Cruise passengers visiting Edinburgh arrive in one of a few places on the Firth of Forth, and the city centre is not always on the doorstep. A minibus or coach with a professional driver is an easy way for a group to get from the ship to the sights, a hotel or the airport — and back on board in good time.
Where cruise passengers arrive
- Leith — ships that berth in the port at Leith, a short drive from the city centre.
- South Queensferry — larger ships anchor in the Forth and passengers come ashore by tender near the Forth Bridge. See our South Queensferry guide.
- Rosyth — on the Fife side of the Forth, across the Queensferry Crossing.
Popular cruise transfers
- Port to Edinburgh Airport at the start or end of a cruise, or to Glasgow Airport.
- Port to a city-centre hotel or Edinburgh Waverley station.
- Shore-day sightseeing: Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile, the Forth bridges, Rosslyn Chapel, Linlithgow Palace or the Kelpies at Falkirk.
Getting back to the ship on time
Tell us your all-aboard time when you book and plan the day backwards from it. For sightseeing, hourly hire keeps the driver with your group, so you can stop where you like and head back to port when you need to. Traffic around the city centre can be busy in summer, so build in a margin.
Luggage
Embarkation and disembarkation days mean big suitcases. Enter the number of large cases when you book and we only show vehicles with enough space. Coaches have the most luggage room for large groups.
Get an instant price online, or contact our team if your plans are more complex.
Example prices
| Journey | Distance | 8-seat minibus | 16-seat minibus | Coach (33–72) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Queensferry (Hawes Pier) to the city centre | 10 mi | from £65 | from £115 | from £205 |
| Leith to the city centre | 3 mi | from £65 | from £115 | from £205 |
| South Queensferry to Edinburgh Airport | 4 mi | from £80 | from £130 | from £220 |
| Leith to Edinburgh Airport | 10 mi | from £80 | from £130 | from £220 |
One-way prices for a weekday daytime pick-up, worked out from our current rates (VAT included where it applies). They update automatically when our rates change. Evenings, weekends, return trips and the exact pick-up address can change the price, so the booking form always has the final figure.
