edinburgh city travel card

• What You Get
• Attractions
• Pick Your Pass

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save up to 40% with your Edinburgh city pass

Pick your Pass One, two or three consecutive days

Download your Pass Print or save on your phone

Show your Pass Scan for free entry at our favourite places

how it works

Each pass is valid for either one, two or three consecutive calendar days and is simply scanned at each experience to gain entry.  Passes are only activated when you enter the first experience of your visit.  We email your pass right away so you can print or simply show it on your phone. You might need to book ahead for some experiences but we will always keep you right. 

what's included

Open return airport transfer, hop-on hop-off city bus, local boat trip and free entry to our favourite experiences and walking tours from around Edinburgh. We also share our favourite local spots perfect for when you’re thirsty, hungry or just a bit curious. These experiences are curated by people who live here based on what visitors and locals love to see and do. 

planning ahead

You will need to pre-book for some experiences, but we will always keep you right. Our attractions page is kept up to date with what’s included (and open). Any new experiences added (or re-opened) before your visit will of course be included in your pass.

we love and live Edinburgh

Visit vaults under old Edinburgh, stand on top of towering monuments, see inside stately homes, delve deep in a coal mine, escape on a boat trip on the River Forth, be super-enthralled by the supernatural on a haunted history tour, marvel within a medieval house … pop them all and more into your pocket. Enjoy sights worth seeing, off the beaten track, away from the crowds, beyond the usual and near perfect.

Save up to 40%

Folks love what we do

Free 24 hour cancellation

what's included?

Free 24 hour hop-on hop-off ticket -normally £18 per person

Free return ticket from airport to city centre - normally £9.50 per person

Free entry to Hollyrood Distillery - normally £20 per person

Free boat tour of the three bridges - normally £24 per person

Free south bridge vaults walking tour - normally £18 per person

Free entry to Dynamic Earth - normally £19.50 per person

Free Harry Potter Walking Tour - normally £15 per person

There’s plenty more to choose from, just click below

Edinburgh city pass reviews

Edinburgh City Pass & Tourist Cards

Compare: royal edinburgh card, attraction tickets & edinburgh pass.

All Edinburgh tourist cards, attraction tickets and travel passes, such as the Edinburgh Pass and The Royal Edinburgh Card; which tourist cards save money or huge waiting times? Is the Edinburgh City Pass worth it?

Compare: Edinburgh City Pass & Tourist Cards

In Edinburgh you only have a choice of two Edinburgh City Passes (The Edinburgh Pass and the Royal Edinburgh Card ), both two very interesting cards as they both include entry to Edinburgh Castle . Both city passes are affordable and above all very easy to use, especially the Edinburgh Pass . We list the pros and cons of all travel cards for you, so that you can consider which tourist card is most suitable for you.

• The Royal Edinburgh Card
• Edinburgh Pass
• Attraction tickets

1) Recommended: The Royal Edinburgh Card

The big advantage of this Edinburgh city pass is that the Hop on Hop off Bus is included with this card. The Royal Edinburgh Ticket is valid for 48 hours after activation and offers guaranteed entry to Edinburgh's three major attractions: Edinburgh Castle, Holyroodhouse and the Royal Yacht Britannia. Unlike the Edinburgh Pass, with this city pass you do not receive online tickets, but you must collect your tickets at a centrally located point. During this collection, a time slot will then be scheduled to visit the busy Edinburgh Castle. More about The Royal Edinburgh Card .

This Royal Edinburgh Card includes the following benefits:

• 48-hour ticket for the 3 different routes of the Hop on Hop off Bus
• Admission to Edinburgh Castle
• Admission to Palace of Holyroodhouse
• Admission to Royal Yacht Britannia in Leith (accessible via the Majestic Route of the Hop on Hop off Bus)
• More info and bookings The Royal Edinburgh

2) Edinburgh Pass

In my opinion, this is a very interesting city pass for your city trip to Edinburgh. With one purchase you have three important tickets that will complete your experience of a city trip in Edinburgh, such as a tour of Edinburgh Castle and tickets for Holyroodhouse and also the Whiskey Experience. And even more convenient; with this Edinburgh tourist pass you get all tickets online. Simply book your Edinburgh Pass via this link . You can reserve your desired dates and time slots during the booking process. After payment you will receive your tickets by email or you can show them via smartphone.

