Edinburgh Airport

The Edinburgh Airport (IATA code: EDI) is Scotland’s principal airport and one of the UK’s busiest hubs. Located just 12 km west of the city, it offers swift access to Edinburgh’s historic centre in just 25–30 minutes by public transport.

The airport sits 75 km from Glasgow (1 hour’s drive) and 60 km from Stirling, whilst reaching the magnificent Highlands requires at least 90 minutes’ travel northwards.

Getting from the airport to Edinburgh city centre

Bus

The direct Airlink 100 bus is the most popular and affordable option for reaching the city centre. These blue buses run 24 hours a day, departing every 10 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes25 minutes (longer during peak hours) and terminates at Waverley Station, in the heart of Edinburgh. Tickets can be purchased directly from the driver or online.

A more budget-friendly alternative is the Skylink 300 service, which connects the airport to the city centre via a considerably longer route (approximately 50 minutes total), stopping in various residential areas. This is ideal if your accommodation lies away from the historic centre; otherwise, we’d suggest giving it a miss.

Tram

Since 2014, Edinburgh has boasted a modern tram line linking the airport directly to the city centre. Trams depart from the station opposite the terminal and run through to York Place, with key stops along Princes Street. The service runs from approximately 5:30 to 23:30, with trams every 7 minutes during peak hours and every 10 minutes35 minutes and offers splendid city views. Tickets are available from ticket machines at the airport and at every station.

Taxi

Official airport taxis operate 24 hours daily from the arrivals terminal exit. Journey times to the centre are 15–20 minutes under normal traffic conditions, with fares ranging between £25 and £35 depending on your exact destination and time of day. All taxis accept card payments and are equipped with meters.

If you prefer to book ahead, services like Uber and Bolt operate regularly in the airport area, often at slightly lower rates than traditional taxis. Alternatively, if you’d rather not wait around, you can arrange a private transfer that will meet you in arrivals.

Private transfer

An alternative to TAXIs is to book in advance a private transfer to or from Edinburgh Airport airport. A driver will pick you up at the airport arrivals (thus avoiding taxi queues), at your hotel or wherever you prefer, to take you to the desired address.

It is the best solution if you do not want to waste time, do not want to use public transport, have a lot of luggage or are travelling in a group. To book a private transfer to or from Edinburgh Airport airport visit this site.

Car hire

A car is neither necessary nor recommended for exploring Edinburgh itself, but if you plan to venture out and discover Scotland, Edinburgh Airport hosts all the major international car hire firms (Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Enterprise, etc.). Offices are located in the arrivals area, with dedicated car parks easily reached via complimentary shuttle buses. We recommend booking in advance, particularly during the summer high season or during the city’s major festivals.

To rent a car in Edinburgh we always recommend comparing the rates of all companies with DiscoverCars because in our opinion it offers the best prices, allows cancellation up to 48 hours before rental and offers a very cheap comprehensive insurance policy.

Arrivals and Departures

Recommended hotels

Below is a list of recommended hotels near Edinburgh Airport.