Getting Around Edinburgh: A Visitor's Guide
Edinburgh is well-served by public transport, with buses forming the backbone of the network. The city also offers trams, rail services, taxis, and ride-hailing options. Most of the city centre is compact and walkable, making it easy to explore on foot.
Buses
Buses are the main means of public transport in Edinburgh, with an extensive network covering the city, suburbs, and wider region. Lothian Buses operates the majority of local routes. The company charges a single flat fare for all journeys and offers day tickets for unlimited daytime travel. Daytime bus frequencies typically range from 10 to 30 minutes, with reduced service after 19:00. Night buses operate between midnight and 05:00.
When purchasing tickets, you can pay the driver in cash (exact fare only) or by contactless debit or credit card. Day tickets and multi-day passes offer better value if you plan to make several journeys.
Priority bus lanes called "Greenways" operate on main routes into the city centre. These lanes use distinctive green tarmac and are restricted to buses, taxis, and bicycles during operational hours (most operate between 07:30 and 09:30 and 16:00 to 18:30 Monday to Friday and 08:30 to 18:30 on Saturdays, with some exceptions), helping buses avoid traffic congestion.
For longer-distance travel, inter-city bus services connect Edinburgh to other Scottish cities such as Glasgow, Perth, and Stirling, operated by companies like Scottish Citylink.
Trams
Edinburgh Trams is a light rail line that opened in 2014, connecting Edinburgh Airport in the west with the city centre. The tram runs through Haymarket, along Princes Street, and through St Andrew Square and York Place in the city centre. Trams run daily with frequent service every 8 to 15 minutes during peak times. Adult single fares are available, as are open returns and multi-day tickets valid for both trams and daytime buses.
Tickets can be purchased from machines at any tram stop. Multi-day passes offer good value if you plan to use both trams and buses over several days. Trams provide a convenient and modern way to travel across the city.
Rail Services
Edinburgh Waverley is the main railway station, located in the heart of the city centre near Princes Street Gardens. It is a principal station on the East Coast Main Line and serves as the terminus for many rail services within Scotland and beyond.
From Waverley, trains depart in two directions. Eastward services connect to the North Berwick branch line and the East Coast Main Line to London King's Cross. The Borders Railway, which opened in 2015, also enters Edinburgh from the east and connects several towns in the Scottish Borders. Westward services run through Haymarket station, with lines leading to Fife, Dundee, and Aberdeen over the Forth Bridge; to Glasgow via multiple routes; northwest to Stirling, Dunblane, and Inverness; and southwest to Carlisle and beyond on the West Coast Main Line.
Edinburgh also has a suburban rail network called Edinburgh Crossrail, which runs on an east-west axis across the city, linking Edinburgh Park in the west with Haymarket and Waverley in the centre, and Brunstane and Newcraighall in the east. Additional stations within the city include South Gyle, Dalmeny, Slateford, Edinburgh Gateway, Wester Hailes, and others.
Haymarket is the second largest station in the city, located in the west end and serving as a busy commuter hub. It has step-free access to all platforms and direct access to the adjacent tram stop.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are available throughout Edinburgh and can be hailed on the street or pre-booked. Ride-hailing services also operate in the city. Taxis are permitted to use the priority bus lanes (Greenways) during restricted hours, allowing them to avoid congestion.
Walkability
Edinburgh's city centre is compact and highly walkable. Many major attractions, shops, and services are within easy walking distance of each other. The area between Waverley Station and Princes Street forms a natural hub, with good pedestrian access to the Old Town, New Town, and surrounding areas. Walking is an excellent way to explore the city's historic streets and neighbourhoods, though the city's hilly terrain means some routes involve steep climbs.
Getting from Edinburgh Airport to the City
Edinburgh Airport is located 8 miles west of the city centre on the A8 trunk road and serves as Scotland's busiest airport. Several transport options connect the airport to the city.
By Tram: The tram line connects Edinburgh Airport directly to the city centre, with stops at Haymarket, Princes Street, St Andrew Square, and York Place. The journey to the city centre takes approximately 40 minutes. Trams run daily from early morning to late evening with frequent service every 8 to 15 minutes. Adult single fares and open returns are available, as well as multi-day tickets valid for all trams and daytime buses. Tickets can be purchased from machines at the tram station.
By Express Bus: Airlink 100 is a bright blue double-decker bus running 24 hours daily, with service every 10 to 20 minutes. It runs from the airport through Haymarket and Princes Street to Waverley Bridge, just outside the main railway station. The journey takes 20 to 30 minutes. Adult single fares and open returns are available. You can pay the driver in cash (exact fare only) or by contactless debit or credit card. These buses offer free Wi-Fi, charging sockets, CCTV, and next-stop information screens.
By Standard Bus: Lothian Buses routes 17 and 18 (formerly routes 200 and 400) run from the airport at standard city bus fares. Route 17 serves the north side of the city and Leith, running every 30 minutes. Route 18 serves the south side of town, running every 30 minutes from early morning to evening. These routes do not pass through the city centre but provide access to other areas of Edinburgh and wider regions.
By Walking: If you have light baggage and favourable weather, a footpath connects the airport to Ingliston Park & Ride, approximately one-and-a-half miles away. This brings you within the City Zone tariff, allowing discounted tram fares to the city centre.
To Other Destinations: Buses from the airport serve Glasgow Buchanan Station, Fife via the Forth Road Bridge, West Lothian, and other nearby regions, making it easy to travel beyond Edinburgh.
Journey Planning
When planning journeys around Edinburgh, consider multi-day transport passes that cover both buses and trams, which offer better value than individual tickets if you plan to make several trips. Buses and trams are frequent and reliable, and most areas of the city are within easy reach of public transport or walking distance. For longer trips within Scotland or beyond, Edinburgh Waverley railway station provides extensive connections to other cities and regions.