The cheapest way into Edinburgh is the Airlink 100 bus at £6.00 single, about 25 to 30 minutes to Waverley Bridge and running effectively 24 hours. The tram costs a little more (£7.90 on the day, £7.50 online) but gives a smoother ride and more central stops. There is no rail station at the airport, but the tram connects to ScotRail at Edinburgh Gateway. Prices checked August 2026.
Airlink 100 bus (the cheapest express)
The Airlink 100, run by Lothian Buses, is the budget express into the city. An adult single is £6.00, a child (5 to 15) £3.00, and an adult open return £8.50 (child £4.25, family £22.00). It reaches the centre at Waverley Bridge in about 25 to 30 minutes. Buses run up to every 10 minutes by day and every 20 minutes overnight, so it works around the clock, with departures from around 04:12 to 01:00 and then 01:15 to 04:00. Buy from the driver, at the stop, or on the Lothian app.
City services 17 and 18 (the slow saver)
Since 6 April 2025, services 17 and 18 (formerly the Skylink 200 and 400) are regular city network routes rather than airport expresses. The standard city single fare of £2.20, or the £2 capped Lothian single, is now valid to and from the airport on these buses. They serve south and west Edinburgh and are slower than the Airlink, but they are the cheapest option if you have the time and your destination is on the route.
Edinburgh Tram
The tram terminus is directly outside the terminal on the forecourt. An adult airport single is £7.90 on the day, or £7.50 if you buy online in advance, and an adult open return is £9.50. Children aged 5 to 15 pay a reduced fare and under-5s travel free. The end-to-end run to York Place, the city terminus, takes about 30 minutes, with roughly 25 minutes to St Andrew Square and about 22 minutes to Haymarket. Trams run every 7 minutes at peak (roughly 07:00 to 19:00) and about every 10 minutes off-peak, from around 06:00 to midnight. Useful stops include Murrayfield, Haymarket, West End to Princes Street and St Andrew Square. Airport-zone tram fares are frozen for 2026 even though city-zone fares rose in February 2026.
Trains (via the tram)
There is no heavy-rail station at the airport, so you cannot board a ScotRail train in the terminal. Instead, take the tram one stop to Edinburgh Gateway, which is a ScotRail station, and from there trains run to Edinburgh Waverley and Haymarket in about 8 to 10 minutes, as well as north and east to Fife, Dundee and Perth. Alternatively, ride the tram all the way to Haymarket, which sits right outside Haymarket mainline station, handy for onward trips including Glasgow Queen Street.
Coaches, including Glasgow
Scottish Citylink's AIR 900 is the smart link to Glasgow, running from Stop D on the forecourt to Buchanan bus station in about 1 hour. It runs up to every 20 minutes between 08:00 and 19:55 and hourly overnight, with a day return from about £10, far cheaper than a taxi. Various other intercity coaches, including Ember services, also call at the airport for destinations such as Dundee and Fife; check the operator for live fares.
At a glance
| Mode | Fare | Time to centre | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airlink 100 bus | £6.00 single | 25 to 30 min | up to every 10 min, 24 hours |
| Tram | £7.90 (£7.50 online) | ~30 min to York Place | every 7 to 10 min |
| Service 17 / 18 | ~£2 capped single | slower, varies | regular city service |
| Citylink AIR 900 (Glasgow) | day return from ~£10 | ~1 hour | up to every 20 min |
When a taxi is worth it
Public transport wins on price for solo travellers and small groups with light luggage. But if you are two or more people with bags, or arriving late when you want the door, a metered taxi or pre-booked car can cost about the same per head once you add up separate fares, and it drops you exactly where you are going. If someone is collecting you by car, check the drop-off charges first.
Public transport FAQs
What is the cheapest way from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre? The Airlink 100 bus at £6.00 single, about 25 to 30 minutes to Waverley Bridge. City services 17 and 18 carry the roughly £2 capped fare but are slower.
Is there a train station at Edinburgh Airport? No. Take the tram one stop to Edinburgh Gateway for ScotRail trains, or ride it to Haymarket for the mainline station there.
How much is the tram from Edinburgh Airport? An adult airport single is £7.90 on the day or £7.50 online, and an open return is £9.50. The run to York Place takes about 30 minutes.
How long does the Airlink 100 take? About 25 to 30 minutes to Waverley Bridge in the centre, with buses up to every 10 minutes by day and every 20 minutes overnight.
More: Overview, Taxis, Parking, Drop-off, Routes, FAQs.
We recommend a transport partner and may earn a referral fee. It never changes what you pay, and we only list options we would use ourselves.
Last verified August 2026 by the Edinburgh Airport Guide editorial team. Prices and timetables change, so confirm the specifics on the official Edinburgh Airport website before you travel.