You can travel around Edinburgh with ease using the public buses, which cover the city centre and the areas around the city. They are also one of the most convenient ways to get to and from the airport.
Edinburgh bus operators
There are two major bus companies in Edinburgh, Lothian Buses and First Bus. You are more likely to use the former during your visit, as it has the most extensive network of routes through the city centre.
Both companies charge the same fares, but your tickets are not transferable between the two. If you want a day ticket, or tickets for several days, it’s best to use Lothian Buses, since they run more routes.
Buses run at regular intervals throughout the day, though they are less frequent in the evenings and on Sundays. Most bus stops have an electronic screen showing how many minutes until the next bus arrives.
All buses are wheelchair accessible and have a designated space on board.
Bus tickets in Edinburgh
You can pay for your ticket when you board. The easiest option is usually to tap a contactless card or your phone.
You can also pay in cash, but exact change is required, as drivers can’t give change. If you put in more money than the fare, you won’t get the difference back.
If you are going to take the bus several times in a day, contactless is especially handy, as it applies an automatic daily cap as long as you always use the same card or device. You can also buy mobile tickets on the Lothian Buses app.
For longer stays, you might like to get a Ridacard, which you pay for in advance and is valid for 1 week, 4 weeks or 1 year.
Bus fares
Single and day tickets
| Ticket | Adult | Child (5–15) |
|---|---|---|
| Single (no transfers) | £2.40 | £1.20 |
| Day ticket | £6 | £3 |
| Night ticket | £3.50 | Adults only |
Day tickets are also valid on the tram, except to the airport.
Family day ticket
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Up to 2 adults and 3 children | £13 |
Also valid on the tram, except to the airport.
Night buses
Night buses run roughly once an hour between midnight and 4.30am and need a night ticket (adults only).
City Late
| Ticket | Adult |
|---|---|
| City Late (6pm–4.30am) | £5.50 |
Also valid on the tram, except to the airport.
The airport bus
The fastest bus, and the one that takes you straight from the airport to the city centre, is the Airlink 100 Express. It terminates at Waverley Bridge after about 25 minutes, with only a few stops, including Haymarket and Princes Street.
You can buy tickets at the counter next to the bus stop at the airport, or on board. There is also an open return ticket, valid for travel on different days.
The Airlink 100 runs 24 hours a day, although it is less frequent through the night (midnight to 4.30am).
Airlink 100 fares
Single and return tickets
| Ticket | Adult | Child (5–15) |
|---|---|---|
| Single | £6 | £3 |
| Open return | £8.50 | £4.25 |
Family open return
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Up to 2 adults and 3 children | £22 |
Other airport bus services
As an alternative to the Airlink 100, there are other services following different routes. Service 17 and Service 18 connect the airport with other parts of Edinburgh. They charge the standard city fare, but only run during the day, from around 6am to midnight.
Service 17 runs through North Edinburgh and terminates in Leith, while Service 18 serves South Edinburgh. They can be useful if you are not staying in the city centre.
Both take longer than the Airlink 100, so if you are heading to central Edinburgh, the Airlink is usually still the quickest and easiest option.
For other ways of travelling to and from the airport, see Getting to and from Edinburgh Airport.
