As the capital ofScotland, Edinburgh is a destination that can be reached by various means of transport, whether or not you’re traveling through the UK. We take a look at the most practical options for getting to Edinburgh, depending on your travel preferences.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
How to get to Edinburgh: quick answer
To reach Edinburgh, your main arrival points are:
- Edinburgh Airport, just 13km from the city center, with direct flights to over 150 destinations worldwide,
- Waverley Station, right in the center of town,
- While the port of Leith (3km from the capital) only welcomes cruise ships and freighters, you can take the ferry to the Port of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, a 2h45-minute drive from Edinburgh,
- Edinburgh Bus Station, near St Andrew Square, right in the city center.
Here’s a map of Scotland to help you locate Edinburgh:
WHERE TO STAY IN Edinburgh
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
Our selection is coming soon Hotel 1 – See prices, photos and availability
Our selection is coming soon Hotel 1 – See prices, photos and availability
Our selection is coming soon Hotel 1 – See prices, photos and availability
See our complete selection of the best hotels in Edinburgh (coming soon)
Option 1: by plane
- Edinburgh is easily accessible by air, with its international airport located around 13 km west of the city center.
- Many airlines offer direct flights from cities in the UK, Europe and beyond.
- It’s possible to find cheaper flights to Glasgow. If you do, don’t forget that both cities are an hour’s train journey apart.
- More info here
- Once there, you can reach the center by streetcar (approx. 30min), Airlink 100 bus (25min) or by cab or VTC, which are faster but more expensive.
RENT YOUR CAR IN Scotland
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that’s not too wide, as some roads have only one lane.
- Book early for choice.
See our tips (coming soon)
Option 2: by train
- The train is a comfortable and convenient option for reaching the Scottish capital.
- Edinburgh is well connected, with direct flights from many of the UK’s major cities.
- The journey from London to Kings Cross takes around 4h30.
- The main station, Edinburgh Waverley, is ideally located in the heart of the city, close to major attractions and well connected to local transport.
- More info here
Option 3: by bus
- Getting to Edinburgh by bus is a more economical option, but much longer than by train or plane.
- National Express, Megabus and Scottish Citylink provide regular services from major UK cities.
- From London, the journey takes around 9 to 10 hours and 1h15 from Glasgow.
- Buses arrive at Edinburgh Bus Station, just off St Andrew Square in the city center.
discover edinburgh
- What to do in Edinburgh (coming soon)
- Best hotels (coming soon)
- Best restaurants (coming soon)
Option 4: by ferry
If you’re not in a hurry, traveling by boat as it was in the early 20th century can be very pleasant. Unfortunately, the Port of Leith, just 3km from the center of Edinburgh, doesn’t accept ferries. We have therefore selected 2 options:
- Via Newcastle-upon-Tyne from Amsterdam, in which case it’s a 2.5-hour drive to Edinburgh.
- Pass through Dover from Calais, but you’ll have to cross the whole of Great Britain to reach Scotland.
- More info here
PLAN YOUR DREAM TRIP AROUND scotland
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- 15 maps for easy planning
- + 170 pre-selected locations
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Option 5: by car
Travelling to Edinburgh by car is the option that lets you travel at your own pace and explore the Scottish countryside. The city is well connected to the UK’s main roads.
- From London, approximately 7 to 8 hours’ drive
- From Glasgow, about 1h15
Please note that Edinburgh city center has few free parking spaces. We recommend that you use the Park& Ride facilities on the outskirts of the city and reach the center by bus or streetcar.
For our trip, we chose to fly in and visit Edinburgh on foot and by public transport if necessary. We then hired a car to explore the surrounding area.
RENT YOUR CAR IN Scotland
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that’s not too wide, as some roads have only one lane.
- Book early for choice.
See our tips (coming soon)
Getting around Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s compact city center is easy to explore on foot, although some streets are steep. You can also get around:
- by bus
- by tramway
- by cab or VTC (more expensive)
- by bike
- by bus “Hop on Hop Off