This Edinburgh City Pass includes the following activities:

• Entrance to Edinburgh Castle (including guided tour)
• Ticket for The Scotch Whiskey Experience
• Ticket for Palace of Holyroodhouse
• More info and bookings Edinburgh Pass

3) Buy attraction tickets

If you only want to visit a limited number of attractions, it can also be advantageous to purchase individual attraction tickets instead of an Edinburgh City Pass. The most popular sightseeing tickets:

Most visited attractions

Top 20 Things to do in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Castle & Tickets

Excursions in Scotland

Lothian Buses

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Home / Shop / Citysmart – 20 Adult single journeys ( includes £2 Card Charge)

Citysmart – 20 Adult single journeys ( includes £2 Card Charge)

£ 42.00

citysmart – 20 journeys

Citysmart is our prepaid card, available loaded with 20 adult single journeys for bus and tram, and is ideal for the occasional traveller.  Just hold your citysmart card against the ticket machine on bus or smartcard validator at a tram stop and a journey will be deducted from your balance. The price includes a £2 charge for the card.  You can top-up the card with 5 journeys on the bus, or with 5, 10, 20 or 50 journeys at our TravelHubs or Park & Ride kiosks.

Can be used for travel on:

• All Lothian day services
• Edinburgh Trams (city zone only)
• Skylink services (city zone only)
• Lothian Country day services (city zone only)
• EastCoastbuses day services (city zone a and county zone b, only)

Not valid on Airlink, NightBus, Tours, or special services.

All citysmart journeys are valid for 180 days from the date of the last purchase or top-up.  Top-ups reset the 180-day expiry date for all unexpired journeys on the card.

Unused journeys are non-refundable.

Free postage – please allow 7 days for delivery.

Please be assured we do not store credit card details nor do we share customer details with any 3rd parties 

Related products

Adult DAYtickets – Pack of 20 *BEST VALUE – ONLINE EXCLUSIVE*

Adult DAYtickets – Pack of 10

citysmart – 40 Adult single journeys ( includes £2 Card Charge)

Child CITYSINGLEtickets

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Getting around Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a relatively small city, and its medieval air makes it ideal to visit by foot .

The majority of the city’s top attractions are concentrated in the city centre and if you’re staying  near the Royal Mile, it’s likely that you won’t need to take more than a few buses during your stay

Places of interest that might be best to get to by public transport are the Royal Yacht Britannia , the Royal Botanic Garden , Portobello Beach or Edinburgh Zoo.

Edinburgh Public Buses

Edinburgh trams, edinburgh taxis, you may also be interested in.

Edinburgh Airport

The airport is located approximately 8 miles away from the city centre and only has one terminal, but despite this is one of the busiest airports in the UK.

The public buses are the best way and sometimes the only way of getting to the city centre from the outskirts. Buses run 24 hours a day and are extremely frequent.

48-Hour Itinerary

Day Trips From Edinburgh

Top Things to Do

Best Museums

Visiting Edinburgh Castle

Guide to Arthur's Seat

Best Restaurants

Nightlife Guide

Best Time to Visit

Edinburgh Airport Guide

Public Transportation

Getting Around Edinburgh: Guide To Public Transportation

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Although Edinburgh is known as a very walkable city, the Scottish destination also has a solid public transportation system. Run by Transport for Edinburgh, the city's primary public transportation options include buses, trams, and rental bikes. The main bus company, Lothian Buses , operates more than 50 routes, connecting locals and travelers to the city center as well as the surrounding suburbs and Edinburgh Airport .

