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Edinburgh Airport to the City Centre: All Transfer Options

April Dwyer

Travel/Copy Writer - 10+ years with private, NGO and startups | Adventure Seeker/World Explorer - 40+ countries and counting | MSc Wildlife Conservation Biology

September 6, 2024

When you’re considering your transport from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre, you have four different options to choose from including taxi, private transfer, bus and tram.

The fastest and most convenient options are an airport taxi or private transfer. These take around 25 minutes to reach the city centre, under ideal traffic conditions, and cost between £25 (€29) and £39.60 (€47) for up to 5 passengers.

You can also take the Airlink 100 Express Bus which takes just 30 minutes and costs £4.50 (€5), or you can opt for the tram, which takes 35 minutes and costs £6.50 (€7.60). While the tram is a fun option and runs slightly more regularly than the bus, given the price and the journey time, it is the least convenient option overall.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Edinburgh at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi Learn more

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Taxi	€29	25min	24/7
Welcome Pickups Transfer	€62	25min	24/7
Bus	€10	30min	24/7
Tram	€15.20	35min	06:26–22:48

How to get from Edinburgh Airport to Edinburgh city centre by taxi

Taking a taxi from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre is a quick and comfortable transfer option. Capital Cars is the official taxi company operating from Edinburgh Airport, providing both regular airport taxis – known as black cabs/taxis – and private taxis which require a booking. Both options can seat 5 people, are available 24/7 and if you opt for a regular taxi, you can simply turn up and go. The ride to downtown Edinburgh takes around 25 minutes if you don’t get stuck in traffic.

How much does a taxi cost from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre?

Unfortunately, regular black taxis at Edinburgh Airport don’t operate on a flat-rate fee system, instead, they use a taximeter based on the distance travelled. Your final fee may vary slightly but from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre, it should be around £25 (€29) during the day (06:00-18:00), plus any road tolls and an airport surcharge fee of £5 (€6). Note that prices increase by at least 33% at night (18:00-06:00), on weekends and holidays.

Taxi prices

Day time
(05:00–24:00)

Night time
(00:00–05:00)

Duration

FROM EDI - TO CITY CENTRE

€22

25 min

FROM EDI - TO GLASGOW

€86

45 min

FROM EDI - TO DUNDEE

€102

70 min

Cost

€29

Trip Duration

25 Min.

*Rates may vary unless you book your taxi in advance.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 at Edinburgh Airport.

Where can I get a taxi from?

You’ll find official black cabs lined up outside the East Terminus Facility at the airport. As you exit the Arrivals Hall on the ground floor, walk across the plaza, following the ‘taxi’ signs. Once there, go to the front of the line and let the rank attendant know your destination.

Convenience

Getting from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre by taxi is one of the best ways to travel. Taxis are comfortable, convenient, and are a perfect way to take the edge off Scotland’s chilly weather, especially if you’re travelling with luggage. The downside is you’ll have to wait for an available vehicle.

Keep in mind if your trip occurs during the holidays that taxi lines can be quite lengthy so if you prefer not to stand around, we suggest pre-booking a private transfer with a company like Welcome Pickups instead.

Editor’s Note

Standard sized taxis can take up to 5 people, which makes this the cheapest transfer option from Edinburgh Airport per person.

Useful Tips

You can ask your driver for an estimated price to get from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre, but the final amount will depend on traffic levels and the location of your destination.

Some taxis in Edinburgh now accept card payments. To find out if they do, you can look for a sign on the taxi's window or you can simply ask your driver.

Standard sized taxis can hold up to 5 people with a standard amount of luggage.

It's possible to use a taxi company other than Capital Cars, however, the free pick-up and drop-off areas are a 10-minute walk from the terminal.

How to get from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre by bus

Taking a bus from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre is a highly convenient and cost-effective transfer option. The Airlink 100 Express Bus runs 24/7 and takes just 30 minutes to reach Waverly Station in the city centre where you can connect with trains and other transport options.

*There are two other services connecting Edinburgh Airport to other areas of the city, the Skylink 200 which covers North Edinburgh, and the Skylink 300 that covers West Edinburgh. Just keep in mind that these buses only operate from 06:00 to 00:00.

How much is the bus from Edinburgh Airport to the city?

Taking the Airlink 100 from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre will cost you £4.50 (€5) for a one-way ticket, or £7.50 (€8.70) for an open return. If you’re travelling with kids, a single child ticket (5-15 years old) costs £2 (€2.30).

You can buy your tickets at the airport from ticket booths close to the bus stop, self-service machines in arrivals, online in advance, or directly from the driver on the bus.

Cost

€5

Trip Duration

30 Min.

There is a 10 minute waiting time.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The Airlink 100 Express Bus is available every 10 minutes 24/7.

Where do I get the bus from?

You can find the blue and yellow Airlink Bus at the D stop at the bus terminal of Edinburgh Airport. The Airlink 100 Express Bus stops at Waverley Bridge, next to Waverley Train Station in Edinburgh city centre.

Convenience

The Airlink 100 Express Bus runs 24/7, so no matter what time you land, you can hop on a bus and make your way directly to the city centre, making this a fairly convenient transfer option. This option ranks lower in convenience because it won’t take you directly to the door of your destination.

To avoid having to travel on crowded public transport, especially if you’re travelling with luggage during peak hours, we suggest pre-booking a private transfer with Welcome Pickups instead so that you can travel directly to your door stress-free and relaxed.

Timetables

Edinburgh Airport to Waverley Station

Airlink 100 timetable

Editor’s Note

The Airlink 100 Express Bus stops at Waverley Bridge, near Princess Street, Waverley Train Station and the main bus station, which makes it very easy to travel onwards to your hotel.

