Travelling around Edinburgh is remarkably straightforward, thanks to its comprehensive and user-friendly public transport system, complemented by the city’s walkability.
Explore Edinburgh on Foot
Edinburgh is ideally suited for exploration on foot, with the majority of central attractions within easy walking distance.
In the historic Old Town, wandering through the ancient cobbled streets is an integral part of the Edinburgh experience. Every corner reveals something new, from historic closes to charming shops. Alternatively, the 250-year-old New Town offers a contrasting experience with its elegant Georgian architecture, high-end shopping, international restaurants, and traditional Scottish pubs.
The seamless transition between the Old and New Towns, collectively recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, is quick and easily achieved on foot, allowing visitors to fully appreciate the city’s unique urban landscape.
Edinburgh’s Extensive Bus Network
Lothian Bus, a key part of Edinburgh public transport, at a bus stop in the city.
An exceptional bus service operated primarily by Lothian Buses ensures smooth transportation for both residents and tourists across Edinburgh, operating throughout the day and night. This includes a dependable 24-hour service connecting to Edinburgh Airport, making late-night or early-morning travel stress-free. For journeys within Edinburgh, Lothian Buses (http://lothianbuses.com/) is the main operator. First Group (http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/scotland_east/) serves areas further afield, which might be relevant for those travelling to Edinburgh from surrounding regions.
Lothian Buses: Your City-Wide Connector
Lothian Buses forms the backbone of Edinburgh’s public transport, offering an extensive network that reaches every corner of the city, 24/7. Purchasing tickets is designed for convenience; simply board any bus and tap your contactless card for a hassle-free payment.
For an enhanced travel experience, downloading the Transport for Edinburgh (TFE) app (https://tfeapp.com/) is highly recommended. This comprehensive app simplifies journey planning, ticket purchasing, and ticket validation upon boarding, all at your fingertips.
For detailed information about bus services, ticket options, and fares, the Lothian Buses website (https://www.lothianbuses.com/fares-and-tickets/) provides all the necessary details.
Airport Bus Links: Airlink and Skylink
Airlink and Skylink bus services (https://www.lothianbuses.com/our-services/airport-buses/) provide frequent connections between the city centre and Edinburgh Airport (https://edinburgh.org/point-of-interest/edinburgh-airport/), with departures every 30 minutes. Airlink 100 operates from St Andrew Square, conveniently located just off Princes Street, while Skylink 200 and Skylink 400 serve Ocean Terminal in Leith and Fort Kinnaird respectively, expanding accessibility across the city.
Edinburgh Bus Tours: Sightseeing Made Easy
Edinburgh Bus Tours (https://edinburghtour.com/) present a comfortable and informative way to see the city’s main attractions. These open-top bus tours offer three distinct 75-minute routes, covering all key landmarks and allowing passengers to hop on and off at their leisure, ideal for tourists wanting a flexible sightseeing experience.
Edinburgh Trams: Modern City Travel
Edinburgh Tram on Princes Street with Edinburgh Castle in the background, showcasing modern public transport in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh Trams (https://edinburghtrams.com/) offer a smooth and modern mode of transport across the city. Trams run frequently, approximately every 7 minutes, connecting Edinburgh Airport (https://edinburgh.org/point-of-interest/edinburgh-airport/) to Newhaven in the north, with 23 stops along the route. Key stops include Ingliston Park and Ride, Murrayfield Stadium, Haymarket Station, St Andrew Square, and Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre in Leith, providing access to various important locations and transport hubs.
Accessibility is a priority on Edinburgh Trams. Each tram includes two dedicated spaces for wheelchairs and mobility scooters, clearly visible handrails, and passenger alert buttons with Braille signage for passengers with visual impairments.
Tickets must be purchased before boarding. Options include ticket machines located at tram platforms, the Edinburgh Trams website, or through the convenient Transport for Edinburgh app (https://tfeapp.com/).
Taxis: Readily Available City Cabs
Edinburgh boasts a large fleet of over 1000 black cabs, easily identifiable and available for immediate hire. Taxis can be hailed directly on the street or found at designated taxi ranks throughout the city centre. Major hotels typically have taxi clusters waiting nearby for fares, ensuring ease of access for visitors. Notable taxi ranks are located on Market Street, South St Andrew Street, and Lothian Road. A lit taxi sign indicates availability for hire.
Accessibility and Capacity
Most Edinburgh taxis can accommodate up to 5 passengers and are designed to be wheelchair accessible. However, it is important to note that a small number of drivers have medical exemptions from carrying wheelchair users, which will be indicated by a wheelchair exemption certificate displayed within the taxi.
Leading Taxi Companies
Two primary licensed black cab taxi companies operate in Edinburgh:
Central Taxis (http://taxis-edinburgh.co.uk https://edinburgh.org/point-of-interest/central-taxis/) is a major taxi service provider in Edinburgh. Taxis can be hailed on the street or pre-booked by calling 0131 229 2468.
City Cabs (http://citycabs.co.uk) is another of Edinburgh’s prominent taxi companies. They offer both on-street hailing and pre-booking services via telephone at 0131 228 1211.
