Getting to Edinburgh
Guide to how to get to Edinburgh. Includes all the info you need on train, bus and even chauffeur-driven trips to Scotland's capital city.
How to get to Edinburgh
Edinburgh international airport,
- Tel: +44 131 3331000 general enquiries,
- Tel: +44 131 3443136 airport information,
is 8 miles west of the city centre on the A8 Edinburgh-Glasgow road. The airport has all the usual facilities, including a tourist information desk near International Arrivals, bureau de change, ATMs, bars and restaurants (on the first floor) and shops (ground floor and first floor).
The tourist information desk, in the international arrivals area, will book accommodation and car hire.
For car hire, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and National car hire desks are located in the terminal in the main UK arrivals area.
Two bus services, Airline 100 (Tel: 5556363) and Guide Friday (Tel: 5562244) run between the airport and the main train station at Waverley Bridge.
From Waverley Bridge, buses start at 0600 and then run every 15 mins between 0715 and 1955, and then every 30 mins till 2155. From the airport the first bus is at 0630, then every 15 mins till 2100, and then every 30 mins till 2230.
The main pick up/drop off points in town are at the West End of Princes Street and Haymarket train station. Both services cost £3.30 single for adults; £3 for children. An open return fare is £5, £3 for children. Tickets can be bought from the driver, at the Tourist Information Centre or at the Guide Friday Tourism Centre. The journey time is 25 mins, though this will be longer during the rush hours. By taxi from the airport to the city centre will cost £15 in one of the white airport taxis, while a black taxi cab will cost around £12. Journey time is roughly 20 mins. The airport is easily reached by car. Parking costs £1.70 per hr short term, or £4.70 per day long term.
Train
All trains to Edinburgh go to Waverley Station, Tel: 5562477, off Waverley Bridge at the east end of Princes St. This is where the main ticket booking office is located. Note that during peak periods a wait of 30-40 mins is not unusual. Leave at least 10 mins to buy tickets for immediate travel at other times. Taxis collect passengers from the station concourse, but if the queue is depressingly long, there's another taxi rank on Waverley Bridge. All trains to the north and to the west coast, including Glasgow, also stop at Haymarket station. For timetable and ticket enquiries: Tel. 08457-484950.
Bus
The city's new bus station is in St Andrews Square, only a few minutes' walk from Waverley station. This is the terminal for all coaches from England, from other towns and cities around Scotland and also for local services to outlying towns and villages. There are left luggage lockers at the Terminus.