Travel in Edinburgh
When travelling in Edinburgh, you must follow Scottish Government rules on safe travel. These include good hygiene, wearing face coverings on all forms of public transport and taxis, and maintaining physical distance.
We are investing in new travel options this year, including:
- more cycle routes
- discounted m-tickets on Lothian Buses services
- increased cycling and car parking spaces across our campuses
Further information on our new travel options for 2020 can be found on our transport pages.
Travelling safely on public transport
No matter how you choose to get around, you must follow Scottish government advice about the safest way to travel, observing good hygiene, face covering, and physical distancing.
Follow up to date Scottish Government advice on safe travel
Cycling
When cycling you should maintain physical distancing, and wash your hands before and after touching your bicycle.
Read Transport Scotland advice about how to cycle safely
Buses
When using buses you should observe good hygiene, wear a face covering, and maintain physical distancing. Avoid cash by using card payments, and follow signs to sit and disembark in the correct place.
Lothian Buses and First Edinburgh
The main bus operators in and around Edinburgh are Lothian Buses and First Edinburgh.
Lothian bus safe travel advice
Lothian Buses offer different ticket types:
- Single fare
- Day Ticket (unlimited travel for one day)
- Ridacard (unlimited travel for one week - one year)
Lothian Buses also has a contactless payment system, which automatically charges you the cheapest daily fare for the journeys you’ve made.
Read Transport Scotland advice about how to travel safely on buses, trams and trains
Lothian Buses contactless payment system
Ridacard information and prices
Lothian Buses - Transport for Edinburgh
Airlink Bus
Airlink (Lothian Buses service 100) is a 24-hour express service between Edinburgh Airport and city centre. The journey takes approximately 35 minutes.
Travelling from the airport safely with Airlink
Skylink Bus
Skylink buses (Lothian Buses service 200, 300, and 400) are three additional buses which go to the airport.
Lothian Buses- getting to the airport with Skylink
Trams
When using trams, you should observe good hygiene, wear a face covering, and maintain physical distancing. Avoid cash by using card payments, and follow signs to sit and disembark in the correct place.
Trams link Edinburgh Airport to the city centre. The journey takes around 35 minutes.
Read Transport Scotland advice about how to travel safely on buses, trams and trains
Trains
When using trains, you should observe good hygiene, wear a face covering, and maintain physical distancing. Avoid cash by using card payments, and follow signs to sit and disembark in the correct place.
The main train station in Edinburgh is Waverley Station. You can buy tickets, make reservations and get travel information at the Edinburgh Rail Travel Centre in Waverley station.
Fare and timetable information is available online.
Read Transport Scotland advice about how to travel safely on buses, trams and trains
Taxis
When using taxis, you should observe good hygiene, wear a face covering, and maintain physical distancing. Avoid cash by using card payments.
Edinburgh's black taxis can be hailed in the street, booked by phone, or found at one of the many central taxi ranks.
Private Hire Cabs must be booked by phone in advance. They must display their taxi licence inside the car on the dashboard.
Read Transport Scotland advice about how to travel safely in a taxi
More about safe travel
Follow Scottish Government advice on safe travel