Part of our Edinburgh Airport taxi fares 2026 guide
Quick answer
A metered taxi from the Edinburgh Airport rank to the city centre usually costs £20 to £40, depending on the time of day and traffic, plus an airport pick-up charge. A pre-booked private transfer has a fixed price agreed in advance: with RTransfer it is £48 to the city centre and £98 to Glasgow, including waiting and meet & greet.
Taxi from the rank: how the fare is worked out
The official taxi rank is at the East Terminus, across the plaza from the terminal, and is run by Capital Cars. Fares inside Edinburgh are set by the City of Edinburgh Council, so every licensed taxi uses the same meter rates.
The council tariff in force from 25 July 2026 starts at:
- £3.60 when you get in on weekdays between 6am and 6pm (Tariff 1)
- £4.80 on weekday evenings, overnight and at weekends (Tariff 2)
- Higher tariffs over Christmas and New Year
The meter then adds a charge for every short distance travelled and for waiting time in traffic. On top of that, an airport charge applies to taxi trips that start or end in the airport's pick-up and drop-off zone. The airport sets that amount, not the council.
Local travel guides put a typical rank fare to the city centre at £20 to £40, taking 25 to 40 minutes.
Going outside Edinburgh
The meter only applies inside the City of Edinburgh. For journeys that end elsewhere, such as Glasgow, Fife or St Andrews, the fare must be agreed with the driver before the journey starts.
Rank taxi or pre-booked transfer?
| Taxi from the rank | RTransfer pre-booked | |
|---|---|---|
| Price to city centre | Metered, usually £20–40 + airport charge | £48 fixed, all in |
| Price to Glasgow | Agreed with the driver | £98 fixed |
| Flight delays | You queue when you land | Flight tracked, 60 min free waiting |
| Meeting point | East Terminus rank | Name board in arrivals |
| Vehicle | Next in the queue | Saloon, people carrier or minibus to suit your group |
| Return trip | Book separately | 10% off when booked together |
An off-peak rank taxi can be cheaper for a short trip. A pre-booked transfer costs a little more but gives you a known price, a driver waiting for you, room for your group and no queue, which matters most for late flights, families and anyone with heavy bags.
Our fixed prices
Edinburgh Airport to Edinburgh city centre is £48 one way in a saloon, or £86.40 for a return booked together. Edinburgh Airport to Glasgow is £98, or £176.40 return. For St Andrews, Dundee, Stirling and anywhere else, we send one fixed quote before you book. See all prices.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a taxi from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre?
A metered taxi usually costs £20 to £40 plus an airport charge, depending on time and traffic. A pre-booked RTransfer car is a fixed £48.
Are Edinburgh taxi fares fixed?
Inside Edinburgh, taxis use a meter set by the City of Edinburgh Council. Journeys ending outside the city must be agreed before you set off. Private transfers are fixed in advance.
Is there an extra charge for taxis at Edinburgh Airport?
Yes. An airport charge applies to taxi hires that start or end in the airport pick-up and drop-off zone. The amount is set by the airport.
Is it cheaper to pre-book an Edinburgh Airport taxi?
Not always for a short off-peak trip, but a pre-booked transfer gives a fixed price, meet & greet and free waiting, and is often better value for groups.
Sources
Facts, fares and timetables checked 25 October 2026. They change, so check with the operator before you travel.