Travel Information

By Air

Edinburgh Airport is eight miles from the city centre.  Travel into the city takes 25 minutes with the Airlink bus or tram service.

By Rail

Edinburgh is easily accessible throughout the UK by rail. London is about 4.5 hours via train.

Two major stations,  Edinburgh Waverley and Edinburgh Haymarket, are located in the city centre and connect to major cities including York, Manchester, and New Castle. 

Rail options are offered by the following providers: 

  • LNER (formerly Virgin Trains East Coast) -  Passengers can depart from London King's Cross and travel up the east coast via Peterborough, York and Newcastle to Edinburgh.
  • Avanti West Coast -  A direct service from Birmingham to Edinburgh is available.  In addition, passengers can travel along the west coast from London Euston via Crewe, Preston and Carlisle up to Edinburgh. Overnight sleeper services from London Euston are also available.
  • Lumo – A relatively new option for budget train travel from major UK hubs to Edinburgh. 
  • CrossCountry - Link Cardiff, Paignton, Penzance, Bournemouth and Brighton with Edinburgh via Birmingham.
  • First TransPennine Express - Operates direct services to Edinburgh from Manchester Airport via Manchester, Preston, Lancaster, Oxenholme Lake District and Carlisle.
By Bus

Scottish Citylink connects Edinburgh to  Aberdeen, Perth, Glasgow, Dundee and Inverness. 

Megabus and National Express also connect with major cities across the UK, including London.

Getting Around

Edinburgh is a perfect walking city and you can reach most attractions in the centre on foot.

In the old town, walking the cobbled streets makes for an amazing experience.  There is something for everyone to explore around every corner including luxury shopping, international dining options, and Scottish pubs in the city's 250-year-old New Town. 

In addition, visitors can walk between the Old and New Town, which is also one of two UNESCO Heritage sites. 

Edinburgh offers a great bus system that allows you to get anywhere in the city 24-hours a day.  The two main providers are Lothian Buses or First Group. You can utilize their apps to plan your trip, purchase a ticket, and access your bus. 

The Edinburgh tram provides airport transportation every 15 minutes from the square while stopping at Murrayfield Stadium, Haymarket Station and Princes Street along the way.