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Edinburgh airporttoEdinburgh city center
To Waverley station and Princes Street · One way · All prices are totals for 1 adult · All service hours
3 transfer options
Not all night: the Edinburgh Trams runs 06:30–22:52.
Recommended
The cheapest way in. The Edinburgh Trams is 1 minute quicker for £1.90 more, which is not worth it at this party size.
Bus
Airlink 100
100 · Lothian Buses
24–41 min rideEvery 10 minRuns all night
Stop A on the plaza outside the terminal→Waverley Bridge
24-hour service
£6total for 1 adult£6 eachBuy ticket2 places to buy
Pickup, hours & luggage
Boards at. Stop A on the plaza outside the terminal, by the Edinburgh sign
The Airport Single is £6.00 in cash (exact fare), by contactless at the door, or in the app; children 5 to 15 pay £3.00, and up to three under-fives ride free with a paying adult. An open return is £8.50 (£4.25 child); a family open return for two adults and three children is £22.00. The £6.00 City DAY is not valid on the Airlink, but the £14.00 Network DAY is.
The tram stop on the plaza outside the terminal→St Andrew Square
Non-stopLuggage space
£7.90total for 1 adult£7.90 eachBuy ticketOn Edinburgh Trams
Pickup, hours & luggage
Boards at. The tram stop on the plaza outside the terminal, under a covered walkway
The Airport Single is £7.90 at the platform machine or in the app, £7.50 bought in advance online. Children 5 to 15 pay £4.00; up to three infants travel free with a paying passenger. An Airport Open Return is £9.50 (£5.00 child); a family airport open return for two adults and three children is £28.00. The £2.40 city single, the £6.00 City DAY and the £5.70 daily contactless cap are all void at the airport stop.
Luggage. Six luggage racks on each tram, including racks for large suitcases, by the operator's own account.
Hours. From the airport, seven days a week. Every 7 minutes from 06:30 to 19:00 on weekdays and from 09:30 to 21:00 at weekends, every 10 minutes otherwise. Towards the airport the last tram leaves St Andrew Square at 00:16 on weekdays.
The options are still here — your budget or journey-time filter is drawn tighter than any of them. Widen either one, or reset the filters, to bring them back.
Prices marked "from" are starting prices set by the operator. Prices are whole-party totals; group fares are included. Ride times are recorded journey durations — no waiting or onward travel has been added — and road times vary with traffic. Confirm prices and availability with the operator. Going the other way? Edinburgh to Edinburgh Airport: where each one boards and when the first one runs
How do I get from Edinburgh airport to Edinburgh city center?
For one traveler we recommend the Airlink 100 at £6, 24–41 min, which is also the cheapest way in; the fastest is the Edinburgh Trams at £7.90, 35 min. Every option below is priced as a total for your party and says where it leaves you.
A few things for the rest of your trip
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Data in United KingdomAiralo
An eSIM for United Kingdom, installed before you fly, works in the arrivals hall: tickets, maps, the driver's messages.
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Arriving late?
Not everything runs around the clock: the Edinburgh Trams runs 06:30–22:52. Outside those hours, the Airlink 100 and the Pre-booked private transfer are what remain. Set the hour you leave arrivals and the board keeps only what is running.
Luggage
Six luggage racks on each tram, including racks for large suitcases, by the operator's own account.
Going somewhere specific?
"The center" is not one place, and the answer changes
A combined tram-and-train ticket is sold at vending machines in the check-in hall, for onward rail journeys from stops like Haymarket or Edinburgh Gateway. It is a shortcut to buying the two separately.
The taxi rank
The official operator is Capital Cars, with its rank at the East Terminus, a short walk from arrivals. A booking is required by the council's private hire rules — arrange one online in advance or at the rank on arrival.
Uber and Bolt
Uber picks up at the multi-storey car park, lanes 1 and 2 on the ground floor. From the terminal exit, follow the signs for pick up and car parks, then cross the road to reach it.
Before you travel
Where each one starts, how long it runs, what it carries
100 · Lothian BusesAirlink 100
From
Stop A on the plaza outside the terminal, by the Edinburgh sign
To
Waverley Bridge, beside Waverley station, via Haymarket, the West End and Princes Street
Runs
All night
Journey
24–41 min
The Airport Single is £6.00 in cash (exact fare), by contactless at the door, or in the app; children 5 to 15 pay £3.00, and up to three under-fives ride free with a paying adult. An open return is £8.50 (£4.25 child); a family open return for two adults and three children is £22.00. The £6.00 City DAY is not valid on the Airlink, but the £14.00 Network DAY is.
