PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN EDINBURGH Guide | Insider tips for trams, bus & more

Curious about prices, timing, apps and etiquette of Edinburgh's public transport system? Google no more because this video is ready to fulfil all of your needs! Or.. at least MOST of them, because our public transport network can get a bit complicated, and there seem to be literally about 30 different types of tickets, plus roughly 7 different ways of purchasing them - hopefully this video will help you understand how to use our trams, buses, trains and more as efficiently as possible!
We will cover how to get to Edinburgh from the airport, what is the best way of buying bus and tram fare, some lesser known ways of getting around Edinburgh, and of course what to avoid doing when using our public transport to avoid a travel faux pas!
#edinburgh #visitedinburgh #lothianbuses #edinburghairport
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Found this video helpful? Consider supporting me on Patreon!
/ kakibot
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Bus ticket info (including network day ticket which covers bus AND tram):
www.lothianbus...
Tram tickets including multi day tickets (only covers trams) :
edinburghtrams...
Ridacard info:
edinburghtrams...
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[@simonmountney]

The joy Kat had in smashing that big red button cannot be quantified :)

[@bozopriester]

This is awesome. As someone prepping for a solo trip (November 2025) videos like these are IMMENSELY helpful. By the time I get to Edinburgh I will feel sooooo much more confident traveling about. Thanks!!!

[@simonmcglary]

As a Fifer, I don’t think Edinburgh locals really appreciate how awesome Lothian bus services are! Especially in comparison to here in Fife.

[@ianmcsherry5254]

Believe me, we do.

[@CentralScotlandBusesYT]

I’m an avid transport fan in Edinburgh who comes up to Fife a lot, & let me tell you, I definitely feel lucky. Places like Dunfermline or Kirkcaldy are alright (not amazing, but not bad), but if you stay somewhere like Auchertool or Cameron Bridge, your options are extremely limited.

[@ZackGray-m6u]

absolutely. My bus home from Edinburgh is once every hour, usually late, but whenever i'm waiting for the bus home i always see at least three or four of each type of bus coming through princes street

[@HomoErected]

Believe me, we don’t.

[@Growingsappy]

I am in Edinburgh this weekend. I went for a long walk today and wanted to take a bus back. I saw loads of buses going towards Airport and loads going towards the city but luck would have it when I actually stopped at a stop, three buses were delayed 😅 but I really love the trams, strange seating but gets you to your destination lol

[@MrCherryJuice]

Just a quick note to say that the production values of your videos get better and better. It must be challenging to come up with topics, but you never seem to be at a loss. But the reason I am commenting is to say that you do such a fantastic job with your delivery. Like you I share a love for this fab city, so I take delight in hearing the enthusiasm in your voice. Also, as someone for whom English is a second language you possess an extensive vocabulary and are exceptionally articulate. Your ability to deliver facts in such a personable and engaging manner puts you in a class all of your own. If looking for subject matter, consider a video on New Town closeups...beautiful doors, street lamps, the gardens of lower level flat, the various mews, brass door bells, boot scrapers, the cobbled streets, the gardens, the pubs.... The New Town is overlooked as an Edinburgh attraction, likely because so much of it appears to be similar. But it isn't. Subtleties abound. And they are intriguing and thrilling. Some drone footage would also be wonderful. A closer look at Stockbridge including St. Stephen Street, Saxe Coburg Place, the steps at the bottom of India Street, up the side streets between Raeburn Place and Queenferry Road etc. The video with mood music and occasional commentary would - as I commented previously about compiling a collection of scenic outtakes - would be compelling. Cheers from chilly Canada.

[@h-Qalziel]

It should be noted that if you move to Edinburgh and live there and are under 21 or over 60, bus and tram travel is free with a National Entitlement Card. So, if you're a student, for example, you won't need to use the student discounts as you could get it for free. It also doubles as a rail card and gets you a third off on Scotrail trains.

[@Kakibot]

That is such a good extra bit of info - feeling embarrassed I totally forgot about this, probably because I have been outside of that age bracket for way too long!

