Getting around Edinburgh: transport options explained
Edinburgh: City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus tour
What is the best way to get around Edinburgh?
Walking is the best way to see Edinburgh's city centre — Old Town and New Town are within 20-30 minutes' walk of each other. Lothian Buses cover the whole city cheaply. Trams connect the airport to the centre. You do not need a car.
Edinburgh is built for walking
The most important thing to understand about getting around Edinburgh is that the city centre is small. The distance from Edinburgh Castle at one end of the Royal Mile to the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the other is approximately 1.6 km — a 20-minute walk. From Waverley Station to the castle entrance is a 15-minute uphill walk. Stockbridge, the New Town’s most interesting neighbourhood, is 20 minutes from Waverley on foot.
Most of what first-time visitors want to see is within a 30-minute walk of Waverley Station. The city’s volcanic terrain means this walking involves some hills and many sets of stairs, but nothing that a normally fit adult would find difficult.
This matters for planning: you do not need to budget heavily for transport within the city centre. The main transport costs are the airport connection, any long-distance day trips, and occasional bus journeys when you want to go further afield (Leith, Portobello, the Southside).
Walking in the city centre
The Old Town
The Old Town follows the ridge running from Edinburgh Castle down to Holyrood. The Royal Mile forms the spine, with closes (narrow lanes) branching off on both sides. Walking this on foot is the correct way to experience it — you cannot see the closes from a bus or taxi. Allow time for spontaneous detours; some of the best Edinburgh moments happen in courtyards down lanes you only noticed because you were walking.
The Old Town involves significant changes of elevation. The Grassmarket sits below the castle to the south; Cockburn Street curves steeply between the Royal Mile and Waverley; the closes connecting the Royal Mile to the Cowgate involve flights of stone stairs. Comfortable walking shoes with grip are essential — the cobblestones are genuine medieval stone and become slippery in rain.
The New Town
The New Town, north of Princes Street, is flatter and more regular. George Street, Queen Street, and the network of lanes and gardens between them are pleasant walking territory. The walk from Waverley to Charlotte Square (the New Town’s finest Georgian square) takes about 20 minutes.
Princes Street Gardens
The gardens running along the base of the castle ridge are the main green space in the city centre and a pleasant walking route between the Old Town and New Town. They are particularly fine in spring and summer when the flower beds are out.
Lothian Buses
Edinburgh’s bus network is operated by Lothian Buses, a council-owned company that provides reliable, frequent service across the whole city. For destinations beyond comfortable walking distance — Leith (bus 16, 22, 35 from Princes Street), Portobello (bus 26), Stockbridge to the Water of Leith, or further south to Newington and the Meadows — buses are the most sensible option.
Fares (2026 approximate):
- Single journey: £1.80
- Day ticket: £4.30 (unlimited travel all day on Lothian Buses)
- Airport Airlink bus (100): £4.50 single, £7.50 return
Buying tickets: Lothian Buses are cashless — you cannot pay with coins or notes on board. You must use a contactless bank card, mobile payment, or buy a pre-loaded bus card. This catches many visitors off guard; if you are unsure, buy a day ticket from the driver or ticket machine using your card.
The main bus interchanges are at Princes Street (multiple stops along the street), Waverley Bridge, and South Bridge. Most routes heading to Leith or the north use Princes Street; routes to the Southside and Morningside use South Bridge.
Edinburgh trams
The tram line runs from Edinburgh Airport east through the city centre to York Place (near the top of Leith Walk). For visitors, the main use of the tram is the airport connection.
Airport to city centre: The tram from Edinburgh Airport to York Place takes approximately 30 minutes and costs £5.50 single (2026 price). It is by far the most convenient and cost-effective way to get between the airport and the city. Trams run every 10-12 minutes throughout the day. The city centre stops are Haymarket (useful for the West End and some hotels), Princes Street and St Andrew Square, and York Place.
Within the city, the tram is less useful than buses for most tourist routes — the single tram line runs east-west along Princes Street and Leith Walk, which covers some useful routes but not the Old Town, Stockbridge, or Portobello. For most intra-city transport, buses are more versatile.
See the Edinburgh airport to city centre guide and the trams and buses guide for full details.
Taxis and rideshare
Edinburgh has a large black cab (hackney carriage) fleet operating 24 hours. Taxis can be hailed on the street or found at ranks outside Waverley Station, on Princes Street, and at the airport. They are metered and regulated.
Approximate taxi fares (2026):
- Waverley to Edinburgh Castle: £5-7 (though walking is faster in most conditions)
- Waverley to Leith Shore: £8-12
- Edinburgh Airport to city centre: £25-35
- City centre to Portobello: £8-12
Uber and other rideshare apps operate in Edinburgh. Prices are comparable to black cabs. The main advantage of black cabs is that they are easier to hail without a phone signal.
Taxis are worth using for late-night returns (the bus network thins out after midnight on weekdays), for airport transfers with heavy luggage, and for getting to neighbourhoods like Portobello or Morningside that require a bus change.
