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Edinburgh Bus Station is located at Elder Street, Edinburgh, EH1 3DX very close to the main shopping street in the New Town, Princes Street.
Edinburgh Bus Station Opening Hours
Edinburgh bus station is open from Monday to Thursday and Sunday 4:30 am to 12 am Friday and Saturday 4:30 am to 12:30 am.
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Getting to Edinburgh Bus Station
You can walk to Edinburgh Bus Station from Waverley Train Station in around 15-20 minutes.
There is a tram stop close to Edinburgh Bus Station at the St Andrews Square entrance. Trams from Edinburgh Airport stop here.
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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.
Bus travel is free for over 60s in Scotland. Riders of 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 up to date 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.
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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 which are accessed by RADAR key.
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.
The small lockers cost £6, medium £8 and large £10. This price covers 12 hours.
If you have extra-large luggage, you can also leave it for 12 hours for £10-£15.
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.
If you have lost an item on the bus, see the bus company.
Connections
For bus travel to smaller destinations, you may need to connect to a local bus service.
Some bus companies have tickets which combine bus and rail travel such as the megabusplus ticket.
Destinations
Buses depart Edinburgh Bus Station for 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
There are several locations where you can park a car for free and take a public bus into the city.
This saves you paying the expensive parking fees in Edinburgh.
You don’t have to use the car parking facilities to make use of 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.