Edinburgh Airport transfers

Road journeys from Edinburgh Airport

The A8 is the main corridor towards Edinburgh’s western districts and city approaches. The M8 heads towards Glasgow, the M9 towards Stirling, and Fife journeys can use the Queensferry Crossing and M90. These routes take you in different directions from the airport, with local roads forming the final part of each trip.

For St Andrews, the journey continues through Fife to the east coast after crossing the Forth. Central town hotels, Fairmont and Kingsbarns have different last stretches. Stirling’s city centre is also separate from the university’s Airthrey campus near Bridge of Allan. The route guides below explain those approaches and the onward travel options.

A8 and M8 commuter traffic, incidents and roadworks can affect the drive. City events may change the last Edinburgh streets, while golf and university occasions can make St Andrews busier. Allow for unloading and preparing at the destination before an appointment, as well as the journey itself.

Choose the right destination from EDI

City-centre hotels, Glasgow stays and St Andrews golf trips take you in different directions from EDI. Choose the route guide for your destination, then plan the arrival around the party’s luggage and any activity later that day.

For Edinburgh, specify whether you are staying in the Old Town around the Royal Mile or in the New Town north of Princes Street. For Glasgow, check whether you need Glasgow city or Glasgow Airport (GLA); they are separate destinations.

For longer journeys north, Dundee suits waterfront and university arrivals, Perth opens up Perthshire stays, Inverness serves a Highland city base and Aberdeen brings visitors to the north-east. The route listings below explain the destination choices, group luggage and public transport alternatives for each.

Plan luggage and arrival details

Have flight details, passenger numbers and the full luggage inventory ready before choosing a vehicle. Include golf bags for St Andrews and bulky family equipment alongside suitcases. Check suitability with the team before booking.

Keep the airport collection instructions and driver contact from your confirmation available after landing. If flight plans change, contact the team with your booking reference and updated details. Ask about waiting or delayed baggage arrangements for your booking.

Public transport and the return journey

Edinburgh has airport tram and bus links. Compare their stops with your accommodation: a direct transfer can help when your address is away from a stop or you have luggage to carry through the Old Town.

For the return to EDI, work backwards from airline check-in guidance. Allow for checkout, collecting bags and gathering the party before the drive, then leave room for traffic on the airport approach.

Preparing an EDI arrival with an onward commitment

Keep your flight number, booking reference and accommodation or venue information together. For an event, check whether you settle into the hotel first or head straight to the venue. Agree that order with the group before booking, including where suitcases and any sporting equipment will go.

Landing comes before disembarking, collecting bags and any arrival formalities. For a train, event or tee time later that day, include those tasks, the drive and preparation after arrival. Leave room for disruption between stages, and contact the team if flight plans or the onward itinerary change.

Drop-off areas

• Old Town

  The Royal Mile and Castle area have accommodation on side streets and closes. Review the host’s access guidance and allow for steps or a walk from an accessible street, especially with heavy cases.

• New Town

  The New Town lies north of Princes Street, with hotels and apartments around its squares and shopping streets. Check the property’s arrival guidance and plan how the party handles cases on any final walking section.

• West End and Haymarket

  Haymarket is a western city station and hotel area. An onward train needs time for unloading and reaching the platform; a hotel stay may need preparation before the next outing. Include that stage when comparing travel options.

• Leith and Newhaven

  North of the centre towards the waterfront, these areas have destinations beyond the central hotel districts. Newhaven is reached by the airport tram, but check the distance from a stop to your specific property.

• Portobello

  Portobello is east of the centre beside the coast. A beachfront stay takes you beyond the central hotel districts, so compare the complete journey, including any local connection and the bags you carry.

• Edinburgh Park and South Gyle

  Edinburgh Park and South Gyle are western business areas. Keep office or conference joining information handy, and leave time to prepare after the drive if an appointment follows the flight.

• University destinations

  University sites and residences are spread across Edinburgh. Keep the campus joining instructions available and include key collection or preparation after arrival in a student or university visit.