Useful Tips

There is no luggage storage under the bus, however, there are a few luggage rails available in the bus.

Book your tickets online in advance to avoid queues and additional time at the airport.

You cannot pay for your ticket in euros, only in GBP.

If you purchase an open return ticket, it'll cost you less than buying two singles.

This bus runs 24 hours a day, but less frequently throughout the night (00:00-04:30).

How to get from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre by tram

Using the Edinburgh Airport tram is a fun transfer option although it takes longer and is slightly more expensive than the bus. Most passengers tend to get off at Haymarket Train Station or St Andrew Square in the city centre which takes around 35 minutes to reach, however, there are several stops along the way including Edinburgh Park Station and Murrayfield Stadium.

*There isn’t a direct train from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre so passengers travelling onward via train should transfer at Haymarket Train Station.

Edinburgh tram prices from the airport to the city centre

A one-way ticket for the tram from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre costs £6.50 (€7.60) for an adult traveller and accompanying children under the age of 5 travel for free.

Single ticket:

Adult – £6.50 (€7.60)
Child (5-15 years) – £3.30 (€3.80)

Return ticket:

Adult – £9 (€10.45)
Child – £4.80 (€5.60)

All tram stops have ticket machines on the platform, or you can purchase tickets online in advance or via the ‘Transport for Edinburgh’ app.

Cost

€7.60

Trip Duration

35 Min.

The tram runs every 10 minutes before 07:00, every 7 minutes between 07:00 and 19:00, and every 10 minutes after 19:00.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The tram at Edinburgh Airport is available from 06:26 to 22:48.

Where do I get the tram from?

You’ll find the Edinburgh Airport tram stop outside on the Ground Floor; just follow the marked tram icons from the Baggage Claim area. Once outside the terminal, look for the stop next to the plaza and the large ‘Edinburgh’ sign. Note that the tram terminates in Newhaven so make sure you keep an eye on the stops so you don’t miss the city centre.

Convenience

With direct services running between Edinburgh Airport and the city centre every 7-10 minutes, the tram will get you to the train station or various stops in the city. Take note, however, that if you’re arriving late at night or in the early hours of the morning, you’ll need to find another form of transportation such as a taxi or private transfer since the tram line will be closed. Additionally, you’ll need to walk or take a taxi to your destination from the tram stop.

Timetables

Edinburgh Airport to the city

Edinburgh Airport tram timetable

Editor’s Note

The tram is the only public transfer option that offers free WiFi onboard.

Useful Tips

There is limited luggage storage on the trams, so be sure to keep your luggage by your side at all times during your journey to the city centre.

Trams only accept payment in GBP, not euros, so make sure to have some pounds in cash on you.

If you're planning on using the tram or bus systems frequently on a certain day, you can purchase a day ticket which is also valid for use on Lothian Bus services.

If you board the tram without a ticket, you can still buy one on board, but you will have to pay the £10 on-board fee.

Welcome Pickups transfer

Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line

If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in Edinburgh. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.

Best drivers

Hand-picked english-speaking drivers

Flight monitoring

Drivers are always on time

Quality support

24/7 email & phone support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Edit or cancel transfers

Frequently asked questions

How much is the train from Edinburgh Airport to the city?

Unfortunately, trains do not run from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre. However, there are other public transport options including a tram and the Airlink bus. The Airlink 100 Express Bus takes 30 minutes and a one-way ticket costs £4.50 (€5) whereas the tram costs £6.50 (€7.60) and takes 35 minutes to reach the city centre.

How much does a taxi cost from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre?

From Edinburgh Airport to the city centre a taxi should cost around £25 (€29) during the day (06:00-18:00), excluding any extra charges such as tolls, airport and nighttime surcharges.

How do I get to Edinburgh City Centre from the airport?

There are four different ways to travel from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre; you can either take a taxi or private transfer, the bus or the tram. The cheapest transfer option is to take the Airlink 100 Express Bus, which costs £4.50 (€5) for an adult one-way ticket. Alternatively, you can use Edinburgh’s tram service at £6.50 (€7.60) for each adult traveller.

Better yet, you can opt for the comfortable and convenient option of taking a taxi from Edinburgh Airport to the city which should cost about £25 (€29). Or, if you’d rather treat yourself to a premium service with an all-inclusive price and no extra costs, you can pre-book an airport taxi with Welcome Pickups.

How long does the tram take to get from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre?

There is a direct tram that runs from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre. The tram runs every 7-10 minutes from 06:26 to 22:48 and takes 35 minutes to reach the city.

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How to get from Edinburgh Airport to Edinburgh city centre by taxi

How much does a taxi cost from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre?

Cost

€29

Trip Duration

25 Min.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 at Edinburgh Airport.

Where can I get a taxi from?

Convenience

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

How to get from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre by bus

How much is the bus from Edinburgh Airport to the city?

Cost

€5

Trip Duration

30 Min.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The Airlink 100 Express Bus is available every 10 minutes 24/7.

Where do I get the bus from?

Convenience

Timetables

Edinburgh Airport to Waverley Station

Airlink 100 timetable

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

How to get from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre by tram

Edinburgh tram prices from the airport to the city centre

Cost

€7.60

Trip Duration

35 Min.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The tram at Edinburgh Airport is available from 06:26 to 22:48.

Where do I get the tram from?

Convenience

Timetables

Edinburgh Airport to the city

Edinburgh Airport tram timetable

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

Welcome Pickups transfer

Best drivers

Flight monitoring

Quality support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Frequently asked questions

How much is the train from Edinburgh Airport to the city?

How much does a taxi cost from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre?

How do I get to Edinburgh City Centre from the airport?

How long does the tram take to get from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre?

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The best way to arrive in Edinburgh

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