Edinburgh Airport (EDI) to Edinburgh
The Airlink 100 bus to Waverley Bridge is the quickest cheap option at about 30 minutes. The tram is slightly slower and pricier but runs through the city to York Place.
Best for most people: Bus. Airlink 100 is frequent, cheap, has luggage space and stops right next to Waverley station and the Old Town.
All the options
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Hours | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| bus Airlink 100 express bus from outside the terminal to Waverley Bridge, via Haymarket | about 25–35 min | every 10–15 min | about £5–6 single, open return cheaper per trip | about 04:00–00:30; night bus N22 covers the rest | Pay by contactless on board, at the kiosk or in the Lothian app. |
| tram Edinburgh Trams from the airport stop to Haymarket, Princes Street, St Andrew Square and on to Leith/Newhaven | about 30–35 min to Princes Street | every 7–10 min | about £7–8 single from the airport | about 05:00–00:00 | Buy tickets from the machine at the stop or the app before boarding. |
| bus Night bus N22 (Lothian) towards the city centre and Leith | about 35–45 min | about every 30 min | about £4 | overnight | Useful for very late arrivals when Airlink runs less often. |
| taxi Official taxi rank outside the terminal | about 20–30 min | about £25–35 | 24 h | Ride-hailing pickups use a separate zone in the car park area. |
*Approximate 2026 prices and times. Services change: check the operator before you fly, especially for late arrivals.
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Tips
- Waverley Bridge is a steep walk from the Royal Mile; use a taxi from there if your hotel is uphill.
- Contactless works on Airlink and trams; tap the same card for each journey.
- If staying in the West End, get off at Haymarket.
- Traffic around the city bypass is heavy at rush hour; the tram avoids it.
Common questions
How much is a taxi from Edinburgh Airport?
About £25–35 to the city centre, taking 20–30 minutes. Use the official rank outside the terminal. Ride-hailing apps such as Uber operate too, picking up from a dedicated area. For one or two people with light luggage, the Airlink bus at about £5–6 is much cheaper.
Bus or tram to the city centre?
The Airlink 100 bus is cheaper and usually a few minutes faster to Waverley. The tram costs a little more, is smoother and avoids road traffic, and stops along Princes Street and St Andrew Square. Choose based on which stop is closest to your accommodation.
Is there transport at night?
Yes. Airlink runs from very early until after midnight, and the N22 night bus covers the hours in between. Trams stop around midnight. Taxis are available 24 hours at the rank outside the terminal.
Can I pay by card?
Yes. Airlink accepts contactless cards and phones on board, and tram tickets can be bought by card at the machines or in the app. Taxis generally accept cards as well, but it is worth confirming before you set off.
Compiled by TonyPlan from airport and transport-operator information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.