Getting around · Edinburgh · United Kingdom
Getting around Edinburgh
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Kim Traynor, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Edinburgh's centre is compact and best explored on foot, though hills, stairs and cobbles make it tiring. Lothian Buses cover the whole city, and a single tram line links the airport with Haymarket, Princes Street, St Andrew Square, Leith and Newhaven. No.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Walking
- Airports
- EDI, GLA
- Need a car?
- No
- Travel pass
- Lothian day ticket
Ways to get around
Walking
The Castle to Holyrood is about 1.6 km downhill along the Royal Mile, and the New Town is a few minutes away across the Mound or North Bridge. Many shortcuts use steep stone stairs such as the Scotsman Steps.
Bus
Lothian Buses run frequent services across the city and out to Leith, Portobello and the zoo, with night buses on the main routes.
Tap a contactless card on the reader when boarding; drivers do not give change for cash fares.
Tram
Edinburgh Trams run from the airport through Haymarket, Princes Street and St Andrew Square and down Leith Walk to Ocean Terminal and Newhaven, every few minutes during the day.
Train
Waverley station, between the Old and New Towns, has trains to Glasgow, Stirling, North Berwick and the Highlands; Haymarket is the second city-centre station.
Taxi
Black cabs can be hailed in the street or found at ranks around the centre, and ride-hailing apps operate across the city.
Cycling
Traffic-free paths follow old railway lines and the Water of Leith, but hills and cobbles make cycling in the historic centre hard work.
Tickets and passes
Lothian day ticket
Unlimited travel on Lothian buses and city trams within the city zone for a day, excluding airport services; contactless payments are capped at a similar daily amount.
Royal Edinburgh Ticket
A combined ticket covering hop-on hop-off bus tours plus entry to Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Royal Yacht Britannia; it pays off only if you visit all three.
From the airport
Edinburgh Airport is about 13 km west of the centre. Trams reach Princes Street and St Andrew Square in about 30–35 minutes, the Airlink 100 express bus runs to Waverley Bridge in about 30 minutes, and taxis take 25–35 minutes depending on traffic. Glasgow Airport, about 75 km west, is an alternative for some routes.
Do you need a car?
No. Parking in central Edinburgh is limited and expensive, and buses, trams and walking cover the city. Hire a car only for the Highlands, the Borders or a coastal road trip.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Stirling | About 50 minutes by train | ScotRail train from Waverley |
| Glasgow | About 50 minutes by train | ScotRail train from Waverley to Queen Street |
| Rosslyn Chapel | About 45 minutes by bus | Lothian bus 37 from the city centre |
| South Queensferry and the Forth Bridges | About 15 minutes by train | Train from Waverley to Dalmeny, then a short walk |
| St Andrews | About 1.5 hours by train and bus | Train to Leuchars, then a local bus |
| North Berwick | About 35 minutes by train | ScotRail train from Waverley |
| Loch Ness and the Highlands | About 3.5–4 hours each way by coach tour | Full-day coach tour or hire car |
| The Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel | About 45 minutes by car | Hire car or tour; train to Falkirk, then bus or taxi |
Questions travellers ask
+Do you need a car in Edinburgh?
No. Parking in central Edinburgh is limited and expensive, and buses, trams and walking cover the city. Hire a car only for the Highlands, the Borders or a coastal road trip.
+How do you get from the airport to Edinburgh?
Edinburgh Airport is about 13 km west of the centre. Trams reach Princes Street and St Andrew Square in about 30–35 minutes, the Airlink 100 express bus runs to Waverley Bridge in about 30 minutes, and taxis take 25–35 minutes depending on traffic. Glasgow Airport, about 75 km west, is an alternative for some routes.
+What is the best way to get around Edinburgh?
Walking: The Castle to Holyrood is about 1.6 km downhill along the Royal Mile, and the New Town is a few minutes away across the Mound or North Bridge. Many shortcuts use steep stone stairs such as the Scotsman Steps.