Edinburgh City Guide - Useful tips & info

Things to do in Edinburgh

ABOUT EDINBURGH

The capital of Scotland and a UNESCO world heritage site. Built upon an extinct volcano, there has been human activity here since around 5000bc. “The Athens of the North” is the place to seek legendary heroes, dramatic landscape and glorious cuisine in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Ready to fall in love with Edinburgh? Start off with the Free Tour of Edinburgh, which gives you an overview of the city’s history and main attractions.

ONE DAY IN EDINBURGH

ONE DAY IN EDINBURGH

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GOOD TO KNOW

Airport transfer

Edinburgh International Airport serves the city and getting to the city centre is easy: take either the Air-link 100 bus (about £4 one-way) or the tram (£5 one-way), both of them take 30-35 minutes to reach central Edinburgh.

Tipping

Tipping is generally not expected in Scotland, but if you are happy with the service you are welcome to leave 10% of the bill or round it up.

Safety

Edinburgh is considered a safe city and has a low crime rate. Like any major city, personal safety should be adhered to.

Public transportation

Edinburgh's public transport system is comprised of trains, trams and buses. Trains from most major cities in the UK bring you right into the city centre by arriving either at Waverley or Haymarket stations. Lothian buses take you around the inner city quickly and easily; a single ticket costs £1.70 and a day ticket costs £4. Try downloading the Lothian Buses App for easy navigation. Finally, make sure to bring the exact change as notes are not accepted on the bus!

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Weather

Weather in Edinburgh can range from snow, driving winds, hail, sleet, torrential rain, sunshine and coastal fog (that could just be Monday). Be sure to pack a waterproof jacket, warm fleece and maybe even a pair of shorts if arriving for that one week of summer.

Tech & Wi-Fi

Remember to pack or buy a standard UK power adaptor to keep your technology powered up! Free WiFi can be found around the city centre.

Currency

No sterling/pounds (£) in your wallet? No problem. Edinburgh airport has currency exchange shops, as well as ATMs. Scottish bank notes from the Bank of Scotland, Royal Bank of Scotland and Clydesdale Bank look different from English notes but have the same legal status and may be used for cash transactions anywhere in the United Kingdom.