Airport Hubs:
EDI → Edinburgh City Centre (Princes Street & Waverley) Updated for 2026

How to Get from Edinburgh Airport (EDI) to Edinburgh City Centre (Princes Street)

Distance 12 km
Fastest 25 min
From £6.00 (~$7.80)
Top Pick Edinburgh Trams / Airlink 100 Express Bus
Quick 10-Second Verdict:

Edinburgh Airport (EDI) is located 12 km west of the city centre. Edinburgh Trams depart every 7-10 minutes from the terminal doorstep, reaching Princes Street and St Andrew Square in 30-35 minutes for £7.50 online / £7.90 at machine (open return £9.50). Alternatively, the Airlink 100 Express Bus runs 24/7 every 10 minutes to South St David Street (off Princes St) in 25-30 minutes for £6.00 (open return £8.50). Official black cabs and Uber cost £25 - £35.

Edinburgh Airport (EDI) is Scotland's busiest airport and the premier gateway to the historic capital, the Highlands, and Scotland's festival city. Transport into central Edinburgh (Princes Street, George Street, and Waverley Station) is exceptionally frequent, reliable, and scenic.

All Transfer Options Compared (2026 Fares)

Transport Option Typical Time 2026 Fare Frequency Best For Booking / Info
Edinburgh Trams Fastest
30–35 min
£7.50
~$9.75 / £7.50
 Every 7-10 min Travelers seeking a smooth, traffic-free ride directly to Princes Street or St Andrew Square See Boarding Steps ↓
Airlink 100 Express Bus (Lothian Buses) Cheapest
25–30 min
£6.00
~$7.80 / £6.00
 Every 10 min (24/7) Budget travelers, night arrivals, and quick trips to South St David St / Waverley See Boarding Steps ↓
Official Black Cab / Uber / Private Transfer Best Overall
20–30 min
£25 - 35
~$32 - $45 / £25 - £35
 Continuous queue Families, groups of 3-5, travelers with heavy luggage, and direct hotel drop-off Book Edinburgh Transfer

Detailed Step-by-Step Transfer Options

Option #1 Fastest

Edinburgh Trams

£7.50 ~$9.75 / £7.50
Travel time 30–35 min
Frequency Every 7-10 min
Operating hours 06:18 - 22:48 daily
Where to buy tickets At tram platform ticket vending machines or tap contactless card at platform validator.
Main advantage: Traffic-free dedicated rails; departs every 7-10 min; station right outside arrivals; smooth ride with luggage.
Keep in mind: Slightly more expensive than the bus (£7.50 single / £9.50 open return); does not run overnight.

Step-by-step from arrivals:

  1. Exit arrivals, turn left, and walk 50m along the covered walkway to the Tram terminal.
  2. Buy a ticket from the machine or tap your contactless payment card at the platform validator.
  3. Board the tram and take a seat; stowing luggage in designated racks.
  4. Enjoy the smooth ride past Murrayfield Stadium into central Edinburgh.
  5. Disembark at Princes Street or St Andrew Square.
Option #2 Cheapest

Airlink 100 Express Bus (Lothian Buses)

£6.00 ~$7.80 / £6.00
Travel time 25–30 min
Frequency Every 10 min (24/7)
Operating hours 24/7 continuous
Where to buy tickets Tap contactless payment card on board with driver or buy at Lothian bus kiosk.
Main advantage: Operates 24/7; only £6.00 single (£8.50 return); tap contactless card on board; free Wi-Fi & USB charging.
Keep in mind: Subject to morning and evening traffic congestion along Corstorphine Road.

Step-by-step from arrivals:

  1. Exit terminal arrivals and walk to Stance A outside.
  2. Board the bright blue double-decker Airlink 100 coach.
  3. Tap your contactless bank card on the card reader next to the driver.
  4. Stow large suitcases in the lower luggage racks and sit on either deck.
  5. Disembark at South St David Street (adjacent to Princes Street and Waverley Station).
Option #3 Best Overall

Official Black Cab / Uber / Private Transfer

£25 - 35 ~$32 - $45 / £25 - £35
Travel time 20–30 min
Frequency Continuous queue
Operating hours 24/7 continuous
Where to buy tickets Join the official taxi rank on the ground floor of the multi-storey car park opposite arrivals.
Main advantage: Doorstep hotel delivery; iconic spacious London-style black cabs; takes under 25 minutes off-peak.
Keep in mind: Higher cost; peak hour city centre traffic delays.

Step-by-step from arrivals:

  1. Follow the covered walkway to the East Terminus / multi-storey taxi facility.
  2. Board the next licensed black cab or order Uber to the designated ride-hailing pickup zone.
  3. Travel directly to your hotel address in Edinburgh.
Book Edinburgh Transfer
ARRIVAL CONNECTIVITY & RIDE-HAILING TIP

Need Mobile Data at the Terminal for Uber & Maps?

Airport Wi-Fi often drops outside the terminal curb where Uber pickup zones are located. Install a local eSIM before your flight so you can order a ride, translate station signs, and show digital train QR tickets immediately after landing.

Get United Kingdom eSIM on Airalo →Compare United Kingdom Airport eSIM on Klook →
STRESS-FREE DOOR-TO-DOOR OPTION

Prefer a Driver Waiting at Edinburgh (EDI) Arrivals?

Traveling with heavy suitcases, young children, or landing after midnight? Pre-book a fixed-price private airport transfer or express rail pass on Klook with instant confirmation and no meter haggling.

Check Edinburgh Transfers & Rail Passes on Klook →View Airport & City Hotels on Klook →

Tickets, Luggage & Late-Night Arrivals

How Tickets & Payments Work

For the tram, buy a ticket (£7.50 online / £7.90 machine) before boarding or tap your contactless bank card at the platform validator. For the Airlink 100 bus, simply tap your contactless credit/debit card on the driver's ticket reader upon boarding (Tap & Tap cap).

Traveling with Suitcases

Both Edinburgh Trams and Airlink 100 double-decker buses feature dedicated low-level luggage racks, CCTV security, and free onboard Wi-Fi.

Arriving After Midnight

The Airlink 100 bus operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, making it ideal for early morning departures or late-night arrivals when trams have stopped (trams run roughly 06:15 to 22:45).

Common Mistakes & Airport Scams to Avoid

  • Boarding an Edinburgh Tram without buying a ticket or tapping your card at the platform validator FIRST—you cannot buy tickets on board and penalty fares of £10 are strictly enforced.
  • Buying separate single tickets if returning within your trip—both tram and Airlink 100 offer open return tickets (£9.50 tram, £8.50 bus) that save substantial money.
  • Waiting in long black cab taxi queues during the August Edinburgh Fringe Festival—the tram station right outside arrivals avoids all festival traffic.
  • Edinburgh is exceptionally safe and licensed black cabs use strict meters. Remember that tram tickets (£7.50 single) MUST be validated or purchased before boarding—inspectors issue £50 standard penalty fares onboard if you board without tapping.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which is better: Edinburgh Tram or Airlink 100 bus?

Both are excellent. The Tram (£7.50, 30 min) is completely immune to street traffic, while the Airlink 100 bus (£5.50, 25-30 min) is cheaper and runs 24 hours a day.

How much is a taxi or Uber from Edinburgh Airport to city centre?

An official black cab or Uber typically costs £25 to £35 and takes about 20-30 minutes depending on traffic.