Edinburgh Airport Transfers

Scotland's airport, 12km from the city, is well connected to the city centre by both private and public transport. Are you going to waste your first few minutes of your trip wondering how best to get to your hotel? Here's all the information you need to plan your arrival in Edinburgh to save time and money.

Bus, tram, taxi, Uber, private transfer... Whatever time you arrive at Edinburgh Airport you will have transport available to get you either to the city centre or to the front door of your hotel. If you are looking for the most comfortable and fastest option, I recommend a door-to-door transfer:

When we land at the airport in any city, what we most often want to do is either rest if it's been a long journey or go out and explore the city. Ultimately, we want to save time and we want facilities; pre-booking this private transfer to your hotel in Edinburgh from the airport allows you to do both.

You can book online: you will need to provide the day of your arrival in Edinburgh, your flight details and the address of your hotel or accommodation in the city centre. With this information, the company will arrange for a professional driver to meet you as soon as you disembark and take you to your hotel.

Once your booking is confirmed, you will receive an email which will serve as a receipt for you to hand over to the driver waiting for you on arrival. You will be able to communicate via email with the transport agency at any time to resolve any doubts or request any additional service. In addition, if your travel plans change, you can cancel your booking by giving 24 hours' notice.

How the service works

You already know that if you want a private transfer from Edinburgh Airport to your hotel you must book it in advance and online, but what exactly does this service consist of?

It consists of hiring a private driver and a vehicle exclusively for you and those travelling with you (up to 8 passengers per service) so that you are picked up at the arrivals terminal and you don't have to wait to get to your hotel or make any stops along the way.

Advantages

If you require the opposite service, to pick you up from your hotel and take you to Edinburgh Airport, you can also book this service online before or during your trip.

You will also need to provide your flight departure date, hotel details and flight information. The driver will know what time to pick you up (you and those travelling with you) so you won't be late for boarding, but you won't waste any extra time waiting at the airport.

Ana's Traveller Tip

Hiring private transport can be cheaper if there are several of you travelling together.

Tram

Trains run every ten minutes from the airport to the city centre with a total of 15 stops, some of the most central being Princes Street or St Andrew Square. Tickets cost £10 on board and cheaper if you buy them from the machines. You can also get a discount if you buy a return ticket with an open return. The whole journey takes about 35 minutes.

Airlink Bus

This is the special airport bus. It departs every ten minutes throughout the day (frequency decreases at night9) and takes 25 minutes to connect the airport with Waverley Bridge station in the city centre. The fare is £4.50 each way, £7.50 if you buy a return ticket.

Skylink Bus

If your hotel is not in the city centre, this bus will take you to more remote areas. It is the same price as the Airlink, operates from 6am to 11pm and runs every 20 to 30 minutes or so. There are different lines depending on the area of Edinburgh you are going to. An important thing to know is that you will need to pay the exact amount as the driver does not give change.

Mainline bus

The final price depends on the distance you have to cover, but the journey to the centre can take up to an hour and a half. The numbers are 33 if you travel during the day and N22 if you arrive in Edinburgh in the early hours of the morning. You will also need to pay with the exact amount.

Ana's Traveller Tip

Remember to bring the exact amount (in pounds) to pay on the buses that take you into the city centre.

If you haven't booked your transfer in advance and want to avoid public transport, there is also the option of taxis, which are signposted throughout the airport. You will have to wait in a queue and the cost is around £30.

Uber is a cheaper option (around £25) and can be requested via the airport's free WIFI network. Once you confirm your journey, the app will tell you where to meet your driver within 10-15 minutes.

What Edinburgh Airport is like

Edinburgh Airport is one of the busiest airports in the UK, so you'll have no trouble finding the usual facilities such as shops and restaurants. Public transport and taxi rank locations are clearly marked on airport signage and free WIFI is available throughout the airport. It is 12km from the city centre and is not served by the underground network.

When to go to Edinburgh

From May to September you'll find more moderate temperatures in Scotland (although you'll still need to bring a coat) so this may be the best time to visit the country. The winter months can be cold and wet at any time of the year.

Where to stay in Edinburgh

The most central areas to stay in Edinburgh are the Old Town and the New Town, but they are also the most expensive. However, if you book your hotel or flat well in advance you can save money. If you're looking for nightlife, choose the Grassmarket area and if you want to be central, but in a less touristy neighbourhood, Broughton and the West End are the best options.

What to eat in Edinburgh

The best-known traditional dish in Edinburgh is haggis, a spicy dish made with lamb offal. As for sweets, the country has a lot to offer, so don't be afraid to try and ask for recommendations in any of its cafés. Finally, whisky lovers will find whisky heaven in Edinburgh.

Where to change money

Scotland's currency is the pound sterling, which is roughly equivalent to 1.10 euros, so you'll have no trouble calculating the price of your purchases. There are many options for exchanging money, but avoid the airport, banks in your home country and hotels. If you want to get better change you can do it at ATMs (if your bank's commissions aren't too high) or at the exchange offices you'll find in the city centre. If you're staying in the city for longer than a few days, you may want to use home exchange services, which are available within 48 hours and have become increasingly popular in recent years.

Getting around Edinburgh

The city centre is easily accessible on foot (although you won't be spared the walk up to Edinburgh Castle). By combining the tube and tram, you can get to almost any notable part of Edinburgh. A single ticket for both the Underground and the bus costs £1.80, but does not allow for transfers. If you're making several journeys in the same day, the daily ticket is unlimited and costs £4.50.

What to pack

An umbrella is a must, as it rains even more in Edinburgh than in London. You'll also need a mackintosh for when the rain isn't too heavy, and if you're touring the Scottish Highlands on a day trip from Edinburgh, comfortable, waterproof shoes are a must.