Getting to and around Edinburgh

By Keith Smith

Edinburgh is a world-class destination, but is easy to get to and even easier to get around.


Getting here

By air

Edinburgh Airport is eight miles west of the city centre on the A8 Edinburgh-Glasgow road. The airport has all the usual facilities, including a tourist information desk near international arrivals, bureau de change, ATMs, bars and restaurants (on the first floor) and shops (ground floor and first floor).

The tourist information desk, in the international arrivals area, will book accommodation and car hire. Two bus services, Airlink 100 and Guide Friday run between the airport and the main train station at Waverley Bridge.

By rail

All trains to Edinburgh go to Waverley Station, off Waverley Bridge at the east end of Princes Street – this is where the main ticket booking office is located. Taxis collect passengers from the station concourse, but there is also a taxi rank on Waverley Bridge. All trains to the north and to the west coast, including Glasgow, also stop at Haymarket station.

By car

There is a wide selection of self-drive hire firms operating in Edinburgh.

All trains to Edinburgh go to Waverley Station, off Waverley Bridge at the east end of Princes Street – this is where the main ticket booking office is located

Getting around

By bus

The city’s bus station is in St Andrew Square, only a few minutes’ walk from Waverley Station. This is the terminal for all coaches from England, from other towns and cities around Scotland and also for local services to outlying towns and villages. There are left luggage lockers at the Terminus. First Group operate around 300 services throughout the Edinburgh area, including within Musselburgh, Dalkeith, Peebles, Galashiels, Livingston, South Queensferry, Falkirk, Balfron and Stirling.

Catch a Lothain Bus to get around the city

By tram

The tram service is now operative, running for 14km from Edinburgh Airport to York Place in the city centre. For full details, go to edinburghtrams.com.

By trike and bike

See Edinburgh in one of the coolest ways possible with a chauffeur-driven trike tour taking in the historic Grassmarket and Arthur’s Seat. Bikes can be hired by downloading and signing up to the Just Eat Cycles app. See edinburghcyclehire.com for further information.

Read more about Edinburgh

Image credits: ©Keith McGillivray/Lothian Buses; Shaiith/stock.adobe.com; VisitBritain/Simon Winnall; Whitespace Ltd/Edinburgh Trams

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