Edinburgh Airport to City Center by Tram or Airlink 100 Bus
Compare Edinburgh Trams (£7.50 / 30 min) and Lothian Airlink 100 express buses (£5.50 / 25 min) to Princes Street and Edinburgh Waverley Station.
- ✓Edinburgh Trams depart every 7 minutes, connecting Edinburgh Airport to Princes Street and St Andrew Square in 30–35 minutes (£7.50 single / £9.50 open return).
- ✓The Lothian Airlink 100 express bus operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, delivering passengers steps from Waverley Station for £5.50 single (£8.00 open return).
- ✓Both trams and buses accept contactless credit cards, debit cards, and Apple or Google Pay, eliminating any need for paper tickets.
Touching down at Edinburgh Airport (EDI), the dramatic basalt crags of Arthur’s Seat and the medieval spires of the Old Town await just 12 kilometers (8 miles) to the east.
As Scotland’s busiest aviation hub, Edinburgh Airport boasts one of the most streamlined, reliable ground transit networks in the United Kingdom.
Stepping out of the single-terminal arrivals hall, travelers face two premier public transit options: the smooth, rail-guided Edinburgh Trams or the iconic blue-and-white Lothian Airlink 100 express double-decker bus.
Both options drop you directly along Princes Street within 30 minutes, but subtle differences in pricing, luggage handling, nighttime schedules, and ticket validation rules make each suited to different traveler needs.
Edinburgh Airport Transit Overview
| Transit Option | City Center Stops | Travel Time | Fare (2026 Single / Return) | Frequency | Operating Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh Trams | Haymarket, Princes Street, St Andrew Square, Newhaven | 30–35 mins | £7.50 / £9.50 | Every 7 mins | 06:18 – 22:48 |
| Lothian Airlink 100 Bus | Haymarket, West End, South St David St (Waverley) | 25–30 mins | £5.50 / £8.00 | Every 10 mins | 24 Hours / 365 Days |
| Bright Bus Airport Express | Shandwick Place, Princes Street, Waterloo Place | 30 mins | £4.50 / £7.00 | Every 10–15 mins | 05:00 – 00:00 |
| Official Black Cab / Uber | Door-to-door anywhere in Edinburgh | 20–25 mins | £25.00 – £35.00 | On demand | 24/7 at East Terminus |
Edinburgh Trams: Smooth Rail Travel to Princes Street and Leith
The modern Edinburgh Tram system connects the airport directly through the western suburbs to the heart of the city center and onward to the seaside port of Leith and Newhaven.
Key advantages include dedicated tracks that glide past traffic congestion along the A8 Corstorphine Road during morning and evening rush hours. The low-floor vehicles provide step-free boarding, wide aisles, and expansive central bays designed for oversized luggage, strollers, and golf bags. Departures run every 7 minutes throughout the day.
Fares and Platform Validation Requirements
- Single tickets cost £7.50 within the airport fare zone.
- Open return tickets cost £9.50 with 12 months return validity.
- The Family DayTripper pass costs £25.00 for up to 2 adults and 3 children.
[!WARNING] The Platform Validation Rule: Edinburgh Tram stops operate without physical barrier turnstiles. You MUST tap your contactless credit or debit card, phone, or digital ticket at the platform validator BEFORE stepping onto the tram. Ticket conductors patrol cars continuously; riding without a platform tap incurs an automatic £10.00 standard on-board penalty fare.
Airlink 100 Express Bus: Cost-Effective 24-Hour Route to Waverley
Operated by municipal carrier Lothian Buses, the dedicated blue double-decker Airlink 100 provides an exceptional budget route directly into downtown Edinburgh:
Tickets cost £5.50 single or £8.00 return, saving £2.00 over the tram for single journeys. When arriving late at night after tram operations finish at 22:48, Airlink runs continuously throughout the night every 15 to 30 minutes.
The route terminates at South St David Street, providing immediate access to the Waverley Steps into Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station for onward train connections across Scotland and England. Taking an upper-deck front seat also offers expansive views over Murrayfield Stadium and the Old Town skyline.
Official Black Cabs and Private Hire Vehicles
The official airport taxi rank is situated on the ground floor of the multi-storey car park opposite the terminal building.
Licensed Edinburgh black cabs accommodate up to 5 or 6 passengers with spacious wheelchair-accessible interiors. Metered journeys to central hotels typically cost £25 to £35 depending on traffic. Uber operates legally in Edinburgh, picking up passengers at the designated zone on the ground floor of the multi-storey car park for roughly £22 to £30.
Step-by-Step Route: Terminal to Princes Street
Edinburgh Trams: EDI Airport to Princes Street / St Andrew Square
Exit Terminal to Tram Plaza
Pedestrian WalkwayAfter baggage claim and customs, exit through the main terminal doors. Follow the illuminated tram signs along the covered walkway directly toward the outdoor tram terminus platform.
Tap Contactless Card at Platform Validator
Edinburgh TramsStep up to the platform card reader or ticket vending machine. Tap your physical credit card or smartphone to validate your single or return fare before stepping onto the train.
Ride to Princes Street or St Andrew Square
Edinburgh Trams (Line 1)Board any waiting tram. Enjoy free onboard Wi-Fi and audio stop announcements. Disembark at 'Princes Street' (for Old Town/Castle access) or 'St Andrew Square' (for Waverley Station and New Town).
Recommended Hotels Near Waverley Station
The Balmoral & Market Street Hotel (Waverley)
📍 Steps from Princes Street, Waverley Station & tram terminus
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Choosing Between the Tram, Bus, and Taxi
- Take Edinburgh Trams (£7.50 / 30 mins) IF: You arrive during weekday peak rush hours, have multiple large wheeled suitcases or strollers, or are staying along Princes Street or in Leith.
- Take the Airlink 100 Bus (£5.50 / 25–30 mins) IF: You arrive late at night (past 22:48), want the best value, need direct access to train connections at Waverley Station, or want double-decker scenic views.
- Take an Official Black Cab (£25–£35) IF: You are a group of 3 or 4 travelers with heavy luggage, or are traveling to a remote accommodation away from the central tram and bus corridor.
Continuing your travels through Britain or across the Irish Sea? Check our route breakdowns for London Heathrow to Central London and Dublin Airport to City Center.