It is £1.90 cheaper than the tram to the same square and runs when the tram does not. The trade is a bus rather than a tram, and a road that slows to 41 minutes around 08:15 on weekdays.
Lothian's timetable makes the ride 24 minutes at night and early morning, 36 through most of the day and 39 to 41 in the peaks. The airport calls it "an average of 30 minutes".
It runs all night, every night, but expect up to 40 minutes between buses from 01:00 to 04:00 — timetables disagree on the exact departures. Night journeys do not run on the mornings of 25 and 26 December and 1 January.
The Princes Street set-down stop is closed "until further notice" after the fire of 9 July 2026: buses set down at Shandwick Place or Hanover Street instead, then Waverley Bridge as usual.
Paying cash on board needs the exact fare. Contactless at the door is the same £6.00 and, on the same card all day, caps at the £14.00 Network DAY — which is only worth reaching if you also return to the airport the same day.
The tram stop on the plaza outside the terminal, under a covered walkway
To
St Andrew Square, the stop nearest Waverley, via Haymarket and Princes Street; the tram continues to Leith and Newhaven
Luggage
Six luggage racks on each tram, including racks for large suitcases, by the operator's own account.
Runs
06:30–22:52
Journey
35 min
The Airport Single is £7.90 at the platform machine or in the app, £7.50 bought in advance online. Children 5 to 15 pay £4.00; up to three infants travel free with a paying passenger. An Airport Open Return is £9.50 (£5.00 child); a family airport open return for two adults and three children is £28.00. The £2.40 city single, the £6.00 City DAY and the £5.70 daily contactless cap are all void at the airport stop.
It costs £7.90 because the airport is its own fare zone; every other stop is the £2.40 City Zone. Only the Airport Single works here — any city ticket, a City DAY or the daily contactless cap is invalid, and the on-board fare is £10.
Buy or activate before you board: the operator has a pre-purchase policy and machine tickets must be used within 30 minutes of purchase.
If you pay by tapping a card or phone, tap off at your stop with the same card. A missed tap-off is charged as a full Airport Zone fare and does not count towards any cap; a different card tapped off is two incomplete journeys.
Journey time is 35 minutes to St Andrew Square, 32 to Princes Street and 25 to Haymarket. Since Princes Street reopened on 29 August 2026 after a fire, trams pass through it under a 15 mph limit until further notice.
The last tram from the airport is 22:52 and the first 06:30. Outside those hours the Airlink, £1.90 cheaper, is the public transport.
The tram pays for itself only by where it goes: Leith, Newhaven and the Edinburgh Gateway rail interchange. For Waverley and Princes Street the Airlink does the same job for less.
From the airport, seven days a week. Every 7 minutes from 06:30 to 19:00 on weekdays and from 09:30 to 21:00 at weekends, every 10 minutes otherwise. Towards the airport the last tram leaves St Andrew Square at 00:16 on weekdays.
Ocean Terminal in Leith, via Clermiston, Blackhall, Drylaw, Muirhouse and Newhaven
Runs
04:55–00:00
Journey
35–59 min
The ordinary Lothian city single is £2.40 adult, £1.20 child, valid to and from the airport on this route. The £6.00 City DAY is valid here too — the only way a day-ticket holder reaches the airport without buying anything extra. After midnight the night single is £3.50.
It is £5.50 cheaper than the tram to Ocean Terminal and takes about the same time by day, 35 minutes late in the evening. It does not go to the city center.
From 13 September 2026 it no longer calls at Ingliston Park & Ride; that changes nothing for the airport stop.
A city bus with no luggage rack, every 30 minutes or so. Exact fare if you pay cash.
From the airport, the same on all seven days, roughly every 30 minutes; read from Lothian's timetable in force from 13 September 2026. The last bus at midnight reaches Ocean Terminal at 00:35.
The Royal Infirmary at Little France and on to Fort Kinnaird, via Edinburgh Park, Oxgangs and Fairmilehead
Runs
05:37–23:10
Journey
53–84 min
The ordinary Lothian city single, £2.40 adult and £1.20 child, valid to and from the airport on this route since 6 April 2025, when the Skylink 400 became city service 18. The £6.00 City DAY is valid here.
Over an hour to the Royal Infirmary on a suburban route; the airport quotes an hour and a quarter to Fort Kinnaird. It exists here because it is £2.40 and it is the direct bus to the hospital.
A city bus with no luggage rack. Exact fare if you pay cash.
