Major city · United Kingdom
South Queensferry
Go for half a day from Edinburgh: bridges, old High Street, Inchcolm boat in summer. Sleep here only if you want a quiet base near the airport.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (short days, wind and rain)
- 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.
South Queensferry is a small town on the Firth of Forth, 10 miles west of Edinburgh, where three bridges cross the water: the 1890 railway bridge, the 1964 road bridge and the 2017 Queensferry Crossing. The old town is a short waterfront street; most visitors come for a few hours, and the town works as a calm base only if you have a car or use the train at Dalmeny.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about South Queensferry, 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
- SafetyA quiet, low-crime town; the real risks are wind and slippery cobbles on the waterfront, tide and weather on the Forth…
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers111 NHS non-urgent · 101 police non-urgent (not 911, 999 or 000)
- 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 (About 3 miles away; Stagecoach bus 747 stops on the Forth Road Bridge above town, every 20 min daily).
- Getting aroundThe old town is walkable in 15 minutes end to end.
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£12–20 (≈ US$16–30)
- BeerPint of beer£5–6.50 (≈ US$7–9)
- Metro or bus rideBus Edinburgh to South Queensferry£2–3 (≈ US$3–4)
- Museum or sight ticketHopetoun House entryAdult £10.50 (≈ US$14), child £5.50 (≈ US$8), conc £9.50 (≈ US$13)
- Budget bedHostel or bunkhouse bed, a night, per person£25 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedPub or chain-hotel double room, a night, per room£110 (≈ US$150)
- High-end bedPub or chain-hotel double room, a night, per room£180 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £45 (≈ US$60) · Mid £85 (≈ US$120) · High £150 (≈ US$200)
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 →
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 (About 3 miles away; Stagecoach bus 747 stops on the Forth Road Bridge above town, every 20 min daily)
Weather and climate
South Queensferry: 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°C45°F
1°C34°F
13 rd
Feb
7°C45°F
1°C34°F
10 rd
Mar
9°C48°F
2°C36°F
11 rd
Apr
11°C52°F
4°C39°F
10 rd
May
14°C57°F
6°C43°F
10 rd
Jun
17°C63°F
9°C48°F
10 rd
Jul
19°C66°F
11°C52°F
10 rd
Aug
19°C66°F
11°C52°F
11 rd
Sep
16°C61°F
9°C48°F
10 rd
Oct
13°C55°F
6°C43°F
12 rd
Nov
9°C48°F
3°C37°F
12 rd
Dec
7°C45°F
1°C34°F
12 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The old town is walkable in 15 minutes end to end. Dalmeny station is 800 m uphill southeast; buses from Edinburgh stop in town or on the Forth Road Bridge, a 20-minute walk from the historic centre. Hopetoun House, Dalmeny House and Dundas Castle need a car, bike or taxi.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Edinburgh
goDoor to door: About 30–60 min
ScotRail from Dalmeny, four trains an hour, 15 min; or Lothian bus 43 from the centre, 45 min
Dalmeny is 800 m uphill from the old town.
North Queensferry and Dunfermline
goDoor to door: About 30–50 min
Train from Dalmeny over the Forth Bridge, then change at Inverkeithing
Deep Sea World at North Queensferry; Dunfermline has the abbey and palace.
Inchcolm Island
goDoor to door: Half day
Summer boat from the town slipway (Maid of the Forth and others)
Abbey, wartime fortifications and seals; sailings are seasonal, check times.
Linlithgow
goDoor to door: About 45–60 min
Train from Dalmeny via Edinburgh or Inverkeithing, or drive via A904/M9
Palace and loch; House of the Binns grounds are nearby but the house is closed.
North Berwick
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
Train from Dalmeny via Edinburgh Waverley
Real sand beaches; the Forth shore here is mud.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Old town waterfront (High Street, Newhalls Road)
Walk to the bridges, pubs and the Inchcolm slipway; few rooms, book ahead.
Ferrymuir / A904 retail park
Chain hotels with parking and quick A90/M90 access; 15–20 min walk to the old town.
Dalmeny station side
Quiet, 800 m uphill from the centre; best if you arrive by train from Edinburgh.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £45–70 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- £70–120 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
- High
- £120 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Pub or chain-hotel double room1 × 1 night × £110 | £110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £85 | £170 |
| Lothian bus 43 from Edinburgh, both ways2 × £4 | £8 |
| ScotRail Dalmeny to Edinburgh, both ways2 × £8 | £16 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £8 | £16 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £32 |
| Trip total≈ £176 per person per day, bed included | £352≈ 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 | £12–20 (≈ US$16–30) |
| Pint of beer | £5–6.50 (≈ US$7–9) |
| Fish and chips | £12–18 (≈ US$16–25) |
| Bus Edinburgh to South Queensferry | £2–3 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Train Dalmeny to Edinburgh Waverley | £3.50–5 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Hopetoun House entry | Adult £10.50 (≈ US$14), child £5.50 (≈ US$8), conc £9.50 (≈ US$13) |
| Dalmeny House guided tour | Adult £10 (≈ US$14), child £6.50 (≈ US$9), conc £9 (≈ US$12) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The Forth Road Bridge walkway is normally the east side; access can switch for maintenance, so follow signs at the steps and underpass.
- Queensferry Crossing has no walkway or cycle path: view it from the waterfront.
- Queensferry Museum is closed; check before planning around it.
- Hopetoun House and Dalmeny House open in season only (Dalmeny by guided tour, June–July).
- Inchcolm Island boats run in summer only; check sailing times and weather on the day.
- Cruise ships tender ashore at Hawes Pier; the High Street is a short uphill walk.
Emergency numbers
- NHS non-urgent
- 111
- Police non-urgent
- 101
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
South QueensferrySouth Queensferry
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- NHS non-urgent111
- Police non-urgent101
Embassy
No embassies in town; the US consulate-general is in Edinburgh, and most other countries keep embassies in London (check addresses).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus 43 Edinburgh St Andrew Square → South Queensferry: about 45 min, £2–3 (≈ US$3–4)
- Train Edinburgh Waverley → Dalmeny: 15 min, four an hour, £3.50–5 (≈ US$5–7)
- Taxi South Queensferry → Edinburgh Airport: about 15 min, £20–30 (≈ US$30–40)
Say or show
- Excuse me / Sorry — Excuse me / Sorry
- Thank you — Thank you
- Please — Please
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet?
English is the everyday language; a few Scots words appear on signs.
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 South Queensferry. 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, wind and rain) · 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
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 6 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for EDI: bus 747 stop on the Forth Road Bridge, taxi fallback, Dalmeny train rung.
- Three walking clusters with anchors: Hawes Pier and the rail bridge, the cobbled High Street, Port Edgar and the road bridge walkway.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Hopetoun House, Dalmeny House, Inchcolm sailings, Queensferry Museum status) and eat pages with last orders.
- Bridge-walkway and tender-day fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialVisitScotland — Edinburgh and the Lothians
- officialScotRail
- officialLothian Buses
- officialEdinburgh Airport
- officialForth Bridges visitor information
- officialHopetoun House
- secondaryWikivoyage: South Queensferry, revision 5264888 (CC BY-SA 4.0)