Part of our Meet and greet at Edinburgh Airport guide
Quick answer
With an RTransfer meet & greet, your driver waits in the arrivals hall holding a name board and messages you on WhatsApp when you land. Other pickups happen in three places: the charged pick-up zone on the ground floor of the multi-storey car park, the free zone about a 10-minute walk away, or the taxi rank at the East Terminus.
Meet & greet in arrivals
This is the easiest option after a long flight. Your driver tracks your flight, so they know when you have landed. They wait in the arrivals hall with your name on a board, message you on WhatsApp so you can find each other, and help with your bags all the way to the car.
With RTransfer, meet & greet is part of the service, and waiting is free for the first 60 minutes after landing to cover passport control and baggage reclaim.
The pick-up and drop-off zones
Edinburgh Airport has three places where friends, family and drivers can collect you:
- Quick-stop zone: on the ground floor of the multi-storey car park, nearest the terminal. It is charged and designed for short stops.
- 1 Hour Parking: in the terminal car park, for anyone who needs longer than about 10 minutes.
- Free pick-up and drop-off: about a 10-minute walk from the terminal, with the first 30 minutes free. There is no shuttle bus, so allow time if you have heavy bags.
All the airport car parks have been cashless since July 2025.
The taxi rank
Taxis and on-demand private hire cars wait at the East Terminus, just across the plaza from the terminal. Fares are metered at Edinburgh council rates, plus an airport charge. Read how much a taxi from Edinburgh Airport costs.
Tips for a smooth pickup
- Give your flight number when you book, so your driver can follow delays without you calling.
- Turn your phone on when you land and look for a WhatsApp message from your driver.
- Message after baggage reclaim if you are travelling without meet & greet, so your driver can time their arrival at the pick-up zone.
- Save your driver's number before you fly in case you have no data roaming.
Frequently asked questions
Where do private hire drivers pick up at Edinburgh Airport?
Meet & greet drivers wait in the arrivals hall. Otherwise, pickups are in the multi-storey car park zones, the free zone a short walk away, or at the East Terminus for taxis.
Is there a free pick-up area at Edinburgh Airport?
Yes. The free pick-up and drop-off area is about a 10-minute walk from the terminal and gives 30 minutes free. There is no shuttle bus.
Where is the taxi rank at Edinburgh Airport?
At the East Terminus, just across the plaza from the main terminal building.
How long will my driver wait?
With RTransfer, waiting is free for 60 minutes after your flight lands. For hotel and home pickups, it is free for 15 minutes. After that, extra waiting may be charged at £1 per minute.
Sources
Facts, fares and timetables checked 25 October 2026. They change, so check with the operator before you travel.