Edinburgh Airport (EDI): visitor guide

Edinburgh has one terminal, so you cannot get lost between buildings. Arrivals and departures sit on different levels of the same block, with the tram stop and taxi rank outside the main doors and the bus stops a short walk away.

The tram stop is the closest public transport point to the terminal. The Airlink 100 bus stop and the long-stay and short-stay car parks are signposted from the forecourt. If you are meeting someone, the arrivals hall has the usual coffee stands and a small seating area; there is no separate meet-and-greet building.

The airport sits about 13 km west of the city centre, next to the M8, which is why a taxi can be quick outside peak hours and slow at 08:00–09:00 and 16:30–18:30.

The tram is the simplest option. It runs from the airport into the centre and on toward Newhaven, stopping at Haymarket, West End, St Andrew Square and York Place, all within walking distance of the main hotels and Waverley station. Buy at the ticket machine on the platform or tap a contactless card where supported; a single to the centre is about £7–8 (2026 estimate).

Lothian Buses run the Airlink 100 express to Waverley Bridge, plus night buses on some routes. Fares are similar to the tram and the journey takes about 30 minutes in normal traffic. Local city buses are cheaper but slower and less useful with luggage.

A black cab from the rank costs roughly £25–35 to the centre (2026 estimate) and takes 20–30 minutes off-peak. Uber and similar apps pick up from a designated area; expect similar prices at busy times. There is no train station at the airport, so rail connections mean tram or bus to Haymarket or Waverley first.

Trams stop running around 23:00–23:30, so a flight landing after that leaves you with a night bus, a taxi or a pre-booked transfer. Night buses serve parts of the city but are slower and less obvious if you do not know Edinburgh.

A taxi from the rank is the reliable choice after midnight; the rank is staffed by drivers rather than a desk, so queue and pay the meter. If your hotel is outside the centre, book a transfer in advance or confirm that reception is staffed overnight.

For early departures, note that the first trams and buses start around 05:00–06:00. A 06:30 flight means a taxi or an airport hotel the night before.

Edinburgh has a small number of pay-in lounges and airline lounges in the departures area, after security. Access usually comes with a business-class ticket, status with the airline or a lounge pass bought in advance or at the door.

Expect the usual setup: seating, Wi-Fi, soft drinks, tea and coffee, and a paid bar or a light snack selection depending on the lounge. Book ahead in summer and around the Festival in August, when the airport is at its busiest.

If you are flying on a low-cost ticket, compare the lounge price with simply eating in the main terminal; the difference is often small.

Car hire desks are in the terminal, with the cars in a nearby lot. Book ahead for summer and for automatic gearboxes, which are less common and cost more in the UK. Manual transmission is the default.

Fuel is roughly £1.40–1.50 a litre (2026 estimate). Edinburgh is a good place to start a Highlands trip, but do not plan to drive in the city centre: parking is expensive and the centre is compact enough to walk.

If you are only visiting Edinburgh, skip the car. Trams, buses and trains cover the city and the main day trips, including Glasgow, Stirling and North Berwick.

Two hours before a UK or European departure is usually enough; three hours for long-haul. Security queues are longest in the early morning bank of flights and during August, when the Edinburgh Festival brings a large spike in passengers.

Winter weather can delay flights, especially morning departures when the airport is de-icing aircraft. Check your airline's app before leaving the city, and allow extra time in December and January.

The airport is busiest from about 05:00 to 08:00 and again in the late afternoon. If you have a choice, a midday flight means shorter queues.