Edinburgh Airport to Old Town & Royal Mile

A ridge, not a street

The Old Town grew along the spine of rock that runs from the Castle down to Holyrood, and the Royal Mile follows its crest. That geography explains most of what follows. Public transport from the airport runs along the valley below, through Haymarket and past Princes Street Gardens, and the last part of every journey is a climb. How steep depends on where your hotel or flat sits: the Lawnmarket end near the Castle is higher than the Canongate end near Holyrood.

From Waverley Bridge, on foot

The Lothian Airlink 100 is the obvious choice. It leaves Stop A outside arrivals up to every 10 minutes between 04:12 and 01:00 and up to every 20 minutes overnight, costs £6.00 one way or £8.50 open return, and takes about 30 minutes to Waverley Bridge. Its terminus is about as close to the Royal Mile as any public transport gets.

From the bridge, Cockburn Street curves up to the High Street near St Giles' Cathedral. It is cobbled for some of its length and climbs steadily, so wheeled cases rattle but manage. Alternatively, walk up to North Bridge and turn right onto the High Street at the Tron, which is a gentler gradient on smoother pavement. Either takes most people somewhere between five and ten minutes with luggage.

Taking the tram instead

The tram (£7.90 single, £7.50 pre-booked online) runs every 7 minutes for most of the day and reaches Princes Street and St Andrew Square in about half an hour. For the Old Town, get off at St Andrew Square, walk to the east end of Princes Street and cross North Bridge; the High Street is at the far end. It is slightly longer than the walk from Waverley Bridge, but suits people who prefer a fixed-rail ride or who have bought a multi-day tram ticket. Remember that the last tram from the airport is at 22:52.

Closes, cobbles and taxi drop-offs

The Old Town's accommodation is threaded through narrow closes and wynds that run off the main street, many with steps. Taxis can stop on the Royal Mile and on the parallel streets of the Cowgate and Grassmarket, but not inside a close. If your booking gives a close name, check which street the entrance faces before you get in the cab.

The official rank is run by Capital Cars from the East Terminus across the plaza. The fare is set by the City of Edinburgh Council meter: from 25 July 2026, £3.60 to start on weekdays between 06:00 and 18:00, £4.80 in the evening and at weekends, then 30p increments. For roughly 14 km to the High Street that comes to around £28 on a clear run, up to about £36 if the roads around Haymarket and the West End are congested. A saloon booked in advance to central Edinburgh starts at about £43; the benefit is a fixed price and a driver who can be told the exact entrance in advance.

August, and other busy weeks

During the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August the Royal Mile turns into a pedestrian stage, and vehicle access to parts of the High Street is restricted. Taxis may set you down on a side street instead, and walking the last stretch with luggage through the crowds takes longer than usual. Bikes are not allowed on the trams in August at all. Hogmanay brings similar closures around the end of December. If you arrive in either period, the Airlink and a short walk is often quicker than a taxi stuck behind barriers.

Grassmarket and the southern side

Not every Old Town address is on the Royal Mile itself. For the Grassmarket, Victoria Street or the university area around Chambers Street, a taxi drops you on a level street and spares you the climb. On foot from Waverley Bridge, the Grassmarket route runs up to the High Street and then down Victoria Street's curve, which is fine without luggage and awkward with it. Pre-booked drivers can be given these details in advance.

Late landings

Airlink runs all night, so a 01:30 arrival still has a £6.00 option into town. After dark, though, the walk up Cockburn Street with bags is less inviting, and the evening taxi tariff makes the difference over the bus smaller in proportion. Two travellers sharing a cab to a High Street address pay roughly £15–18 each, which many people will judge sensible at that hour.