradicting the original email, and refused any compensation despite the disruption and additional costs.

We were then emailed an apology promising complimentary drinks and extra privileges, none of which were provided. The bus was almost empty, making the cancellation even more baffling.

The experience itself was mediocre at best: not enough food (two meringue nests for three people), no soya milk despite pre-ordering, and overall poor value for money. While the onboard staff were polite, they seemed unaware of the issues.

For such an expensive experience, the customer service was dreadful and the promises were not honoured. A huge amount of money spent for very little in return. I would not recommend this company.

It would have been nice also to have a map given when you boarded so that you could follow where you were going and pin point the places of interest.

Myself and 5 friends went on the red bus bistro in Edinburgh yesterday. It was fantastic from start to finish. The driver, Mark, welcomed us on board & played ace music throughout the tour. The servers, Zoe and Prem, were very efficient, friendly & polite. The food was to die for! Everyone on the bus joined in and sang a long to the retro sounds. We will definitely be back.

Absolutely disgusting service or no service should I say. Booked and fully paid for afternoon tea on tour of Edinburgh. Received email evening prior to trip confirming booking and pick up details. Arrived at pick up point as advised to be told by other operator assistant that previous tour that day had been cancelled and no contact with people who were waiting. Tried to phone customer service number no answer. Emailed no reply. Waited for half hour after time stated to arrive and nothing. No call or any contact from the company. Absolutely disgusting booked for a gift for a special occasion for a friend. Would never book with this company again and definitely would not recommend them.

it was our wedding reception venue, for 28 people, meal was amazing, hospitality also amazing, all our guests were happy and had a great time, staff were great and attentive and had us all singing, wouldn't hesitate to book again