A taxi from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre is metered, typically around £25 to £40 in the daytime and more at night, taking 20 to 30 minutes. The official rank is at the East Terminus, reached through the plaza by following the "Taxi" signs. Uber and Bolt are available but collect from a separate zone. Prices checked August 2026.
The official rank and operator
The official taxi rank sits at the East Terminus. Leave the arrivals hall into the plaza, marked by the large "EDINBURGH" sign, and follow the signs for "Taxi". Capital Cars holds the official contract to manage the rank. You do not need to pre-book to use it, you simply queue and take the next car. Every licensed taxi on the rank runs on the same regulated meter, so there is no advantage in waiting for a particular firm.
Metered, not a flat fare
Edinburgh has no fixed airport taxi fare. Fares from the rank are metered and regulated by the City of Edinburgh Council, so the price varies with traffic and your exact destination. The daytime meter (Tariff 1) starts at about £3.60, and the night and weekend tariff (Tariff 2) is higher, which is why late fares cost noticeably more. If you want a price agreed in advance, Edinburgh black-cab firms such as Central Taxis, City Cabs and ComCab will pre-book a fixed-price car to the airport.
Typical fares to the city and beyond
The Edinburgh city-centre range below reflects real-world 2026 metered fares. Other destinations are indicative and should be confirmed with the operator when you book, since the meter varies with traffic and time of day.
| Destination | Driving time | Indicative taxi fare |
|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh city centre | 20 to 30 min | £25 to £40 |
| Haymarket | 15 to 25 min | £20 to £35 |
| Leith / Ocean Terminal | 25 to 35 min | £30 to £45 |
| Edinburgh Park / Gyle | 8 to 12 min | £12 to £20 |
| St Andrews | 70 to 90 min | from ~£80 pre-booked |
For the full list of destinations, distances and driving times, see the popular routes page.
Uber, Bolt and ride-hailing
Uber and Bolt both operate at Edinburgh, but they do not pick up at the arrivals door or the official rank. Instead you walk to the designated Rideshare zone on the ground floor of the multi-storey car park, directly opposite the terminal, and follow the "Taxi/Uber/Bolt Pickup" signs. This catches out first-time visitors, so allow a couple of extra minutes. A typical Uber or Bolt fare to the city centre is about £20 to £35, with surge pricing on Friday nights, during the festival period, and when several delayed flights land together. Since 2 January 2026 Uber has included 20 percent VAT in UK fares, and that is already in the price you are shown.
When a taxi beats the alternatives
If you are two or more people with luggage, a taxi often costs about the same per head as separate bus or tram fares once you add them up, and it takes you to the door rather than a city-centre stop. It is also the simplest choice late at night, though the night meter is higher. If you are travelling solo and light, the cheaper options are on the public transport page, where the Airlink 100 bus starts at £6.00 and the tram at £7.50 online. If someone is dropping you off by car instead, compare the drop-off charges first, because the forecourt zone costs £8.50 for 10 minutes.
Taxi FAQs
How much is a taxi from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre? A metered taxi from the official rank is typically £25 to £40 in the daytime, taking 20 to 30 minutes. Night and weekend fares are higher because a separate tariff applies.
Where is the taxi rank at Edinburgh Airport? At the East Terminus. Leave the arrivals hall into the plaza and follow the "Taxi" signs. Capital Cars runs the official rank.
Does Uber work at Edinburgh Airport? Yes. Uber and Bolt both collect from the Rideshare zone on the ground floor of the multi-storey car park opposite the terminal, not at the arrivals door. A typical fare to the centre is about £20 to £35, and since 2 January 2026 Uber includes 20 percent VAT in the fare shown.
Is there a fixed airport taxi fare in Edinburgh? No. Fares from the rank are metered and regulated by the City of Edinburgh Council, so the cost varies with traffic and destination. For a price agreed up front, pre-book a fixed-price car with a firm such as Central Taxis or City Cabs.
More: Overview, Public transport, 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.