Edinburgh is served by three bus routes and one tram. Buses are cheaper, trams are faster.
Car rental
The best transport for trips to the Scottish countryside, lochs or islands is definitely a car.
There are many large international and smaller local hire companies operating in the terminal. Prices for weekly hire vary between 280 eur and 600 eur depending on the season.
Public transport to Edinburgh
There are bus and tram stops right outside the terminal, all clearly signposted.
| Type of transport | Destinations | Price | Travel time | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tram | St. Andrew Sq. (Centre) |
7,50 gbp | 34 minutes | 7-10 minutes |
| Bus Airlink 100 | St. Andrew Sq. (Centre) |
5,50 gbp 8 gbp return |
22 minutes | 10 minutes |
| Bus Skylink 200 | Ocean Terminal | 5,50 gbp 8 gbp return |
43 minutes | 30 minutes |
| Tram | Ocean Terminal | 7,50 gbp | 51 minutes | 7-10 minutes |
| Bus Skylink 400 | Fort Kinniard | 5,50 gbp 8 gbp return |
66 minutes | 40 minutes |
Tram
The most comfortable way to get to the centre is by tram (35 minutes) at an interval of 7-10 minutes for the price of 7,50 gbp and is also the fastest connection to Waverley bus and train station (St Andrews Square stop). Tickets can be purchased from the ticket machine at the tram stop or on the et mobile app.
You can also buy a day ticket (valid on a given calendar day) for 12 gbp for trams and all public transport buses.
To find connections, timetables or official maps, visit: edinburghtrams.com
- First connection from St. Andrew Square - 5:40
- Last connection from the airport - 22:48
TIP: Walk from the terminal to the tram stop"Ingliston Park & Ride" (approx 2km, mostly on pavement, see route map) where the ticket costs 2 gbp.
Buses
There are also a trio of bus routes to various destinations in Edinburgh. The transport company's website provides official information: www.lothianbuses.com
Tickets are the same price on all routes:
- 5,50 gbp - one-way
- 8 gbp - return with open date/time
- 12 gbp - all day on all buses and trams in Edinburgh (valid calendar day + night until 4:30am)
Children under 15 pay half fare.
Tickets are paid for with your own payment card by attaching it to a reader inside the bus or via the m-tickets mobile app.
Airlink 100
The fastest way to get to the centre is the "Airlink" bus on the 100 line, which runs every 10 minutes and takes 22 minutes to Waverley Station (St Andrew Square) according to the timetable, in reality it can take up to 40 minutes, so the tram is a slightly more reliable mode of transport.
- First and last service - buses run 24/7
- Frequency - 10 minutes (30 minutes at night)
- Timetable for line 100
Skylink 200
The 200 bus line runs through the northern suburbs to Ocean Terminal, which according to the timetable arrives about 8 minutes earlier than the tram.
However, if you're just heading to Ocean Terminal, the tram is a safer choice as traffic jams and traffic lights often add up to 15 minutes to the bus journey time.
- First connection to the airport - 0:00
- Last connection from the airport - 3:10 (marked as N200), 4:10 (line 200)
- Frequency - 30 minutes
- Timetable for line 200
Skylink 400
A complementary route mainly for locals and airport staff that will not take you to any tourist destinations. From the airport it goes to the southern suburbs to the terminus of Fort Kinnaird, where there is a large shopping centre.
- First connection to the airport - 3:04 (from Hyvots Bank as l. N400), 4:15 (from Fort Kinnaird as l. 400)
- Last connection from the airport - 23:25
- Frequency - 40 minutes
- Timetable for line 400
JET 747
The JET747 bus service does not run into Edinburgh city centre, but across the Firth of Forth from the airport to Inverkeithing station and P+R Halbeath car park.
From a tourist point of view, the 747 may be suitable for train journeys to the north of Scotland, which can be changed at Inverkeithing station. The connection will be quicker than via Edinburgh Central Station.
Tickets are paid for by tapping a card inside the bus at a special fare 10 gbp.
- First connection to the airport - 6:13 from Inverkeithing station
- Last connection from the airport - 0:50
- Frequency - 20 minutes
- 747 bus timetable
Taxi to Edinburgh
Taxi availability at the airport is great 24/7. They run strictly by meter and attempts to scam longer rides are extremely rare.
Fares are calculated by a combination of distance travelled and time on the road, so it's impossible to be precise in advance.
To the city centre, depending on the time of day, it will be around 25 gbp.
A significantly cheaper service can be offered by the Bolt or Uber apps, which will give you a ride to the city centre from 16 gbp.
Buses to Glasgow
There are 2 Citylink bus routes from Edinburgh Airport to Glasgow, Scotland's largest city, without changing buses.
For information, timetables and to buy tickets online, visit citylink.co.uk.
A single ticket for both lines costs 14,80 gbp. A return ticket is sold at a discounted price 24,90 gbp. It is cheaper to travel through Edinburgh city centre (city buses from 5,50 gbp + long distance buses from 4,50 gbp).
- AIR - direct motorway service to Buchanan Bus Station
- The journey takes 45 minutes
- Hours of operation 24/7
- Frequency 30 minutes (60 minutes at night)
- Timetable
- 902 - line to Buchanan Bus Station takes a detour via Livingston or Airdrie
- Journey takes 100 minutes
- Operating hours 5:55 - 19:15
- Frequency 60 minutes
- Timetable
Buses to Dundee
Frequent direct service X90 operates from the airport and to Dundee, Scotland.
Details can be found on the website: xploredundee.com.
Buses run at 90 minute intervals for 24 hours a day. The journey takes 80 minutes and a one-way ticket costs 16 gbp / return 21 gbp.
