Edinburgh Airport (EDI) is Scotland’s busiest airport, serving the capital city from a location approximately 7 miles west of the city center. It’s compact and convenient with good local transport links via tram and bus, though it’s smaller than the main international airport in the country at Glasgow.
Most European network airlines (including British Airways) offer connections from EDI to their main hubs, while carriers like easyJet, Jet2 and Ryanair have a ton of direct flights across Europe and the Mediterranean.
There’s a good range of long-haul service too, from airlines like Emirates and WestJet, with additional transatlantic options including seasonal JetBlue service. So whether you’re planning a quick city break or a long-haul adventure, EDI is a solid starting point.
Getting to and from EDI by public transit
Edinburgh Airport is well served by local public transport. To get into the city, use the tram or the bus (both take about the same time but the bus is a bit cheaper). All the stops are outside in the open air so I always make sure I have a waterproof coat easily reachable at the top of my bag when I arrive.
Taking the tram
For travel further afield within Scotland and elsewhere in the UK, I find the train is the best plan. The widest variety of train options are available at the main Waverley station in the very center of the city, accessible via the tram or airport buses. Edinburgh Gateway is just a couple of tram stops from the airport and is more convenient, but it offers fewer train options.
You can get tram tickets online or from vending machines at every stop. There’s a special set of airport tram tickets that include a good discount for your return trip. There are also multi-day tickets for the city zone that include a single airport return trip.
If I’m planning to use the tram a lot, those are the ones I pick. Otherwise, the airport return ticket is the best value.
The tram typically starts running around 6:30 am and the last tram leaves around 10:45 pm, with local buses your best option outside those times.
Buses from the airport
Local city and suburban buses run frequently from outside the terminal and can be really useful if you’re heading somewhere a good distance from the tram line. Local buses leave from lettered stops outside the terminal. Most are run by local operator Lothian Buses, and you can pay with your contactless credit or debit card when you board.
The Airlink 100 leaves from stop A and takes a central route that’s roughly similar to the tram but with fewer stops, going past Murrayfield stadium and Haymarket Station toward the main Waverley station. There’s also the Airport Express run by Midland Bluebird, which makes fewer stops and can be faster to the city center. The easiest ticketing option here is the Midland Bluebird app.
Service 17 leaves from stop B and serves the northern side of the city, including the Ocean Terminal and Leith. Service 18 leaves from stop C and travels around the southern side of the city. It’s less likely this will be useful for visitors unless you’re staying in that area. Night bus versions of both these routes also operate (N17 and N18).
Coaches and rental cars
Long-distance buses (called “coaches” in the UK) leave from the coach park area and run to many parts of Scotland.
If you’re driving, Edinburgh Airport is in a great location to get to and from much of the country without having to navigate the city center. Most international rental car companies have offices at the airport, but remember that most UK cars are manual transmission. Many automatic rental cars are now electric.
A word of advice: I’d think twice before renting an electric car in the UK. The country doesn’t really have the charging infrastructure to make it convenient for visitors just yet.
How to get to and from Edinburgh Airport by car
The official taxi service is Capital Cars, which operates from a booking point in the East Terminus across the plaza - booking is required due to licensing. Uber also operates in Edinburgh, with the pickup area in the designated zone on the ground floor of the multi-story car park. I usually find a taxi is the best option, especially if I’m traveling with others or have a lot of luggage.
Departures and security lines at EDI
All check-in areas are in the main terminal zone and are lettered A through D. It’s small enough that you don’t really need to check in advance which one your airline uses (you’ll be able to see once you get inside). Desks open anywhere between two hours and four hours before your flight. Check with your airline, but the airport has a handy guide as well.
Security is upstairs, but before you head up you might want to stop at the M&S Simply Food minimart. It’s a little pricey, but it’s the best place in the airport to pick up a meal to go, with both sandwiches and salads. Just remember you still need to go through security, so make sure any liquids, creams or pastes (like hummus) are under 3.4 ounces.
Lines can be long during peak morning and evening hours. There’s also a FastTRACK security option, which you can purchase separately from the airport (it’s also included with multi-storey parking bookings).
Unlike most other European countries, there’s no outbound passport control in the UK. Once you’re through security and the duty-free maze, you’ll find most shops and restaurants in the central terminal area between gates 4 and 12, with a few more in the section between gates 12 and 16.
If your flight uses gates 1 through 3 or 17 through 29, know that these gates don’t have many shops or eateries. Make sure you have everything you need before heading to your gate.
Arriving in Edinburgh Airport
The relatively small terminal at EDI makes arriving a breeze. If you’re coming from overseas, you’ll go through passport control first.
If you have a passport from certain countries, head to the line for the UK Border Force biometric eGates:
UK, EU countries, Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, or the USA
Other nationals need to see an agent in the separate line. Look for the signs to the designated lines.
Passport control lines at EDI are pretty average for the UK. They can be either long or short depending on how many flights arrived just before yours or if the eGate system is down. My pro tip: Visit the restroom before you land in case the line is really long.
After passport control you’ll collect your baggage. Airline handling agents are here in case there’s any issue. Then you’ll exit into the arrivals area, where you’ll find ground transportation right outside the terminal.
Lounges and free Wi-Fi at Edinburgh Airport
The British Airways lounge near Gate 4, recently renovated, is available to business class passengers and certain frequent flyers. It’s a nice enough space with some good whiskies available (and Champagne on request) but can get busy at peak times.
The Plaza Premium lounge near Gate 13 is very good. It’s large, with a variety of seating areas and an impressive Edinburgh Gin bar. In my opinion, it’s well worth the entry fee if you’ve arrived at the airport early.
The other two lounges are the Escape Lounge near Gate 4 and the Aspire lounge near Gate 16. The Aspire lounge is fairly compact but newer and nicer. It’s part of the Priority Pass network, but its small size means the staff will usually turn you away unless you’ve pre-booked for an extra fee.
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout most of the airport, though it may not stretch as far as the bus and tram stops.
Souvenirs from Edinburgh Airport
Whisky is an obvious choice for souvenirs and gifts from Edinburgh. You’ll find better prices and a wider selection in town, though you’ll need to pack it in checked luggage. Otherwise, the World of Whiskies inside the duty-free store offers hundreds of varieties, mostly from the larger brands.
Non-drinkers will enjoy Scottish shortbread, which often comes in tartan-patterned tins that are useful for all sorts of things around the house. And for anyone with a sweet tooth, tablet, a sort of crumblier fudge, is a must-try Scottish confectionery.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
