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 £2.00, day passes £5.00 (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), #100 and #200 airport express. Buses frequent and reliable. Real-time information at stops and on app.
Edinburgh Trams: Modern tram system runs from Edinburgh Airport to York Place via Princes Street and Haymarket. Airport to city center takes 35 minutes, costs £7.50 single (£9.50 return). 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. Expect £10-15 for cross-city journeys. Taxis can use bus lanes, making them faster during peak hours. Ranks at Waverley Station, airports, and major hotels.
Cycling: Just Eat Cycles bike-share scheme has 80 stations citywide. First 30 minutes free, then £1 per 30 minutes. 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, £7.50), Airlink 100 bus (30 min, £5), taxis (25 min, £25-30), 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.