Connectivity

Edinburgh is a well-connected city. Strategic road, rail, and air routes link Edinburgh with other major cities in the UK and internationally. Residents and visitors have a wide variety of options for moving around the city, including awarding-winning bus and tram services and an extensive active travel network. 

Walking and cycling

Edinburgh is known as an easily-walkable city, with over 16% of residents travelling to work on foot and another 4% cycling. The National Cycle Network and the John Muir Way both run through Edinburgh. The City Centre West to East Cycle Link (CCWEL) is a flagship active travel route in central Edinburgh.

A cycle hire scheme is operated in Edinburgh by Voi, with over 800 electric bikes available to hire throughout the city.

Trains and trams

Edinburgh is well-connected by rail, with trains offering swift journeys to destinations including Glasgow (42 minutes) and London (four hours 20 minutes). The city's 12 rail stations include the major city centre stations of Edinburgh Waverley and Haymarket, while the Edinburgh Gateway and Edinburgh Park stations link the city centre with West Edinburgh. 

Edinburgh’s main railway station, Edinburgh Waverley, was used by over 22.7 million passengers in the year ending March 2025. It is the 20th busiest station in the UK, and the fifth busiest outside of London. The fastest train journeys to London take slightly over four hours. Its retail and hospitality offer includes M&S Simply Food, JD Wetherspoon, and WHSmith.

Edinburgh Trams connect Edinburgh Airport to Newhaven via Edinburgh city centre with halts including the West End, Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh Park business park, Leith Walk, and Leith.

There are train-tram interchanges at Haymarket, Edinburgh Park, and Edinburgh Gateway.

Bus

Edinburgh and the surrounding communities are served by the bus operators Lothian Buses and First Bus. Intercity bus services are offered by operators such as Stagecoach, Borders Buses, and Megabus, with most services departing from and arriving at Edinburgh Bus Station. All residents of Scotland aged under 22 or 60 plus are eligible for free bus travel.

Several operators offer sightseeing bus tours of Edinburgh, including Bright Bus Tours, Ghost Bus Tours, and Red Bus Bistro.

Driving

The Edinburgh City Bypass links directly to the M8 leading to Glasgow (a one hour, 20 minute drive) and the A1 and A702 leading to London (both around a seven hour drive). 

There are seven park-and-ride facilities on the outskirts of Edinburgh, enabling visitors to leave their vehicles and travel into Edinburgh by bus.

Edinburgh has dozens of public charging points for electric vehicles, along with a hydrogen refuelling station at Wallyford on the outskirts of the city.

Air

Edinburgh Airport is the sixth busiest airport in the UK, and the second busiest outwith London (after Manchester), carrying 16.969 million passengers in 2025. The airport has experienced rapid growth in recent years; annual passenger numbers have risen by 2.236 million (+15%) since 2019. 

Edinburgh Airport offers direct flights to over 150 destinations worldwide. Cities with direct flights to and from Edinburgh include Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and Madrid in Europe; Boston, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, and Toronto in North America; and Doha and Dubai in the Middle East.

In recent years, Edinburgh Airport has significantly expanded its departure lounge and the range of retail and hospitality brands represented. Existing brands include Sunglass Hut, FatFace, Accessorize, Rituals, and WHSmith, with specialist retail opportunities available.

Edinburgh Airport is Scotland's largest air cargo gateway, with multiple logistics and aviation companies using it for air freight. Development is underway of the Global Air Park; a 28-acre logistics park faciltating increased global trade. As part of the Forth Green Freeport initiative, Edinburgh Airport has been designated a customs site, with relaxed customs arrangements.

Edinburgh Airport is linked to the rest of Edinburgh via the Edinburgh Tram and the Airlink/Skylink buses.

Sea

Edinburgh is growing in popularity as a cruise destination. The Port of Leith has facilities for transit and turnaround cruise liners, with additional facilities at Newhaven and Hawes Pier.

Port Edgar in South Queensferry offers 300 berths for boats of varying sizes, with plans for a new 400+ berth marina at Granton Waterfront.