How to visit Edinburgh during a layover at Edinburgh Airport?
Is a 6 hour layover in Edinburgh enough time to get into the city (Apple Store) and back to the airport in time for your next flight? If so, how do you recommend I get to the city and back?
Best Answer
The Edinburgh Airport website has a page on Transport Links with details of several options to get you to/from the airport. The public transport options include Taxis, Buses, Coaches and the Tram. Assuming cost is not an issue, here are indicative journey times into the city centre using the different means of transportation (the Apple store is next to Edinburgh Waverley train station which is right smack in the centre of the city), quoted from the linked airport website:
- Taxi: ~25 minutes
- Buses/Coaches: ~30 minutes
- Tram: ~35 minutes
Being conservative here we can say that you'll need 1h to go through customs and pick up any hold luggage from the retrieval area, and 2h to check-in and drop your luggage on your way out of EDI. Leaving 3h for the return trip to/from the Apple store. The endeavour would therefore seem feasible.
When it comes to the dis/advantages of the different means of transportation, an obvious one is traffic which will inevitably influence your total journey time. This is especially true during peak hours. The tram on the other hand runs on dedicated roads for part of its journey, and therefore the journey time shouldn't be hindered by traffic as much. It is also worthy to note that the route to/from the airport has some bus lanes, which can be used by taxis too, that can help avoid traffic.
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Can you spend the night in Edinburgh Airport?
Sleeping in Edinburgh AirportSecurity and airport staff are generally tolerant of overnight sleepers, though sometimes ask passengers to move to other spots. Many travellers end up sleeping landside due to closed security checkpoints.How do I get to Edinburgh from the airport?
Trams are one of the easiest ways to get to and from the airport with fast and frequent services to Edinburgh city centre. Trams depart every 7 minutes, between 7am and 7pm, and every 15 minutes outwith these hours, with an end-to-end journey of just 30 minutes.Can you leave airport during layover luggage?
Yes, you can leave the airport during domestic layovers. For instance, if you're a US citizen and have a layover within the country, it is legal and safe to leave the airport. Be aware that you'll probably be getting two boarding passes if the domestic layover is more than an hour.Can non Travellers enter Edinburgh Airport?
Just make sure you've got your passport and supporting documents (e.g. visas and landing cards) and you'll be all set. Speed up your journey with fastTRACK Passport Control. Our exclusive service is available to all passengers over the age of 18.Arriving at Edinburgh Airport
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