Flights to Edinburgh (EDI)

The best time to visit Edinburgh is in the summer months (June till August) when it is also the busiest, with many festivals and events held at this time. During summer the days feature more hours of daylight, there is less rain and the temperatures sit at an average high of 19°C. Many people like to visit in September when there is a little more rain but the crowds start to disperse and the weather is still warm. If you visit Edinburgh outside the warmer months, you will enjoy shorter queues and fewer crowds at the city attractions. In winter, temperatures in Edinburgh typically fall to around 1 to 2°C and sub-zero overnight lows are common. In winter you can catch Christmas festivities such as Edinburgh Zoo’s Christmas Nights and Christmas At The Botanics.

What is the main airport called?

Edinburgh Airport (EDI). Edinburgh Airport is the sixth-busiest airport in the United Kingdom, the largest airport in Scotland and is located in Ingliston, approximately 9.3km (5.8 miles) from the city centre.

Arriving in Edinburgh

The helpful staff at Edinburgh Airport will be waiting to greet you when you land and assist with your travel needs. Once you collect your bags from the arrivals area, there are various transport options available to get you on your way.

Getting into Edinburgh from Edinburgh Airport

Getting to and from the EDI Edinburgh Airport is easy with all the different transport options available. Several bus operators provide services to and from the airport with a bus stop just outside the terminal, including the Airlink 100 which accepts cash and cashless payments and takes you directly to the city centre. Edinburgh Trams operate light rail services to and from the plaza outside the airport terminal, with tickets available from vending machines before you board. Trams depart every seven minutes to Edinburgh city centre via several other stops, as well as the nearby Gateway Station which is the closest train station to the airport and links to services to take you throughout the region. Taxis are available in the East Terminus across from the main terminal and rideshare services can be booked to the Pick-Up Zone on the ground floor of the carpark. The drive to Edinburgh city centre is approximately 25 minutes and rental cars are a great way to get around the region, with many major rental companies operating from the airport.

Getting around Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a compact city, meaning that even in the busy seasons it’s easy to get around. One of the best ways to explore Edinburgh is by walking, with the main attractions of the city such as Princes Street, The Royal Botanic Garden and Kings Theatre accessible on foot. If you’d like to get to your destination a little faster, bicycle hire is readily available with impressive cycle safety features built into the cycle network such as marked bike lanes and stopping boxes. Many public transport options also service the city, with an extensive Lothian Bus network linking inner city and regional areas with tickets available onboard. Taxis, rideshare apps and guided tours are also available or for something different and convenient, rickshaw drivers can be hailed in major tourist areas.