Most visitors to Edinburgh will concentrate their itinerary to the city center and the Royal Mile, making it unnecessary to rent a car or take a lot of taxis. Meanwhile, the airport is easily accessed by bus or tram, with extensive hours available for early or late travelers. Here's what you need to know about using public transportation in Edinburgh.

How to Ride Lothian Buses

There are several bus companies that operate in and around Edinburgh, but Lothian Buses is the city's main mode of public transportation. In addition to its NightBus and Airport Bus services, the bus line operates more than 50 different routes throughout the city. Other local bus companies include First , which connects South East and Central Scotland (and is not run by Transport for Edinburgh).

• Fares: Single journey adult tickets start at 1.80 pounds. DAYtickets, which allow unlimited rides on Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams, can be also be purchased for 4.50 pounds (2.20 for kids between the ages of 5 and 15). Families can buy group DAYtickets, which are available for two adults and up to three kids for 9.50 pounds. NightBus tickets and Airport Bus tickets must be purchased individually.
• How to Pay: Tickets or DAYtickets can be purchased directly from the bus driver if you have exact change. Contactless credit and debit cards can also be used, and both adult and family tickets can be purchased in advance on the Transport for Edinburgh m-tickets app .
• Routes and Hours: There are numerous routes both in Edinburgh proper and to the surrounding areas, some of which run 24 hours a day. Check the times for your journey online ahead of traveling or use the Transport for Edinburgh app.
• Service Alerts: All current service alerts, including closures and roadworks, for Lothian Buses can be found on the company's website .
• Transfers: Travelers using DAYtickets can freely transfer between the Lothian Buses and the Edinburgh Trams. Other passengers should use either the m-tickets app or a contactless card to tap on and off the buses to get the best fare when transferring.
• Accessibility: There is a dedicated wheelchair space on all buses; passengers are asked to clear the space (and parents to fold strollers) whenever a wheelchair user boards. Mobility scooters are not permitted on the buses.

Riding Edinburgh Trams

Edinburgh Trams connects Edinburgh Airport with York Place via 15 stops, all of which are wheelchair accessible. The trams are a good option for connecting with the airport, although they are less useful for getting around the city itself when staying in the Royal Mile. The airport is about 35 minutes from Princes Street, which is the tram stop nearest to the city center.

• Fares: Tram fares start at 1.80 pounds for a single journey adult ticket. You can also purchase a return for 3.40 pounds or a DAYticket for 4.50. For those traveling to and from Edinburgh Airport, fares start at 6.50 pounds for a single journey adult ticket. Tickets are available at ticket machines at each tram stop, and can be purchased with exact change or a credit or debit card. Use the Edinburgh Trams Farefinder to calculate your route.
• Hours: The trams run from early morning until around 11 p.m., although the first and last tram times vary based on which direction you are traveling. The trams run every 7 minutes during the day and every 10 minutes before 7 a.m. and after 7 p.m. Check the online timetable ahead of time to plan your journey.
• Service Alerts: Live tram departure information and service alerts are available on the Edinburgh Trams website .

Using Edinburgh Cycle Hire

Transport for Edinburgh offers Edinburgh Cycle Hire as a way for residents and visitors to temporarily rent bicycles around the city. The bikes are parked throughout Edinburgh at 99 different stations; they can be rented using an app, available for iPhone and Android, which allows users to unlock a bike and ride for up to one hour. There are both electric and pedal bikes available, and you can select multi-trip access if you plan to use the bikes to stop at various attractions. While helmets are not required for cyclists in Edinburgh, it's recommended to ride safely and take proper precautions.

Taxis and Ridesharing Apps

With several taxi companies operating in Edinburgh, cabs can be hailed around town, at the airport, or booked online or by phone. Central Taxis is the most popular black cab company in the city, and offers guided driving tours of Edinburgh for those who want to take advantage of the cabbies' knowledge. A taxi from Edinburgh Airport to the city center typically costs between 20 and 25 pounds, but can run higher depending on traffic and other circumstances. Uber also operates in Edinburgh; the ridesharing app is often cheaper than a taxi, but does require you to have cell phone service to use it.

