Part of our Taxi transfers from Edinburgh Airport to popular destinations guide
Quick answer
Edinburgh Airport is about 8 miles west of the city centre. The Airlink 100 bus is the cheapest at £6 single and runs 24 hours. The tram costs £7.90 and takes about 35 minutes. A taxi or private transfer takes 25 to 40 minutes door to door, from about £20 metered or £48 fixed with RTransfer.
Compared side by side
| Option | Adult single | Time | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airlink 100 bus | £6.00 | About 30 min to Waverley Bridge | 24 hours |
| Tram | £7.90 | About 35 min to the centre | Early morning to about 11pm |
| Taxi from the rank | About £20–40 | 25–40 min, door to door | 24 hours |
| RTransfer private transfer | £48 per car | 25–40 min, door to door | 24 hours, pre-booked |
Fares checked October 2026. Bus and tram fares are per person; taxi and transfer prices are per vehicle.
Airlink 100 bus
Lothian's Airlink 100 is the cheapest option: £6 for an adult single or £8.50 return, with a family return at £22 for up to two adults and three children. It runs day and night, about every 10 minutes in the daytime, and stops at Waverley Bridge next to the main railway station.
Tram
Trams leave from right outside the terminal about every 7 minutes and stop across the city, including Haymarket, Princes Street and St Andrew Square, then on to Leith. A single costs £7.90 and the trip to the centre takes about 35 minutes. Buy and validate your ticket before you board. Trams stop running around 11pm.
Taxi from the rank
The official rank is at the East Terminus, a short walk across the plaza. The fare is metered at council rates plus an airport charge, and usually comes to £20 to £40 to the centre. Read our guide to Edinburgh Airport taxi prices for how it is worked out.
Private transfer
A pre-booked transfer is the easiest choice if you are arriving late, travelling as a family, or carrying a lot of luggage. Your driver tracks your flight and meets you in arrivals with a name board, so there is no queue and no hunting for a stop. The price is fixed before you fly: £48 per car to the city centre with RTransfer, or £86.40 for a return booked together.
For four people the bus costs £24 and the tram £31.60 in single fares, but you still need to get from the stop to your hotel. A private car takes everyone to the door.
Which should you choose?
- Travelling light on a budget: Airlink 100.
- Staying near Princes Street, the West End or Leith: tram.
- Families, groups, heavy bags or late flights: a pre-booked transfer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre?
The Airlink 100 bus, at £6 for an adult single or £8.50 return. It runs 24 hours.
How much is the tram from Edinburgh Airport?
An adult single from the airport costs £7.90 and the trip to the city centre takes about 35 minutes.
How far is Edinburgh Airport from the city centre?
About 8 miles, or 25 to 40 minutes by road depending on traffic.
Does the tram run all night?
No. Trams run from early morning until around 11pm. The Airlink 100 bus runs 24 hours.
Sources
Facts, fares and timetables checked 25 October 2026. They change, so check with the operator before you travel.