From the airport on weekdays; the first bus at weekends is 05:30 and the last 23:10 every day. Read from Lothian's timetable in force from 13 September 2026.
One large suitcase or rucksack (up to 20 kg) and one small item free; extra items £5.00 each.
Runs
All night
Journey
60 min
Citylink states the single fare as around £15 rather than a fixed price; it can be pre-booked online, bought at a travel centre or bought from the driver, subject to space.
It runs up to every 20 minutes by day; the airport's own page has that spacing to 19:55 and hourly from midnight, while the operator's FAQ puts the change at 21:15 — the two disagree on exactly when it slows.
It never fully stops, but overnight departures are hourly rather than every 20 minutes.
A large suitcase or two medium bags per person included.
Runs
07:12–01:25
Journey
79–86 min
The single fare is £9.55, the same on every Dundee-bound departure checked on Ember's own booking page, including early-morning ones — it does not appear to move with demand the way a train Advance fare does.
A separate operator, Fly by Xplore Dundee, also runs an hourly direct service from the same stop; check its own site for its fare.
Departures from the airport, the airport's own page. Roughly hourly across the day.
Charged in euros: €172 for the sedan, €279 for the minibus. Converted at the European Central Bank's reference rate of 30 October 2026 only to compare it with the local fares; your card's rate will differ a little.
Book at least 16 hours ahead; nearer the day a car is offered only when one is free.
Charged in euros: €221 for the sedan, €403 for the minibus. Converted at the European Central Bank's reference rate of 30 October 2026 only to compare it with the local fares; your card's rate will differ a little.
Book at least 16 hours ahead; nearer the day a car is offered only when one is free.
transfer · KiwitaxiPrivate transfer to Glasgow Airport from Edinburgh Airport
From
Driver meets you in arrivals with a name board
To
Glasgow Airport, the terminal drop-off
Journey
57 min
Charged in euros: €198 for the sedan, €318 for the minibus. Converted at the European Central Bank's reference rate of 30 October 2026 only to compare it with the local fares; your card's rate will differ a little.
Book at least 16 hours ahead; nearer the day a car is offered only when one is free.
Kiwitaxi quotes about 57 minutes for the drive; allow for traffic on the M8.
What is the best way from Edinburgh airport to Edinburgh city center?
For one traveler, the Airlink 100 at £6, 24–41 min. The cheapest way in. The Edinburgh Trams is 1 minute quicker for £1.90 more, which is not worth it at this party size. The same holds for a group of up to eight. How we weigh price against time is set out on the fares page, in numbers.
What is the cheapest way from Edinburgh airport to Edinburgh city center?
For one traveler, the Airlink 100 at £6. Per-person fares multiply with the size of your party and per-vehicle fares do not, so check the total for your group rather than the single fare.
How do I get from Edinburgh airport to Edinburgh city center by tram?
One tram reaches Waverley station and Princes Street: the Edinburgh Trams, £7.90 for one traveler, 35 min, to St Andrew Square. It is not the cheapest way in: the Airlink 100 at £6 is. See every option by tram
How do I get from Edinburgh airport to Edinburgh city center by bus?
One bus reaches Waverley station and Princes Street: the Airlink 100, £6 for one traveler, 24–41 min, to Waverley Bridge. For one traveler that is the cheapest way into Edinburgh by any means. The fastest way overall is the Edinburgh Trams, 35 min. See every option by bus
How do I get from Edinburgh airport to Edinburgh city center by taxi?
One taxi reaches Waverley station and Princes Street: the Pre-booked private transfer, £52 for one traveler, 25–40 min, to any address. It is not the cheapest way in: the Airlink 100 at £6 is. The fastest way overall is the Edinburgh Trams, 35 min. See every option by taxi
How long does it take to get from Edinburgh airport to Edinburgh city center?
Airlink 100: 24–41 min. Edinburgh Trams: 35 min. Pre-booked private transfer: 25–40 min
How far is Edinburgh airport from the city center?
Edinburgh Airport does not publish a distance to the city. By time: the fastest way in, the Edinburgh Trams, takes 35 min; the cheapest, the Airlink 100, 24–41 min.
Is there Uber or Bolt at Edinburgh airport?
Uber picks up at the multi-storey car park, lanes 1 and 2 on the ground floor. From the terminal exit, follow the signs for pick up and car parks, then cross the road to reach it.
Where do I catch the Airlink 100 at Edinburgh airport?
Stop A on the plaza outside the terminal, by the Edinburgh sign. Follow the signs from arrivals. It leaves you at Waverley Bridge, beside Waverley station, via Haymarket, the West End and Princes Street.