Renting a Car

Numerous car rental companies are available in both Edinburgh proper and at Edinburgh Airport. These include Sixt, Budget, and Hertz. While it might be daunting to drive on the opposite side of the road and learn foreign street markers, a rental car is a good way to travel outside Edinburgh or venture to more remote destinations. Be sure to add the GPS to your rental, especially if you are concerned about your cell signal, and have all your necessary documents ready when you arrive at the rental counter. Those driving into Edinburgh itself should be aware that parking in the city center can be a challenge, as many parking spots are restricted and some are reserved for resident drivers. Look for pay-and-park lots or talk to your hotel about the best parking option.

Tips for Getting Around Edinburgh

• Edinburgh is an extremely walkable city, so if you're having trouble figuring out the best option for public transportation, grab some sturdy shoes and open Google Maps. Many of the main attractions in Edinburgh are in the city center near the Royal Mile, which means they are well positioned for walking.
• During big events, holidays, or on warm days, you might spot pedicab drivers around the city center. The pedicabs have been operating in Edinburgh since 1996, and visitors can hail one for a (short) ride. The price is negotiable, although expect to pay a solid fee for the journey.
• Traveling between Edinburgh and Glasgow is quick and easy (the drive is about an hour). Trains are available from Edinburgh's Waverley to Glasgow Queen Street regularly, or you can take a bus or taxi service between the two cities.

Your Trip to Edinburgh: The Complete Guide

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Which Edinburgh City Pass is Best?

This post covers each of the discount passes currently available in Edinburgh, including information about how to use them, how much money you can save, and which attractions are included.

All-Inclusive

• Prepackaged
• Combo Deals
• Hop on Hop off Bus Tours

If you’re looking to enjoy multiple attractions or activities while you’re in Edinburgh, it might make sense to purchase a city pass in order to save a few pounds.

These passes typically require you to pay one flat price for admission to several landmarks, tours, museums, and other things to do, and they include skip-the-line entry to many popular locations.

Here are a few of the best attractions included with at least one of the tourist passes in this post:

• Edinburgh Zoo
• Blackness Castle
• Edinburgh Castle
• Craigmillar Castle
• Edinburgh Dungeon
• Harry Potter Tour
• Forth Boat Tours
• Seton Collegiate Church
• Butterfly and Insect World
• Palace of Holyroodhouse

Anyone who plans on visiting more than a few of these locations while in Edinburgh could potentially save money with one of the following passes.

All-Inclusive Pass

This type of tourist pass typically includes dozens of attractions and tours you can enjoy for a specific amount of time (1, 2, 3, 7, 14 days).

Depending on how you use these passes, you could save 40% - 60% off general admission prices for a variety of fun activities.

The all-inclusive pass is best for those who plan on enjoying as many attractions as possible while they’re visiting Edinburgh.

While you can easily save some money by using these passes for just a few things, you’ll save the most by using your pass for at least 4-5 services.

There is currently one all-inclusive pass which includes a variety of different things to see and do, while the other is more focused on providing admission to historic landmarks.

It will be important to consider which activities interest you and pick the pass that best fits your itinerary.

Prepackaged Pass

There is currently only one prepackaged service in Edinburgh and it provides access to three specific sites and one hop on hop off bus tour.

While the amount you can save is limited to just 25% off general admission prices, it might be worth considering if you’re only planning to visit these few specific locations in this city.

This pass is valid for a total of 48 hours, giving you time to take the bus tour and visit all three historic landmarks included. 

There is no time slot required at any of the attractions, so you can visit them whenever you want within the 2 days that the pass is active.

Due to its short window of validity, this is a great option for anyone who only has a few days in Edinburgh. That said, if you’re more interested in family attractions or activities, a 1 or 2-day all-inclusive pass could also be an excellent option.