• Glasgow, St Andrews and Stirling

  Glasgow, St Andrews and Stirling have individual guides below. Glasgow city and GLA are separate destinations; St Andrews courses can lie outside town; Stirling’s campus is near Bridge of Allan. Plan the local stage alongside the regional drive.

Returning to Edinburgh Airport

Decide where the holiday ends before arranging the airport return. A final round may leave clubs at a course and suitcases at the hotel; an apartment checkout may require earlier luggage collection. Agree where everyone and all belongings will be ready, including time to pack protected equipment.

Follow airline check-in, bag-drop and airport-arrival guidance, leaving room for the road journey. Departure-day traffic may differ from arrival, particularly on the M8 or at a Forth crossing. Confirm the departing airport independently if the Scottish itinerary uses both EDI and GLA.

Choosing your vehicle

Saloon and Executive each list 3 pax, 3 bags; Estate lists 4 pax, 4 bags. Count cabin items as well as checked cases. A couple with large suitcases and equipment may need more luggage space than the passenger count suggests, so give the team the complete inventory.

People Carrier and Exec MPV each list 5 pax, 5 bags. Include folded pushchairs and other bulky family items, with dimensions for a fit check. Discuss any particular seating needs before choosing a category.

The 8-seater Minibus lists 8 pax, 8 bags. For larger golf, conference or student parties, describe club covers, presentation cases or boxes alongside ordinary suitcases. Check suitability for the load and discuss any proposed extra stops before booking.

Public transport alternatives

Edinburgh Trams connects the airport with the city and continues to Newhaven; Airlink 100 is another airport-to-city option. Compare current stops and the final walk with your luggage. Old Town hills and steps can matter as much as the main connection.

Edinburgh Gateway is reached from the airport by tram and provides a rail interchange. It is separate from Haymarket and Waverley. Check the stations and changes in an onward rail itinerary, including the local journey from the arrival station to accommodation.

For Glasgow, Stirling or St Andrews, compare every public transport connection and the final local leg. Light luggage can make changes straightforward. A party with clubs or student belongings may prefer a direct road journey to its stay. Consult current operator information before deciding.

Routes from Edinburgh Airport

• Edinburgh Airport → Edinburgh city centre

  For Old Town or New Town hotels, city apartments and onward station connections. This guide also explains how Leith, Newhaven and western business addresses differ from a central Edinburgh drop-off.

• Edinburgh Airport → Glasgow

  For passengers landing at EDI whose accommodation, conference or university visit is in Glasgow. Explains the M8 journey and how to specify city districts rather than Glasgow Airport.

• Edinburgh Airport → St Andrews

  For golfers with clubs, university arrivals and stays in St Andrews or towards Fairmont and Kingsbarns. Covers the Forth crossing, accommodation differences and the Leuchars rail connection.

• Edinburgh Airport → Stirling

  For Stirling city stays, castle-area accommodation, Bridge of Allan visits and University of Stirling arrivals. Explains why station, hilltop and campus destinations need different addresses.

• Edinburgh Airport → Dundee

  For waterfront stays, V&A Dundee visits and university arrivals, with Tay crossing advice and golf luggage planning for nearby Carnoustie.

• Edinburgh Airport → Perth

  For Perth city stays, Scone Palace visits and a Perthshire holiday, with separate destination guidance for Gleneagles and Crieff Hydro.

• Edinburgh Airport → Inverness

  For groups arriving at EDI for an Inverness stay or Highland holiday, with A9 route advice, Loch Ness destination choices and an honest comparison with flying to INV.

• Edinburgh Airport → Aberdeen

  For EDI arrivals heading to Aberdeen city hotels, family visits or business addresses, with A90 advice, rail alternatives and Aberdeen Airport as another flight option.

Frequently asked questions

Golf, hotels and venues

• Old Course Hotel
• Fairmont St Andrews
• Kingsbarns Golf Links
• Carnoustie Golf Links
• Gleneagles
• Crieff Hydro
• North Berwick & Gullane golf coast
• The Balmoral
• The Caledonian Edinburgh
• Dalhousie Castle
• Murrayfield Stadium
• Ocean Terminal & Royal Yacht Britannia
• Newhaven cruise pier
• South Queensferry cruise tenders (Hawes Pier)

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