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Major city · United Kingdom

Musselburgh

Base in Edinburgh and treat Musselburgh as a half-day: racecourse, Fisherrow harbour, Roman Bridge. Sleep here only for a race meeting or a cheap Edinburgh bed.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Musselburgh is East Lothian's largest town, 6 miles east of Edinburgh and joined to the city by Lothian Buses 15, 26, 30 and 44 and hourly trains from Waverley in 6 minutes. It is a commuter town with a racecourse, an old fishing harbour and a Roman bridge; the reason most visitors come is a race meeting. Everything in the centre is walkable in an afternoon.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
GBP
Best months
Apr–Oct
avoid Nov–Mar (racecourse switches to jumps, cold and dark early)
Airport
EDI
Nights
1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
  • Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
  • Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
  • United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
  • United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
  • United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Musselburgh111 ▾
  • NHS non-urgent111
  • Police non-urgent101

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Musselburgh, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
  • Sit-down mealPub main course£10–16 (≈ US$14–25)
  • Metro or bus rideBus fare within Edinburgh and Musselburghcheck£2 (≈ US$3) flat
  • Budget bedGuesthouse double (B&B), a night, per room£60 (≈ US$80)
  • Mid-range bedGuesthouse double (B&B), a night, per room£100 (≈ US$140)
  • High-end bedGuesthouse double (B&B), a night, per room£160 (≈ US$250)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget £45 (≈ US$60) · Mid £85 (≈ US$120) · High £160 (≈ US$250)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Musselburgh RacecourseFisherrow HarbourRoman BridgeMusselburgh Old Links golf
Airports
EDI Edinburgh Airport (Skylink Bus 400 to Fort Kinnaird, then a local bus for the last 3 miles; or tram/train into Edinburgh and out again)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    7°C (45°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    8°C (46°F)

  3. Mar

    Avoid

    10°C (50°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    12°C (54°F)

  5. May

    Best

    15°C (59°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    18°C (64°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    20°C (68°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    20°C (68°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    17°C (63°F)

  10. Oct

    Best

    14°C (57°F)

  11. Nov

    Avoid

    10°C (50°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    7°C (45°F)

Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (20°C (68°F)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F) low), wettest Jan (13 rain days), driest Apr (9). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Musselburgh: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

7°C (45°F)

1°C (34°F)

13 rd

Feb

8°C (46°F)

1°C (34°F)

10 rd

Mar

10°C (50°F)

2°C (36°F)

11 rd

Apr

12°C (54°F)

4°C (39°F)

9 rd

May

15°C (59°F)

7°C (45°F)

10 rd

Jun

18°C (64°F)

10°C (50°F)

10 rd

Jul

20°C (68°F)

12°C (54°F)

11 rd

Aug

20°C (68°F)

12°C (54°F)

11 rd

Sep

17°C (63°F)

10°C (50°F)

11 rd

Oct

14°C (57°F)

7°C (45°F)

12 rd

Nov

10°C (50°F)

4°C (39°F)

12 rd

Dec

7°C (45°F)

1°C (34°F)

12 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

The centre, Fisherrow and the racecourse are all walkable. Lothian Bus 30 and East Coast Bus 106 link the High Street to the railway station, half a mile south. Trains from Musselburgh run hourly to Edinburgh Waverley (6 min) and on to North Berwick; the Borders Railway from Newcraighall goes south to Galashiels and Tweedbank. Cyclists may not use the A720 or A1: follow the A199.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Edinburgh

go

Door to door: About 30–45 min

Train from Musselburgh to Waverley, 6 min, hourly; or Lothian Buses 15/26/30/44

The default move: Old Town, New Town, Portobello and Leith are all reachable.

North Berwick

go

Door to door: About 40–60 min

East Coast Buses X5/124/X24 along the coast road, or train from Musselburgh

Beach, North Berwick Law and Bass Rock views; buses run every 30–60 min daily.

Dunbar

go

Door to door: About 30–50 min

Train from Musselburgh every couple of hours, or bus via Haddington

Harbour and cliffs; most Edinburgh–Newcastle trains pass through without stopping.

