Part of our Edinburgh Airport to Leith, the Lothians, Fife and Perthshire guide
Quick answer
Portobello and Musselburgh are on the opposite side of Edinburgh from the airport, so public transport means a change in the city centre and about an hour. A pre-booked car takes the city bypass instead: Musselburgh is about 16.6 miles by road, roughly 22 minutes in light traffic. RTransfer gives one fixed price per car (minimum £48 in a saloon), tracks your flight and waits 60 minutes free.
Options compared
| Option | Time | Changes |
|---|---|---|
| Airlink 100 or tram, then bus 26 | About 35 min to Princes Street, plus the bus | 1 |
| Train via Edinburgh Gateway and Waverley (Musselburgh) | About 1 hr 4 min | 1–2 |
| RTransfer private car | About 22 min to Musselburgh in light traffic | None, door to door |
By bus and tram
The Airlink 100 bus (24 hours) and the tram both run from outside the terminal to Princes Street in about 35 minutes. For Portobello, change to the number 26 bus (N26 at night). It works for one person with a small bag, but with suitcases and children the change in the city centre is the hard part.
By car: around the city, not through it
A car avoids the centre and uses the city bypass, which is why it is so much quicker to the east side. With RTransfer you get:
- One fixed price per car, quoted before you book (saloon minimum £48; see all prices).
- Your driver in arrivals with a name board, flight tracking and 60 minutes' free waiting.
- Estates and people carriers for buckets, spades and prams: family transfers.
Beach holidays and longer stays
Portobello's promenade and holiday homes suit families on week-long stays. See where to stay in Portobello. Musselburgh is handy for the racecourse and the East Lothian coast; for golf further along, read Edinburgh Airport to North Berwick.
Times are typical by car and longer at rush hour. RTransfer prices are per vehicle, not per person. Routes outside the city centre get one fixed quote before you book; the minimum fare is £48 in a saloon. Returns booked together save 10%.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Edinburgh Airport to Portobello by public transport?
Take the Airlink 100 bus or the tram to Princes Street (about 35 minutes), then the number 26 bus to Portobello.
How far is Musselburgh from Edinburgh Airport?
About 16.6 miles by road, roughly 22 minutes by car in light traffic.
Is there a fixed price taxi from Edinburgh Airport to Portobello?
Yes. RTransfer quotes one fixed price per car before you book, from £48 in a saloon, including flight tracking and 60 minutes' free waiting.
Sources
Facts, fares and timetables checked 29 October 2026. They change, so check with the operator before you travel.