Edinburgh Airport Taxi Guide
Edinburgh Airport (EDI) taxi pick-up, drop-off zones and fixed transfer fares.
Edinburgh Airport (EDI) is Scotland's busiest airport, handling around 15 million passengers a year through a single main terminal with two arrivals levels. All pre-booked private hire vehicles use the ground-level Priority Pick-up car park; metered black cabs use the taxi rank immediately outside arrivals.
This guide covers exactly where your driver will meet you, the current forecourt drop-off charge, and typical fixed fares between EDI and the west of Scotland — including Helensburgh, Loch Lomond, Glasgow, Oban and Argyll.
Pick-up & drop-off zones
Terminals: single main terminal.
Priority Pick-up car park (pre-booked private hire)
Your pre-booked driver waits in the Priority Pick-up car park, a 3-minute covered walk from arrivals via the signposted footbridge. First 30 minutes free with an ANPR-read plate; longer stays are charged at the tariff shown at the exit barrier.
Taxi rank (black cabs)
Metered City Cabs are on the rank directly outside the arrivals hall. Best for short hops into central Edinburgh; no fixed fares for longer runs to Helensburgh or Argyll.
Drop-off zone (£6 / 10 min)
The kerbside drop-off zone on the terminal forecourt charges £6 for up to 10 minutes, paid by card or contactless at the exit barrier. Free drop-off is available in the mid-stay car park with a 15-minute complimentary window.
Free drop-off — Mid Stay car park
Mid Stay is a 5-minute walk (or free shuttle) from the terminal and offers 15 minutes free for drop-off, useful if you want to help with luggage or say a longer goodbye.
Meeting your driver (arrivals)
- Once you land, clear immigration and collect your luggage in the baggage hall.
- Follow signs to Arrivals; your driver will text you the bay number in the Priority Pick-up car park once your flight is on stand.
- Take the covered footbridge from Arrivals (level 0) directly into the Priority car park — the walk is step-free and lift-served.
- If you booked meet-and-greet (+£25), your driver waits inside the arrivals hall with a name board and helps with luggage.
Being dropped off
- Ask your driver to use the Drop-off zone (£6, up to 10 minutes) for a quick kerbside drop directly outside the terminal.
- If you need more time or step-free unloading with a wheelchair or pushchair, choose Mid Stay (15 minutes free, short shuttle to the terminal).
- Payment for the drop-off charge is card / contactless at the exit ANPR barrier — cash is not accepted.
Fixed fares from Edinburgh Airport
| Destination | Drive time | Saloon (1–4) | 8-seater |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helensburgh | 1h 15m – 1h 30m | from £145 | from £170 |
| Loch Lomond (Balloch / Luss) | 1h 15m – 1h 30m | from £140 | from £165 |
| Glasgow City Centre | 1h – 1h 15m | from £70 | from £85 |
| Dunoon (via Gourock ferry) | 1h 45m – 2h | from £170 | from £195 |
| Oban | 3h 15m | from £275 | from £315 |
| Aberdeen | 2h 45m | from £240 | from £280 |
Fares are indicative pre-booked private hire prices including flight tracking and the first 30 minutes free after landing. Get an exact quote at booking.
Direct routes to & from Edinburgh
Pre-booked fixed-fare transfers connecting Edinburgh Airport and Edinburgh with cities across the UK.