[@oscarramage95]

It’s also available for people with disabilities

[@jeffreyskinner6281]

Kat, great video on Edinburgh transport. I am on my seventh trip to Scotland from the states and I usually rent a car as we head to the Highland or Islands with our golf clubs. But I have spent three weeks (different trips) in Edinburgh and love it so much. I will be inclined to use the transport system thanks to you! On one occasion while in downtown I followed another car and accidentally went down a street where passenger cars were banned. As I made the turn I saw a tram coming from the right ( it was making a turn away from us so there was no chance of a collision ) but the look on the tram drivers face was classic. As he shook his head side to side I could feel the disdain he was directing my way. OOPS! Love Edinburgh and your videos are wonderful.

[@Celtic_Amy]

This is so helpful! I've been to Scotland 7 times since 2014 (edinburgh only 3 times and only walked). I'm from Ohio (USA) So I don't even have public transportation. My friend is coming with me in May and wants to use public transportation whenever possible to limit walking. Airfare this year was so expensive we are looking at as many money saving options for our trains, buses and trams. Staying in Fife 40 minutes north of Edinburgh. Definitely texting this video to my friend.

[@Zveebo]

The Bright Bus to the airport is very barebones and doesn’t stop many places - but it has the advantage of being ridiculously fast. You can get from Haymarket to the Airport in comfortably less than 20 mins, so it’s very handy if you’re running late for your flight! Edit: Oh, I’m glad you also mentioned the trains within the city. Haymarket to Waverley trains are one of Edinburgh’s best travel secrets - so handy, especially in bad weather. If you go out the back entrance at Waverley, you are also basically right at the top of Leith Walk - great for St James Quarter, John Lewis and all the other stuff around there.

[@simonmountney]

Hopefully we covered all bases for all the major transport options but please let us know if you want anything else looked at!

[@nsetonhandville1270]

Kat - Many thanks for an excellent update on this. As always, you pack lots of extremely useful info in your videos. So well done! We were in Edinburgh 7 years ago and are returning in May, so the timing is perfect. I especially appreciate the comments on the Ridacard, fare caps, and day trip options. Such info is super helpful to travelers, and other creators just don't think about that level of detail. Another wonderful video, thanks for such quality work!

[@gilbertmoyes2918]

As a youth I can remember steeping our front door, catching the No 1 bus which made the complete circle around Edinburgh. To get to the city center you could change buses at Crewe Toll, Goldenacre, The Foot of Leith Walk, The Top of Easter Road. It would also take me up The High Street just to mention a few Stops. Getting around the city was never a challenge. The transit system was like a large wheel with spokes. I even remember as a Kid during one school holiday catching the bus and taking it all the way around Just for fun.

[@thomaschapman7533]

Essential viewing! I agree on the cab from the airport - lots of suitcases? Pop for a cab. You are the best !😊

[@janahanusova8399]

Jé, 11:59 - teprve jsem pochopila, že koukám na video od krajanky. ❤

[@Z76455]

Good practical Video... thanks.. You did not mention seniors.. Are there discounts, and is there a card one has to show the driver? What is the proceedure?

[@simonmountney]

Hey! Good point, here's some details: The NEC (National Entitlement Card) card entitles you to free bus travel across Scotland, and also on trams if your card was issued by the City of Edinburgh Council. You also get discounts on train fares. I think you'll want to review if your existing ID applies but to be honest I imagine you'd need to apply for the local ID for free/discounted travel

[@Z76455]

@@simonmountney Thank you Simon!! 😀

[@John_Krone]

Excellent guide! Thank you

[@jettfancy]

Just came home from Edinburgh. Thanks to this video, money where saved on transport (went with the Airlink from & to the airport). The money saved where spent on (among other things) pins by Kakibot, bought at the Scottish Design Exchange Store :)

[@Kakibot]

Glad to hear that! And of course happy to hear the savings were put to a good use at SDX 😅

[@alenaB15]

Díky za užitečné rady!👍

[@thomasedde9916]

Great video! Airlink and Night buses are included in the £22 weekly contactless cap ;)

[@Kakibot]

Thanks! The whole airlink tap thing seems to be a bit mysterious to me though: I don’t believe the driver would let you go all the way to the airport on a “regular” tap but it does seem like just zooming between the city stops is allowed?

