Edinburgh Airport to City Center — What You Actually Need to Know

Edinburgh Airport (EDI) is about 13 km west of the city center. You have four main options: the Airlink 100 bus (GBP 6.00 single, up to every 10 minutes in the daytime, running 24/7 to Waverley Bridge), the tram (airport fares from GBP 7.90 adult, trams every 7 minutes), a metered taxi on the council tariff, or a pre-booked private transfer at a price quoted when you book.

For travellers on a budget, the Airlink bus is the low-cost choice. For families with luggage or late-night arrivals, a taxi or transfer may be worth the extra cost. Fares are revised regularly, so check the operator's current price before you travel.

Edinburgh Airport has a single terminal that handles both domestic and international flights. Immigration queue times vary with the arrivals bank and your passport.

Once you have your bags and exit, you are in the main arrivals hall. The hall leads to the ground transport options outside: follow the signs for the tram, the Airlink bus stop and the taxi rank.

Airlink 100: This is Edinburgh's dedicated airport bus between the airport and Waverley Bridge in the city centre, and Lothian runs it 24 hours a day: up to every 10 minutes from the airport between 04:12 and 01:00, then up to every 20 minutes from 01:15 to 04:00. Luggage space can be limited during busy periods. You can pay contactless on board.

Tram: Edinburgh's tram runs from the airport across the city centre (Haymarket, West End, Princes Street, St Andrew Square and Picardy Place) and on through Leith to its terminus at Newhaven. Trams run about every 7 minutes; the first tram leaves the airport at 06:30 and the last at 22:52. The tram is a good fit if your accommodation is along the route.

Taxi: Black cabs queue at the rank and are metered on the council tariff. The ride to central Edinburgh depends heavily on traffic, and the main road into town can be congested during rush hours.

Airlink bus: GBP 6.00 adult single, GBP 8.50 adult return. Children aged 5-15 pay GBP 3.00 single, GBP 4.25 return. The Lothian Network ticket (GBP 14.00 adult) is also valid on Airlink; standard Lothian DAY tickets are not. (Lothian Buses, checked October 2026.)

Tram: the operator's homepage lists airport fares from GBP 7.90 for an adult and GBP 4.00 for a child. The airport is a separate fare zone, so check which ticket covers it; the operator's online ticket shop may show a different price from the homepage, so check before you buy. (Edinburgh Trams, checked October 2026.)

Taxi: Edinburgh taxis are metered on a tariff set by the City of Edinburgh Council. On the table in force from 25 July 2026, Tariff 1 (Monday to Friday 06:00-18:00) starts at GBP 3.60 for the initial hire (up to 430 m or 100 seconds of waiting), and Tariff 2 (Monday to Friday 18:00-06:00, and from 06:00 Saturday to 06:00 Monday) starts at GBP 4.80; after that the meter adds GBP 0.30 per further distance or time unit. Tariffs 3 and 4 are the Christmas and New Year rates. A hire starting or ending at the airport Pick-up and Drop-off Zone also carries the prevailing drop-off or pick-up charge set by Edinburgh Airport at that time. Because the meter depends on the route, the traffic and the time of day, we do not quote a total fare. The council's fare table also adds GBP 0.50 for each passenger when there are more than three. Check the [council's current fare table](https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/taxi/taxi-fares-edinburgh) before you travel.

Private transfer: Booked in advance, the price is quoted at the time of booking and shown before you pay, so it does not move with traffic or the meter.

One thing worth knowing whichever way you go: the council tariff only applies inside the City of Edinburgh. For a destination outside the city boundary, the fare must be agreed with the driver before the journey starts.

The Airlink 100 runs around the clock: up to every 10 minutes from the airport until 01:00, then up to every 20 minutes between 01:15 and 04:00, at the same GBP 6.00 adult single fare, so the bus is an option on a late arrival. The tram does not run all night: the last tram leaves the airport at 22:52.

Taxis are available late, but the queue can be long after midnight when several flights arrive together. Note that the taxi meter is on Tariff 2 (GBP 4.80 initial hire on the July 2026 table) from 18:00 Monday to Friday and all weekend. If you pre-book a transfer, ask at booking whether flight tracking is included so you know what happens if you are delayed. Taxi demand can be high during the Edinburgh Festival season (August).

The Airlink bus has luggage space, but during busy periods it can fill up. If you have more than one large suitcase per person, you may find it uncomfortable.

For families with pushchairs or car seats, a taxi or private transfer is usually easier. Edinburgh's cobbled Old Town streets make walking with heavy luggage from a bus stop to your hotel difficult.

Child car seats: do not count on one in a black cab. If you need a car seat, bring your own or request one when you book a private transfer.

Bus and tram: Follow the signs from the arrivals exit to the Airlink stop and the tram stop.

Taxi: The rank is outside arrivals.

Pre-booked transfer: Your booking confirmation will give the meeting point and instructions.

Ride-hailing apps: If you use one, follow the app's pickup instructions. Prices are set by the app and can change with demand, so check the quote before you confirm.

Take the Airlink bus if: You are travelling light and your hotel is near the city center (Princes Street, Royal Mile, Grassmarket). It is a low-cost, frequent option.

Take the tram if: Your accommodation is along the tram route (Haymarket, West End, St Andrew Square, Picardy Place) and you prefer a smoother ride.

Take a taxi if: You have significant luggage, are in a group, or want door-to-door service. Compare the metered fare with the bus and tram fares for your whole group.

Book a transfer if: You are a family with children and car seats, arrive late at night, or are visiting during Festival season when taxi availability can be tight.