Scotland's capital, Edinburgh, is a city that is ready to be discovered. Compact enough to explore on foot, it has the delightful offerings expected of a world-class city, from historic castles and museums to fantastic shopping and dining. It was in the 12th century when King David I proclaimed Edinburgh as a town comprising one of its royal burghs. Its history is long and varied starting with the fort (Castle Rock), various battles and numerous invasions. Today, Edinburgh is a vibrant capital that has retained much of its old world charm, from picturesque medieval buildings to beautiful squares. Splendid surprises await travellers on flights to Edinburgh once they arrive in the city. Check out our offers flight + hotel to Edinburgh!

Things to do and places to see in Edinburgh

The city might be small in size compared to other cosmopolitan cities around the world, but it more than makes up for it given the sheer number of activities you can do in Edinburgh. Start your trips to Edinburgh by visiting the Old Town with its cobbled streets and tight alleys. Admire the beautifully preserved buildings as you walk along the Royal Mile and stop at the end of the road that leads to the magnificent Holyrood Palace.

When visiting Edinburgh, be sure to:

See the Crown Jewels of Scotland at the iconic Edinburgh Castle
Listen to bewitching tales of murders and ghosts from guides at The Real Mary Close
Enjoy spooky Mercat Tours of the Blair Underground Vault
Experience The Edinburgh Dungeon with its live shows powered by special effects
Admire galleries and exhibitions at the National Museum of Scotland
Go to the official residence of the Queen, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and tour the State Apartments open to the public
Book a Scotch Whisky Experience and select your preferred dram
Check out the Royal Yacht Britannia in Leith
Sample Scottish cuisine in a restaurant serving traditional food
Chill out at a pub with your mates and enjoy loads of malt for a night of pure fun

Edinburgh airports

Cheap flights to Edinburgh arrive at the Edinburgh International Airport. Located just in the outskirts of the city, the airport is the busiest in Scotland, the sixth in the UK and 43rd in Europe. It has one terminal catering to 32 airlines travelling 173 routes to 122 destinations. Edinburgh Airport has a VisitScotland Information Centre, shops, prayer rooms, smoking areas, courier centre, restaurants, dry cleaning and cash machines. Ample parking facilities are available for private cars.

Edinburgh Airport

Top airlines

The top carriers at the airport are the following: British Airways, Ryanair and easyJet.

Location

Edinburgh Airport is in Ingliston approximately 9.3km west of downtown.

Transport options

The airport is well-connected to the motorways (M8 and M9) making it easy to get there by rental car or a private vehicle. You can also take a bus, coach, taxi or tram. By bus, take Airlink 100 (Stop D) to Waverley Bridge where you can connect to several destinations at the main rail and bus stations on Princes street. Hop on a tram marked "Edinburgh Airport" to catch your plane or to get into town, destination "York Place".
Glasgow International Airport

Top airlines

Plan and avail cheap flights to Glasgow on any of these airlines - British Airways, Ryanair and easyJet.

Location

All flights to Glasgow land at the international airport which is approximately eight miles from the city centre.

Transport options

A well-established network of public ground transport will get you to any part of a city. With a bus every ten minutes from the airport, you can easily connect to the city centre or to any other destination via the main bus terminal at Buchanan Street. About a 2-mile drive by taxi or bus service will connect you to the nearest train station, Paisley Gilmour Street, for your onward journey. If you need to get to your destination in a hurry or want to visit the city on your own, opt for the official Glasgow Airport taxi service or hire from one of the car rental services at the airport located opposite the terminal building.
Glasgow Prestwick Airport

Top airlines

Plan and avail discounts on Ryanair.

Location

Glasgow Prestwick Airport is approximately a mile from the Prestwick town which is also the nearest train station and 32 miles from the city centre.

Transport options

Prestwick airport is the only airport in Scotland to have a railway station of its own with a covered walkway from the airport to the station. With a schedule of three trains an hour, these will connect you to the city in about 50 minutes. Buses and coaches have services to and from the airport to most places in Glasgow and connect you via Buchanan Street. Taxi/car rental services are available outside the terminal building and you can pre-book your ride for a faster checkout from the airport.

FAQ's about Edinburgh

🖱️ When's the best time to book flights to Edinburgh?

The top month to book flights to Edinburgh is July, based on our Opodo UK customers. The next most popular booking period for Edinburgh flights is August. In third place: September. By this we mean when travellers book their tickets. For the best time to actually travel to Edinburgh, read on.

📅 When's the best time to go to Edinburgh?

We checked our customers' flight searches, and the winner of best time to fly to Edinburgh is... August. The next best month to travel to Edinburgh is October. And let's not forget September, the third top choice for when to go to Edinburgh. However if you prefer things on the less busy side, we can also tell you (quietly) that the least popular month for flights to Edinburgh is January.

🕑 How long before a flight to Edinburgh should I be at the airport?

If you want to be on time for your flight to Edinburgh, make sure to be at the airport at least two to three hours in advance. Check-ins, security controls, customs and boarding the airplane can take some time. At Opodo you can find the best deals for flights to Edinburgh departing from over 207 cities and choose from a variety of services that will improve your time at the airport and guarantee a much better travel experience, such as priority boarding and additional luggage. For more convenience, when booking your flight to Edinburgh at Opodo you can also add insurance or opt for a refundable fare and have a problem-free trip!

✈️ What is the name of Edinburgh’s airport?

Edinburgh is served by 2 airport[s]. Edinburgh Airport operates flights towards both domestic and international destinations within 207 cities, such as London, Birmingham and Cardiff, the most popular routes.

📌 How far is Edinburgh’s airport from the city centre?

Edinburgh’s airport Edinburgh Airport is located 7 miles from the city centre.

💶 How much is the trip from the airport to Edinburgh’s city centre?

By Public transport: The price for the trip is about 1.70 GBP per person. By taxi: If you have more budget and prefer to take a taxi from Edinburgh Airport , for example, the average price for the ride to Edinburgh centre is around 3.00 GBP per km. By car: For more convenience and freedom during your stay, Opodo has the best offers of car rentals in Edinburgh. Pick your preferred car type and get from Edinburgh Airport to Edinburgh city centre on your own terms.

🗺️ How to get from the airport to Edinburgh city centre?

There are many ways to get from Edinburgh Airport to central Edinburgh:

🚗 Driving:

If you go by car or decide to take a taxi, be aware of traffic. The average travel time from Edinburgh Airport to Edinburgh city centre when driving is 29 mins, but it may vary depending on the time of the day.

By bus:

Another way to go to Edinburgh city center is by bus. On average, it is possible to get there in around 34 mins

By Train

Commuting from Edinburgh Airport to central Edinburgh by Train takes around 27 mins, depending on the time and the day of the week.

💳 How much should I budget for a trip to Edinburgh?

If you are going to Edinburgh, here is a list with an average price of some goods: