ALL AIRPORTS AIRPORT ESCAPE
ARRIVING AT

EDINBURGH

Edinburgh Airport · United Kingdom
EDI
Low riskUpdated May 2026High confidence

Very safe. Tram and Airlink 100 bus are well-signposted and cheap.

IF YOU ONLY READ ONE THING

Airlink 100 bus or tram to city centre

Typical fare
£5.50 bus · £7.50 tram
Journey time
25–35 min
Pickup
Bus and tram stops directly outside arrivals
WARNING · Edinburgh has no Uber in the same volume as London — Bolt and local taxis are more reliable.
01

Compare your options at a glance

OptionCostWaitPaymentPick
Airlink 100 bus
£5.50Every 10 min💳Card
Tram
£7.50Every 7–15 min💳Card
Bolt / Uber
£20–£355–15 min📱App
Black cab
£25–£400–5 min💳Card / Cash
02

Your first 30 minutes

  1. 1Exit arrivals — bus/tram stops are 50 metres away
  2. 2Tap contactless on the tram or buy an Airlink ticket on the bus app
  3. 3Tram to Princes Street takes ~35 min, bus ~30 min
  4. 4Expected total: £5.50–£7.50
03

Airport exit score

AIRPORT EXIT SCORE
88/ 100
Easy exit
  • Scam risk95
  • Public transport90
  • Ride-hailing78
  • Signage clarity90
  • Payment convenience88
04

Fare reality check

EDI → Princes Street
  1. ExpectedWhat locals actually pay
    £5.50–£7.50
  2. ConcerningQuestion this — ask for the meter
    £25+ taxi
  3. Probably being scammedWalk away. Find another ride.
    £50+ private hire
05

Best ways out, ranked

  1. 1

    Airlink 100 bus

    RECOMMENDED
    Cost
    £5.50
    Journey
    30 min
    Wait
    Every 10 min
    Payment
    💳 Card
    Pros
    • Cheap
    • Frequent
    • Multiple city stops
    Cons
    • Stops at many points
  2. 2

    Tram

    RECOMMENDED
    Cost
    £7.50
    Journey
    35 min
    Wait
    Every 7–15 min
    Payment
    💳 Card
    Pros
    • Reliable
    • Goes via Murrayfield
    Cons
    • Pricier than bus
  3. 3

    Bolt / Uber

    Cost
    £20–£35
    Journey
    20–30 min
    Wait
    5–15 min
    Payment
    📱 App
    Pros
    • Door-to-door
    Cons
    • Surge on festival nights
  4. 4

    Black cab

    Cost
    £25–£40
    Journey
    20–30 min
    Wait
    0–5 min
    Payment
    💳 Card / Cash
    Pros
    • Regulated
    Cons
    • Pricier
06

Paying without surprises

07

Common scams

Inflated 'festival' fares

Medium risk

During August, some private hire drivers quote double meter rates.

HOW TO AVOID · Use Bolt/Uber or the official rank with the meter on.

08

What locals & travellers say

"Airlink 100 is the locals' choice — half the price of the tram and just as fast."
Redditr/EdinburghChecked Apr 2025confirmed
09

Arrival checklist

10

EDI arrival FAQs

What is the safest way to leave Edinburgh Airport?
Airlink 100 bus or tram to city centre. Edinburgh has no Uber in the same volume as London — Bolt and local taxis are more reliable..
Are taxis at EDI safe?
Official taxis from the marked rank are generally fine, but watch for: inflated 'festival' fares — During August, some private hire drivers quote double meter rates. Use Bolt/Uber or the official rank with the meter on.
Is ride-hailing (Uber, Bolt, Grab or similar) available at EDI?
Yes — Bolt / Uber works at EDI. Typical cost £20–£35, journey ~20–30 min. Use the in-app pickup point rather than the arrivals curb.
How much should a taxi from EDI to the city centre cost?
Expected fare on the EDI → Princes Street route is roughly £5.50–£7.50. Anything around £25+ taxi is high — £50+ private hire is a scam. Fares vary with traffic, time of day and taxi type, so confirm before you get in.
Do I need cash for a taxi at EDI?
Carry small local notes — Black cab expects card & cash. A backup card with no FX fees helps if a driver claims the terminal is broken.
Where is the official taxi pickup at Edinburgh Airport?
Bus and tram stops directly outside arrivals. If you can't see a marked rank with a dispatcher or queue, walk back inside and ask at the information desk — never take an offer from someone roaming arrivals.
Is EDI safe to arrive at late at night?
Late-night arrivals carry extra scam pressure here — specifically inflated 'festival' fares. Pre-book a transfer where possible, stay inside the terminal until your ride is confirmed, and use the official rank only.
What scams should I watch for at EDI?
The most reported at EDI: Inflated 'festival' fares. See the scams section above for how each one works and how to avoid it.
11

Specific routes from this airport