Travel Information

Getting There

Edinburgh airport (EDI) is the most convenient way to come to Edinburgh. A cab to the city centre takes about 20 minutes and costs about £20. Airlink runs a shuttle to Waverley Steps that takes 25 minutes and costs £3.50 one-way or £6.00 return. Airport buses run every 10 minutes throughout the day, and pick up/drop off outside Haymarket station, in Shandwick Place (west end), Princes St, and on the bridge to the West of Waverley station (Waverley steps). Airlines including BA, Lufthansa, EasyJet, RyanAir, and FlyBe, amongst others, fly to Edinburgh from many domestic and international destinations.

Edinburgh Waverley Station is the most convenient for the city centre, and is the terminus for many trains in either direction. Trains to/from the North or Glasgow also stop at Haymarket in the West of the city. Fast trains to/from Glasgow run every 15 minutes from both main stations. There is no train to/from the airport. The national rail website gives train times and prices, or you can ask at the station. Buy tickets before you travel. For long journeys, booking in advance and fixing train times can be significantly cheaper. It is sometimes also cheaper to buy two single tickets than one return ticket.

Local Transport in Edinburgh

Local buses are mainly run by Lothian Buses (red and white buses), who have an interactive route map. Buses run frequently throughout the day, with restricted routes for night buses between midnight and 4am. Local buses are fixed fare and no change is given. Pay when you board the bus. A single ticket (any journey length) is £1.50. A one-day ticket can be bought on the bus and offers unlimited travel for £3 (not valid on the Airlink buses). A one-week ticket costs £15 and is available from three city centre locations.

Most city centre destinations are within 15-30 mins walk. Taxis are metered, but expensive. Look for black cabs, with amber lights indicating they are available. They will pick up anywhere in the street, except near a taxi rank, where there is a queuing system. A taxi from the airport will cost about £20.