Edinburgh — Edinburgh Trams Line 1
Edinburgh Airport (EDI) to Edinburgh — Updated 2026
Edinburgh Trams Line 1 connects the airport directly to the city centre — £7.50 single, 35 minutes to Princes Street, every 7 minutes during the day. The tram is the only rapid transit option from EDI; Edinburgh has no airport rail link. Stops include Edinburgh Park (Park-and-ride), Murrayfield Stadium (rugby internationals), Haymarket Station (mainline rail connections), Princes Street, and the terminus at Newhaven (extended 2023). Bus alternatives: the **Airlink 100** runs £4.50 to Waverley Bridge / Princes Street in 30 minutes, every 10 minutes — slightly cheaper than tram and only marginally slower. For value, Airlink 100 wins; for the Princes Street-Haymarket corridor specifically, tram is more direct from arrivals.
Edinburgh Trams Line 1 stops
| Station / Stop | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh Airport | 0 min | Tram stop directly outside arrivals (covered walkway) |
| Edinburgh Park Central | ~10 min | Park-and-ride + connections |
| Murrayfield Stadium | ~22 min | Rugby + concert venue |
| Haymarket | ~28 min | Mainline rail to Glasgow + UK |
| Princes Street | 35 min | City centre — castle + Royal Mile |
| St Andrew Square | ~37 min | Bus Station connection |
| Newhaven | ~50 min | Terminus (2023 extension) |
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Edinburgh Trams Line 1 vs alternatives
| Option | Cost | Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh Trams Line 1 | £7.50 | 35 min | Direct to Haymarket + Princes Street. Most reliable. |
| Airlink 100 bus | £4.50 | 30 min | Cheaper, runs to Waverley Bridge. Slightly less frequent. |
| Skylink 200/300/400 | £4.50 | 35-55 min | Bus routes to different city districts. |
| Taxi (black cab) | £25-£35 | 20-35 min | Door-to-door. Most expensive. |
| Uber | £15-£25 | 20-35 min | Often cheaper than taxi. |
| Hotel shuttle | Varies | 30-45 min | For hotels near the airport only. |
FAQ
Tram or bus from Edinburgh airport?+
Tram is more direct from the terminal (stop outside arrivals) + faster on average (35 min vs 30 min) but £3 more expensive. Airlink 100 bus is £4.50 to Waverley Bridge — perfect if your hotel is in the Old Town. Tram wins for Haymarket + west of Princes Street; Airlink 100 wins for Royal Mile + Old Town.
Where do I catch the tram at Edinburgh airport?+
Tram stop is directly outside arrivals — covered walkway, ~50 metre walk. Buy tickets at the platform machine (cash + card) or via the Edinburgh Trams app. Tap-in / tap-out not required — single ticket model. £7.50 single, £8.50 day ticket (covers all city travel).
Late-night Edinburgh tram?+
Edinburgh Trams Line 1 runs roughly 05:30 to 23:30 (last airport-bound 23:36, last city-bound 23:23). After that: Airlink 100 bus (last service 00:30) or N22 night bus. Edinburgh nightlife → Edinburgh airport at 04:00? Taxi only.
Is the Edinburgh tram extension good for airport travellers?+
The 2023 Newhaven extension added 8 stops north of Princes Street. Useful if your hotel is in Leith or Newhaven — direct from airport. For most tourists staying in Old Town, the original Princes Street terminus is fine. Same single fare covers entire route.
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