Combo Package

While these aren’t tourist passes, they will allow you to save some money on a few popular activities. Most combination deals include one bus or boat tour and one attraction.

These combo packages typically won’t offer as big of a discount as an all-inclusive pass, but they’re an excellent option for anyone who doesn’t plan to spend a lot of time in Edinburgh.

Since most combo deals include at least one tour, these are also excellent options for anyone who wants to learn more about the city.

This section covers both of the all-inclusive tourist passes currently available in Edinburgh. These services range from £33 - £65 per person, and they are valid for between 1 - 14 days. 

While one pass includes a lot more family-friendly activities, the other is focused almost entirely on historic sites and landmarks. We’ll provide a breakdown of price per day and how to use each pass to save money.

Edinburgh City Pass

With a total of 23 attractions and activities included, this is probably one of the best passes available in the city of Edinburgh. The pass is available for either 1, 2, or 3 days at a time.

While other services focus more on historic landmarks, the Edinburgh City Pass features a nice mixture of tours, family-friendly attractions, and popular tourist destinations.

Depending on how you use this pass, you could save 40% - 60% off general admission prices for each of the activities you choose.

Here are a few of the best attractions included with this tourist pass:

• Hop on Hop off Bus Tours | £10
• The Edinburgh Dungeon | £14
• Scott Monument Museum | £8
• Butterfly and Insect World | £8
• Gravity Trampoline Park | £12.50
• Nelson Monument | £6
• Newhailes House | £5
• Holyrood Distillery | £14
• Harry Potter Tour | £12
• Forth Boat Tours | £15
• Dynamic Earth | £16
• Edinburgh Zoo | £20

As you can see, most of the tickets included are between €5-€15 on their own, so it’ll be important to use your pass for at least 4-5 attractions per day to save the most money possible.

Here are the prices for each Edinburgh City Pass:

• 1-Day Pass: £45/Adults | £20/Children
• Price per day: £27.50/Adults | £13/Children
• Price per day: £21.66/Adults | £10/Children

NOTE: This pass is currently unavailable as of May 2022, but it will be returning soon.

Needless to say, you’ll save more money per day by purchasing a 2 or 3-day pass. These options also give you the benefit of being able to use your pass for even more activities, allowing you to get the most out of it.

Here’s an example of how you could use this pass to save a few pounds using the 3-day pass:

• Hop on Hop off Bus Tour | £10
• Forth Boat Tour | £15

Total Value: £140.50

Total Price: £65

Total Savings: £75.50 (54% off)

One of the main differences between this discount pass and others is that the Edinburgh City Pass doesn’t include admission to the Edinburgh Castle.

If you’re interested in visiting this landmark, you’ll either have to purchase individual tickets or consider another tourist pass instead.

Another notable difference is that this pass gives you complete control over how much money you save; the more you use it, the bigger your discount will be!

As if that weren’t enough, with admission to sites such as the Edinburgh Zoo, the Butterfly Insect World and the Gravity Trampoline Park, this is an excellent pass for families visiting Edinburgh.

That said, if you’re looking to visit more historic landmarks, you may want to consider one of the alternatives on this post in addition to this pass.

For less than £80 total, you could enjoy admission to almost every popular attraction in the city!

Edinburgh Explorer Pass

Unlike the Edinburgh City Pass, this all-inclusive option focuses on historic sites all over Scotland and includes almost a dozen attractions in or around the city.

Although there aren’t as many activities or tours included with this service, it’s definitely a great deal if you plan to travel around Scotland and see more than just what Edinburgh has to offer, as there are more than 70 Scottish attractions included with the Explorer Pass.

In addition to providing free entry to dozens of historic landmarks, this pass also provides admission to some daytime events and a 20% discount on audio tours at Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle, and Glasgow Cathedral.

