Travel to Edinburgh

Once you have travelled to the city centre by airport bus or tram, you can then travel onwards to your accommodation. Many of our accommodation sites are within easy walking distance of the centre – but remember that Edinburgh is hilly and you will probably have lots of luggage, so consider getting a bus.

The tram and airport bus will drop you off at St Andrew’s Square. Very nearby is Princes Street, from where you can catch a bus to almost anywhere in the city.

You can either buy a ticket through the mobile app, or buy one from the bus driver using contactless card payment or exact cash (no change is given).

Airport bus

The cheapest and quickest option to get to the city centre from the Airport is to take the Airlink 100 bus route. This bus route goes directly to St Andrews Square in city centre, with only a few stops along the way – the journey takes around 30 minutes.

There are other airport bus services (the 200, 300, and 400) which travel to different parts of the city and are slower as they have more stops – but it is worth checking if these are better suited for your accommodation site.

The Airlink 100 service runs every 30 minutes, between 04:30 and 00:30  (for services towards the city) 

• • You can buy a ticket before you board from the kiosk outside the airport, next to the bus stop.
  • You can use cash or contactless card payments.
  • You can also buy a ticket through the Transport for Edinburgh mobile app.

Check the Lothian Buses website for bus route maps and a useful journey planner.

Airport Buses - Lothian Buses

Tram

The tram service runs from the airport to the city centre every 15 minutes, every day between 6:15am and 10:45pm. 

You must buy a ticket before you board onto a tram, either from the ticket machines at the tram terminal or through the Transport for Edinburgh mobile app.

Edinburgh Trams

You can find taxis in the designated ‘Drop-off / Pick-up zone’ in the multistory carpark directly outside the terminal building at the airport.

This area is signposted clearly from the terminal building.

It is also possible to prebook taxis too and have them meet you at the pick-up zone

Taxi prices vary and will cost more than the bus or tram, usually around £25. Taxis can take you directly to your final destination.

This session will provide information about travelling to your University accommodation from Edinburgh Airport and Edinburgh Waverley railway station.

Will will tell you what you can expect when you arrive at the airport, and also provide information on bus and tram routes, tickets options, and taxis companies.