[@thomasedde9916]

@@Kakibot You tell the driver if you are going to the airport or just within the city zone, he/she selects the right fare on the machine, and then the back-office system does it works to calculate the best cap

[@Blackburnian737]

Nice video! As someone who spent a semester in Edinburgh I agree with the point about walking being as fast. I walked almost everywhere! I didn't find the tram super useful at the time without the extension, and am looking forward to seeing it now. Nice to see the Riverside museum as well, it is really nice. Also loved North Berwick and going south to Tweedbank/Melrose area.

[@taylorvardy633]

I’m coming in august and I’m watching all your videos to prepare 😊 thanks so much!

[@gilbertmoyes2918]

Have a Great time in Edinburgh. Remember it does rain occasionally in Scotland 🤣.

[@karupe9982]

Omggggg yes, we NEED this. If it's possible to make a Glasgow one with friends as always maybe. That would be GREAT

[@alanbudgen2672]

Thank you so much. We are heading to Edinburgh this weekend, but staying outside of the City in Queensferry, so this is super helpful x

[@Kakibot]

Glad it was helpful!

[@alisongavin2580]

Excellent video, I am coming with my son and his girlfriend in a few months and am very familiar with the buses but this will be great information for them when they are off out on their own, Thank you so much 🙌

[@PolinaK97]

That was really useful! Thank you!!

[@FullaEels]

the buses go everywhere! but as someone who lives outside the city, commuting in for work can be a pain, particularly going from musselburgh to leith, as there is no direct route, and squirreling thru restalrig and craigentinny just to get to the foot of the walk adds time to my commute that i would rather spend actually at work, using flexi time to leave early. but!! c'est la vie!

[@samtan4729]

Do you think I need to buy tickets in advance for the bus from princess st to Buchanan st Glasgow on Sunday afternoon? Thanks in advance.

[@francois6158]

Wow, we loved this video because we are visiting Edinburgh (for the first time) next month. Is it still possible to pay with coins ánd banknotes in the Lothian Busses? 🚌

[@RaymonKravagna]

When I went to Edinburgh scottland for the first time last year. I couldn't believe how easy it was to go from the airport to the city center, and it was only $7 and 50 pounds.

[@TheAKL77]

How can we pay for the train? Do we need a specific travel/rail card? And do trains have an option for cash payment?

[@Epcotfans54]

Do the public transportation buses and trams accommodate mobility scooters? I can fold it down if needed.

[@NFT_TX]

Do we have to validate those tickets before boarding or they are validated by the ticket inspectors? Thanks

[@michoost]

If you buy a day ticket for the buses, can you use that ticket on the tram as well, or do you need a separate ticket for the tram?

[@drpigeyes]

For QMU students the N30 is the one you want to look out for!

[@gsmith2000994]

Edinburgh Trams and Lothian buses are seperate businesses and probably will always be. The reason for this is the 1985 Transport act deregulating council owned transport and the fact Lothian buses is owned by 3 councils and Transport for Edinburgh, while Transport for Edinburgh has a 100% stake in Edinburgh Trams. Realistically, though TfE integrates all the ticketing there should be no overlap unless I'm missing something as you are able to buy all ticket types on buses and at the tram stop, other than single fares. The only thing I know that isn't allowed is national entitlement cards are not valid on nightbuses and only cards issued by Edinburgh Council can be used on Trams.

[@thezone1000]

The 400 bus also go to the east of Edinburgh

[@jennyhouse6748]

I am visiting during the Fringe Festival and staying in Newhaven. Would it be better to take the tram or bus?

[@Kakibot]

For transport from the airport? The 200 skylink would probably take about 40 minutes to get you there, which doesn't seem like much faster than the tram (which will be a nicer ride through the centre I reckon). I would just double check while getting on the tram that it goes all the way North to Newhaven on the day, because sometimes they limit the length of the service for upkeep or emergencies.

[@rjflores438]

Glasgow wins on this one I think. It has a better public transport system than Edinburgh. It has way more train stations and even has a subway. Even though Edinburgh has a tram system, and if you live in that tram line it is great, its still not the best. Although no major city has a worse transport system than Leeds, the city I lived in up until a year ago.

