Edinburgh – Travel Guide
Edinburgh, Scotland`s capital, is famed for its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant cultural scene. The city’s iconic landmarks include Edinburgh Castle, perched atop Castle Rock, and the historic Royal Mile leading to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Visitors can explore the medieval Old Town, the elegant Georgian New Town, and numerous museums and galleries. Edinburgh hosts the world-renowned Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the largest arts festival globally, drawing performers and tourists alike. The city`s blend of ancient and modern attractions, scenic vistas, and lively festivals makes it a captivating destination year-round.
All about Edinburgh
Getting around Edinburgh
On Foot
Edinburgh is a relatively compact city and is easily explored on foot, however be cautioned that the city is built on several hills. You can expect to scale a few inclines, but for a person of average fitness it is not a problem, and the views are always worth the effort! Beyond the city center, not far from the Royal Mile, Inverleith Park and Holyrood Park have sweeping views.
Step outside the city and into the beautiful countryside of the Lothians. Much of the area has beautiful country parks which beg to be explored on foot, and in the towns smaller scale attractions and museums are also easily reached walking. You will, however, need a rental car, or some form of transportation, to get from Edinburgh to the individual towns, parks, and attractions which the region offers.
We recommend sensible walking shoes for days spent in the city/ region, whether shopping or exploring parks!
By Car
Edinburgh is readily accessible by car, but parking can be a problem in the city center. There are a range of on-street and covered facilities for parking. Time limits vary, so always be sure to read your tickets and not go past the allotted time, otherwise there can be additional fees or the car may be towed, at your expense. Using a rental car for travel outside the city is much more practical.
As in the rest of the UK drivers use the left lane. Cars produced in or for use in Europe have their steering wheel on the right-hand side. It may not seem like much, but be cautious. It is a bigger adjustment than most realize. Within Edinburgh the speed limit is 20 mph (32 km/h), once outside it generally increases to 30 and 40 mph (48 and 64 km/h). Seatbelts are required and drivers or passengers not wearing them will be ticketed.
By Bus, Train or Tram
Edinburgh has a network of local bus services allowing frequent and cost-effective travel throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians. Our recommendation, if you are staying in the area for several days and wish to explore the region in full, is to take advantage of Lothian Buses DayTicket, which allows you unlimited daily travel in and around Edinburgh, with approximately 300 services throughout the Edinburgh area. If you would like a day trip a little further than Edinburgh and the Lothians, tickets for UK and Scottish travel are available from the office near Waverley Station.
Located at: 31 Waverley Bridge, Edinburgh, Scotland
Additionally, the area is well served by an extensive railway network,with fast and regular connections to many towns available seven days a week. Edinburgh itself has two train stations, Waverley Train Station and Haymarket, which provide links to towns all around the Scottish mainland.
The North Berwick line serves the region of East Lothian, ending with stops in North Berwick and Dunbar. There are also lines connecting Edinburgh with Fife, Helensburgh, Glasgow, Dunblane, Aberdeen, and Tweedbank. Visit www.scotrail.co.uk to check maps and timetables.
Trams are the latest addition to Edinburgh`s existing range of public transport. The route, as it is now, only covers the city of Edinburgh with stops at Edinburgh Airport, Ingliston Park and Ride, Gogarburn, Edinburgh Gateway train station, Gyle Centre, Edinburgh Park Central, Edinburgh Park train station, Bankhead, Saughton, Balgreen, Murrayfield Stadium, Haymarket train station, West End, Princes Street, St. Andrew Square (for Waverley train station, and York Place. The line connects several bus and car park areas. Tickets can be purchased at vending machines at every tram stop. Return tickets are also available, but can be purchased only for journeys to or from Edinburgh Airport. Payment via debit or credit card is suggested, as the machines are not equipped to return change.
Please keep your ticket for the entire duration of your journey as proof that you`ve paid your fare. You may be requested to show it at any time to a ticket inspector. Tickets cost £1.70/£3.20 for a one-way/return fare. You can also purchase a DayTicket for £4 which includes bus travel everywhere in the city except the airport (£9 with airport privileges). Tram tickets to and from the airport cost £6/£8.50 for a one-way/return journey. For more information, visit www.edinburghtrams.com.
By Bike
The Lothian countryside is a fantastic place to explore on two wheels; it has a wonderful cycle network, free maps, and clearly marked paths. The country parks are a favorite for cyclists.
We do not recommend trying to cycle between towns as a mode of transportation.
Edinburgh itself is also very cycle friendly. Cycle lanes are shared with buses and motorists, but there are numerous traffic free routes. Spokes is a local cycle campaign group which provides maps and advice for exploring the city on two wheels. The biggest adjustment for most cyclists are the cobbled streets, which are perfectly safe, but unfamiliar to most tourists who are used to smoother pavement.
