Edinburgh trams and buses: a practical guide for visitors
How do Edinburgh's trams and buses work?
The tram runs from the airport to Leith (via Princes Street) and is cashless. Lothian Buses cover the whole city for £1.80 per journey or £4.30 day ticket, also cashless. Both accept contactless cards — no coins or notes on board.
Public transport in Edinburgh: what visitors need to know
Edinburgh has two public transport systems that visitors use: the Edinburgh tram line and the Lothian Buses network. They are operated by separate companies, require separate tickets, and serve different purposes. Understanding the difference saves both money and confusion.
The single most important practical point: neither the trams nor Lothian Buses accept cash on board. Both systems are cashless — you must use a contactless bank card, mobile payment (Apple Pay, Google Pay), or a pre-paid smart card. This is different from most other UK cities and regularly catches visitors off guard.
The Edinburgh tram line
Edinburgh’s tram line runs west to east, from Edinburgh Airport through the city centre to Newhaven (the waterfront in Leith). It is a single-track route with no branching — one line, one direction.
Key stops for visitors (west to east):
- Edinburgh Airport
- Edinburgh Gateway (interchange with ScotRail; not useful for tourists)
- Gogarburn / Bankhead (outer suburbs, not tourist relevant)
- Ingliston Park and Ride (for Royal Highland Show in June)
- Edinburgh Park (business district)
- Murrayfield Stadium (for rugby internationals)
- Haymarket (connection to Haymarket Station; useful for some hotels)
- West End/Princes Street (Shandwick Place area)
- Princes Street (near St Andrew Square; main city centre stop)
- St Andrew Square (top of Leith Walk; use for Leith connections)
- York Place (end of George Street area)
- Picardy Place
- Baxter’s Place
- Scotland Yard/Leith Walk
- McDonald Road
- Pilrig
- Tram/Foot of Leith Walk
- Newhaven (the northern terminus; Royal Yacht Britannia is a short walk from here)
Fares (2026 approximate): The fare depends on the distance:
- Airport to city centre (1 zone): £5.50 single, £9 return
- City centre to Newhaven (within city): approximately £1.80 single
Tram tickets are bought from the machines on the platform before boarding, or through the Edinburgh Trams app. Contactless card payment works at the machines. There are no ticket offices — you must use the machine or app.
When the tram is useful for visitors:
- Airport connections: the tram is the best way to arrive from or depart to the airport
- Getting from the city centre to Leith/Newhaven without a bus interchange
- Accessing Haymarket Station for westbound train connections
When the tram is less useful:
- Within the Old Town or New Town (walking is faster between most points)
- Reaching Stockbridge, Portobello, or the Southside (buses are better)
Lothian Buses
Lothian Buses operates the city-wide bus network covering virtually every neighbourhood in Edinburgh and beyond. It is the day-to-day transport for Edinburgh residents and the most versatile option for visitors who want to go beyond the immediate city centre.
Fares (2026 approximate):
- Single journey: £1.80 (regardless of distance within the city fare zone)
- Day ticket: £4.30 (unlimited Lothian Buses travel all day)
- Night bus journeys: £1.80 at the same standard rate
Buying tickets: Lothian Buses are cashless — contactless card or phone payment only. You cannot pay with coins or notes. Options:
- Contactless bank card at the reader beside the driver
- Mobile payment (Apple Pay, Google Pay)
- Lothian Buses app (allows pre-purchase of day tickets and multi-day passes)
- Pre-loaded Ridacard (weekly/monthly passes for frequent users)
The day ticket is excellent value if you are making more than three bus journeys in a day — it covers the full Lothian Buses network including the airport Airlink 100 bus.
Key routes for visitors:
Route 100 (Airlink): Airport to Waverley Bridge via Haymarket. The main airport bus, operating 24 hours. Cost: separate from a standard day ticket — the Airlink route (100) requires a separate ticket at £4.50 single or is included in certain travel passes.
Route 6, 19, 41, 42: Various routes along the length of the Royal Mile area toward the Southside. Useful for Newington, the Meadows, and the University area.
Route 16: Princes Street to Leith (Pilrig/Newhaven). Runs frequently and is a good Leith connection.
Route 22: Princes Street to Ocean Terminal in Leith (near the Royal Yacht Britannia, but note the Tram/Newhaven stop is also close). One of the most used visitor routes.
Route 35: Waverley/Princes Street toward Leith via Easter Road.
Route 26: Princes Street to Portobello. The seaside suburb, approximately 35 minutes from the city centre.
Route 36, 47: Routes connecting the city centre to North Berwick (with National Express) and other East Lothian services.
Note: service numbers and routes can change. Always check the Lothian Buses website or Google Maps for current routing before travel.
Night buses: Lothian Buses runs night services on weekend nights. Most major routes operate throughout Friday and Saturday nights at reduced frequency (approximately every 20-30 minutes). Fares are the same as daytime.
