There are four different options when travelling from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre; you can either take a taxi or private transfer, the bus or the tram. The quickest transfer option is to take an Edinburgh taxi or pre-book a private transfer. The trip takes around 25 minutes in light traffic and costs approximately £25 (€29). The cheapest form of transportation to get to the city centre is to take the Airlink 100 Express Bus. A one-way ticket costs £4.50 (€5) and takes around 30 minutes. Your final option is to take the tram. A one-way ticket on the tram costs £6.50 (€7.60), and the trip should not take longer than 35 minutes.
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Edinburgh Airport to City Centre: All Transfer Options
Fern CollJune 8, 2023
Comparison of the options
How to get from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre by taxi
Taking a taxi from Edinburgh Airport to city centre is a very comfortable and quick transfer option. There are no flat-rate fees for the official “black cabs” at Edinburgh Airport, the price is usually around £25 (€29) using a taximeter. The trip to the city should not take more than 25 minutes in normal traffic conditions.
Taxi fare from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre
Unfortunately, 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 should be around £25 (€29).
Taxi prices
Day time
(05:00–24:00)
(05:00–24:00)
Night time
(00:00–05:00)
(00:00–05:00)
Duration
FROM EDI - TO CITY CENTRE
€22
€22
25 min
FROM EDI - TO GLASGOW
€86
€86
45 min
FROM EDI - TO DUNDEE
€102
€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 do I get it from?
You can easily spot the official black cabs lining up outside of the arrivals terminal on the ground floor. Make your way to the front of the line and let the rank attendant know your destination.
Convenience
Nothing beats a door-to-door service; the only way to achieve this when travelling from Edinburgh Airport to the city is by using a taxi transfer. Taxis are available 24 hours a day at EDI Airport.
Editor’s Note
Standard sized taxis can take up to 4 people, which means that if you split the cost of a trip, this option becomes the cheapest means of transfer from Edinburgh Airport.
Useful Tips
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, takes just 30 minutes to reach Waverly Station in the city centre and a one-way costs £4.50 (€5).
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 it 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 every 10 minutes 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 highly convenient transfer option.
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
How to get from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre by tram?
Using the Edinburgh Airport tram is a convenient and fun transfer option. It’ll take you to Haymarket Train Station in the city centre. The trip only takes 35 minutes and a one-way ticket costs £6.50 (€7.60).
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), however, 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)
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 06:15 to 22:48.
Where do I get it from?
You can find the Edinburgh Airport tram stop located on the ground floor by following the marked tram icons that are in the baggage claim area and the terminal buildings. The tram makes a few stops whilst travelling through the city centre but the main stop is at Haymarket Train Station.
All tram stops have ticket machines on the platform, or you can purchase tickets in advance online or using the “Transport for Edinburgh” app.
Convenience
A direct tram runs from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre every 7-10 minutes and takes only 35 minutes, which makes it a very convenient travel option. However, if you arrive at Edinburgh Airport between 22:48 and 06:18, you will need to find another form of transportation as the tram lines will be closed.
Editor’s Note
The tram is the only public transfer option that offers free WiFi onboard.
Useful Tips
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.
Read more Book Welcome Pickups transferWelcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100
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20 minute gap between transfers
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Regular Car Sanitisation
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Contactless ride
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Sanitiser in every car
Frequently asked questions
How to get from Edinburgh Airport to Edinburgh city centre?
There are multiple ways to get from Edinburgh Airport to the centre, by tram, taxi or bus. You can take the Airlink 100 Express Bus taking just 30 minutes and costing £4.50 (€5), or you can opt for the tram, which takes 35 minutes and costs £6.50 (€7.60). Lastly, you can choose to take a local taxi or pre-book a private transfer, which is the fastest and most convenient option.
How much does it cost to get from Edinburgh Airport to city centre?
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, costing £4.50 (€5) for an adult one-way ticket. Alternatively, you can use Edinburgh’s tram service costing £6.50 (€7.60) for a ride to the city. Finally, you can opt for a comfortable and convenient option, a taxi ride from the airport should cost about £25 (€29).
If you’d rather treat yourself to a premium service and an all-inclusive price with no extra costs, you can pre-book a private transfer 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 06:15 to 22:48 and takes 35 minutes to reach the city.
Is there a train from Edinburgh Airport to city?
Unfortunately, trains do not run from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre. However, there is a tram and the Airlink bus option. The Airlink 100 Express Bus takes 30 minutes and one-way costs £4.50 (€5), the tram costs £6.50 (€7.60) and takes 35 minutes to reach the city centre.
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