Transportation from Edinburgh Airport to downtown
 

Hello all,

I am flying into Edinburgh on Wednesday afternoon,(and I CANNOT wait!), and wanted to know my options (besides the six mile taxi ride) from the Edinburgh Airport to my hotel, which is the Ramada Mount Royal (next to the Waverly Train Station) at 53 Princes Street in downtown Edinburgh.

I have read something about the "Airport Bus". Can someone who has taken this option give me an idea about where to pick this up, the price and tell me how convenient it is, etc.?

Also, I don't suppose there is a train from the Edinburgh Airport which goes directly to Waverly. Since our hotel is next door, that would sure be convenient!

Thanks in advance for any kind advice! =)

Hi there.

There is an airport bus, I forget the name of it, but the airport itself is really small so I don't think it would be possible for you to miss it. It might be called airlink... at anyrate it's 3GBP one way or 5GBP for an open return ticket and it goes right to waverly station (with a few stops before hand). You can pick it up for your return trip to the aiport just ouside the station too. There is lots of signage.

There is no railway service, but the bus service is every 10 to 30 minutes and very reasonable. Catch bus number 100 (follow signposts in the terminal) to Princes Street and ask for the stop nearest your hotel. The journey takes about 30 minutes, and the service was reliable when I last used it. See this site for details:

www.travelinescotland.com

The bus is really easy and you would take it all the way to the end - the last stop is at Waverley. The schedule is at www.lothianbuses.com and you really can't miss the stop - just follow all the signs to buses. As you're staying right by Waverley it's the best option for you.

Plus - the bus stops closer to your hotel than the exit from Waverley station, and, as I recall, to get from the station to Princes St you would either have to climb a few stairs or escalators or have quite a long uphill walk.

The bus is good. I used it last summer. The one we rode was designed with a big luggage rack near the driver so that passengers had a place to put their gear.

The people at the info desk are very helpful and will happily give you tourist related information.

There are several ATMs in the terminal building. As I recall, I had to walk upstairs to find the main cluster.

(That is my recall, but the lady at the tourist information desk directed me.)

Passport control and customs were routine as I recall. Nothing remarkable transpired.

One great thing about Edinburgh, it is easy to navigate. If you aren't sure, just ask. I found that anybody would answer if they knew.

To say that we enjoyed Edinburgh would be an understatement.

We had one little incident that was both costly and funny. As we were walking from the airport bus to our B and B (The Beverley on the west end of town.) I heard my wife call to me. I turned and the wheels of her rolling suitcase were coming toward me unaccompanied.

The rest of the suitcase was showing the effects of many rough flights, and with no time for repairs before we left for home, we had no choice but to buy a new one.

The owner of the Beverley suggested several places where we could find new luggage. So we went to Debenham's on Princess Street. There was a suitcase on sale. The manager of the department said it was a very good buy at £75.00.

I thought so too, looking at the other prices. Then I realized, the good price was in reality over $150.00

Even so, it is a nice acquisition, and a highly useful reminder of our pleasant stay in Edinburgh.

Transport information is found on the Edinburgh Airport website

http://www.edinburghairport.com/port...dea10c02865a0/

Thank you everyone for your help! The Airlink looks like it should be a breeze, and it takes us directly to Waverly Station, right next to our hotel. Thanks again to everyone who anwered! And I enjoyed your story, Bob!