Edinburgh Airport sits about 20 minutes west of the city, off the A8. It runs its own car parks — this isn't council parking, so the rules are different — and the terminal drop-off now charges. Here's how to drop off, pick up and park without overpaying.
Dropping off and picking up
The quick drop-off and pick-up zone is on the ground floor of the multi-storey, right outside the terminal. It's the convenient option, but it's charged.
| Option | Cost | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal drop-off / pick-up | £8.50 for 10 min (+£1/min) | a fast set-down at the door |
| Long Stay free area | Free up to 30 min | dropping off on a budget (≈10-min walk) |
| Long Stay / budget (pre-booked) | from online rates | leaving the car for a trip |
Local residents in selected postcodes (EH4 6, EH4 8, EH12 0, EH12 9, EH28, EH29, EH52 5) can apply for a 50% discount on the first 10 minutes in the charged zone.
Parking for a trip
From closest to cheapest: the Terminal and Multi-storey car parks (nearest, priciest), Mid Stay, Long Stay, and Plane Parking (budget, with a free shuttle roughly every 12 minutes). Pre-booking online saves up to 65% versus the gate price, and all car parks are now cashless (card, contactless, Apple/Google Pay). Book official parking on the Edinburgh Airport website.
Getting to the city centre
The tram stops directly outside the terminal and runs to St Andrew Square via Haymarket — frequent and easy. The Airlink 100 bus runs 24 hours from outside the terminal. By car or taxi it's about 20 minutes to the centre.
Quick recap
- Terminal drop-off: £8.50 / 10 min; free for 30 min in Long Stay.
- Pre-book for a trip — up to 65% off the gate price.
- Blue Badge: 1 hour free in the car parks.
- Into town: tram or Airlink 100, both outside the terminal.
Driving into Edinburgh?
Once you're off the plane and on the road, check parking zones and charges anywhere in the city.
Check parking in the city →