Since this pass can be used all over Scotland, it is also available for longer periods of time – 3, 7, or 14 days. Needless to say, the longer your pass lasts, the more time you’ll have to take advantage of its benefits!

Here are the best historic attractions near Edinburgh which are included with this tourist pass:

• Edinburgh Castle | £19.50
• Craigmillar Castle | £6
• Blackness Castle | £6
• Crichton Castle | £6
• Tantallon Castle | £6
• Dirleton Castle & Garden | £6
• Seton Collegiate Church | £6
• Cairnpapple Hill | £6
• Linlithgow Palace | £9
• Inchcolm Abbey & Island | £6

If you’re interested in traveling a bit further outside of Edinburgh, this pass can also be used for admission to the following locations:

• St. Andrew’s Castle | £9
• St. Andrew’s Cathedral | £6
• Aberdour Castle | £6
• Stirling Castle | £15
• Urquhart Castle | £12
• Newark Castle | £6
• Castle Campbell & Gardens | £6
• Doune Castle | £9
• Inchmahome Priory | £9
• Iona Abbey & Nunnery | £9
• And many more!

Although tickets are already pretty affordable, this pass is still a great way to save money if you plan to visit at least 4-5 of the locations included per day.

Here are the Edinburgh Explorer pass prices and options:

7-Day Pass: £35/Adults | £21/Kids | £28/Students

• Price per day: £11.66/Adults | £7/Kids | £9.33/Students

Purchase the Edinburgh Explorer Pass . ( mirror )

Even if you’re only planning to visit some of the locations in or around Edinburgh, chances are you’ll still be able to save a few pounds using this pass. 

While you won’t save as much with this pass as you can with others, it does include several historic landmarks outside of the city that aren’t provided with either the Edinburgh City Pass or the Royal Edinburgh Ticket.

Even if you’re planning to get another tourist pass, this one is a no brainer for anyone interested in visiting multiple historic sites in and around the city. 

Another thing to consider is how long you’re going to be in Scotland. If you plan to visit for more than a week, you could visit just one new heritage site every day and still pay less per day for the 7-day pass than you would for individual tickets.

The following section will cover any prepackaged passes in Edinburgh.

While you can't save as much using this option as you can with other services, it's a great choice for anyone with limited time who is more interested in historic sites and tours.

The Royal Edinburgh Ticket

This prepackaged pass includes admission to 3 popular historic attractions and one hop on hop off bus tour throughout the city of Edinburgh.

Although the amount you can save is limited to just 25% off, this is still a great deal for anyone who wants to visit the landmarks included.

Here are all of the services you’ll be able to enjoy with the Royal Edinburgh Ticket:

• Edinburgh Castle | £21
• The Palace of Holyroodhouse | £17.50
• The Royal Yacht Britannia | £18
• 48-Hour Hop on Hop off Bus Tour | £24

Total Value: £80.50

Total Price: £63

Total Savings: £17.50 (22% off)

Purchase the Royal Edinburgh Ticket or learn more .

If you’re not interested in the Edinburgh Explorer Pass, this could be an excellent alternative.

In addition to including admission to Edinburgh Castle, this is the only pass that provides tickets for the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Royal Yacht Britannia.

As if that weren’t enough, no other pass includes the 48-hour hop on hop off bus ticket, and this service covers three different bus tours: City Sightseeing, the Edinburgh Tour and the Majestic Tour.

Of course, if you don’t need a 48-hour bus tour ticket, the Edinburgh City Pass includes a 24-hour hop on hop off bus tour which may better suit your needs.

For more details about these services, please read our post covering Edinburgh hop on hop off bus tours.

While you won’t save as much with this pass as you will with others, it’s easy to see how this could be a preferable option for anyone who is more interested in seeing historic landmarks. 

Since the Royal Edinburgh Ticket is valid for 48 hours, this is also a great choice for anyone who will only be in the city for a few days.

Combo Packages

This section covers some of the best combo deals available in Edinburgh, including discounts for hop on hop off bus tours, historic landmarks, and other fun activities & attractions.