South Queensferry

caution

Door to door: About 1 h 15 min

Train to Edinburgh, then ScotRail to Dalmeny

Forth bridges; a long half-day from here, easier from central Edinburgh.

Linlithgow

caution

Door to door: About 1 h 15 min

Train to Edinburgh Waverley, then Edinburgh–Glasgow line

Palace and loch; do it as a day from Edinburgh rather than from Musselburgh.

Penicuik

caution

Door to door: About 1 h

East Coast Bus 140 via Roslin and Loanhead

Useful mainly for Rosslyn Chapel at Roslin.

Livingston

skip

Door to door: About 1 h 30 min

Bus or train into Edinburgh, then onward

Shopping and commuter country; no reason to route a trip through it.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Town centre / High Street

Guesthouses and pubs on both sides of the River Esk; walkable to the racecourse and the station is half a mile south.

Newcraighall / Fort Kinnaird

Budget chain hotels and a Park & Ride station on the Borders Railway; 3 miles west, best if you have a car.

Carberry / east of town

Mansion hotel and a campsite with glamping pods; you need a car for both.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
£45–70 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
Mid
£70–120 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
High
£120 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Guesthouse double (B&B)1 × 1 night × £100£100
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £85£170
Lothian Buses day ticket, one day2 × £5 · check£10
Train Musselburgh to Edinburgh Waverley, return2 × £7 · check£14
eSIM, about a week of data2 × £8£16
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge£31
Trip total≈ £171 per person per day, bed included£341≈ US$500

2026 estimate in pounds; travel to and from Edinburgh excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
Pub main course£10–16 (≈ US$14–25)
Ice cream at Luca's£2–4 (≈ US$3–6)
Guesthouse double, B&B£60–160 (≈ US$80–250)
Round of golf, midweek / weekendcheck current rates with each club£70–100 (≈ US$95–140) / £85–150 (≈ US$120–200)
Newhailes House guided tour, adultNTS/NT members free; grounds free£12 (≈ US$16)
Inveresk Lodge Garden, adultNTS/NT members free£3.50 (≈ US$5)
Bus fare within Edinburgh and Musselburghcheck£2 (≈ US$3) flat

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

A low-risk commuter town; the real issues are dark unlit paths by the river and coast after nightfall, race-day crowding, and cold wet weather any month. Standard UK advice applies: 999 or 112 in an emergency.
  • Musselburgh station is unstaffed, has ticket machines, no toilets, and is half a mile from the centre.
  • Long-distance coaches do not stop here: change in Edinburgh.
  • The Brunton theatre closed in 2025 after its concrete was found unsafe; performances moved to other venues, so check before booking.
  • Race-day traffic and parking around Linkfield Road are heavy; use the train to Wallyford or walk.

Emergency numbers

NHS non-urgent
111
Police non-urgent
101

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

MusselburghMusselburgh

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • NHS non-urgent111
  • Police non-urgent101

Embassy

No embassies in Musselburgh; the US consulate-general and most others are in Edinburgh.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Train Musselburgh → Edinburgh Waverley: about £3.50 (≈ US$5) single, 6 min, hourly (check)
  • Lothian Buses 15/26/30/44 to Edinburgh: flat £2 (≈ US$3) single, about 30–45 min (check)
  • Taxi across town: about £6–10 (≈ US$8–14) (check)

Say or show

  • Single to Edinburgh, please — Single to Edinburgh, please
  • Where is the racecourse entrance? — Where is the racecourse entrance?
  • Is there a bus to North Berwick? — Is there a bus to North Berwick?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?

Musselburgh station is unstaffed: buy at the machine or on the app before boarding.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Musselburgh. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Apr–Oct · avoid Nov–Mar (racecourse switches to jumps, cold and dark early) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 7 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for EDI: last Skylink 400 and train connections field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
  2. Walking clusters with anchors: High Street and Roman Bridge, Fisherrow and the harbour, racecourse and Old Links, Inveresk and Newhailes.
  3. Place pages with verified opening hours (Musselburgh Museum, Newhailes House, Inveresk Lodge Garden) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Race-day fixture calendar so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to United Kingdom

Sources