Is there a train from Edinburgh airport to Edinburgh at night?
The Edinburgh Trams runs 06:30–22:52. Outside those hours the Airlink 100 and the pre-booked private transfer are what remain; the Airlink 100 is £6 for one traveler. From the airport, seven days a week. Every 7 minutes from 06:30 to 19:00 on weekdays and from 09:30 to 21:00 at weekends, every 10 minutes otherwise. Towards the airport the last tram leaves St Andrew Square at 00:16 on weekdays.
Does the Bus 17 to Leith go to Waverley station and Princes Street — St Andrew Square for the tram, Waverley Bridge for the Airlink?
It runs through the north-western suburbs to Newhaven and Ocean Terminal and never comes near Princes Street or Waverley. Useful only if you are staying in Leith or along its route.
Does the Bus 18 to the Royal Infirmary go to Waverley station and Princes Street — St Andrew Square for the tram, Waverley Bridge for the Airlink?
It skirts the whole south side of the city and never enters the center. For the hospital, the southern suburbs or the Fort Kinnaird retail park only.
Does the Citylink AIR go to Waverley station and Princes Street — St Andrew Square for the tram, Waverley Bridge for the Airlink?
Glasgow is a separate city; this does not reach central Edinburgh.
Does the Ember E1 go to Waverley station and Princes Street — St Andrew Square for the tram, Waverley Bridge for the Airlink?
Dundee is a separate city; this does not reach central Edinburgh.
Does the Private transfer to Glasgow go to Waverley station and Princes Street — St Andrew Square for the tram, Waverley Bridge for the Airlink?
This goes to Glasgow, not Edinburgh: the driver takes you to any address there.
Does the Private transfer to Dundee go to Waverley station and Princes Street — St Andrew Square for the tram, Waverley Bridge for the Airlink?
This goes to Dundee, not Edinburgh: the driver takes you to any address there.
Does the Welcome Pickups transfer to Glasgow go to Waverley station and Princes Street — St Andrew Square for the tram, Waverley Bridge for the Airlink?
This goes to Glasgow, not Edinburgh: the driver takes you to any address there.
Does the Welcome Pickups transfer to Dundee go to Waverley station and Princes Street — St Andrew Square for the tram, Waverley Bridge for the Airlink?
This goes to Dundee, not Edinburgh: the driver takes you to any address there.
Does the Private transfer to Glasgow Airport from Edinburgh Airport go to Waverley station and Princes Street — St Andrew Square for the tram, Waverley Bridge for the Airlink?
The other airport, not the city. A door-to-door transfer between the two airports.
Worth knowing
The tram costs £7.90 to St Andrew Square, near Waverley; the Airlink 100 costs £6.00 to Waverley Bridge, next to the station. Both leave from the plaza outside the terminal and take about 35 minutes by day; the tram is never the cheaper option.
City tickets do not cover the tram to the airport: a £2.40 city single becomes £7.90 for that one stop, and the £6.00 City DAY is not valid on the tram or the Airlink at all. It is valid on buses 17 and 18, which reach the airport on a £2.40 city fare. On the tram, tap off with contactless: a missed tap-off is charged as a full Airport Zone fare outside any cap, and boarding without tapping on is a £10 fare.
The taxi runs on a meter: £3.60 by day, £4.80 at night and weekends, then £0.30 per 141 metres, for up to three passengers (£0.50 each beyond that). The driver can add the airport's own £8.50 pick-up charge. The airport rank is run by Capital Cars and booking is required; for journeys ending outside the council area, agree the fare before you set off.
The Airlink runs 24 hours; the tram does not, running only 06:30 to 22:52. Overnight, expect up to a 40-minute wait for the Airlink between 01:00 and 04:00 — timetables disagree on the exact gaps. Night journeys do not run on the mornings of 25 and 26 December and 1 January.
There is no railway station at the airport; take the tram. Edinburgh Gateway, seven minutes away, has trains to Fife, Perth, Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness, with an escalator straight from the tram platform. Haymarket, 25 minutes, is the stop for Glasgow. The tram fare is a flat £7.90 regardless of distance, and combined tram-and-train tickets are sold from machines in the check-in hall.
The £14 Network DAY covers the Airlink, the tram to the airport and every city bus for a day, but usually costs more than you need: an Airlink single plus a £6.00 City DAY comes to £12.00 in town. It only pays if you return to the airport the same day. For a return on another day, the £8.50 Airlink open return beats £12.00 in singles and has no expiry date.
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