Edinburgh Airport is about 13 km west of the city center. Transport costs vary widely depending on your choice — from under GBP 5 on the bus to GBP 50+ for a private minivan.
Price comparison table
| Option | Single fare | Return | Time | Per person (2 travelers) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airlink 100 bus | GBP 4.50 (~EUR 5.30) | GBP 8.00 | 25–30 min | GBP 4.50 each |
| Edinburgh Tram | GBP 7.50 (~EUR 8.80) | — | 35 min | GBP 7.50 each |
| Taxi (black cab) | GBP 25–35 (~EUR 29–41) | — | 25–40 min | GBP 12.50–17.50 each |
| Private sedan | GBP 35–45 (~EUR 41–53) | — | 25–40 min | GBP 17.50–22.50 each |
| Private minivan | GBP 50–65 (~EUR 59–76) | — | 25–40 min | GBP 12.50–16.25 (for 4) |
| Uber / Bolt | GBP 20–35 (~EUR 23–41) | — | 25–40 min | Varies with surge |
Bus and tram details
The Airlink 100 is the cheapest option at GBP 4.50 single. A return ticket costs GBP 8.00 and is valid for 28 days — useful if you are returning to the airport by bus. Children aged 5–15 pay GBP 2.00; under 5s travel free.
The tram costs GBP 7.50 for a single to city center zones. If you plan to use buses and trams throughout the day, a day ticket at GBP 11.00 covers both networks and may be better value.
Both accept contactless payment — no need to buy tickets in advance.
Taxi fare breakdown
Edinburgh black cab fares are metered with regulated tariffs:
- Tariff 1 (daytime Mon–Fri): Starting fare GBP 3.00, then roughly GBP 1.75 per km
- Tariff 2 (evenings, weekends): Starting fare GBP 3.00, then roughly GBP 2.10 per km
- Tariff 3 (holidays, after midnight): Higher rates apply
Typical airport-to-city fares:
| Destination | Daytime | Evening/weekend |
|---|---|---|
| Princes Street | GBP 25–28 | GBP 28–32 |
| Old Town / Royal Mile | GBP 27–32 | GBP 30–35 |
| Haymarket | GBP 20–24 | GBP 23–27 |
| Leith | GBP 28–33 | GBP 32–38 |
The group math
For a solo traveler, the bus is unbeatable at GBP 4.50. But for a group of four sharing a taxi at GBP 30, the per-person cost is just GBP 7.50 — the same as a tram ticket, with door-to-door service. A minivan transfer for 5–6 people at GBP 55 works out to roughly GBP 9–11 per person, which is excellent value for the convenience.