Walking: The compact city center is highly walkable. Old Town to New Town takes 15-20 minutes. The Royal Mile is 1 mile downhill from castle to palace. Wear comfortable shoes for cobblestones and hills. Most major attractions within 30-minute walk of each other.
Lothian Buses: Comprehensive bus network covering the entire city. Single tickets and day passes (check Lothian Buses for current fares) (buy on Lothian app or exact change on bus – no change given). Key routes: #35 from city to Leith, #41 to Port of Edinburgh (Britannia), Airlink 100 is the express airport service; check Lothian Buses for other current routes. Buses frequent and reliable. Real-time information at stops and on app.
Edinburgh Trams: Modern tram system The tram route runs between Edinburgh Airport and Newhaven. The airport-to-city-centre tram journey takes about 30 minutes, with a fare to check on the Edinburgh Trams site. Trams run every 7-10 minutes, 5am-midnight. Convenient for airport transfers and west Edinburgh.
Taxis & Ride-Sharing: Black cabs are metered and reliable. Uber and Bolt operate citywide. Cross-city journeys cost much less than airport rides. Taxis can use bus lanes, making them faster during peak hours. Ranks at Waverley Station, airports, and major hotels.
Cycling: Edinburgh’s Just Eat bike-hire scheme ended in September 2021. (check the operator for prices). Edinburgh has growing cycle infrastructure but hills and cobblestones can challenge casual cyclists. National Cycle Network routes include flat canal paths and Water of Leith Walkway.
From the Airport: Edinburgh Airport is 8 miles west. Options include trams (35 min), Airlink 100 bus (30 min), taxis (25 min), or private transfers. Tram is most convenient for city center destinations.
Day Trip Transport: ScotRail trains serve Stirling (50 min), St Andrews via Leuchars (90 min), and North Berwick (30 min). Scottish Citylink buses reach destinations like Glasgow (1.25 hours) and Inverness. Consider rail passes for multiple journeys.
Edinburgh Airport (EDI) to city center: