Bus 17 to LeithorCitylink AIR?

The short answer

For one traveler the Bus 17 to Leith is cheaper by up to £12.60. The Citylink AIR fare is sold "from" a price rather than at it, so this comparison holds only at the advertised prices and the real answer can change with the day you travel.

The Bus 17 to Leith is quicker: 50 min against 1 h.

Bus 17 to Leith: 04:55–00:00. Citylink AIR: Runs all night.

Priced against each other

Whole-party totals · adult fares

What each costs for the whole party, in GBP. The cheaper of the two is marked on every row.
Travelers	Bus 17 to Leith	Citylink AIR	Difference
1	£2.40	from £15	up to £12.60
2	£4.80	from £30	up to £25.20
3	£7.20	from £45	up to £37.80
4	£9.60	from £60	up to £50.40
5	£12	from £75	up to £63
6	£14.40	from £90	up to £75.60
7	£16.80	from £105	up to £88.20
8	£19.20	from £120	up to £100.80

Side by side

Where each one leaves you

17 · Lothian BusesBus 17 to Leith

From: Stop B on the plaza outside the terminal
To: Ocean Terminal in Leith, via Clermiston, Blackhall, Drylaw, Muirhouse and Newhaven
Runs: 04:55–00:00
Journey: 35–59 min

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.

Bus 17 to Leith: price for every party size

Check city fares with Lothian Buses

AIR · CitylinkCitylink AIR

From: Stop D, outside the terminal
To: Buchanan Bus Station, Glasgow
Luggage: 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

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.

Citylink AIR: price for every party size

Check times and fares with Citylink

This compares two of 12 options. See all of them ranked for your party size

Bus 17 to LeithorCitylink AIR?

Priced against each other

Side by side

The other comparisons at Edinburgh Airport