Transport

 

Edinburgh is really easy to get around on foot and for short journeys in August walking is almost always the fastest route. However we are also very well served by trains and by buses, taxis and bike routes who share use of a dedicated bus lane on most main roads (the green lane).

Buses

  • EdinBus iPhone or Android Apps – a free and essential tool for quickly figuring out the next (Lothian) buses and available stops. A single ticket is £1.30 to any part of the city, a dayticket (unlimited travel on all buses except airport and nightbuses) is £3.20.
  • Traveline Scotland – this website and Android/iPhone app covers all public transport companies though it can be pretty fiddly because of the amount of data/routes available. Phoneline service is good though 10p+ per minute: 0871 200 22 33.
  • First Buses also operate some routes in Edinburgh. Single tickets are usually £1.30.

National and International Travel

  • Edinburgh Airport – website includes a really useful live flight info section. If you are flying in the Edinburgh Airport bus is excellent, very regular (every 10 mins or so), cheaper than a taxi and has free wifi.
  • National Rail have an excellent iPhone app that includes the live departures board at Edinburgh. It’s expensive but worthwhile as it covers all UK routes and stations.
  • FirstScotRail travel alerts – information on any delays or issues with local trains including routes to Glasgow.
  • EdinTravel – news page and RSS feed with alerts to transport issues in and around Edinburgh, @edintravel will find the same info as Twitter alerts.

Taxis

You can hail a cab in most parts of the city (there are over 3000 taxis in Edinburgh) but demand is high in August. There is a nearby permanent taxi rank in Nicholson Square but multiple temporary taxi ranks pop up in August which usually includes a rank in George Square right next to Informatics. If you do need to call for a cab here are some of the local firms – all send large black cab or minibus cars – most of these are well suited for either 5 or 6 people and many are accessible but all of these companies should be able to offer accessible cars if requested:

  • Central Taxis: 0131 229 2468 (and they are certified Carbon Neutral!)
  • Comcabs: 0131 272 8000
  • City Cabs: 0131 228 1211

Bicycle

Although only a few bike shops offer bikes for hire there are loads of great resources for cyclists so if you are bringing your own bicycle do have a wee look at:

  • Innertube Map – a community sourced map of cycle routes around the city
  • The Bikestation – offers all sorts of support for cyclists including drop-in help with repairing your bike
  • CycleStreets Edinburgh – maps and routeplanning
  • Clarence – downloadable Edinburgh cycling maps
  • OpenCycleMap – covers all of the UK but with good coverage of Edinburgh
  • Spokes – local campaigning group that offers excvellent information on cycling in Edinburgh including highly regarded cycle route maps (available to order or in local bike shops).

Leisure Walks and Cycle Routes

Drivers / Traffic Info

If you are driving to Edinburgh you should be aware that parking is very restricted in the city centre with parking permits or pay and display systems in place where there is parking available. Lothian buses offers excellent Park and Ride facilities for those staying out of town – the number 48 bus services one of these routes and stops a two minute walk from Informatics.

 

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