Quick answer
From Edinburgh Airport, public transport is cheapest for one person travelling light: the Airlink 100 bus costs £6 and runs 24 hours, and the tram costs £7.90 and runs until about 11pm. A taxi or private transfer is quicker door to door and better value for groups, families, heavy luggage, late flights and destinations outside Edinburgh.
Edinburgh city centre: every option compared
| Option | Cost | Time | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airlink 100 bus | £6 per adult | About 30 min to Waverley Bridge | 24 hours |
| Tram | £7.90 per adult | About 35 min to the centre | Until about 11pm |
| Taxi from the rank | About £20–40 per car + airport charge | 25–40 min, door to door | 24 hours |
| RTransfer private transfer | £48 per car, fixed | 25–40 min, door to door | 24 hours, pre-booked |
Fares checked October 2026.
The group maths
Bus and tram fares are per person; a car is per vehicle. For four adults, the Airlink 100 costs £24 and the tram £31.60 one way, plus the walk or second journey from the stop to your accommodation. A fixed £48 transfer takes all four to the door, and a return booked together brings it down to £43.20 each way.
When public transport is the better choice
- You are travelling alone or as a couple with light bags.
- Your hotel is close to a tram stop or Waverley Bridge.
- You arrive in daytime, when services are frequent.
- You are on a tight budget and happy to carry your luggage.
When a taxi or transfer is the better choice
- Families and groups, where a car costs less per person than you might think.
- Heavy or bulky luggage: skis, golf bags, prams, a term's worth of student bags.
- Late arrivals: trams stop around 11pm, and after a delayed flight you want to go straight to bed.
- Old Town hotels up steep closes far from the stops.
- Destinations beyond Edinburgh with changes on public transport, such as St Andrews.
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There is no railway station at the airport. To Glasgow, the Citylink AIR 900 coach is direct, but trains mean a tram to Edinburgh Park and a change. To St Andrews, public transport means a tram or bus, a train to Leuchars and the 99 bus, about 2 to 2½ hours. To Dundee and Stirling there are direct coaches, but not to your door.
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Rank taxi or pre-booked transfer?
If you do choose a car, there are two ways: a metered taxi from the East Terminus rank, or a pre-booked transfer at a fixed price with a driver waiting in arrivals. A short off-peak rank trip can be cheaper; a pre-booked car gives certainty, no queue, and a vehicle sized for your group.
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What about hiring a car?
If you are staying in Edinburgh, you rarely need a car: the centre is compact and walkable, parking is limited and expensive, and there is a Low Emission Zone. Hire a car for the days you tour the rest of Scotland, and take a transfer for the airport run.
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Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to get a taxi or the tram from Edinburgh Airport?
For one person the tram (£7.90) or Airlink 100 bus (£6) is cheaper. For three or four people sharing, a fixed £48 transfer to the door costs about the same as the tram per person.
Does the Edinburgh Airport tram run all night?
No. Trams run until about 11pm. The Airlink 100 bus runs 24 hours.
What is the fastest way from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre?
A taxi or private transfer is quickest door to door, at 25 to 40 minutes depending on traffic.