Travel to and around Edinburgh and Lothians

By road

You can travel to Edinburgh & the Lothians by car using the extensive road network of the central belt. Once in the city however, you may well find it easier to leave the car behind and take public transport, cycle or explore on foot. Park and ride facilities also make it easy to avoid city centre parking.

For a scenic route into the city, the well signposted National Tourist Routes are a great option. From the north, the Fife Coastal Route offers 85 miles of beautiful scenery and picturesque towns. If you are travelling from the south, the Borders Historic Route takes you through stunning landscapes and royal market towns. If you are coming to Edinburgh from Stirling, the Forth Valley Tourist Route allows you to appreciate the mighty Forth road and rail bridges. To read more about these routes and driving and parking in Scotland, visit the Edinburgh site.

You can find out up-to-date traffic information from Traffic Scotland, and plan your route with Transport Direct.

Public Transport

For information about all public transport in Scotland, the best place to check for information and timetables is with Traveline; you can also download their handy mobile app or call them on 0871 200 22 33.

By air

Many international and domestic flights fly into Edinburgh Airport, located just eight miles from the city centre. A shuttle bus runs from the airport day and night and taxis are always readily available.

The best way to find the most competitive fares for flying  around Scotland is to search on comparison sites such as SkyScanner, Travel Supermarket and Cheapflights.

By train

Edinburgh’s busy Waverley Station sits right in the heart of the city centre. With trains arriving from all over the country, as well as local services, you will have no trouble finding a suitable train route. For all train times to Scotland and fares across the UK network, visit National Rail Enquiries

By bus

St Andrews Bus Station is also in a very central location, and buses pass through here from across the country. To get around Edinburgh, Lothian Buses and First Bus provide an extensive range of services.

By tram

A tram network is being laid out in Edinburgh, with the plan being to connect the airport with the city centre. There is currently no firm date for completion, so watch this space!

By ferry

If you arrive in the UK by ferry in the ports of Hull, Newcastle or Cairnryan, there are clear road links to Edinburgh.

Find out more about travelling to and around Scotland