Edinburgh Airport (EDI) sits about 12 km west of the city centre and is served by two competing public transport options that both do the job well: the Edinburgh Trams line into the city and the Airlink 100 express bus. Both are fast and frequent; the choice between them often comes down to where in the city you are heading and how much luggage you are carrying. A taxi adds the door-to-door option, and there is a good road network for hire cars.
Edinburgh Trams: the city's light rail link
The Edinburgh Trams run directly from the airport to York Place in the city's New Town, with stops along the way at Edinburgh Gateway (where it connects with Scotrail trains), Haymarket station, and the eastern end of Princes Street. The full journey from the airport to York Place takes about 35–40 minutes.
Trams run every 7–10 minutes at peak times, dropping to roughly every 12–15 minutes off-peak. The service operates from around 06:00 to midnight, with reduced frequency after 22:00. It is accessible, with level boarding and space for pushchairs, cycles and luggage.
Tickets are bought from machines at every tram stop before boarding — there is no ticket sales on board. A single fare from the airport to any city stop is fixed regardless of the specific stop you choose within the central section, and returns offer a discount over two singles. Contactless card payment is accepted at the machines.
The tram is the clearest choice if you are heading to Haymarket, Princes Street, St Andrew Square or York Place, as these are all served directly. For the Old Town, Grassmarket or the Royal Mile, you will need a short bus or taxi connection from the tram stops.
Airlink 100: the express bus
The Airlink 100, operated by Lothian Buses, runs from the airport to Waverley Bridge in the heart of the Old Town, via Haymarket. Journey time is 25–30 minutes in light traffic, which can feel quicker than the tram, but is susceptible to congestion on the city's western approaches during rush hour.
The Airlink 100 runs around the clock — it is the only airport transport that operates 24 hours a day, making it the default option for overnight arrivals and very early-morning departures. Frequency is high during the day (every 10 minutes or so) and reduced but maintained overnight.
Tickets can be purchased on board with cash or contactless, or via the Lothian Buses app. The single fare is competitive with the tram. Waverley Bridge is a useful stop: it is immediately adjacent to Edinburgh Waverley station for onward trains, and within easy walking distance of the Royal Mile, Grassmarket and most Old Town hotels. For travellers staying in the Old Town, the Airlink often wins on convenience even if the tram can beat it on time.
Airporter to Edinburgh City Centre and Fife
The Edinburgh Airporter (operated by City Link) offers an additional coach service to the city, with different routing and stops including Waverley Bridge and continuing beyond Edinburgh to destinations in Fife. It is most useful for travellers heading north of the city rather than staying in central Edinburgh itself.
Taxi and private hire
Taxis (black cabs) queue at the official rank outside arrivals. The metered fare to most city centre destinations is typically £20–£30, with the journey taking 20–30 minutes depending on traffic. Edinburgh taxis are metered and regulated; always use the official rank rather than accepting offers from private drivers in the terminal. Black cabs can take up to five passengers.
Pre-booked private hire vehicles (Uber, Bolt and local firms) are available at the airport. Uber and Bolt tend to offer upfront pricing; collection points are indicated in the apps. For a group of four or five, sharing a taxi or ride-hail can come close to the per-person tram fare while delivering door-to-door convenience.
Hire car and driving
All the major hire car companies have desks inside the terminal. Edinburgh city centre is straightforward to reach on the A8 road and the M8/A720 city bypass depending on your final destination. However, driving in central Edinburgh is increasingly restricted — the city has introduced a low emission zone and parking is expensive and limited in the Old Town and New Town. If you are hiring a car purely to get from the airport to a central hotel, the economics rarely stack up against the tram or bus.
A hire car makes far more sense if you are planning to drive onwards into the Scottish Highlands, the Cairngorms, or to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs — destinations where public transport is significantly less frequent. See also our guide to travelling between London and Edinburgh if you are planning a journey between the two cities.
Edinburgh Gateway: the rail interchange
The tram stops at Edinburgh Gateway, where you can transfer to Scotrail trains. Edinburgh Gateway is on the Scotrail lines towards Fife (via the Forth Bridge) and towards Livingston and Bathgate. If your hotel is in one of those directions or you are continuing to St Andrews, the Gateway connection saves you travelling into the city centre and back out again.
Which option should you choose?
Both the tram and the Airlink 100 are excellent — use the tram if you are heading to Haymarket or Princes Street / St Andrew Square, and the Airlink 100 if you are heading to Waverley station or the Old Town. For overnight arrivals, the Airlink is the only 24-hour option. A taxi earns its place for groups with luggage or if your hotel is off the main transport spine. Hire a car only if you plan to drive onward into rural Scotland the same day.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the tram from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre take?
About 35–40 minutes to York Place at the far end of the line, or around 25 minutes to Haymarket. Trams run every 7–15 minutes depending on time of day.
Does the Airlink 100 run all night?
Yes. The Airlink 100 operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, making it the only airport transport that covers late-night and early-morning arrivals and departures.
Is the Edinburgh tram or bus faster from the airport?
In practice, speeds are similar. The bus can be faster to Waverley in light traffic; the tram is unaffected by road congestion. At peak hours, the tram's advantage grows.
Can I buy a tram ticket on board?
No. Tram tickets must be bought from the machines at the tram stop before boarding. Contactless payment is accepted. Bus tickets can be bought on board.
Sources and further reading:
- Edinburgh Trams routes, fares and timetables: edinburghtrams.com.
- Airlink 100: Lothian Buses (lothianbuses.com).
- Edinburgh Airporter (City Link): citylink.co.uk.
- Airport taxi rank and transport: Edinburgh Airport (edinburghairport.com).
- Onward Scottish rail connections: Scotrail (scotrail.co.uk).