Edinburgh FAQ
How do I get from the airport to my hotel?
Edinburgh Airport (IATA code EDI) lies 5.8 miles west of the city center, but only offers a few trans-Atlantic flights. However, it does have air connections throughout the United Kingdom. Glasgow Airport (IATA code GLA, 50 miles west of Edinburgh, serves as the major point of entry into Scotland for trans-Atlantic flights.
From Edinburgh Airport: Lothian Buses operates between Edinburgh Airport and the city center daily every 15 minutes from 9:00am to 5:00pm and approximately every hour otherwise. The trip takes about 40 minutes or up to an hour during peak traffic times. A one-way ticket costs £1.70. Lothian Buses also operates Airlink 100, a line which runs between the airport and Waverley Bridge (adjacent to the rail station). There is also a nighttime bus, the N22, which runs strictly between Waverley and the airport. Fares are currently £4.50/£7.50 one-way/return for the Airlink 100, and £3 one-way for the N22.
Edinburgh Trams runs a line that connects the airport with Haymarket Station; the tram ride takes approximately 26 minutes and runs every 10 minutes during peak times. From there, you can buy a ticket to Waverley Station, or you can take the tram instead to St. Andrew Square and walk to Waverley Station (three blocks away, down St. Andrew Street). Going the other direction, get on the tram at St. Andrew Square, or travel from Waverley Station to Haymarket Station on the train and catch a tram to the airport. Tickets are currently £6/£8.50 one-way/return to and from the airport. For more information, visit www.edinburghtrams.com.
Taxis are readily available outside the terminal. The trip takes 20 to 30 minutes to the city center, 15 minutes longer during rush hour. The fare is approximately £25. Note that airport taxis picking up at the terminals can be any color, not the typical black cabs.
From Glasgow Airport: Scottish Citylink buses depart Glasgow Airport and travel to Glasgow’s Buchanan Street bus station (journey time is 25 minutes), where you can transfer to an Edinburgh bus (leaving every 20 minutes). The trip to Edinburgh takes about two and a half hours and costs £15.10 one-way. A far better option is to take a 20 minute taxi ride from Glasgow Airport to Glasgow’s Queen Street train station (about £20) and then take the train to Waverley Station in Edinburgh. Trains depart about every 30 minutes with a journey time of 50 minutes and a cost of £15-£22. Taxis from Glasgow Airport to downtown Edinburgh take about 70 minutes and cost approximately £100.
How do I get from the train station to my hotel?
Edinburgh’s main train hub, Waverley Station (the second largest in Britain), is downtown, below Waverley Bridge and around the corner from the unmistakable spire of the Scott Monument. Edinburgh’s other main station is Haymarket, about four minutes (by rail) west of Waverley. Most city buses have stops on adjoining streets and there are taxi stands at both Waverley and Haymarket stations. Tram stops include Haymarket and St. Andrew Square (near Waverley Station).
How do I get around the city using public transportation?
After much delay and disruption, trams returned to the streets of Edinburgh on May 31, 2014. Useful stops for travelers will include Haymarket, Princes Street and St Andrew Square (near Waverley Station). Tickets are £1.70 for a single journey and £3.20 for a return ticket. The airport service is a little more expensive than the Airlink bus (£6 one way).
Lothian Buses, the main operator within Edinburgh, continues to provide the chief method of public transportation in the city alongside the trams. The adult one way minimum fare of £1.70 covers the principal Edinburgh districts. Your best bet though is to purchase a Day Ticket (£4) that allows unlimited travel, including on the trams (airport excluded). Be advised that bus drivers will not give change so carry the correct amount in coins. Buses are great for cheap daytime travel, but in the evening you’ll probably want to take a taxi.
How do I call/hail a taxi?
You can hail a ‘black’ taxi (similar to those in London) or hire one at a taxi stand. Fares start at £2.60 during the day, with a typical cross-town journey costing approximately £12-15. Taxi ranks can be found at High Street near North Bridge, both Waverley and Haymarket stations, Hanover Street, North Street, George Street, Leith Walk, Andrew Street and Lauriston Place. Fares are displayed in the front of the taxi. Note there are additional fees for night and weekend journeys and destinations outside the city limits.
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I will have a car in Edinburgh, where can I park?
Unless absolutely necessary, we suggest that you don’t drive in Edinburgh! Traffic, roundabouts, one way streets, narrow cobbled roads, dedicated bus lanes and construction for the tramways are all good reasons for NOT having a car. Not to mention driving on the left for visitors who aren’t used to it. Metered parking in the city center is scarce and expensive and the local traffic officials are vigilant. Illegally parked cars are routinely towed away, and getting your car back will be expensive. Parking lots are clearly signposted at Castle Terrace (near Edinburgh Castle), Waverley Station and St. James Centre (close to the east end of Princes St.). Note that overnight parking is expensive and not always permitted. If you are planning on taking any day trips or touring the Scottish countryside then we suggest you pick up your rental car as you depart the city to avoid excessive rental/parking expenses.
