Wide variety of transportation means in Edinburgh appears to be very useful during your stay in the city.
Public Transport
Traveline, 2 Cockburn Street (tel: (0131) 225 3858 or (0800) 232 323; fax: (0131) 469 3797), provides information (including maps) on all bus, coach and train routes within Lothian. The office is open Monday to Friday 0830-2000. There is no light rail or tram system within the city and Edinburgh commuters rely on the frequent bus services.
Lothian Buses , 27 Hanover Street (tel: (0131) 555 6363; fax: (0131) 225 7857; website: www.lothianbuses.co.uk), provides bus services within the city and to outlying districts, as does First Edinburgh (tel: (0131) 663 9233; website: www.firstedinburgh.co.uk). The Council ‘Greenways Scheme’ makes it illegal to park on the city’s main arteries and gives buses exclusive, green tarmac lanes. As a result, the bus service flows fairly freely 0600-2400, after which the night bus service comes into operation.
Fares range from 50 pence to £1 – night buses charge £1.60 and exact change is required. There are a number of passes allowing reduced fares. Lothian Buses sell a Daysaver ticket that gives unlimited travel on its routes (including those outside the city) for £2.20 before 0930 and £1.50 after 0930 and at weekends. Lothian Buses also sells weekly (£10.50) and monthly (£30.50) tickets, which allow unlimited travel on Lothian Buses. First Edinburgh has a £1 day ticket, allowing unlimited travel throughout the whole of Edinburgh and outlying areas. Tickets and Daysaver passes can be purchased on the bus, although exact change is required. All other passes must be purchased at the Waverley Bridge Ticket Centre Waverley Bridge (tel: 0131) 555 6363), open daily 0830-1730.
Taxis
Edinburgh’s taxis are mainly black hackney cabs and can be safely hailed in the street. All are licensed and have meters fitted. Some form of driver ID should be prominently displayed. Taxi companies include City Cabs (tel: (0131) 228 1211; website: www.citycabs.co.uk) and Central Radio Taxis (tel: (0131) 229 2468; website: www.taxis.edinburgh.co.uk). Rates are fairly expensive at £1.80 per kilometre (£2.30 per mile). A tip of 10% is expected.
Limousines
Little’s Chauffeur Drive (tel: (0131) 334 2177; fax: (0141) 891 5766; e-mail: reservations@littles.co.uk; website: www.littles.co.uk) has a fleet of Daimlers, people carriers and stretch limousines. A ride from the airport to the city centre costs £40-55 (plus VAT), while day hire for eight hours and 60km (40 miles) costs £160-220 (plus VAT). WL Sleigh Ltd (tel: (0131) 337 3171; e-mail: enquiries@sleigh.co.uk; website: www.sleigh.co.uk) hires out Mercedes and people carriers. Eight-hours day hire in the city centre costs £170-280 (plus VAT) and a day’s hire outside the city centre costs £240-360 (plus VAT).
Driving in the City
Driving around Edinburgh is more hassle than it is worth, so the general advice to visitors is to walk, cycle or use public transport. Visitors who do bring a car should be aware that parking is particularly problematic. Metered parking (in force Monday to Saturday 0830-1830) is restricted in the city and a resident’s parking permit is required in many areas. In central locations such as George Street, parking can cost up to 40p for ten minutes. Failure to comply with parking regulations can result in a fine and the offending vehicle being towed away. The easiest option is for drivers to use one of the NCP car parks, such as at the St James Centre or Castle Terrace, or the Waverley Car Park, New Street, near Waverley station, which charge approximately £10 for 24 hours.
Car Hire
Regulations vary from company to company, however, in all cases drivers will require a valid driving licence to hire a car in the UK. In most cases, this can be a national driving licence, although an International Driving Permit may be preferred if the licence is not in English. A credit card is also essential. It is important for visitors to check what level of insurance is included in the price of car hire. In general, drivers have to be over 23 to hire a car.
Avis (tel: (0131) 337 6363; website: www.avis.co.uk) charges from £44.50 per day, including unlimited mileage, collision damage waiver, theft protection and tax. Drivers must be at least 23 years old. Hertz (tel: (0131) 556 8311; website: www.hertz.co.uk) charges from £40 per day, including unlimited mileage, collision damage waiver, service charge and tax. Drivers must be at least 25 years old. Arnold Clark Car Rental (tel: (0131) 228 4747) charges from £18 per day, including a free 400km (250 miles) and tax. Drivers must be at least 23 years old and have held a licence for over a year.
Bicycle Hire
Bike Trax Cycle Hire , 11 Lochrin Place, Tollcross (tel: (0131) 228 6633; fax: (0131) 228 3686; e-mail: biketrax@btinternet.com; website: www.biketrax.co.uk), hires out a wide range of bicycles. The standard rate (including helmet and lock) is £10 for five hours and £15 per day – a £100 deposit and photo ID are also required.
