Traveling To Edinburgh Airport: A Guide To Your Journey

how to travel to edinburgh airport

Edinburgh Airport is Scotland's busiest airport, operating 24 hours a day, all year round. There are several ways to get to the airport from the city centre, including bus, tram, taxi, or private transfer. The Airlink 100 Express Bus is a 24/7 service that runs between the airport and Waverley Bridge in the city centre, taking around 25-30 minutes. Edinburgh Trams also operate between the airport and the city centre, taking around 32-35 minutes. Taxis and private transfers are quicker, taking around 18-25 minutes, but are more expensive.

Characteristics Values
Location Edinburgh, Scotland
Distance from Edinburgh City Centre 8 miles
Transport Options Tram, Bus, Taxi, Private Transfer, Train, Car
Tram Edinburgh Trams run every 10-15 minutes from 6 am to 11 pm and take less than 35 minutes to reach the city centre. Tickets cost $3-10.
Bus Lothian Buses operate every 10 minutes from Waverley Bridge to the airport. Tickets cost $6 and the journey takes 26 minutes. Airlink 100 Express Bus runs 24/7 and costs £4.50 one-way or £7.50 for an open return.
Taxi Capital Cars is the official taxi company. Taxis take around 25 minutes to reach the city centre and cost around £25 during the day.
Private Transfer A private transfer service is the fastest and most comfortable option. A four-passenger car can be booked for $59.60.

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Edinburgh Airport to city centre by tram

Edinburgh Trams provides a direct tram service from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre. The tram stop is located adjacent to the arrivals and departures terminal, with a covered walkway connecting the airport building to the tram plaza. The tram journey to the city centre takes around 35 minutes, with trams running every 10 to 15 minutes from 6 am to 11 pm.

Within the tram plaza, passengers can purchase tickets or obtain travel information from the Tram Information Lounge. Tickets for a single trip cost £6.50 for adults and £3.20 for children. Passengers must have an Airport ticket to travel to and from the Airport Zone. Tickets can also be purchased at the tram stop or on board the tram using ticket machines that accept card payments and coins.

The tram route takes passengers to major locations in the city centre, including Haymarket, one of Edinburgh's main train stations, and Princes Street, the heart of the city centre and its main shopping area. Nearby attractions include Edinburgh Castle, the National Museum of Scotland, and St Andrew Square, which offers a variety of dining options. The final tram stop is York Place, which is known for its vibrant restaurant and bar scene, as well as bus connections to the Port of Leith.

Travellers should note that the tram service operates during the day, while the Airlink 100 bus service provides a 24-hour connection between the airport and the city centre. The bus journey takes around 30 minutes, with stops at Haymarket, West End, Princes Street, and Waverley Bridge.

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Edinburgh Airport taxi or private transfer

Edinburgh Airport is located just a 20-minute drive from Edinburgh city centre, and with direct access to Scotland's motorway network, it is easily accessible by taxi or private transfer. The official taxi company for Edinburgh Airport is Capital Cars, and the taxi rank can be found in the East Terminus, a short walk from arrivals. You can also book a taxi in advance, either online or by phone, which is recommended to ensure compliance with the City of Edinburgh Council's private hire licensing rules.

The cost of a taxi from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre is approximately £25-£30, depending on traffic and your final destination. Standard-sized taxis can accommodate up to 5 passengers, making this a relatively affordable option for groups. Some taxi companies also offer meet-and-greet services, where the driver will wait for you at the arrival terminal with a sign displaying your name.

If you prefer a premium service with an all-inclusive price and no extra costs, you can pre-book an airport taxi or private transfer with companies like Welcome Pickups. This option provides a door-to-door service with zero wait time and plenty of space for luggage. When booking a private transfer, it is recommended to select a time at least 30 minutes after your flight's scheduled landing. You can also make special requests, such as baby seats or wheelchair-accessible vehicles, to ensure a comfortable journey.

