Air travel

Edinburgh International Airport is about 12km from the city centre. You can get to the city centre in 30 minutes by using the frequent airport bus or tram services, or by taxi.

Buses from the airport

The Lothian Buses express Airlink 100 bus is a frequent service from the airport to the city centre. We recommend that you stay on board until the bus service terminates at Waverley Bridge.

Airlink airport buses

McGills Scotland also offer an Airport Express bus service. We recommend that you stay on board until the bus service terminates at Waverley Bridge.

McGills Airport Express

Trams from the airport

There is a frequent tram service from the airport to the city centre. We recommend that you disembark the tram at the Princes Street stop, which is the closest stop to the University. 

Edinburgh Trams

Travelling within Edinburgh

On foot

Our Central campus is within walking distance of the city centre, but you should be aware that our suggested route includes a steep hill. 

You can use these directions if you are coming from: 

  • Waverley train station
  • Princes Street tram stop
  • St Andrew Square and the main bus station

Local bus or tram

Edinburgh is well served by a network of local buses and trams that run throughout the day. Several bus services pass close to our campuses. You can plan your journey within the city of Edinburgh on the Lothian Buses website.

Lothian Buses: journey planner

Across Edinburgh city centre (except the Airlink airport bus) you can purchase a single adult ticket at a cost of £2.20 when you board the bus. 

You can pay in a variety of ways, but you will need correct change if paying by cash. Lothian Buses has a contactless payment system, which automatically charges you the cheapest daily fare for the journeys you’ve made (current cap £5 per day).

Contactless payments on Lothian buses

Lothian Buses: fares and ways to pay

Taxi

You can get a taxi by:

  • pre-booking one
  • finding them in taxi ranks at all major transport hubs
  • flagging them down on the street

Central Taxis

City Cabs

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