48-Hour Hop on Hop off Bus Tour

• Includes 24 hour City Sightseeing tour
• Includes Edinburgh Bus tour
• £24/Adults | £12/Kids | £22/Seniors
• Family Ticket (2 Adults + 3 Kids): £59
• Purchase tickets or learn more .

48-Hour Hop on Hop off Bus Tour + Firth of Forth Cruise

• Includes 48-Hour Hop on Hop off Bus Tour Ticket
• £38/Adults | £19/Kids | £36/Seniors

Edinburgh Walking Tour + Edinburgh Castle

• Includes a historical walking tour of the city.
• £41/Adults | £28/Kids | £35.50/Seniors

The Scotch Whisky Experience + Holyrood Distillery

• Includes Scotch Whisky Experience Tour
• £37/Adults | £18/Kids | £33/Seniors

The Scotch Whisky Experience + Royal Mile & Edinburgh Castle

• Includes Secrets of the Royal Mile Tour
• Includes Edinburgh Castle Tour
• £57/Adults | £34/Kids | £50/Seniors

And much, much more

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Travel and transport

Replacing bustracker information system and screens, edinburgh bus station, how to get or replace your nec, low emission zone, information on travel and transport.

• 20-minute neighbourhoods
• Enterprise Car Club
• Getting to Edinburgh
• Improving Charlotte Square
• Tram safety
• Trams from Granton to the Bioquarter and beyond
• Travelling Safely projects
• Vehicle testing centre

Categories in Travel and transport

• Buses and coaches
• City Mobility Plan
• Cycling and walking
• Electric vehicles
• National Entitlement Card NEC
• Spaces for people

Routes, maps and safety

Trams are running from eveyr 7 minutes.

• Plan a journey
• Trams to Newhaven

Plan a Journey

Popular Destinations

For regular travellers, contact & help.

• Get in touch

Additional Help

• Ticket Offices
• Lost property
• Accessibility

TravelHubs & Information Points

Want to speak to someone in person? You can pick up timetables, buy tickets and request tram & bus information at one of our TravelHubs.

Airport Information Lounge

Edinburgh Airport Plaza  Edinburgh Airport  EDINBURGH  EH12 9DP

Local & Bank Holidays

Christmas Day

Opening Times

• Monday 9:00am-7:00pm
• Tuesday 9:00am-7:00pm
• Wednesday 9:00am-7:00pm
• Thursday 9:00am-7:00pm
• Friday 9:00am-7:00pm
• Saturday 9:00am-7:00pm
• Sunday 9:00am-7:00pm
• Travel information
• Purchase tram tickets
• iKnow ambassadors for Visit Scotland 

Ingliston Park & Ride

Eastfield Road Ingliston Park & Ride EDINBURGH EH28 8LS

Closed on local and bank holidays.

• Monday 7:30am-3:30pm
• Tuesday 7:30am-3:30pm
• Wednesday 7:30am-3:30pm
• Thursday 7:30am-3:30pm
• Friday 7:30am-3:30pm
• Saturday 7:30am-3:30pm
• Sunday 7:30am-3:30pm
• Purchase tram and bus tickets
• Public toilets

Shandwick Place TravelHub

49 Shandwick Place EDINBURGH EH2 4SD

• Monday 0830-1730
• Tuesday 0830-1730
• Wednesday 0830-1730
• Thursday 0830-1730
• Friday 0830-1730
• Saturday 0830-1730
• Sunday Closed
• Ridacard purchase & top up
• citysmart top up
• Transport for Edinburgh gift shop

Waverley Bridge TravelHub

31 Waverley Bridge EDINBURGH EH1 1BQ

Frequently asked questions

Fares and tickets, can i use my dayticket on trams.

DAYtickets, LATEtickets and Family DAYtickets can be used on Edinburgh Trams, between Newhaven and Ingliston Park & Ride only, as well as Lothian Buses day services. A Network DAYticket is valid for travel to or from Edinburgh Airport.

