Bus 18 to the Royal InfirmaryorCitylink AIR?

The short answer

For one traveler the Bus 18 to the Royal Infirmary 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 Citylink AIR is quicker: 1 h against 1 h 11. The Bus 18 to the Royal Infirmary varies between 53 and 84 minutes.

Bus 18 to the Royal Infirmary: 05:37–23:10. 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 18 to the Royal Infirmary	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

18 · Lothian BusesBus 18 to the Royal Infirmary

From: Stop C on the plaza outside the terminal
To: 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

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.

Bus 18 to the Royal Infirmary: 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 18 to the Royal InfirmaryorCitylink AIR?

Priced against each other

Side by side

The other comparisons at Edinburgh Airport