Major city · United Kingdom
Tranent
Skip as a base: Tranent is a commuter town 9 miles east of Edinburgh. Come for the Prestonpans battlefield and the coast walk on a half-day from the city.
Tranent is the largest of a string of East Lothian villages along the coast, 9 miles east of Edinburgh, population about 20,700. It has almost no accommodation and few sights of its own; the reasons to come are the 1745 Battle of Prestonpans, the industrial heritage at Prestongrange and the John Muir Way coast path. Most visitors arrive by bus from Edinburgh and sleep in the city.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (short days, cold, wet)
- Airport
- EDI
- Nights
- 0–1
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 ▾
In this guide
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Tranent999 ▾
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 Tranent, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyTranent is a quiet commuter town and generally feels safe, but no place is risk-free: keep to lit streets at night and watch your bag on buses.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police, fire, ambulance · 101 police non-urgent · 111 NHS non-urgent
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportEDI Edinburgh Airport (Tram or bus to Edinburgh city centre, then East Coast Bus 104 or 113 to Tranent; roughly 1 h 30 min door to door).
- Getting aroundEast Coast Bus 104 runs every 30 min from Edinburgh via Musselburgh and Wallyford to Tranent and Haddington…
Cost cheat-sheet
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£12–18 (≈ US$16–25)
- BeerDraught beer, pint£4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8)
- Metro or bus rideBus, Edinburgh to Tranent, single£3–4 (≈ US$4–6)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week£8–15 (≈ US$11–20)
- Museum or sight ticketSeton Collegiate Church entry, adult£6 (≈ US$8)
- Budget bedHostel or bunkhouse bed, a night, per person£25 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedB&B double room, a night, per room£100 (≈ US$140)
- High-end bedB&B double room, a night, per room£140 (≈ US$190)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £40 (≈ US$55) · Mid £80 (≈ US$110) · High £140 (≈ US$190)
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.
- Airports
- EDI Edinburgh Airport (Tram or bus to Edinburgh city centre, then East Coast Bus 104 or 113 to Tranent; roughly 1 h 30 min door to door)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jun
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Aug
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Sep
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Oct
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Nov
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Jan (18 rain days), driest Jun (13). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Tranent: 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)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
18 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
14 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
16 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
14 rd
May
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
14 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
13 rd
Jul
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
14 rd
Aug
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
15 rd
Sep
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
15 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
17 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
17 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
17 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
East Coast Bus 104 runs every 30 min from Edinburgh via Musselburgh and Wallyford to Tranent and Haddington; bus 113 goes to Ormiston and Pencaitland; Lothian Bus 26 runs every 30 min to Edinburgh via Prestonpans and Musselburgh. Night buses N106, N113 and N26 serve the area after midnight. Prestonpans is the nearest railway station, 1½ miles northwest, with hourly trains to Edinburgh and North Berwick. A car helps for the coast and the distilleries; the A1 is the main road and bicycles are not allowed on it, so cyclists use the old route, now 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: About 45–60 min
East Coast Bus 104 or 113, or Lothian Bus 26, from Tranent to Edinburgh
Arthur's Seat is visible from Tranent; the bus drops you near the centre.
Door to door: About 20–30 min by bus
Bus 104 or 113 west, or the John Muir Way coast path on foot
Racecourse, lagoons and a short coast walk.
Door to door: About 45–60 min
East Coast Bus 124/X24 along the coast via Prestonpans and Gullane, or train from Prestonpans
The coast improves greatly east of Aberlady.
Door to door: About 1 h 15 min
Bus 106 to Haddington, then change for Dunbar
Requires a change at Haddington; check connections.
Door to door: About 1 h 30 min
Bus or train via Edinburgh
No direct service; change in Edinburgh.
Door to door: About 1 h 30 min
Train from Prestonpans to Edinburgh, then onward
A long half-day; better done from Edinburgh.
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.
Tranent village
Almost no visitor accommodation; a few pubs and takeaways, no hotels of note. Not a practical base.
Port Seton and Seton Sands
Coastal, 2 miles north. A B&B and a Haven holiday park with caravans and pitches; the only realistic place to sleep in the area.
Musselburgh or Edinburgh
Better value and more choice; 20–40 min by bus or train. Most visitors sleep here and visit Tranent as a half-day.
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
- Budget
- £40–70 (≈ US$55–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- £70–120 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
- High
- £120 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| B&B double room1 × 1 night × £100 | £100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £80 | £160 |
| East Coast Bus 104, Edinburgh to Tranent, both ways2 × £8 | £16 |
| Train, Prestonpans to Edinburgh, both ways2 × £10 | £20 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £10 | £20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £32 |
| Trip total≈ £174 per person per day, bed included | £348≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in pounds; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | £3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pub main course | £12–18 (≈ US$16–25) |
| Draught beer, pint | £4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Bus, Edinburgh to Tranent, single | £3–4 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Train, Prestonpans to Edinburgh, single | £4–5 (≈ US$6–7) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | £8–15 (≈ US$11–20) |
| Seton Collegiate Church entry, adult | £6 (≈ US$8) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Tranent Tower is unsafe and closed to entry; Fa'side Castle and Seton Castle are private and cannot be visited.
- The beach between Prestonpans and Seton Sands is muddy at low tide; the coast path is the better option.
- Bicycles are not allowed on the A1; use the A199 instead.
- Mobile signal is patchy in the lanes south of the village.
- Prestonpans station has no toilets and only hourly trains; check times before you rely on it.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 999
- Police non-urgent
- 101
- NHS non-urgent
- 111
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
TranentTranent
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance999
- Police non-urgent101
- NHS non-urgent111
Embassy
No embassies in Tranent; the US consulate-general and most others are in Edinburgh.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Edinburgh → Tranent, East Coast 104: about £3–4 (≈ US$4–6) single, about 45–60 min
- Train Prestonpans → Edinburgh: about £4–5 (≈ US$6–7) single, hourly
- Taxi Tranent → Prestonpans station: £8–12 (≈ US$11–16)
English is the everyday language here; no phrase list is needed.
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 Tranent. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (short days, cold, wet) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for EDI: last tram and bus departures field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Tranent village, Prestonpans, Port Seton and Seton Sands, Prestongrange.
- Place pages with verified opening hours (Prestongrange Museum, Battle of Prestonpans Museum, Seton Collegiate Church) and eat pages with last orders.
- Coast-path fixtures for the John Muir Way so gates A–D can go green.