Edinburgh Airport is busiest in the daytime, but late and delayed arrivals are common. If you are landing after 22:00, here is what to expect and plan for.
What stops running and when
| Service | Overnight | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Airlink 100 bus | Runs 24/7 | From the airport: up to every 10 min from 04:12 to 01:00, then up to every 20 min from 01:15 to 04:00 |
| Edinburgh Tram | No all-night service | Last tram from the airport 22:52 |
| Black cabs | Metered | Tariff 2 applies at night |
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
The headline point: the Airlink 100 runs right through the night at the same GBP 6.00 adult single, so a late landing does not leave you without a public option. The tram does not: the last tram leaves the airport at 22:52, so check the Edinburgh Trams timetable for your date.
Taxis at night
Late-night fares are higher because the meter is on Tariff 2, which applies Monday to Friday from 18:00 to 06:00 and from 06:00 Saturday to 06:00 Monday. In the City of Edinburgh Council fare table in force from 25 July 2026, Tariff 2 starts at GBP 4.80 (initial hire up to 430 m or 100 seconds) against GBP 3.60 for Tariff 1 in the daytime. 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 airport drop-off or pick-up charge, as set by Edinburgh Airport at the time. Hires that finish outside the City of Edinburgh area must have the fare agreed with the driver before the journey starts.
Pre-booked transfers at night
A pre-booked transfer removes the uncertainty of the meter, because the price is quoted when you book. Ask at booking whether the booking includes flight tracking and how a delayed landing is handled, so you know whether the driver adjusts to your actual arrival time. Check also whether a night surcharge is included in the quote.
Practical tips for late arrivals
- Overnight Airlink frequencies are lower than in the day, so check live departure times before you queue
- Hotels in the Old Town can be hard to find at night in a taxi if the driver does not know the exact location, so have the address and access instructions ready
The bottom line
The Airlink bus runs all night at GBP 6.00, so a low-cost option stays available. Taxis work too, but you will be on the higher Tariff 2 meter plus any airport charge. For arrivals after 23:00 with luggage, children, or a hotel down an Old Town close, a pre-booked transfer gives you a price and a meeting point agreed in advance.
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/
- 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
- 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/
When a private transfer from EDI is the right choice
- Landing after the last train or bus: the driver is booked to your flight number and tracks the real arrival time, so a delay does not cancel the pickup.
- Arrivals after midnight: no searching for a rank or a night surcharge; the price you booked is the price you pay.
- 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.
EDI → Edinburgh City Center from €107Fixed price, flight tracked, free cancellation up to 24 h before pickup.
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last Airlink bus from Edinburgh Airport?
There is no last one — Lothian runs the Airlink 100 24 hours a day, up to every 10 minutes from 04:12 to 01:00 and then up to every 20 minutes from 01:15 to 04:00. The adult single is GBP 6.00.
How much is a late-night taxi from Edinburgh Airport?
There is no fixed price — the meter runs on Tariff 2 at night, which starts at GBP 4.80 instead of the daytime GBP 3.60 (City of Edinburgh Council fare table from 25 July 2026). A hire from the airport Pick-up and Drop-off Zone adds the airport charge set by Edinburgh Airport. See the [current fare table](https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/taxi/taxi-fares-edinburgh).
Does the Edinburgh tram run at night?
No, there is no all-night tram service. The last tram leaves the airport at 22:52. The Airlink 100 bus does run 24/7.