Hop-on hop-off city buses
For first-time visitors who want an orientating overview of the city, Edinburgh’s open-top sightseeing bus tours are a practical option. A City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus tour covers the main city circuit including the castle area, Holyrood, the New Town, and Leith, with commentary. A 24-hour or 48-hour ticket allows unlimited boarding and alighting at any of the stops.
The hop-on hop-off route is particularly useful for covering the distance from the Old Town to Leith and back without multiple buses or taxis, and for visitors who are not comfortable walking long distances. The full hop-on hop-off Edinburgh comparison covers the main operators.
An alternative sightseeing option with three route variants is the hop-on hop-off pass with 3 city tours, which adds a Britannia and coastal route to the standard city circuit.
Cycling in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is becoming increasingly cycle-friendly, with dedicated cycle lanes on many major routes. Bike hire is available through the Just Eat Cycles docking station network (similar to London’s Santander Cycles or Paris’s Vélib’) and through several independent hire shops near Waverley and in Leith.
The main cycling routes for visitors:
- The Innocent Railway Path: a converted railway line running from Holyrood park east to Portobello
- The Water of Leith cycle path: flat, riverside route to Leith
- The Forth to Clyde coast road: longer routes along the Forth shore
For a guided cycling option, the cycling in Edinburgh guide covers routes and hire. A guided bike tour around the Holyrood Park and Portobello area is a good active option for a second or third day in the city.
Getting to day-trip destinations
By coach/guided tour
Most of Edinburgh’s day trips (Stirling, Loch Lomond, St Andrews, Loch Ness, Rosslyn Chapel) are most practically done by guided day coach, which departs from central Edinburgh (usually Waverley Bridge or Johnston Terrace near the castle). These tours handle all the driving and navigation, typically include guide commentary, and cost £35-65 per person depending on destination and operator.
This is particularly recommended for the Highlands — the driving distances are long (3+ hours each way) and the roads require confidence on single-track sections.
By train
Stirling is 55 minutes from Waverley by ScotRail. St Andrews requires a train to Leuchars then a bus connection (total about 1.5-1.75 hours). Glasgow is 50 minutes from Waverley on the inter-city service. North Berwick is 35 minutes from Waverley. The Edinburgh day trips by train guide covers the best train-accessible destinations in detail.
By car
A car is useful for day trips to scattered Highlands destinations (Cairngorms, Speyside distilleries) where you want the flexibility to stop where you choose. It is not useful for Edinburgh city itself. The car in Edinburgh guide covers when a hire car adds value.
Accessibility
Lothian Buses are low-floor and accessible for wheelchairs and buggies. The trams are fully accessible. Edinburgh Castle has a shuttle vehicle for visitors with reduced mobility. The Old Town’s cobblestones and stairs make it the most challenging part of the city for wheelchairs — most of the specific Old Town experiences (closes, underground vaults) involve steps with no accessible alternative.
The New Town is significantly more accessible than the Old Town — wide pavements, kerb cuts, and relatively flat terrain. Most major museum buildings have lift access.
Frequently asked questions about getting around Edinburgh
Do you need a car in Edinburgh?
No. The city centre is compact and walkable, buses and trams cover the wider city, and day trips are easily done by train or guided coach. A car is a liability in Edinburgh — parking is expensive and limited, traffic is one-way and complex, and a single parking ticket costs more than two days of bus travel. See do you need a car for the detailed answer.
How long does it take to walk from Waverley Station to Edinburgh Castle?
About 15-20 minutes, uphill, via the Royal Mile. The most direct route is out of the station onto Waverley Bridge, up the Bridges to the Royal Mile, then west along the Royal Mile to the castle esplanade. There are also routes through Cockburn Street and up the West Bow.
What is the cheapest way to get from Edinburgh Airport to the city?
The tram at £5.50 single is the cheapest practical option that also takes you directly to the city centre. The Airlink 100 bus (£4.50 single) is slightly cheaper but slower and less direct. Taxis cost £25-35. See the airport to city guide for comparisons.
Are Edinburgh buses contactless?
Yes. Lothian Buses do not accept cash — you must pay with a contactless bank card, phone payment (Apple Pay, Google Pay), or a pre-loaded smart card. This is different from most UK cities and regularly catches visitors off guard. Always have a contactless card ready before boarding.
How do I get from Waverley Station to Leith?
Bus 22 (direction Ocean Terminal) or bus 16 (direction Silverknowes or Newhaven) from Waverley Bridge takes about 20-25 minutes and costs £1.80. Alternatively, it is about a 45-minute walk through the New Town and down Leith Walk — a pleasant route that shows you the transition from Georgian Edinburgh to the Victorian and post-industrial character of Leith.
Is Edinburgh accessible on a hop-on hop-off bus ticket?
The hop-on hop-off circuit covers Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood, Leith (Royal Yacht Britannia), Stockbridge, and several other stops. For mobility-limited visitors or those who want to cover the full city circuit without excessive walking, it is a practical option. The ticket is valid for 24 or 48 hours depending on which version you buy.
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