Transportation in Edinburgh
Hillier than almost any other British city, Edinburgh has a compact centre. The rest is split into a number of distinct former towns and villages. In the New Town, find upmarket shopping and nightlife on George Street or travel north to Stockbridge and Dean Village for their distinctive villagey atmosphere. Across central Princes Street Gardens lies the medieval Old Town with its tall buildings and narrow closes. To the north-east of central Edinburgh lies Leith. Now thoroughly revived, it retains its identity as a separate seaside town. Walk down west from Leith Walk to Broughton with its funky boutiques and cafés.
Read more about transport from and to the airport
Foot
Walking is a smart way to see Edinburgh's sights. The walk from the castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the other end of the Royal Mile takes around 20 minutes, and leads you past some of Edinburgh's oldest and most striking buildings. The main parts of the New Town are also easily seen on foot.
Taxi
Edinburgh has no shortage of taxis. You can hail a black cab from the street (an orange light shows it's available for hire) or grab one at one of the many taxi ranks. Chat about weather and football with the drivers, and if you must mention the 2010 World Cup, make sure you sound upbeat about Scotland's team.
Bus
Bus travel is an easy and cheap way to get around. The main bus stations are at St Andrew Square and on Waverley Bridge, just outside the railway station. This is the place to catch a tourist open-topped bus with entertaining running commentary. Airport services also run from Waverley Bridge. Day tickets for all buses save money and can be purchased on board.
Rent your car
Several roads radiate from the centre of Edinburgh and there’s a ring road around the city. To ease congestion, there are several park and ride sites in the outskirts. If you do drive into the centre, you should make note of parking restrictions, particularly time limits.
Transportation Tips
A Day Saver Ticket gives unlimited bus travel around Edinburgh. A free bus travels between the National Gallery of Scotland, Scottish National Portrait Gallery and Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art every 45 minutes. Driving in Edinburgh is not recommended for the uninitiated – there are extensive one-way systems and the numerous parking wardens are notoriously strict. For comfortable travel to the airport, catch a Shuttle van from George Street or order a pick-up from your door.
