Edinburgh Airport is about 13 km west of the city center. The bus and tram have published fares, a taxi runs on the council meter, and a private transfer is quoted when you book.
Price comparison table
| Option | Fare | Return |
|---|---|---|
| Airlink 100 bus | GBP 6.00 adult | GBP 8.50 |
| Edinburgh Tram (airport fare) | From GBP 7.90 adult | Check the operator |
| Taxi (black cab) | Metered on the council tariff, plus any airport charge | n/a |
| Private transfer | Quoted when you book | n/a |
| Ride-hailing app | Quoted in the app before you confirm | n/a |
Fixed-price private transfer
EDI Edinburgh City Center
From€107for 2 passengers
4 passengers: €107 per vehicle, about €27 per person
- Fixed price, no meter
- Flight tracked
- 60 min free waiting
- Driver meets you at arrivals
- Free cancellation up to 24 h before pickup
Bus and tram fares above are the operators' own published prices as checked in October 2026. Fares are revised regularly, so check before you travel.
Bus and tram details
The Airlink 100 costs GBP 6.00 adult single. A return costs GBP 8.50. Children aged 5-15 pay GBP 3.00 single or GBP 4.25 return. Lothian runs it 24 hours a day. The Lothian Network ticket (GBP 14.00 adult) is also valid on Airlink; standard Lothian DAY tickets are not. (Lothian Buses, checked October 2026.)
The tram operator's homepage lists airport fares from GBP 7.90 for an adult and GBP 4.00 for a child. The airport is its own fare zone, so a city-only ticket may not cover it; check which ticket you need. The operator's online ticket shop may show a different price from the homepage, so check before you buy. (Edinburgh Trams, checked October 2026.)
Both operators accept contactless payment; check the operator's page for the cards and wallets accepted.
Taxi fare breakdown
Edinburgh black cab fares are metered on a tariff fixed by the City of Edinburgh Council. On the table in force from 25 July 2026:
| Tariff | When it applies | Initial hire (up to 430 m or 100 seconds) |
|---|---|---|
| Tariff 1 | Mon-Fri 06:00-18:00 | GBP 3.60 |
| Tariff 2 | Mon-Fri 18:00-06:00, and 06:00 Sat to 06:00 Mon | GBP 4.80 |
| Tariff 3 | Weekday daytimes over Christmas and New Year | GBP 4.60 |
| Tariff 4 | 25 December and 1 January, all day | GBP 5.75 |
After the initial hire the meter adds GBP 0.30 for each further distance unit (141 m, then 164 m after the first 1699 m) or for waiting time when the cab is stationary, which is why a fare in traffic is higher than the same journey on an empty road.
Two charges catch people out at EDI:
- Airport charge: a hire starting or ending at the airport Pick-up and Drop-off Zone carries the prevailing drop-off or pick-up charge set by Edinburgh Airport at that time.
- Outside the city: the council tariff only applies inside the City of Edinburgh. For any destination beyond the boundary, the fare must be negotiated and agreed with the driver before the journey starts.
Check the [current fare table](https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/taxi/taxi-fares-edinburgh) before you travel. We do not quote a total fare here: it depends on your route, the traffic and the time of day.
The group math
Bus and tram are charged per person, while a taxi or a transfer is charged per vehicle. For a group, compare the per-person bus or tram fares with one vehicle's metered fare or transfer quote on the day: you know your group size, and the transfer price is quoted before you commit.
Sources (checked 2026-10-17)
- Airlink 100 fares (single GBP 6.00, return GBP 8.50, child GBP 3.00 / 4.25), 24/7 operation, frequencies, Network ticket valid on Airlink: https://www.lothianbuses.com/our-services/airport-buses/
- Tram: airport fares from GBP 7.90 adult and GBP 4.00 child, trams every 7 minutes, first tram 06:30 and last tram 22:52 from the airport, stop list: https://edinburghtrams.com/
- City of Edinburgh Council taxi fare table in force from 25 July 2026 (Tariffs 1-4, extra passengers, airport Pick-up and Drop-off Zone charge wording, outside-city rule): https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/downloads/file/40420/taxi-fare-table-from-25-july-2026
- Council taxi fares page: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/taxi/taxi-fares-edinburgh
When a private transfer from EDI is the right choice
- Three or more people: a 4-seat car to Edinburgh City Center is from €107, about €27 per person, usually level with or below separate public-transport tickets once you count the walk, the wait and the last mile with bags.
- Going to a specific address rather than the main station: the car goes to the door, so the public-transport fare is not the whole cost of the trip.
- Arriving tired or late: the driver waits at arrivals with your name, included for 60 minutes after landing.
EDI → Edinburgh City Center from €107Fixed price, flight tracked, free cancellation up to 24 h before pickup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Airlink 100 return ticket worth it?
At GBP 8.50 versus two singles at GBP 12.00, the return saves GBP 3.50 (Lothian Buses, checked October 2026). It makes sense if you plan to take the bus back to the airport.
Does Edinburgh have a bus and tram day pass?
Mind the zones and the operator. Lothian's Network ticket (GBP 14.00 adult) is valid on Airlink, but standard Lothian DAY and LATE tickets are not. Check the tram operator for which tickets cover the airport zone before you buy. (Lothian Buses, checked October 2026.)
Do Edinburgh taxis charge extra for luggage?
The council fare table lists no luggage charge. It does add GBP 0.50 per passenger when there are more than 3 passengers, and a hire starting or ending at the airport Pick-up and Drop-off Zone carries the airport charge set by Edinburgh Airport.
Are ride-hailing apps cheaper than a black cab from Edinburgh Airport?
It varies by the minute, so compare on the day: the app quotes a price before you confirm, while a black cab runs on a published council tariff. During peak hours or events (especially the Festival in August), app prices can rise.