[@reb0118]

At 26:14 I notice you purchased a "Cross County Only" ticket but travelled on a ScotRail train. Naughty, naughty. Cross County (XC) are being a bit sneaky here. They run very few services between Haymarket & Edinburgh compared to ScotRail but use this fare to catch people, mainly tourists, unawares. Unlike the standard any permitted ticket, where the combined revenue is shared amongst the various operators, this XC Only one only benefits XC. They know that the passenger is unlikely to be checked in that time so their "scam" generally goes undiscovered.....but if a passenger is caught and sold a new ticket then they're quids in. Firstly, they've already got the money from the original sale, secondly they get their share from the new any permitted ticket sold, and finally because another operator is selling a new ticket it is that operator that gets the "bad press" from the passenger.

[@Kakibot]

You know, I’ve asked multiple people about this (also just… the internet) and I never got any clarification on this other than “meh, you’ll be fine” 🫥 now I feel bad for Scotrail!!

[@reb0118]

@@Kakibot. No need to feel bad. By advertising the train so to speak you'll generate additional passengers for ScotRail . If you do still feel bad how about a video on Edinburgh's lesser known railway stations as a penance?.🤔 The joys of Wester Hails, Slateford, & Brunstane. That said, there are lots of interesting places accessible from these suburban stations - from shopping to leisure activities 😀

[@iiBus]

14:05 Hopefully available for the trams in a few months

[@geetalib]

can we tap any credit card that has a tap option? I am from India travelling to Edinburgh in may. Will my Citi bank credit card work as a tap?

[@Kakibot]

International cards should work fine, but it might be good to check with your bank - if it works for tapping in any other store, it should be fine on the bus as well!

[@geetalib]

Ya it does work on tapping in international stores as well. Thanks so much for the info@@Kakibot

[@michoost]

Do you have, or can you do a video like this about Glasgow?

[@Kakibot]

Not yet but I’ll put it on my list! .)

[@TaylorDaleWright]

Do the buses or trams have an option to take a bike on them?

[@Kakibot]

Lothian buses don’t allow this, but I’ve noticed some buses under the Borders Buses network have buses with dedicated bike space! Trams have some limited space available, I’d only take a bike on if the service isn’t too full.

[@A2zfootballshorts]

Making a video about private accommodation, apartment, flat

[@chrissaltmarsh6777]

Another technique is what I use - get old. I am ancient, so I get a card that gets me around on bus and tram for nothing. (This is done by the Scottish government, to make sure people have as much mobility as possible. Works for others than the ancient) If you want to go further, the trains are pretty good. Feet are good as well; they work. So far, for me.

[@TheEmpressgoth]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤Thank you 😊

[@dtmc73]

tell me you dont understand public transport design, go on the 100 for me please Kaki and show me where you would put more luggage racks

[@Nightwing01010]

Is there a bus at Edinburgh airport that goes to Inverness?

[@Growingsappy]

Megabus?

[@raithrover1976]

No. The Inverness bus heads out of the city via Queensferry Road and Crammond Bridge. Your best bet is to get the tram from the airport to St Andrew Square where it's a very short walk from the tram stop to the bus station.

[@sandybutton243]

I have a ridacard, just because I come regulary and stay for at least 6 nights or longer. What I found kind of weird: the tram conductors. Some of them are like rude kids, yelling at passengers and behave like they are gods. So I mostly use the buses and avoid the trams.😂

[@PaulEcosse]

As a Weegie, this is the one thing that actualy makes me jealous of Edinburgh, your public transport and buses that actually do what they're supposed to do and turn up on time. That's what we're constantly being told anyway. Transport in Glasgow is a bit of a joke.

[@Tatia146]

You forgot to say that if you move to Scotland and are a pensioner your travel is free, including the tram.

[@shanchat]

You definitely have melted into the city by moaning about the buses. I get your complaints about the paying to ride the trams being expensive compared to Prague. It's a great service for the busses though. Ask Fifers and about what their busses are like. I lived in Wales and don't drive. Busses outside Cardiff where shit and in Cardiff, bus drivers were so PO'd they'd just stop the bus and quit. I love the busses. I hate waiting for them in the winter and Sundays..... Honestly you do live in the perfect part of the city for transport links. Unless the rugby just emptied out. Cracking videos though.

[@edward7555]

😣 *Promo SM*

[@MGForums]

Edinburgh trams are a rippoff. keep clear.

[@raithrover1976]

They're the same price as the buses

[@bobray3330]

Best travel plans: avoid the woke islamic republic of scotland.