General
Overview
Edinburgh Airport (EDI) is Scotland’s busiest aviation hub, featuring a single-terminal layout and serving as the primary international gateway to the capital.
Transfer Options
The following options are available for transport from/to Edinburgh Airport:
Edinburgh Trams and Lothian Buses occasionally suspend services for engineering works or incidents on the route. Check Lothian Buses service updates or Edinburgh Trams news before heading out. When trams are suspended, tram tickets are typically accepted on Lothian Buses as a fallback. Have a taxi or rideshare app ready if you are on a tight schedule.
Luggage Storage
Located in a standalone building in the East Plaza, outside the main terminal. Exit Arrivals and follow signs for the taxi rank. Left luggage and shipping services available.
During the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August, storage can reach capacity quickly. Consider pre-booking to guarantee a spot and often save on costs.
Visitor Cards and Passes
Recommended 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 an airport tram return and entry to over 20 attractions (prices vary by duration — check the official site).
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.
Children’s Fares
- Under 5: Travel free on all Edinburgh Trams and Lothian Buses services. Up to three under-5s per fare-paying adult.
- Ages 5-15: Child tickets cost roughly half the adult fare:
- Single (city zone): £1.20 — buy at tram stop machines or from the bus driver.
- City DAYticket (bus + tram, city zone): £3.00 — not valid to the airport.
- Network DAYticket (includes airport): £7.00
- Family DAYticket: £13.00 — up to 2 adults and 3 children, city zone only. Not valid to the airport.
NOTE: You must activate mobile tickets in the app just before boarding to show the live animation to the conductor.
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.
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.
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.
Accessibility & Safety
Edinburgh’s transport hubs are generally very safe and well-equipped for travelers with reduced mobility.
Edinburgh Airport provides comprehensive Special Assistance services. Sunflower Lanyards are available at the assistance desk for those with hidden disabilities.
Safety & Scams
Beware of unlicensed drivers in the arrivals hall. Always use the official taxi rank or verified rideshare apps at the designated pickup zones.
Essential Services
Lost & Found
Managed by Luggage-Point, located on the Ground Floor in the East Terminal (International Arrivals). You can report and search for items online via the Luggage-Point portal.
First Aid & Pharmacies
First Aid staff are available 24/7; use the red emergency phones located throughout the terminal. A Boots pharmacy is located in the Departure Lounge (after security) for prescriptions and medical advice.
Arrival
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.
The official taxi rank is located at the East Terminus, directly across from the terminal building (follow the “Taxis” signs). A metered ride to the city center typically costs £35–£45 and takes 20–30 minutes.
Rideshare
The designated rideshare pickup area is located at the East Terminus, on Floor 1 of the multi-storey car park. Follow signs for 'Pick Up Zone'.
Use Uber for the most reliable vehicle availability and diverse car options, Bolt for typically lower fares and frequent discounts, and Gett to book professional black cabs that can use bus lanes to bypass Edinburgh’s city-center traffic.
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.
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.
Departure
Arrival & Check-In
It is recommended to arrive at least 3 hours before long-haul international flights and 2 hours for domestic or European flights. Note that UK carriers are strict with check-in times; if you are not at the desk or kiosk 60 minutes before departure, you may be denied boarding.
Check-in desks are located on the Ground Floor. The airport utilizes extensive self-service bag drop kiosks for major airlines (EasyJet, British Airways, Ryanair), though staffed desks remain available for assistance.
There are no “Skycaps” or porters at Edinburgh Airport. You are responsible for your own luggage until it reaches the check-in desk or bag drop kiosk. Luggage trolleys require a £1 or €2 coin (refundable).
Security Controls
Security & Screening
Edinburgh Airport has largely completed its rollout of Next Generation Security Checkpoint (NGSC) 3D scanners. In lanes equipped with these scanners, liquids and laptops can remain inside your bags, and the liquid limit is increased to 2 Litres per container.
Passport Control
There is no routine passport control for departures from the UK to most international destinations. However, airlines will perform document and passport checks at the gate before boarding.
Not all security lanes may have the new scanners active at once. Always check the signage at the entrance; if you are directed to an “older” lane, the legacy 100ml limit and “liquids out” rule will still apply.
VAT Refunds
VAT refunds for tourists (the VAT Retail Export Scheme) remain abolished in Great Britain. You cannot claim a refund for goods purchased on the high street and carried in your luggage out of the country.
Exceptions
- Direct Shipping: You can shop tax-free if the retailer ships the goods directly to your home address outside the UK.
- Duty-Free: Tax-free shopping is only available in “Duty-Free” shops located after security for specific categories like alcohol and tobacco.
Do not waste time looking for VAT refund desks or kiosks at Edinburgh Airport; they have been removed for general tourist use. If a city retailer suggests otherwise, they are providing outdated information.