Getting Here
Whether you decide to travel by Plane, Train or Automobile, getting yourself to Edinburgh couldn’t be easier.
By Air
With direct flights to Edinburgh International Airport from over 85 international airports, including New York, Amsterdam and Frankfurt, as well as 30 UK airports, it’s easy to fly to Edinburgh. Getting to and from the airport is no hassle either, with a regular airport bus link. Taxis are also widely available at the airport and cost around £15 to the city centre.
By Bus
With regular coach services to Edinburgh from all major UK cities, getting here by bus could be quicker than you might think. National Express and Mega Bus link Edinburgh to cities across the UK, while Scottish Citylink and Stagecoach make travelling to Edinburgh from towns and cities in Scotland simple and easy.
By Train
A little over four hours by rail from London, Edinburgh is easily reached by train. Edinburgh Waverley, in the heart of the city centre, is the second-largest station in the UK and handles almost 20 million passengers each year.
East Coast rail operates regularly between London King's Cross and Edinburgh Waverley, and there is also the Caledonian Express sleeper service between Edinburgh Waverley and London Euston. From elsewhere in England, you can get here via the west coast main line with Virgin Trains, or the east coast main line with Arriva Cross Country. If you’re travelling to Edinburgh from destinations within Scotland, check out services from First Scotrail.
National Rail Enquiries has all the info you’ll need on train times, ticket prices and routes, while The Trainline.com has lots of great ticket offers.
By Car
If you’re planning on driving to Edinburgh, you can get help with directions, journey times, rest stops and more with The AA Route Planner or the RAC Route Planner.
If you’re still not sure what works best for you in terms of transport, you could always try the Traveline journey planner – it’s a great resource and can help with all your travel needs.
Getting Around
On Foot
Thanks to its compact nature, Edinburgh’s easy to navigate on foot, and it’s probably the best way to discover the city. Plus, it’s also the greenest way to get around town too! Why not try the Walkit journey planner to help plan your route?
By Bus
Edinburgh is home to an extensive bus network, with routes stretching all over the city and beyond. Check out Lothian Buses and First Buses for full details. If you have an Android phone or an iPhone, then you can download a free Bustracker app which lets you check routes and will even tell you when the next bus is due!
Download BusTracker for iPhone/iPod (EdinBus)
Download BusTracker for Android (My Bus Edinburgh)
If you’re new to the city, a great way to get your bearings and see some of the city’s many sights is to take a ride on one of the city bus tours which depart from just outside Waverley Station.
By Taxi
Getting a taxi in Edinburgh is relatively easy, although during peak periods, you might not always be able to get one right away. You can flag them down in the street, or pick one up at one of the many taxi ranks throughout the city. Major local firms include Central Taxis and City Cabs should you wish to book direct.
By Car
If you’re looking to hire a car during your stay, then this list of car rental firms in Edinburgh should prove useful. Alternatively, member of the City Car Club have access to dozens of vehicles sited across the city.
Click here for a comprehensive run-down of where you can park around the city. You can also find real-time parking and traffic info here
For Hogmanay
The party organisers, together with the City of Edinburgh Council, have confirmed that free travel on the city’s bus networks operated by Lothian Buses will run from 12.15am to 4.00am on the morning of January 1st. Open to anyone out enjoying Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party, Concert in the Gardens or The Keilidh.
