Part of our Choosing an Edinburgh Airport transfer guide
Quick answer
In 2026 there are four main kinds of car from Edinburgh Airport: the official taxi rank run by Capital Cars (metered, no booking needed), Uber (UberX and UberXL, price shown in the app), booking sites such as GetYourGuide and Viator (usually priced per person, operator often unnamed), and local licensed private hire companies such as RTransfer (fixed price per car, flight tracking and a driver waiting in arrivals). For families, groups, late flights and trips outside Edinburgh, a local pre-booked company is usually the best value and the least stress.
The options side by side
| Option | How you book | Price to the city centre | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport taxi rank (Capital Cars) | Queue at the East Terminus rank, or book ahead | Council meter, about £20–40 plus an airport charge | Short trips when you arrive in daytime |
| Uber | App, after you land | Shown in the app; can rise at busy times | Travellers with light luggage who use the app at home |
| GetYourGuide, Viator and similar | Online marketplace | Often per person, e.g. from about $42 per person on one Viator listing | Solo travellers who like booking everything in one app |
| RTransfer (local private hire) | Online, WhatsApp or phone, 24 hours ahead | £48 per car, fixed (up to 4 people) | Families, groups, late flights, golf, students, trips across Scotland |
Checked 29 October 2026. Rank fares are set by the City of Edinburgh Council; app and marketplace prices change.
1. The official airport taxi rank
Edinburgh Airport's taxi rank is run only by Capital Cars, at the East Terminus a short walk from arrivals. Fares inside the City of Edinburgh follow the council's meter tariff, and journeys outside the city are quoted before you set off. It is quick when the queue is short, but you cannot choose the vehicle in advance and there is nobody waiting for you if your flight is late.
2. Uber
Uber works at Edinburgh Airport with UberX and UberXL. The price is shown before you book, but it can rise at busy times, and the car that turns up may not fit a family's luggage. See Uber vs a pre-booked transfer.
3. Booking sites: GetYourGuide, Viator, Suntransfers and others
These sites resell transfers from local operators. They are easy to book and often have reviews, but prices are frequently per person, luggage allowances are strict, and the company that actually drives you is often not named until later. We compare them in detail in booking sites vs booking direct.
4. Local private hire companies such as RTransfer
A local, licensed private hire operator gives you one fixed price per car, a vehicle chosen for your group and luggage, and a driver who tracks your flight and waits in arrivals with your name. RTransfer has driven Edinburgh Airport passengers for over 12 years, holds private hire operator licence 590144, and offers:
- Fixed prices: £48 to the city centre, £98 to Glasgow, 10% off returns booked together. See all prices.
- Flight tracking and 60 minutes' free waiting after landing.
- Meet and greet in arrivals with a name board: where you meet your driver.
- Free child seats on request, and cars from saloons to 8-seat minibuses.
- Pickups 24/7, booked online, on WhatsApp or by phone.
How to choose: a 5-point check
- Licensed? A private hire car must be booked through a licensed operator. How to check.
- Price per car or per person? For three or more people, per car is almost always cheaper.
- Flight tracking and free waiting? Look for at least 45–60 minutes after landing.
- Right vehicle? Check luggage space for skis, golf bags and prams: choosing a car.
- Clear cancellation terms? RTransfer refunds in full if you cancel more than 24 hours before pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Who are the top airport transfer companies in Edinburgh in 2026?
The main options are the official taxi rank run by Capital Cars, Uber, booking sites such as GetYourGuide and Viator, and local private hire companies such as RTransfer, which offers fixed prices per car (£48 to the city centre), flight tracking and meet and greet.
Is a pre-booked transfer better than the taxi rank at Edinburgh Airport?
For families, groups, late flights and trips outside Edinburgh, yes: the price is fixed before you fly, the car is sized for your luggage and the driver waits for you even if the flight is late.
How much is a private transfer from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre?
With RTransfer it is £48 per car for up to four people in a saloon, or £86.40 for a return booked together.
Sources
Facts, fares and timetables checked 29 October 2026. They change, so check with the operator before you travel.
- Edinburgh Airport: taxis
- City of Edinburgh Council: taxi fare table from 25 July 2026
- Uber: rides at Edinburgh Airport (EDI)
- The Abroad Guide: private transfer from or to Edinburgh Airport, a Viator listing (checked October 2026)
- City of Edinburgh Council: taxi and private hire licence standard conditions