Is Edinburgh a walking city?
One of Edinburgh’s greatest virtues is its compact size, which means that it is not a difficult place to navigate. The two main areas of interest are the Old Town and the New Town, where you’ll find Edinburgh Castle, the Scottish Parliament, Princes Street Gardens and the National Gallery of Scotland. Old Town, the focal point of Edinburgh for centuries, cascades down from the castle on either side of the High Street, better known as the Royal Mile. Because of its narrow lanes (known as ‘wynds’ and closes), you can only truly explore this area on foot.
Is Edinburgh a dangerous city? Are there certain areas I should avoid?
Like most big cities, Edinburgh has its share of crime, but in general, violent crime against visitors is extremely rare. Tourists are typically prey to incidents of pick pocketing and mugging and should take the same precautions as they do elsewhere in the world. They should also avoid visiting ATMs if it is late at night and there aren’t many people around. Visitors should take steps to ensure the safety of their passports. In Scotland, you are not expected to produce photo identity to police authorities so passports may be more secure in locked hotel rooms or safe.
Can I pay/tip in US dollars?
The units of currency in Scotland (as in all of Great Britain) are the pound sterling (£) and pence (p). US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for pounds (or quid) upon arrival. Currency exchange desks and ATM’s can be found at the airport and many locations throughout the city.
What is Scottish food like? What is a Scottish breakfast?
Traditional Scottish cooking is hearty with staples including fish (such as haddock, wild halibut and herring that’s transformed into kippers), potatoes (called tatties), turnips (called neeps), oatcakes, porridge oats and local game such as grouse or venison. And let’s not forget haggis, Scotland’s national dish, which is a spherical sausage made of the liver, heart, and lungs of a sheep, chopped and mixed with suet and oatmeal and seasoned with onion, pepper and other spices packed into the sheep’s stomach and boiled.
Scottish breakfast, or the full fry-up, as the locals may call it, consists of most or all of the following: eggs, bacon and sausage; black pudding or haggis; grilled tomatoes and mushrooms; fried bread or potato scones; toast with marmalade or jam; juice and coffee or tea. A feast this size can often keep you going right through until lunch!
What are the best areas for shopping?
New Town’s Princes Street is the hub of popular high-end brands while elegant George Street is the place for boutiques and jewelry stores. There are additional middle-to-upper range shopping options at Multrees Walk and Waverley Mall. For tourists, Old Town’s Royal Mile is the place to find Scottish souvenirs, whether you’re looking for tartan (choose from 200 patterns at Geoffrey (Tailor) Kiltmakers) or a fine bottle of single malt whiskey (Royal Mile Whiskies).
Although bargains can be found at the tourist oriented shops along the Royal Mile, more unique gifts are found at the shops in the city’s national galleries and in the Museum of Scotland.
Top Attractions
Edinburgh Castle
Easily Scotland`s most famous landmark, Edinburgh Castle has been the heart of Scotland`s life for well over 1,000 years.
National Museum of Scotland
Its contents, spread out over 16 galleries, incorporate items from a number of Edinburgh`s older museums.
Palace of Holyroodhouse
Commonly referred to as Holyrood Palace or Holyroodhouse, is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland.
The Scotch Whisky Experience
As Scotland`s national drink, it has been produced here for centuries.
Unique Experiences
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90-minute introduction to Whisky in the Old Town of Edinburgh: An introduction to the history, process, and tasting of our national drink – whisky – all done in 90 minutes in a unique underground space, recently uncovered, in the heart of the Old Town of Edinburgh.
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‘A Wee Pedal’s’ Award-Winning Circular Cycle Tour of Edinburgh!: This cycle tour is unique; a 20 mile carefully planned route, mostly off road, seeing the Edinburgh most visitors miss. We have no need to use vehicles as we start right on the cycle path.
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Edinburgh Castle Guided Walking Tour in English: This tour enables you to skip the line into Scotland`s most iconic fortification. The 1h30 long tour will cover the 3000 year history of Edinburgh Castle and the significant role it has played in shaping Scotland.
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Edinburgh Food & Drink Tour with Eat Walk Tours: On this walking tour, your local guide will share the story of the city and you`ll enjoy stops along the way our favourite local restaurants to sample Scottish food and drinks.
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Best of Scotland in a Day Very Small Group Tour from Edinburgh: This small group tour (average group size of around 12 passengers) combines all that`s great about Scotland into a short day out a castle, mountains, lochs, photo opportunities, a riverside walk, and more.
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What to expect while traveling
