Edinburgh Trams from Edinburgh Airport to St Andrew Square
Edinburgh Trams is the only rail-based rapid transit system in Edinburgh, consisting of 1 line between Edinburgh Airport to St Andrew Square. Heading into the city, I took the Edinburgh Trams on its full route.
Edinburgh Airport
Edinburgh Airport station is located at the northeastern end of the passenger terminal building.
There is also a direct Airlink 100 bus to Edinburgh city centre, but alas, it’s not a tram.
The Airlink 100 also goes to the city centre by the main road.
The facade of Edinburgh Airport station with signs saying “Trams to City Centre”.
The mockup of the Edinbugh Trams CAF Urbos 3 tram has been repurposed to be the information lounge at Edinburgh Airport station. However, it was closed during my visit.
Edinburgh Trams Tickets
Nevertheless, I didn’t need any information since there’s only 1 straightforward route on Edinburgh Trams. Ticket machines are available before the platform.
Edinburgh Trams fares operate on a zonal system with Edinburgh Airport being in the Airport Zone and all other stations being in the City Zone. Here are the ticket prices for the Edinburgh Trams from Edinburgh Airport
- Adult Airport Single: £6.50
- Adult Airport Open Return: £9.00
- Adult Network Day Ticket: £10.00
Singles and returns should be self-explanatory. An Adult Network Day Ticket is valid for unlimited travel on Edinburgh Trams and Lothian Buses in all zones including Lothian services NightBus and NightHawk on the day of purchase/activation.
Notably, the Adult Airport Open Return has no expiry date for the return segment. I’d guess that it will be valid until the thermal print fades till unreadable by the conductor.
Edinburgh Trams CAF Urbos 3
A tram was already waiting at the platform for boarding. Trams depart around every 7 minutes during daytime.
The interior of the Edinburgh Trams CAF Urbos 3 tram.
Luggage racks are available on board the trams which is convenient for airport travel.
A mix of longitudinal and transverse seating is available on board. Full window views are scarce, however, with some good views blocked out due to the positioning of the seats and luggage racks in turn due to the location of the tram bogies.
Waiting for an incoming tram to arrive before departing.
My tram from Edinburgh Airport to St Andrew Square.
My ticket for the Edinburgh Trams from Edinburgh Airport to St Andrew Square. I bought an Adult Airport Open Return in case I had another flight out of Edinburgh Airport, or if I wanted a joyride to Edinburgh Airport on one of the many days that I would be in Edinburgh.
Departing from Edinburgh Airport.
The conductor immediately comes around to check for tickets valid in the Airport Zone. Passengers without valid tickets, be it without tickets at all or underpaid tickets for the City Zone only, will be charged an on-board single fare (read: fine) of £10.00.
Crossing over to the left side of the tracks.
Leaving Edinburgh Airport.
The route out of Edinburgh Airport travels along wide fields.
Approaching Ingliston Park & Ride on the curve.
Ingliston Park & Ride
Making a brief stop at Ingliston Park & Ride. This is the end of the Airport Zone and the start of the City Zone. A lot more passengers boarded from here due to its Park & Ride facilities. Some passengers who would like to avoid the Airport Zone fare also walk here from Edinburgh Airport to pay just the City Zone fare of £1.80, saving a substantial amount of money – a saving of £4.70 for a single.
Passing by the Edinbugh Trams depot at Edinburgh Gateway.
Edinburgh Gateway
Making a brief stop at Edinburgh Gateway. Edinburgh Gateway is an interchange station to National Rail services especially those heading on to the Fife Circle. Through ticketing is available from Edinburgh Airport to selected National Rail destinations which includes the Edinburgh Trams ride from Edinburgh Airport to Edinburgh Gateway.
Do note that stations in Edinburgh are excluded from these Edinburgh Airport through fares.
An elevated covered walkway connects Edinburgh Gateway tram station with Edinburgh Gateway National Rail station.
Gyle Centre
Making a brief stop at Gyle Centre, in front of the shopping mall with the same name.
Passing through Edinburgh Park.
Edinburgh Park Central
Making a brief stop at Edinburgh Park Central.
Crossing over the National Rail line for the North Clyde Line, Edinburgh–Dunblane Line, and Glasgow-Edinburgh via Cumbernauld Line.
The façade of Edinburgh Park Railway Station.
Edinburgh Park
Interchanging between the Edinburgh Trams and National Rail services is convenient here at Edinburgh Park Station with just a few steps.
Making a brief stop at Edinburgh Park. Edinburgh Park is an interchange station to National Rail services especially those heading west of Edinburgh. Through ticketing is available from Edinburgh Airport to selected National Rail destinations which includes the Edinburgh Trams ride from Edinburgh Airport to Edinburgh Park.
The Edinburgh Trams run parallel with the ScotRail line from here on, stopping at all tram stations along the way.
Passing by Murrayfield Stadium.
Murrayfield Stadium
Making a brief stop at Murrayfield Stadium.
Passing by the turnout provisions for the Edinburgh Trams extension to Granton using the alignment of an old railway line.
Passing by the refuge sidings before Haymarket.
Leaving the dedicated tram tracks to head on to street running after the refuge sidings.
Heading back into a short tram-only section at Haymarket.
Haymarket
Making a brief stop at Haymarket. Haymarket is an interchange station to National Rail services, but through ticketing not is available from Edinburgh Airport. Regular Edinburgh Trams and National Rail tickets can be purchased instead.
There’s a bit of a jam entering the city centre from Haymarket, which the Edinburgh Trams can pass through on the separate tram lane.
West End
Making a brief stop at West End.
Heading on to Princes Street.
A true mark of globalisation, McDonald’s and Jollibee are available beside each other on Princes Street.
The Airlink 100 bus turns in on approach to its final stop at South St David Street.
Passing by Primark.
Passing by Marks & Spencer.
The Airlink 100 stops at South St David Street, at the edge of St Andrew Square.
Turning on South St Andrew Street to St Andrew Square.
St Andrew Square
The Edinburgh Trams journey from Edinburgh Airport to St Andrew Square takes 35 minutes.
The tram then continues on to a turnback siding at the former York Place stop.
York Place is now closed to allow the extension to Leith to go through the area. While the tram still stops at the former York Place stop location, there are no more platforms and passenger services, as the track is now doubled on the former platform location.
A replacement stop, Picardy Place, will be opened along with the extension to Leith, located just a few meters away from the former York Place stop location.
St Andrew Square tram stop is located beside St Andrew Square, the east square of Edinburgh New Town. St Andrew Square is an interchange station to National Rail services at Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station, but through ticketing not is available from Edinburgh Airport. Regular Edinburgh Trams and National Rail tickets can be purchased instead.
Conclusion
Edinburgh Trams is a comfortable way to get from Edinburgh Airport to Edinburgh city centre, avoiding road traffic for most of the route as it runs on dedicated tram tracks from Edinburgh Airport till just before Haymarket. If travelling during peak times, Edinburgh Trams would definitely avoid the Edinburgh traffic.