Edinburgh Airport handles flights until around midnight, with occasional delayed arrivals pushing later. 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 | Up to every 10 min to about 01:00, then roughly every 20 min until 04:00 |
| Edinburgh Tram | No all-night service | Check the last departure for your date |
| Black cabs | 24/7 | Available but fewer; Tariff 2 applies |
Fixed-price private transfer
EDI Edinburgh City Center
From€152for 2 passengers
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 strand you. The tram does not run all night — check the Edinburgh Trams timetable for the last departure on your date.
Taxi availability after midnight
Black cabs operate around the clock, but the number at the airport drops after midnight. During the Edinburgh Festival (August) or on Friday/Saturday nights, waits can be longer.
Late-night fares are higher because the meter is on Tariff 2, which applies from 18:00 to 06:00 on weekdays and all weekend: on the council table in force since 9 December 2024 it starts at GBP 4.80 rather than the daytime GBP 3.60, and the per-unit charge is higher too. A hire starting at the airport also carries the airport gate charge, up to GBP 6.00. Tariffs 3 and 4 are the Christmas and New Year rates. The council revises the tariff at least every 18 months — check the [current fare table](https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/taxi/taxi-fares-edinburgh) before you travel.
Pre-booked transfers at night
A pre-booked transfer eliminates the two main late-night problems: uncertain taxi availability and uncertain pricing. Your driver monitors your flight and is waiting when you exit arrivals, regardless of delays. The price is fixed at what you saw when you booked, with no night tariff applied on top.
This is especially valuable during Festival season, when late-night taxi demand far exceeds supply.
Practical tips for late arrivals
- Currency exchange desks may be closed after 22:00 — ATMs are available, or pay contactless
- Food options in arrivals are very limited after 23:00
- The airport is safe and well-lit throughout the night
- Check the real-time departure for the Airlink on the Lothian Buses app — overnight frequencies are lower and times can vary
- Hotels in the Old Town can be hard to find at night in a taxi if the driver does not know the exact location — have the address and access instructions ready
The bottom line
The Airlink bus runs all night at GBP 6.00, so the cheapest option never actually disappears. Taxis work too, but you will be on the higher Tariff 2 meter plus the airport gate charge, and you may queue. For arrivals after 23:00 with luggage, children, or a hotel down an Old Town close, a pre-booked transfer is the most reliable and stress-free choice.