Getting to Edinburgh

Visitors bound for Edinburgh have several options for transportation. Visitors from overseas can arrive by air, with a great deal of Edinburgh's international transportation routed through London. The road networks are in good condition, and given the beautiful scenery available, some visitors opt to hire a car and make the journey here from London themselves. Two rail stations operate in Edinburgh with regular service to London and Glasgow. Buses are also a viable option, though considerably less comfortable than any of the other means of transportation.

By car

Edinburgh is easily reached by car, and the only call for caution on the Scottish roadways is the occasional precarious hill and the abundant one-way streets. To reach Edinburgh from Glasgow, take the M9 west; the M8 runs southwest from Edinburgh; and the A729 accesses the suburbs to the south of Edinburgh. The A7 takes drivers all the way to England.

By rail

Haymarket Station and Edinburgh Waverly Station (located at the city's centre) are the two main rail stations that serve Edinburgh. Express services from the airport run to both of these stations, from where passengers can book travel to other destinations in the UK. There are two rail lines bound for London, one via Glasgow. Passage to London takes approximately 4 hour, 30 minutes.

By bus

Edinburgh is a popular stop on the national UK bus network. The majority of the city's long-distance coach services begin and terminate at the bus station located in St Andrew Square. Bus travel can be booked to all major destinations in the UK, with National Express being the main provider.

By air

Edinburgh International Airport is located 10 miles to the west of the city and primarily handles domestic service to other UK destinations. The majority of international passengers bound for Edinburgh must first connect through London; however, there are a few scheduled international flights to and from Edinburgh. A dedicated airport shuttle bus transports passengers from the airport to the city centre. Taxis are also on hand along with car hire firms. There is no rail service on-site at Edinburgh Airport. The airport is well equipped for international travel, offering bureaux de change, an information desk and several ATMs.

Edinburgh Airport

Edinburgh Airport is a single-terminal facility divided into two levels. The Arrivals area is housed on the ground floor and Departures is on the first floor along with the airports shopping facilities. The majority of flights are to UK destinations, with a few flights bound for Greater European destinations and a limited number to destinations farther afield. Several duty-free shopping outlets operate in the airport, and visitors will find plenty of dining and drinking establishments on hand. Any specific questions can be directed to the airport information desk which is located in Zone D in the International Arrivals Hall.

Edinburgh airport transportation

Ground transportation from the airport to the city consists primarily of shuttle buses and taxis. The airport runs the Airlink Express service 100, which operates on an alternating 15-minute schedule, transporting passengers to and from the city centre. It is also possible to use the Lothian Bus 35 to travel to the city centre, though this service is slower and less convenient.

While there is no rail service available from the airport, bus number 100 can drop passengers off at both of Edinburgh's train stations. In addition to taxis, car hire is another viable means of securing a ride from the airport to the city centre and beyond.