Edinburgh Airport (EDI) EDI: Departure times and transfers

Flying from/to Edinburgh Airport

Find out the best way to get from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre by doing some research in advance. Should you take a train, bus or a tram from the airport to and from the city centre? Our guide to Edinburgh Airport and the facilities mean you can find your way around the terminal upon arriving and plan the rest of your trip—whether its for a short weekend or a little longer.

Travel from Edinburgh city center to Edinburgh Airport

Edinburgh Airport is Scotland's busiest hub for domestic and international flights. Extended and modernized, the terminal provides a wide range of shopping and dining facilities, as well as meeting most of the requirements of business travelers. The airport is particularly well-served by public transport. Passengers can take frequent connections from downtown Edinburgh by bus, tram or train, with most journeys taking around 30 minutes to reach the airport. Traveling by tram allows passengers to buy a day pass, which also gives access to all of the city's bus routes, a handy option for travelers who want a quicker way of getting around on the city's notoriously steep streets. 

What's the best way to get to the airport from the city center?

Public transport from Edinburgh city center to Edinburgh Airport offers frequent, inexpensive and relatively quick services. Edinburgh city trams depart from several stops in the city center and are less subject to traffic hold-ups than the Airlink express buses which depart from stops on Waverley Bridge close to the rail station. Some local bus routes provide slower services to Edinburgh Airport but are convenient for connections from some of the city's suburbs. The fastest option is a combination of a train from Edinburgh Waverley Station to Edinburgh Gateway Station, connecting with tram services for the short transfer to the terminal. Taxis are more expensive and, as they are subject to traffic conditions, unlikely to be quicker.  

How far is it from the city center to the airport?

Edinburgh Airport is located about 7.5 miles (12 kilometers) west of the city center. Trams, with their own dedicated route, usually complete the trip in 30-35 minutes. Express buses and taxis can reach the terminal in a similar time most of the day, but may be delayed by traffic conditions on the A8 Corstorphine Road westbound, particularly in the morning and late afternoon. Fife Circle trains from Edinburgh Waverley take about ten minutes to reach Edinburgh Gateway Station, and from there trams take another five minutes to reach the departures terminal.   

What facilities are there at the airport?

The airport has long and short stay parking lots close to the departures hall. There is step-free access to the terminal, and lift services for access to departures. Restaurant facilities include several dining options before and after security, including an upscale seafood bar, fast food outlets, chain coffee shops and pubs serving an international menu. Travelers wishing to buy food to take on board their flight can use a convenience store and a pharmacy offering sandwiches and soft drinks. Shops include duty free and electronics outlets along with specialty Scotch whisky stands for travelers looking for a local souvenir. Services include currency exchange bureaux, business lounges and free WiFi.  

How accessible is the route for those with limited mobility?

Edinburgh trams are 100% wheelchair accessible and local trains have step-free access, meaning these options or a taxi provide the most accessible forms of transport for travel to Edinburgh Airport. Most express buses also have platform lowering facilities to make the vehicles accessible but this is not always the case, and some local Edinburgh bus routes may lack this feature. At the airport, the mobility assistance reception area is located at the domestic arrivals entrance opposite the bus stop. Lifts are available to departures, and assistance is provided within the airport as far as the gate, where airlines take over. Car parks all have Blue Badge spaces.  

Local tips: how to travel to the airport like a local

The arrival of the tram network has revolutionized travel to and from Edinburgh Airport, offering frequent connections that are inexpensive and not quite as vulnerable to traffic snarl-ups. Trams also have dedicated luggage racks, offering plenty of space for vacationers who prefer not to travel light. Buying return tickets or city-wide day tickets offers a notable saving on two singles. Airlink express buses are a convenient option late at night, with the 24 hour service offering handy links to the airport. For that desperate last-minute rush to catch a flight, the train and tram combination to Edinburgh Airport will usually be quicker than a taxi.