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Edinburgh Airport is Scotland's busiest airport, operating 24 hours a day, every day of the year. One of the easiest and most hassle-free ways to get to the city centre from the airport is by taking the Airlink 100 Express Bus.

The Airlink 100 Express Bus runs between Edinburgh Airport and the city centre, terminating at Waverley Bridge railway station. The journey takes approximately 25 minutes, and the bus runs 24 hours a day, approximately every 10 minutes. This service is provided by Lothian Buses, and a single adult ticket costs £7.50, with a child ticket costing £3.50 for a return journey.

The Airlink 100 is the most direct route to the city centre, with limited stops along the way, including Princess Street and Haymarket. This express service means you can get to your destination quickly and efficiently, without the need to navigate multiple stops.

To use the Airlink 100 service, you can book your tickets in advance through the Lothian Buses website or VisitBritain. Upon booking, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to download your e-voucher, which must be printed and presented to the driver in exchange for your ticket. Please note that these tickets are non-refundable.

The Airlink 100 Express Bus provides a convenient and affordable way to travel between Edinburgh Airport and the city centre, offering a smooth and comfortable journey for all passengers.

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Lothian Buses from Waverley Bridge

Edinburgh offers various travel options to get from the city centre to Edinburgh Airport. One option is to take the Airlink 100 Lothian Bus service from Waverley Bridge. This is an express bus service that runs 24 hours a day between the airport and the city centre, with departures outside the Domestic Arrivals at Edinburgh Airport and from Waverley Bridge in the city centre. The journey takes approximately 25 minutes and costs £4.50 for a single adult ticket. Tickets for children are £1.75, and up to three children under five can travel for free with a fare-paying adult.

You can purchase tickets online, directly from Airlink team members at the bus stop, or on board the bus with contactless payment. Your card or device is your ticket, so one is required per person. You can also benefit from daily and weekly capping by using the same card or device all day or all week.

The Airlink 100 also stops at Princes Street, where you can transfer to the Lothian City service number 1 to get to Easter Road for £1.70. If you need help with public transportation or day tickets, you can visit the Travel Hub at Waverley or take a taxi from Market Street, which runs alongside the train station.

Please note that standard Lothian products are not valid on Airlink services, including DAY and LATE caps/tickets.

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Edinburgh Airport by train

Edinburgh Airport is located just west of Edinburgh and is Scotland's busiest airport. The airport is easily accessible by train, with Edinburgh Gateway being the closest train station.

From Edinburgh Waverley, the train takes about 10 minutes to reach Edinburgh Gateway station. Trains are operated by ScotRail and run every 5-20 minutes during peak times, 7 days a week. At Edinburgh Gateway, you can purchase a combined ticket for the tram, which will take you directly to the airport. The tram journey takes less than 35 minutes, and the tram stop is conveniently located adjacent to the arrivals and departures terminal.

If you are travelling from other parts of Scotland or the North of England, taking the train to Edinburgh Airport can be a time-saving option. Edinburgh Waverley and Haymarket stations offer direct trains from various cities, including Glasgow, Aberdeen, Manchester, and Leeds.

For those with early morning flights or late arrivals, the Doubletree Hilton Hotel is located just a 2-minute walk from the airport terminal, offering added convenience.

Frequently asked questions

The fastest way to get to Edinburgh Airport is by taxi. The journey takes around 18 minutes and costs $35-$45.

There are several ways to get to Edinburgh city centre from the airport:

- Airlink 100 Express Bus: This runs 24/7 and takes 25-30 minutes. Tickets cost £4.50 one-way or £7.50 return.

- Lothian Bus: This runs every 10 minutes and takes 26 minutes. Tickets cost $6.

- Tram: This runs every 10-15 minutes and takes 32-35 minutes. Tickets cost $3-$10.

- Taxi: This takes around 25 minutes and costs £25-£39.60.

A tram ticket from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre costs $3-$10.

Edinburgh Airport is 8 miles from the city centre.

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