Edinburgh Travel Guide - Flights, Trains and Buses - Suggested Itineraries
Getting around - other related articles in this section > Travel and Flights > Car HireThough not all roads lead to Edinburgh there are still plenty of ways to get to, and around, the capital city of Scotland. No matter if you travel by plane, train or automobile, your Edinburgh travel plans should be the least of your worries.
Flights to Edinburgh
Consider a budget airline when making your Edinburgh travel plans; the popular ones such as easyJet, Flybe, EUjet and Ryanair fly there on a daily basis. British Airways and British Midland are the major airlines to offer frequent service.
If you're looking for inexpensive tickets, online travel sites offer instant price comparisons. Travel agents are also a good resource for questions regarding your Edinburgh travel. Ticket prices increase in summer along with tourism and the Edinburgh International Festival takes place in August, so book your flights well ahead of time to avoid overpaying.
Edinburgh International Airport handles all Edinburgh travel by air. Located seven miles west of the city, the airport can be contacted at 0870 040 0007 or www.baa.com.
To get to and from the city:
An express bus (No 100) runs to the city centre every 10 minutes; the journey lasts 25 to 30 minutes. Buses stop at stand 18 outside the UK arrivals hall. Tickets cost £3 for a single and £5 for a return and can be bought in the international and UK arrival halls or on the bus.
Taxis queue at the rank outside the UK arrivals hall. The trip to Edinburgh takes approximately 25 to 30 minutes; fares depend on the route. Many taxis are wheelchair accessible; call Executive Onward Travel at 0131 333 2255 for more information.Edinburgh by Bus
Buses run regularly to Edinburgh's St Andrew Square bus station from a number of cities in the UK. Buses from London depart from Victoria station; the trip takes anywhere from nine to eleven hours. Tickets typically start around £24; book through National Express (www.nationalexpress.com) or Scottish Citylink (www.citylink.co.uk).
Buses provide easy Edinburgh travel when your feet get tired. The two main companies are Lothian Buses, which offers day tickets for £1.80, and First Group. Visit them at www.lothianbuses.co.uk and www.firstgroup.com for more information.
Trains to Edinburgh
Taking the train from London provides a quicker, albeit more expensive, journey than riding the bus. Up to 20 trains leave London's King's Cross station every day for Waverley station; expect the trip to take between three and four hours. Ticket prices start at £50 depending on day of travel. Book your tickets through National Rail at www.nationalrail.co.uk or call 0 845 748 4950.
Getting around the city.
On foot
The best way to see Edinburgh is by foot. Small and compact, the city is perfect for jaunting through town with a guide book. Maps are available at the Tourist Information Centre located at 3 Princes Street. Call 0131 473 3800 for more information or visit www.edinburgh.org.
By bicycle
Cycling is another option for getting around Edinburgh. Biketrax Cyle Hire offers bikes for £10 per day; contact them at 0131 228 6633 or visit www.biketrax.co.uk.
Edinburgh - Weekend Breaks
