EDI — Edinburgh — Taxi Fare Guide
The official taxi rank is located directly outside the terminal at the East End of the building, clearly signposted from arrivals. Licensed black cabs queue here 24/7 and no booking is required — simply join the marshalled queue. Capital Cars operates the official rank at the airport.
Edinburgh black cabs are metered, not flat-rate. The fare is calculated by distance and time, so the exact total depends on traffic. A typical run to the city centre (Princes Street / Waverley) is around £25–£30 in the daytime (06:00–18:00) and can rise to around £35–£40 in the evening, at weekends or in heavy traffic. Fares are the same regardless of how many passengers travel (up to 5).
Ride-hailing is available: Uber and Bolt both operate in Edinburgh and can be cheaper than a black cab off-peak, though surge pricing applies at busy times. Free Now (licensed taxis via app) also covers the city. Pre-booked private hire firms offer fixed-price airport transfers if you prefer a guaranteed rate.
| Destination | Approx. fare | Time |
| City centre (Princes St / Waverley) | £25–£35 | 25–30 min |
| Old Town / Royal Mile | £28–£38 | 30 min |
| Leith / waterfront | £30–£40 | 30–35 min |
| Murrayfield Stadium | £18–£25 | 15 min |
Practical tips: Use only the official marshalled rank; ask the meter is running. Card payment is accepted in all licensed cabs. Allow extra time and budget during rush hour (08:00–09:30, 16:30–18:30) when the metered fare climbs. For groups the tram or Airlink bus is far cheaper per person.
Other ways to the city
Edinburgh Airport has excellent public transport into the city, often faster and much cheaper than a taxi:
- Edinburgh Tram: Runs from the terminal to St Andrew Square / Princes Street in about 30–35 minutes. A single adult ticket is around £7.90 (open return £9.50). Trams run every 7–10 minutes from roughly 06:30 to 22:45.
- Airlink 100 bus: The Lothian Buses express to Waverley Bridge takes about 30 minutes and costs £6.00 single / £8.50 return. It runs 24/7, every 10 minutes at peak.
- Tickets: Buy from machines at the tram/bus stops, the Transport for Edinburgh app, or contactless on board the bus. Both drop you in the heart of the city centre.
Fares are researched from official and public sources and are approximate — always confirm the meter or fixed fare before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a taxi from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre?
Are Edinburgh airport taxis metered or fixed price?
Does Uber work at Edinburgh Airport?
Is the tram or bus cheaper than a taxi?
Traveling via another city?
Check taxi fare guides for other airports before you fly.
See more airport guides