Travel to Edinburgh airport: tram or train or both?

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 yorkshire_lad2 04 Jul 2022

Could anyone give an opinion on getting to Edinburgh airport via tram or train+tram as follows:

I'm going from Carlisle to Edinburgh Airport by train next week.  Is it better
to get the train to Haymarket and get the tram from Haymarket to the airport,
OR get another train from Haymarket to Gateway, _then_ get the tram from Gateway into the airport?
I can't really tell from the timings and changeovers that are available on the web which would be easier/quicker (there's not much in it cost-wise).  Any thoughts much appreciated.  TIA

 Rob Parsons 04 Jul 2022
In reply to yorkshire_lad2:

> I'm going from Carlisle to Edinburgh Airport by train next week.  Is it better

> to get the train to Haymarket and get the tram from Haymarket to the airport,

> OR get another train from Haymarket to Gateway, _then_ get the tram from Gateway into the airport?

Do the first: the tram service from Haymarket to the airport is frequent (every ten minutes or so.)

 65 04 Jul 2022
In reply to yorkshire_lad2:

Tram from Haymarket. Regular and efficient, and the stop is right outside. If you're arriving at Waverley you could go up the steps and get a tram too, but if you can stay on until Haymarket that would be easier.

 daWalt 04 Jul 2022
In reply to yorkshire_lad2:

change at Haymarket, Edin Gateway is a waste of time unless you're arriving there direct.

And considering where your from, you'll obviously want to save yourself a whole £ and get the 100 Airlink bus rather than the tram. (£7.50 return rather than £8.50; the tram and bus stops are either side of the same pavement outside the station)

 nathan79 04 Jul 2022
In reply to yorkshire_lad2:

Tram. Cost the same whether you get it from Haymarket or Edinburgh gateway, so just hop on at Haymarket.

 Martin W 05 Jul 2022
In reply to daWalt:

The Airlink 100 bus is also marginally quicker than the tram - at least according to its timetable (but see below) - and IIRC the walk to the check-in desks is shorter!  The bus is rather more comfortable than the tram as well; it's always a nice surprise to find yourself on an ex-Airlink 100 bus when you were expecting the usual, rather shoogly general service bus (unless it's busy, in which case the reduce seating capacity becomes apparent).  The internal layout of the Airlink 100 buses is also specifically designed for airport passengers, with generous provision for luggage, whereas the tram is a bit of a compromise between city centre/commuting passengers and airport users.  Both Airlink bus and tram can be busy during peak hours, but the Airlink bus less so because it stops less frequently and AIUI isn't meant to set down at the limited number of intermediate stops on its route - its job is to take people to the airport.

About the only potential downside to the Airlink bus is that it can get caught up in traffic congestion.  There plenty of bus lanes on the route but they don't help much if e.g. there is a throughput-reducing incident at a particular junction.

So, as long as you're not tight on time to make your flight, I'd say the bus is the preferable option.  Unless, of course, you particularly enjoy riding on trams.

 Neil Williams 05 Jul 2022
In reply to yorkshire_lad2:

Tram from Haymarket.  One change is better than two in terms of resilience.

 graeme jackson 05 Jul 2022
In reply to yorkshire_lad2:

Get the tram from the haymarket BUT only get a ticket to the park and ride and walk from there. They add at least a fiver to both the single and return fares just for the last half mile or so. 

1
 Greenbanks 06 Jul 2022
In reply to Rob Parsons:

Definitely Hay to airport. Seamless, efficient & stress-free

 Greenbanks 06 Jul 2022
In reply to graeme jackson:

If you’re loaded with bags ystopping short woukd be a pain.

In reply to yorkshire_lad2:

Thanks for all the tips and info.  Very helpful.


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