Located west of the city, there’re different ways to travel between Edinburgh Turnhouse Airport and the historic centre of the Scottish capital. In this article I had already spoken about Airlink 100, which is the cheapest and fastest way to reach the city centre.
Having said that, here I explain how Edinburgh tram works and why it’s an interesting option for those headed to the heart of the city as well as up to north, in the district of Leith.
Edinburgh Airport, useful information to get and from Leith by tram
There’s only one tram line running from the airport across Edinburgh city centre up the northern area, at the mouth of the River Leith. The tram stop at the airport is situated next to the exit of the main Terminal building, just aside the square dominated by the “Edinburgh” sign (check the map here).
If you buy your travel ticket online you can board directly, otherwise there’re vending machines available on the platform.
Which are the differences between Airlink 100 and Edinburgh tram?
Both connect the airport to the city centre in about 30 minutes.
However, whilst Airlink 100 arrive just to the heart of Edinburgh, trams continue up to Leith so they’re the perfect solution for visitors who stay in the surroundings of the city centre.
Besides that, people can travel on local trams to get to and from their accomodations to other areas of the Scottish capital (except Airport). In this cases standard fares apply as shown on Lothian Buses website.
Edinburgh tram route and stops
The tram line serves the airport and the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh, arriving to Leith, Ocean Terminal and Newhaven. Tram stops are the following:
- Edinburgh Airport
- Ingliston Park&Ride
- Gogaburn
- Edinburgh Gateway (railway station)
- Gyle Centre (hotel Ibis Budget Edinburgh Park)
- Edinburgh Park Central
- Edinburgh Park Station (railway station)
- Bankhead
- Saughton
- Balgreen (Edinburgh Zoo)
- Murrayfield stadium
- Haymarket (railway station)
- West End
- Princes Street (access to the Old and New towns)
- St Andrew Square (Waverley railway station)
- Picardy Place
- McDonald Road
- Balfour Street (Hibernian FC stadium)
- Foot of the Walk
- The Shore
- Port of Leith
- Ocean Terminal (Royal Yacht Britannia)
- Newhaven
Edinburgh Tram timetables
Trams run all year round, 7 days a week. Scheduled first departures are:
- from Newhaven, at 5:20 am;
- from Princes Street, at 5:42 am;
- from the Airport, at 6:26 am.
Scheduled last departures are:
- from Newhaven, at 11:50 pm;
- from Princes Street, at 12:12 am;
- from the Airport, at 10:48 pm.
Trams run every 7 minutes during the daytime and every 10 minutes in early mornings and late evenings. The journey time to/from the city centre is about 30 minutes while to/from Leith it takes roughly 20 minutes more.
How to get your Edinburgh tram ticket
It’s possible to buy your travel tickets in advance and the process is so easy as it took me less than 5 minutes:
- select the amount of tickets you need as well as the number of passengers and then click on Add to cart;
- decide if you want to add other products, otherwise select Go to cart to modify your booking or Check out in order to continue;
- choose your cancellation option, enter yout contact details and then go to Payment details to finalize the purchase.
The e-ticket allows you to get directly on board and it’s valid for one trip on any of the trams of the selected day. A free cancellation policy applies if made up to 24 hours in advance.
For all details and fares of trams to/from Edinburgh Airport please check this website.
