Edinburgh Airport is about 13 km west of the city center. Transport costs vary widely depending on your choice — the bus and tram have published flat fares, while a taxi runs on the council meter and a private transfer is fixed when you book.
Price comparison table
| Option | Single fare | Return | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airlink 100 bus | GBP 6.00 adult (about EUR 7) | GBP 8.50 | 25–30 min |
| Edinburgh Tram (Airport Single) | GBP 7.90 adult (about EUR 9.30) | GBP 9.50 open return | about 35 min |
| Taxi (black cab) | Metered on the council tariff + airport gate charge | — | 25–40 min |
| Private transfer | Fixed when you book | — | 25–40 min |
| Uber / Bolt | Quoted in the app before you confirm | — | 25–40 min |
Fixed-price private transfer
EDI Edinburgh City Center
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Bus and tram fares above are the operators' own published prices as of July 2026. Fares are revised regularly — check before you travel.
Bus and tram details
The Airlink 100 is the cheapest option at 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; under 5s travel free. Lothian runs it 24 hours a day. (Lothian Buses, July 2026.)
The tram costs GBP 7.90 for an adult Airport Single, which covers the airport zone plus the city zone — the airport is its own fare zone, so a city-only ticket will not get you out of EDI. A child Airport Single is GBP 4.00. If you plan to use trams and Lothian buses all day, the Network Day at GBP 14.00 covers both networks including the airport zone; the cheaper City Day at GBP 6.00 does not include the airport. (Edinburgh Trams, July 2026.)
Both accept contactless payment — no need to buy tickets in advance, though buying tram tickets online in advance shaves a few pence off.
Taxi fare breakdown
Edinburgh black cab fares are metered on a tariff fixed by the City of Edinburgh Council. On the table in force since 9 December 2024:
| Tariff | When it applies | Initial hire (first 451 m) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 451 m the meter adds a fixed amount for each further distance unit, 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 gate charge: a hire starting at Edinburgh Airport carries the amount charged at the gate, up to a maximum of GBP 6.00, on top of the meter.
- 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.
The council reviews the tariff at least every 18 months, and consulted in 2026 on a further increase — so 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, and the tariff above is what you can actually rely on.
The group math
For a solo traveler, the bus is unbeatable at GBP 6.00. The maths shifts with group size: bus and tram are charged per person, while a taxi or a transfer is charged per vehicle. By the time four people are travelling together, one vehicle split four ways is usually in the same territory as four tram tickets — and it takes you to the door. Run the actual numbers on the day: you know your group size, and the vehicle price is quoted before you commit.