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Edinburgh Bus Station is located at Elder Street, Edinburgh, EH1 3DX, very close to Princes Street, the main shopping street in the New Town. You may also like our guide to Edinburgh day trips by bus.
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Edinburgh Bus Station Opening Hours
Edinburgh bus station is open Monday through Thursday, Sunday from 4:30 a.m. to 12 a.m., and Friday from 4:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Getting to Edinburgh Bus Station
You can walk to Edinburgh Bus Station from Waverley Train Station in 15-20 minutes.
A tram stop is close to Edinburgh Bus Station at the St Andrews Square entrance. Trams from Edinburgh Airport stop here.
Read later | Best way to Edinburgh Airport from Edinburgh
Edinburgh Bus Station Entrances
There are two entrances to Edinburgh Bus Station: St Andrews Square and Elder Street.
There is an elevator at the St Andrews Square entrance and a slope for wheelchair access, bikes and luggage with wheels at the Elder Street entrance.
Bikes can be stored using the cycle racks.
Bus Companies
Several bus companies operate at Edinburgh Bus Station.
- CityLink – Scotland’s cities and bigger towns
- Megabus – Part of the Stagecoach group serving Scotland, England and Wales
- Stagecoach – Connects Scotland’s towns and cities
- National Express – Edinburgh to London bus route
Buying a Bus Ticket in Edinburgh
Tickets can be reserved online and by phone.
Booking in advance is often the cheaper option for bigger journeys.
Less popular routes can be bought on the day at the ticket office (company-depending) or as you enter the bus.
You can purchase CityLink tickets at the station on weekdays from 8 am to 6 pm.
I wouldn’t leave a long-distance trip to chance and always book in advance.
Bus drivers accept cash and card payments. Always keep your ticket as proof of purchase and for your return journey if applicable.
I often take the bus from Edinburgh to Fife because the schedule runs later than the trains. I just pay for this ticket on the day when I get on the bus.
In Scotland, bus travel is free for people over 60.
Riders over 60 must apply for the National Entitlement Card to access this universal benefit.
Some disabled travellers can apply for free bus travel, too.
Students can apply for money off, too. See individual bus companies for a discount.
Some bus companies also have deals for families.
See below for more on savings.
Estimated Prices (Adults)
- Edinburgh to Glasgow: From £5.50 (Megabus)
- Edinburgh to Dunfermline: From £6 (Stagecoach)
- Edinburgh to Perth: From £16 return (Citylink)
Bus Ticket Savings
Some bus companies in Scotland offer day ticket savings or multi-journey offers.
Others have deals for families and special events.
Sign up for newsletters or follow the bus companies on social media to keep current with offers.
Always book in advance for cheaper prices.
Edinburgh Bus Station Food Options
There is no cafe in the bus station.
There is, however, a small WHS Smith shop that sells snacks and newspapers. WHS Smith Edinburgh Bus Station is open until 8 pm.
There are also vending machines with sweets (candy) and crisps (potato chips) and you will find Caffe Nero around the corner on Multrees Walk if you want to grab a coffee before you travel.
Read next | What to eat in Edinburgh
Edinburgh Bus Station Facilities
Toilets at the bus station cost 30p.
There is a change machine that allows you to break notes.
Toilets are open from 4:30 am to 12 am.
There are disabled toilets on the premises that a RADAR key can access.
Baby changing facilities are also available. Just ask a member of staff to use them.
You can leave your luggage at the bus station lockers.
There are also phone charging machines which you can use for a fee.
Edinburgh Bus Station Lost Property
If you think you may have lost an item, it will be kept for 59 days. See security staff for lost property.
See the bus company if you have lost an item on the bus.
Connections
You may need to connect to a local bus service to travel to smaller destinations.
Some bus companies have tickets which combine bus and rail travel, such as the Megabusplus ticket.
Destinations
Buses depart Edinburgh Bus Station from all over Scotland and other parts of the United Kingdom (UK).
Megabus and National Express travel to England and Wales from Edinburgh.
Some buses operating longer trips travel overnight.
For example, you can travel to London from Edinburgh via Megabus Gold.
Bus Timetables
Bus timetables can be found at Traveline Scotland.
Routes can be worked out using Google Maps.
Edinburgh Park and Ride
You can park a car for free and take a public bus into the city in several locations.
This saves you from paying the expensive parking fees in Edinburgh.
You don’t have to use the car parking facilities to use the park and ride bus services.
Many locals use the park and ride to get to Edinburgh Airport. I use it from Inverkeithing every time I fly.
Park and Ride Locations in Edinburgh
- Ingliston Park & Ride
- Hermiston Park & Ride
- Sheriffhall Park & Ride
- Straiton Park & Ride
- Wallyford Park & Ride
Edinburgh Bus Station Contact Details
Elder Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3DX
bus.station@edinburgh.gov.uk
0871 200 2233
Can I exchange vouchers for hop on hop off bus tours any time of the day (between opening times) purchased from “Get your Guide”
Hi Kim, there’s a few hop on off buses in Edinburgh and they tend to “start” around Waverley Train Station/Princes Street so you won’t find them at the bus station.
As for specifics about GetYourGuide vouchers, you’d need to speak to them directly.
Have a wonderful trip!
Which is the better entrance for Gate J? Do you have a plan of the bus station?
Hi Jean, the bus station is very compact, you can enter at either side.
Can I leave the luggage over 3 days?
Hi Catherine, I wouldn’t think so. You could try Waverley Station’s left luggage but three days would be pricy. Good luck!
Hi there
thank you so much for all the information!!
what do you think is the easiest way to get from the airport to the Bus station?
Thanks in advance
Hi Lydia! The tram is just outside of the bus station, here you can connect to the airport.
Very helpful.Thank you.
Thanks Eamon. Have a great trip to Edinburgh.
Hi There,
I’m on a Rabbies Bus Tour departing from Gate J and K I need directions on how to get there from Ten Hill Place. I don’t want to miss my tour. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Elaine
Hi Elaine, you would be best to use Google maps to plan your trip. Edinburgh also has taxis and Uber if you prefer to take a taxi. I hope you have a lovely tour.
What it means open 4:30 am to 12 am?
It means the busy station is close and no one can enter?
Or it means the bus are not coming but u can wait for them after 4:30 am
Hi Tadeo – you are best to email the official bus station contact.
Here is the email address: bus.station@edinburgh.gov.uk