How do I buy a ticket?

We have a pre-purchase policy, so all tickets, smartcards and mtickets have to be purchased, validated or activated before you board the tram. We offer various ways to travel to suit all needs:

• ticket machines on the platforms: pay by coins or card
• mobile app : pre-purchase your tickets and activate before you board
• website : pre-purchase your tickets and display your ticket on your phone

We also offer two types of passes both available through our TravelHubs  

• citysmart card

If you do not purchase, validate or activate before you board the tram, you will have to pay the £10 On-board fare to the Ticketing Services Assistant.

Can I make multiple journeys on one ticket?

If you need to jump on-and-off you might want to consider a DAYticket or one of our multi-day tram tickets.

Journeys using single and return tickets cannot be broken. Once you step off the tram, your journey is considered completed and you will need to buy another ticket to continue.

Do you offer discounts for seniors?

If you have a Scottish National Entitlement Card (also known as a Saltire card) issued by the City of Edinburgh Council, you are entitled to free travel on the tram. The same applies to cards from any local authority indicating visual impairment. However cards issued by other local authorities are not valid on the tram.

Do you offer discounts for children?

Child tickets are available for customers aged 5-15 inclusive. Up to two infants travel free of charge per fare paying customer.

Do you offer discounts for students?

Some students are entitled to a discounted Ridacard (see here for conditions) but otherwise there are no students rates available.

How do I validate my smartcard?

Keep an eye out for the validators on our platform, the grey and white machines with a pink square. All that you have to do is hold your card up against that square until a green tick appears on the screen above.

Do you offer discounts for groups?

If you are a group of 20 or more, a corporate group of 10 or more or a school group, we are likely to offer discount. Please contact our Customer Relations team.

What do I do if the ticket machine is out of service?

You can use any ticket machine, on any side of a platform, to get a ticket to your destination. However, if none of the ticket machines are working or you have any issues when purchasing your ticket, please get in touch through the green help point on the platform (it is staffed 24/7) and we will find a solution for you.

Is daily contactless capping available on trams?

While you can purchase tickets using contactless payments, we do not yet offer a capping system similar to Lothian Buses or Transport for London. If you think you will be using both tram and bus, we would recommend you purchase a paper DAYticket at the start of the day.

Concessionary travel

Cheaper travel with the National Entitlement Card scheme.

100 million free bus journeys made by under 22s

More than 100 million free bus journeys have been made since the Scottish Government introduced free bus travel for under 22s.

Our concessionary travel schemes make getting about easier and cheaper for people in Scotland. And by making more sustainable travel choices easier to access, we can help to tackle the climate emergency as well.

Over 2 million people across Scotland can travel for free by bus, and eligible islands residents can access free ferry vouchers too.

Find out more about the free and discounted travel on offer.

Under 22s free bus travel

Young people and children in Scotland who are aged 5-21 can apply for a card to access free bus travel.

60+ or disabled free bus travel

People in Scotland who are aged 60 and over, and disabled people who meet the eligibility criteria can apply for a card to access free bus travel.

Ferry vouchers

Eligible islands residents who have a National Entitlement Card can get two free return ferry journeys to the mainland each year.

Other concessionary travel and discounts

Find out about other concessionary travel schemes and discounted travel in Scotland.

The Transport Scot Pass Collect app

Find out more about the Transport Scot Pass Collect app and how to use it.

Reporting misuse

How to report concerns about misuse of the concessionary travel schemes for investigation.

Getting and using your card

How to apply.

• Apply online at getyournec.scot
• Find contact details to apply through your local council

Using your card

• Find out about using your NEC on other transport modes

Help with travelling

• Find out more about the Thistle Assistance Card

Concessionary travel and smart ticketing privacy policy

Our concessionary travel and smart ticketing privacy policy outlines how we use, store and share the personal information we hold about you in connection with our national concessionary travel schemes.