Multi-day passes
For visitors staying three or more days and planning to use buses regularly, a weekly Ridacard may be worth calculating. A Ridacard is a reloadable smart card allowing unlimited Lothian Buses travel; weekly prices for adults in 2026 are approximately £21 for city zones.
For shorter stays, the day ticket (£4.30) is almost always more practical.
The Edinburgh Trams and Lothian Buses do not share a single integrated ticket — they are separate companies. Some combined offers exist (the tram day ticket covers in-city tram journeys; the Airlink bus is a separate charge from standard Lothian day tickets). Check both operators’ websites for the most current combined offers.
Getting to specific destinations by public transport
Edinburgh Castle: The castle is at the top of the Royal Mile. The most practical approach is to walk (15-20 minutes from Waverley). City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off buses stop at the castle esplanade. Lothian Buses do not have a stop immediately at the castle — the nearest is on George IV Bridge (routes 23, 27, 41, 42, 45).
Leith and the Royal Yacht Britannia: Lothian Bus 16 or 22 from Princes Street takes 20-25 minutes. The tram to Newhaven is a similarly short walk to the Royal Yacht Britannia. Ocean Terminal is the nearest shopping centre for the Yacht’s visitor centre.
Portobello beach: Lothian Bus 26 from Princes Street, approximately 35 minutes.
Stockbridge: A 20-minute walk from the city centre, or buses 24, 29, 42 from George Street. The walk through the New Town is enjoyable in good weather.
Rosslyn Chapel: The closest bus from Edinburgh centre is the Lothian service (route 37) from St Andrew Square to Penicuik, alighting at Roslin village. The chapel is a 10-minute walk from the bus stop. Journey approximately 35-40 minutes. Organised day tours also go to Rosslyn from Johnston Terrace.
Stirling: No local bus from Edinburgh; ScotRail train from Waverley to Stirling is 55 minutes. Alternatively, guided day tours operate from Edinburgh.
Practical tips for bus and tram travel
No change given: Lothian Buses fares are exact-fare machines with no change dispensed and no cash accepted. The tram machines at platform level give change from card payments. Contactless card is always the simplest approach.
Validate when boarding: On buses, tap your card at the reader beside the driver. The machine beeps and shows the fare deducted. Keep your card ready as you approach the driver.
Tram platform tickets: Buy or validate before boarding the tram — there are no conductors on board to collect fares.
Bus stops: Most Edinburgh bus stops show the route number, destination, and a real-time next arrival display. The Lothian Buses app also has a live tracker showing bus positions and estimated arrival times.
Accessibility: All Lothian Buses are low-floor buses with wheelchair and pushchair spaces. The trams are fully accessible. Waverley Station has lifts.
Night safety: Edinburgh city centre is generally safe late at night. Night buses are used regularly by locals returning from evenings out. The main busy nightlife areas (Cowgate, Grassmarket) can be noisy late on Friday and Saturday nights, but violence against tourists is rare.
Frequently asked questions about Edinburgh trams and buses
Can I pay cash on Edinburgh buses?
No. Lothian Buses are entirely cashless. You must use a contactless bank or credit card, a mobile payment (Apple Pay, Google Pay), or a pre-purchased ticket through the Lothian Buses app. There are no ticket machines at bus stops. This is the most common source of confusion for visitors arriving from other UK or European cities where cash bus payment is still available.
What is the difference between the tram and the Airlink bus?
The tram and Airlink 100 bus both connect Edinburgh Airport to the city centre, but they are different services. The tram costs £5.50 (single) and terminates at York Place/Princes Street, is immune to road traffic, and runs every 8-12 minutes. The Airlink bus costs £4.50 (single), terminates at Waverley Bridge (more useful for train connections), runs 24 hours, and is subject to traffic delays. See the airport to city centre guide for full details.
How much is a day ticket for Edinburgh buses?
A Lothian Buses day ticket costs approximately £4.30 in 2026. It allows unlimited travel on all Lothian Buses routes (including city routes and most suburban routes) throughout the day. Note: it does not cover the Edinburgh trams or the Airlink 100 airport service, which have separate pricing.
Do I need a separate ticket for the tram and the bus?
Yes. Edinburgh Trams and Lothian Buses are separate companies with separate ticketing. A Lothian Buses day ticket does not cover tram travel and vice versa. You pay separately for each mode.
What is the tram frequency from Edinburgh Airport?
The tram runs every 8-10 minutes during peak hours and approximately every 12 minutes off-peak. Wait times are typically under 12 minutes. The tram runs from approximately 6:15am to 12:15am.
Are there buses from Edinburgh to the Highlands?
Scottish Citylink operates intercity coaches from Edinburgh St Andrew Square bus station to Inverness, Perth, Fort William, Portree (Skye), and other Highland destinations. These are separate from Lothian Buses. Journey times: Edinburgh to Inverness approximately 3 hours, Edinburgh to Fort William approximately 3.5 hours. The cheapest tickets must be booked in advance online.
