Best Time to Visit

The best time to explore Edinburgh is in late spring or summer, when the air is pleasantly warm and you can take full advantage of the long evenings. It's important to note that Edinburgh's weather can be unpredictable, with rain showers occurring throughout the year. Therefore, it's advisable to pack layers and be prepared for changing weather conditions regardless of the season.

Passport & Visa

For travel to the UK, citizens of the EU, EEA, and Switzerland (except Irish citizens) need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). However, those planning to work or study in the UK for more than six months will need to obtain the appropriate visa. Additionally, residents of nine other countries — including Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, and the United States — can also visit the UK for up to six months without a visa, but they will still need an ETA. To ensure a smooth journey, it is advisable to consult the UK government website for any specific visa requirements or regulations.

• Web:

  www.gov.uk/uk-border-control

Edinburgh Airport (EDI)

Edinburgh Airport (EDI) is located 11 kilometres west of the city, and connections to the city centre usually take between 25-30 minutes regardless of whether you go by bus, taxi or private car. The Airlink 100, and Service 17 and 18 bus lines provide fantastic connections across the city of Edinburgh. Tickets can be bought in advance online, at the bus stop, or from the driver. You'll find the airport tram stop is right outside the main terminal, next to the plaza and Edinburgh sign. Services are scheduled to run between the airport and Newhaven. An end-to-end journey between the airport and Newhaven takes about an hour, while journeys between the airport and the city centre take 30 minutes. Taxis are located on the first floor of the multi-storey car park opposite the main terminal building.

• Web:

  www.edinburghairport.com

• Address:

  Edinburgh Airport, Edinburgh

• Phone:

  +44 131 357 6337

Public Transport

Navigating Edinburgh is refreshingly straightforward. The city centre is compact and easily explored on foot. For longer journeys, Lothian Buses provide extensive coverage within the city, while First Bus serves the wider outskirts. Tickets can be bought via their mobile apps, on board, or in local shops. For visitors, a Lothian Buses day ticket is often the best value. If staying outside the centre, check which company serves your area first. Edinburgh’s single modern tram line is primarily useful for airport transfers (connecting York Place to the airport), with limited utility for central sightseeing.

• Web:

  www.introducingedinburgh.com/transport

Taxi

Taxis in Edinburgh mirror the classic London-style black cabs. These distinctive vehicles can carry up to five passengers. An illuminated yellow sign on the roof indicates when a cab is available for hire. While you can hail one on the street, it is often advisable to pre-book, especially during peak hours or for travel to the airport. Reliable local companies include Central Taxis (+44 131 229 2468), City Cabs (+44 131 228 1211) and E&I Taxis (+44 131 554 6775).

• Web:

  www.introducingedinburgh.com/taxi

Electricity

The United Kingdom uses the Type G electric plug, which is one with three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern. And it operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.