Edinburgh Airport

With over 14 million passengers a year, Edinburgh Airport is Scotland’s most important international airport and one of the busiest airports of the United Kingdom.

Airport History

The current airport substituted the Turnhouse Aerodrome, an air defence base built in 1915 and used during World War I and World War II. After the end of the Second World War, the runway was extended and the first terminal for commercial use was built.

Since Edinburgh has become such a popular city in recent years, Edinburgh Airport is being expanded and modernised in various stages. In 2005 a new control tower was inaugurated and the terminal building is also being enlarged.

How to get to Edinburgh City from the Airport

The easiest and most hassle-free ways to get to the city centre from the airport are the following:

Airlink (service 100) express bus

The Airlink bus (service 100) runs between the airport and the city centre, reaching Waverley Bridge railway station in 25 minutes. A single adult ticket costs £ 5.50 (US$ 7.10) and an open return is £ 8 (US$ 10.30). A child ticket is £ 2.50 (US$ 3.20) for a single and £ 4 (US$ 5.10) for a return. The route to and from the airport runs 24 hours a day every 10 minutes approximately.

• For more information, check out the Lothian bus official website. 

Buses 35 and N22

The Lothian bus number 35 also connects Ocean Terminal with the airport but stops at local destinations during the ride. Bus number 35 runs during the day and costs £ 1.50 (US$ 1.90) while the N22 operates at night at a cost of £ 3 (US$ 3.90).

Tram Services

Edinburgh Trams runs between the airport and the new part of the city, stopping at Prices Street. The cost of a single ticket is £ 7 (US$ 9) (£ 3.50 (US$ 4.50) for children aged 5-15), and a return ticket is £ 9.50 (US$ 12.20) (£ 4.80 (US$ 6.20) for children). The trip takes 40 minutes and the tram runs every 10-15 minutes from 6 am to 11 pm.

Airport Transfer Service

If you book a private airport transfer service, the chauffeur will be waiting for you at the arrival terminal with a sign with your name on it. This is the fastest and most comfortable way of getting to your hotel. You can book a four-passenger car for just £ 40 (US$ 51.40) or an eight-seater for £ 45 (US$ 57.80). You can book your transfer from the airport to your hotel via the following link.

Taxi

A taxi can be a good option for passengers staying near the airport or for a large group. The black taxis (cabs) in Edinburgh accept up to 5 passengers and the price to the city centre is between £ 25 (US$ 32.10) and £ 40 (US$ 51.40).