Our Guide to Getting Around Edinburgh

1. Walking        

Walking is one of the best ways to get around Edinburgh, especially in the city centre. Thankfully, the city is highly accessible on foot, with most attractions in the Old Town and New Town within walking distance. You’ll find the majority of points of interest clustered in these areas. Stroll from Edinburgh Castle to the Scott Monument in the East Princes Street Gardens.      

Walking lets you soak in the atmosphere like a local and avoid traffic. The Leith Walkway offers scenic routes through town if you plan on hiking. Visitors can revel in walking past historic places and lush greenery on the peaceful riverside path. 

Just remember to wear comfortable shoes — Edinburgh’s hilly terrain and cobblestone streets can be challenging, but the views are worth it.       

2. Bus   

Buses in Edinburgh are an excellent public transport option. They’re often the best way to travel around Edinburgh, especially beyond the city centre. Lothian bus services cover extensive routes, connecting visitors to popular spots like Portobello Beach to central locations. 

To buy Lothian bus tickets, tell the bus driver your destination after boarding or tap your contactless card for a single journey. You can also use the Transport for Edinburgh app for digital tickets.   

Edinburgh buses run frequently, are wheelchair friendly and are a cost-effective way to explore the city. Keep an eye out for night buses if you’re out late, so you can easily find your way back to your accommodation. Skylink and Airlink buses run every half hour between the airport and the city for airport transfers. 

3. Trams   

Edinburgh trams are a convenient option to get around the city. Some popular tram stops include the City Centre, West End and St Andrew Square, just off Princes Street. 

You’ll find that trams are a smooth Edinburgh transport method to visit shopping areas and many other popular attractions in the city. Trams also run frequently, and you can buy tickets at machines at the stops or use contactless payment onboard.               

The tram fare is similar to other methods of public transport in Edinburgh, except for the airport route, which costs slightly more. If you’re looking for an exciting and cost-effective journey from Edinburgh Airport to the City Centre, be sure to check out Bright Bus Airport Express!    

4. Cycling  

Pedalling through Edinburgh can reveal charming streets and hidden nooks that you might miss by other means of transportation. Renting a bike also gives you more freedom than a car in the busy city centre streets and lets you cover more ground than purely travelling by foot. 

It’s a great form of transport in Edinburgh, as it’s fun and eco-friendly, and you can easily reach parks or coastal areas. You can find regular and electric bikes for rent at various stations across town, making it easy to hop on and off as you please.  

Just be cautious on busy streets and remember to follow traffic rules. Many hotels also offer bike rentals. Additionally, a cycling sightseeing tour is an active way to experience Edinburgh’s neighbourhoods and scenic routes.       

5. Taxis & Ride-Sharing   

Taxis and ride-sharing services provide convenient night travel and door-to-door service in Edinburgh. However, they’re often more expensive than public transport. You’ll find taxi ranks throughout the city, or you can hail a black cab on the street when its light is on. These iconic taxis are spacious and accessible for wheelchair users. 

Drivers generally know the city well and can offer local insights. Taxi fares start with a base rate and increase by distance and time, with higher rates at night. You can also use ride-sharing apps like Uber or Bolt for potentially lower prices.   

Whether you choose a traditional cab or a ride-share, this option proves handy for airport transfers. Despite the higher cost, taxis are also ideal for rainy days or when you’re carrying heavy luggage.     

6. Train 

While trains aren’t the primary form of public transport in Edinburgh, they’re excellent if you plan day trips to other parts of Scotland. 

Edinburgh has two main stations: Waverley in Old Town and Haymarket in the West End. To use the train, buy your ticket online, at the station or sometimes onboard.     

Remember to keep your ticket for boarding and possible inspections during your journey. Trains connect Edinburgh to nearby towns and cities like Glasgow, Leith, Newhaven and St Andrews. They offer scenic routes and a comfortable way to travel on day trips beyond the city. 

7. Hop-On Hop-Off Bright Bus Tours     

At Bright Bus Tours, we offer one of the best ways of getting around Edinburgh while sightseeing. Our hop-on hop-off bus tours around Edinburgh cover major attractions like the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace. Here’s how to travel around Edinburgh with us:   

• Choose from our City Tour or Britannia Tour, starting at just £16 for 24 hours or £20 for two tours across two days. 
• Enjoy commentary in 10 languages as you explore the city’s highlights.  
• Our Airport Express service is the fastest and cheapest way between the city centre and Edinburgh Airport, with fares starting from just £4. 

Frequent Traveller Tip: Planning on visiting Auld Reekie for a week or longer? Get seven days of unlimited travel on our City and Britannia Tour buses with the Express Explorer Pass. Get this exciting boarding pass for just £25. 

Our open-top tours are a convenient way to discover the Scottish capital’s top sights at your own pace. It’s the most fun you will have getting around Edinburgh by bus, one stop at a time.

Top Tip — Or How NOT to Travel Around Edinburgh

A rental car might seem appealing if you plan to travel further afield, like Scotland’s picturesque countryside or suburbs. But within Edinburgh’s city limits, cars are more trouble than they’re worth. 

The city’s compact nature and excellent public transport make personal vehicles more of a liability than an asset for visitors. Edinburgh doesn’t just discourage poor parking — it actively penalises it. 

In the first year of the anti-pavement parking rules of January 2024, over 8,000 fines were issued. Free public parking is about as rare as a sunny Scottish day, with paid parking costing up to £8.20 per hour.  

Bright Bus Tours is the ideal solution for getting around in Edinburgh with comfort and ease.  Book your tickets today to experience the grandeur of Edinburgh in style.

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