Airports & Stations

Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Practical advice for Edinburgh Airport (EDI) and the central Waverley and Haymarket stations.

Overview

Transfer Options

Luggage Storage

Pre-booking Storage

During the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August, storage at Waverley Station can reach capacity quickly. Consider pre-booking via Stasher or Bounce to guarantee a spot and often save on costs.

Visitor Cards and Passes

  • Network DayTicket: £14.00. Best for those arriving at the airport and staying for a full day of sightseeing. Includes Airlink 100, Trams (to airport), and all Lothian Buses.
  • Lothian DayTicket: £6.00. Covers all buses and trams in the city zone (excludes the airport stop).
  • Edinburgh City Pass: Includes airport tram transfer and entry to over 20 attractions (prices vary by duration).

Common Ticket Types

  • Single Ticket: £2.40 for city buses and trams.
  • Airlink 100: £6.00 single / £8.50 return.
  • Tram (Airport): £7.90 single / £9.50 return.
  • TapTapCap: Use the same contactless card or mobile device for all journeys. Your daily spend is capped at £5.70 for city travel or £14.00 if you include the airport.

Public Transit

Edinburgh Trams

Trams run every 7-10 minutes between Edinburgh Airport and Newhaven via the city center (Princes Street). The journey from the airport to the center takes approximately 30-35 minutes. You must buy a ticket or validate your contactless card/app before boarding.

Edinburgh Trams - Ticket Options

Lothian Buses

The Airlink 100 is the express bus service from the airport to St Andrew Square (near Waverley Station), running 24/7. Standard city buses (Maroon/White) cover the entire city. Note that Edinburgh buses use an “exact fare” policy if paying with cash, but contactless payment (TapTapCap) is the most convenient method.

Lothian Buses - Fares & Tickets

TapTapCap on buses

When using TapTapCap on buses, you only need to Tap On when you board; do not tap off. The system will automatically calculate the best fare and cap your daily spend.

Official Taxi

Official Edinburgh taxis are iconic Black Cabs (Hackney carriages). While traditionally black, many now feature colorful full-body advertisements. All official cabs have a distinctive yellow “Taxi” sign on the roof that is lit when the cab is available for hire. They can be hailed on the street or found at designated ranks.

Rideshare

ATMs and Currency

Edinburgh uses the British Pound (GBP). While Scotland issues its own banknotes (Bank of Scotland, Royal Bank of Scotland, Clydesdale Bank), these are legal currency throughout the UK.

Dynamic Currency Conversion

If an ATM or card terminal asks if you want to pay in your “Home Currency” or “Continue with Conversion,” always select “No” or “Continue without Conversion”. Choosing your home currency allows the ATM provider to set their own (usually poor) exchange rate.

Best ATMs

To avoid high transaction fees, look for bank-branded ATMs such as Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), Bank of Scotland, or Clydesdale/Virgin Money. Avoid standalone machines like Travelex or Euronet, which often charge high withdrawal fees and use poor exchange rates.

  • Edinburgh Airport: Bank-owned ATMs are located near the International Arrivals and Check-in areas.
  • Waverley/Haymarket: ATMs are available on the main concourse and just outside the station entrances.

ATM Finder

Use the LINK ATM Locator (website or mobile app) to find the nearest free-to-use ATMs throughout Edinburgh.

Accessibility & Safety

Edinburgh’s transport hubs are generally very safe and well-equipped for travelers with reduced mobility.

Essential Services

Overview

Transfer Options

Luggage Storage

Pre-booking Storage

During the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August, storage at Waverley Station can reach capacity quickly. Consider pre-booking via Stasher or Bounce to guarantee a spot and often save on costs.

Visitor Cards and Passes

  • Network DayTicket: £14.00. Best for those arriving at the airport and staying for a full day of sightseeing. Includes Airlink 100, Trams (to airport), and all Lothian Buses.
  • Lothian DayTicket: £6.00. Covers all buses and trams in the city zone (excludes the airport stop).
  • Edinburgh City Pass: Includes airport tram transfer and entry to over 20 attractions (prices vary by duration).

Common Ticket Types

  • Single Ticket: £2.40 for city buses and trams.
  • Airlink 100: £6.00 single / £8.50 return.
  • Tram (Airport): £7.90 single / £9.50 return.
  • TapTapCap: Use the same contactless card or mobile device for all journeys. Your daily spend is capped at £5.70 for city travel or £14.00 if you include the airport.

Public Transit

Edinburgh Trams

Trams run every 7-10 minutes between Edinburgh Airport and Newhaven via the city center (Princes Street). The journey from the airport to the center takes approximately 30-35 minutes. You must buy a ticket or validate your contactless card/app before boarding.

Edinburgh Trams - Ticket Options

Lothian Buses

The Airlink 100 is the express bus service from the airport to St Andrew Square (near Waverley Station), running 24/7. Standard city buses (Maroon/White) cover the entire city. Note that Edinburgh buses use an “exact fare” policy if paying with cash, but contactless payment (TapTapCap) is the most convenient method.

Lothian Buses - Fares & Tickets

TapTapCap on buses

When using TapTapCap on buses, you only need to Tap On when you board; do not tap off. The system will automatically calculate the best fare and cap your daily spend.

Arrival & Check-In

Security Controls

VAT Refunds

Accessibility & Safety

Edinburgh’s transport hubs are generally very safe and well-equipped for travelers with reduced mobility.

Essential Services