Edinburgh Layover Guide (EDI)

What are you looking for in EDI?
Tours/To do | Relax/Sleep | Internet/SIM | Transport | Storage | Money

Edinburgh Airport (EDI) is an international airport located in Ingliston, Scotland. It’s situated about 13 km (8 miles) from downtown Edinburgh. The airport officially opened in 1977 in its current form. Edinburgh is Scotland’s capital and one of the most historic and culturally rich cities in the UK. It’s known for its stunning architecture, world-famous festivals, and vibrant atmosphere that blends tradition with modernity.

Can you leave Edinburgh Airport (EDI) airport during a layover? Do you need a visa?
Yes. If your connecting flight allows a layover over passport control, you can exit EDI and explore Edinburgh. You must clear UK border control and meet entry requirements. Visitors from visa-required countries need a Standard Visitor visa or electronic travel authorisation. Nationals exempt from visas can enter visa-free. Check requirements (more info).

Tours, Things to do, Sightseeing

Layover Guide Organized Tours

Layover Guide Things to do / Sightseeing

• Edinburgh Castle Iconic fortress perched atop Castle Rock offering panoramic city views, military history exhibits and the Crown Jewels. (Time required: 2 hours. / Airport to here: Tram to Princes Street then 10-minute walk. Official site)
• The Royal Mile Historic cobbled street stretching between the Castle and Holyrood Palace, lined with shops, cafés, museums and street performers. (Time required: 1.5 hours. / Airport to here: Airlink 100 bus to Waverley Bridge. )
• Arthur’s Seat Ancient volcano summit in Holyrood Park offering gentle hiking trails and unbeatable skyline panoramas. (Time required: 2 hours. / Airport to here: Tram to St Andrew Square then 20-minute walk.)
• Palace of Holyroodhouse Official royal residence with lavish State Apartments, Mary Queen of Scots’ chambers and tranquil gardens. (Time required: 1.5 hours. / Airport to here: Airlink 100 bus to Holyrood Park Road. Official site)
• National Museum of Scotland Diverse collections spanning natural history, Scottish art, world cultures and cutting-edge technology exhibits. (Time required: 1.5 hours. / Airport to here: Tram to West End then 10-minute walk. Official site)
• Calton Hill Neoclassical monuments providing one of the city’s best viewpoints at dawn or dusk for stunning photo opportunities. (Time required: 1 hour. / Airport to here: Tram to Princes Street then 15-minute uphill walk.)
• St Giles’ Cathedral Majestic medieval church famed for its crown-spire, intricate stained glass windows and Thistle Chapel. (Time required: 45 minutes. / Airport to here: Airlink 100 bus to St Giles Street.)
• Dean Village Picturesque former milling village on the Water of Leith with tranquil pathways, charming stone cottages and hidden waterfalls. (Time required: 1 hour. / Airport to here: Tram to Murrayfield then 15-minute walk.)

Things to Do in Edinburgh Airport (EDI)

Relaxing and Sleeping

Airport Lounges and Relaxing
Edinburgh Airport features three pay-per-use lounges—Plaza Premium near Gate 13, Aspire at Gate 16 and Escape Lounge. Each offers comfortable seating, complimentary snacks, hot and cold dishes, alcoholic beverages, and high-speed Wi-Fi in stylish surroundings. Lounges welcome all passengers regardless of airline or class. Pre-booking is recommended to guarantee entry. » view all lounges or buy a lounge pass or membership online

Hotel and Sleeping
Several hotels just steps from EDI include Hampton by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Moxy and Premier Inn. Most offer covered walkways or complimentary shuttle services to the terminal. Rooms feature comfortable en-suite bathrooms, work desks, free Wi-Fi, on-site dining and fitness centres, ensuring a convenient, restful stay before or after your flight. view all or book an airport hotel online

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Rest Area and Sleeping in Airport
EDI terminal operates 24 hours, but security closes overnight. No dedicated rest zones exist; however, armrest-free benches near baggage claim and quieter gate areas (e.g., Gate 5) provide respite. Passengers often use massage chairs by the Escape Lounge or lingering in cafés outside peak hours to catch short naps.

WIFI/Internet and SIM Card

WIFI/Internet: Edinburgh Airport provides free “Airport Free Wi-Fi” accessible landside and airside. Simply select the network, accept the terms and register with an email for two-hour sessions, renewable as needed. High-speed connectivity is available throughout the terminal; lounges often offer dedicated, higher-speed Wi-Fi for uninterrupted work or streaming.

SIM/eSIM Card: SIM cards from major UK operators—EE, Three, Vodafone, O2 and Lebara—are sold at WHSmith and convenience kiosks in the arrivals hall. Prepaid plans start at about £10 for 5 GB; larger bundles and unlimited options are available. Alternatively, travelers can pre-purchase international eSIMs (e.g., Airalo, Holafly) online for instant activation upon landing. » buy a global esim card for Layover Guide, that you can use for other countries as well!

Transportation to/from airport

Taxi: Official taxis (Capital Cars) serve EDI from the East Terminus just outside arrivals. The rank operates 24/7, with metered fares to Edinburgh city centre (around £25–£30, 20 minutes). Private hire firms and ride-hailing apps also use designated pick-up/drop-off zones in the plaza and multi-storey car park.

Train: Edinburgh Airport has no dedicated railway station; travelers take trams to Edinburgh Gateway, Edinburgh Park, Haymarket or St Andrew Square. Trams depart every 7 minutes (7 am–7 pm) and every 10 minutes early/late. Combined tram-train tickets are available at vending machines in the terminal. more info

Bus: Numerous bus services connect EDI to Edinburgh and beyond. Airlink 100 runs 24/7 every 10 minutes to Waverley Bridge (30 minutes). Services 17/18, Airport Express and Citylink coaches serve the city centre, Glasgow, Fife, Dundee and Stirling. All stops are outside the terminal. more info

Shuttle: Plane Parking car park offers a free shuttle bus to the terminal every 18 minutes, 24/7, picking up at dedicated stops and delivering passengers to the East Terminus in about 10 minutes. Several nearby hotels also run complimentary shuttles; check individual schedules for exact pickup times.

Car rentals: Edinburgh Airport’s on-site Car Hire Centre houses major brands (Avis, Europcar, Hertz, Enterprise, Sixt, Budget). Located a short walk from departures via a covered walkway, it offers online reservations, one-way rentals and free 24/7 off-airport shuttles for select providers like Green Motion. view available cars or rent a car now online

Parking: Pre-booked parking at EDI saves up to 60% on on-day rates across Terminal, Multi-Storey, FastPark, Mid Stay, Long Stay and Plane Parking. Blue-badge, EV-charging and valet options available. Charged Pick-Up/Drop-Off zones cost £6 for 10 minutes, then £1/minute; all parking payments are cashless by card or mobile.

Luggage Storage & Lockers

Luggage Point inside the terminal offers left-luggage, bag wrapping, shipping and dry-cleaning services. Open daily from 4 am to 10 pm, secure lockers start at £5 for 24 hours rental. Lost property inquiries are handled at the same desk by baggage services. » book a luggage storage or locker at online (subject to availability).

Money Exchange and Withdrawal

- Edinburgh Airport (EDI) ATMs, currency exchanges and banks