World City Guide

Getting Around

Public Transport
Traveline (tel: (0870) 608 2608), provides information on all bus, coach and train routes within the Lothians. The office is open from Monday to Friday 0830-1700 (telephone lines operate until 2000). There is no light rail or tram system within the city and Edinburgh commuters rely on the frequent bus services, though plans for a tram system are currently under consideration.

Lothian Buses, 27 Hanover Street (tel: (0131) 555 6363; website: www.lothianbuses.co.uk), provides bus services within the city and to outlying districts, as does First Edinburgh (tel: (08708) 727271; website: www.firstedinburgh.co.uk). The Council ‘Greenways Scheme’ makes it illegal for drivers to park on the city’s main arteries and gives buses exclusive, green tarmac lanes. As a result, the bus service flows fairly freely 0600-2400, after which the night bus service comes into operation.

Fares range from £0.80 to £1.00 – night buses charge £2 and exact change is required. There are a number of passes allowing reduced fares. Lothian Buses sell a Daysaver ticket that gives unlimited travel on its routes (including those outside the city) for £2.30. Lothian Buses also sells weekly (£12) and four-weekly (£36) passes, which allow unlimited travel on Lothian Buses within these time frames. The FirstDay/FirstWeek and FirstMonth ticket covers travel on First Edinburgh buses in Edinburgh and the surrounding region with prices dependent on zones and duration of the pass.

All Lothian Bus passes can be purchased at the Waverley Bridge Ticket Centre, Waverley Bridge (tel: (0131) 555 6363), open daily 0830-1730 (summer) and 0830-1600 (winter).

Taxis
Edinburgh’s taxis are mainly black hackney cabs and can be safely hailed in the street. All are licensed and have meters fitted. Some form of driver ID should be prominently displayed. Taxi companies include City Cabs (tel: (0131) 228 1211; website: www.citycabs.co.uk) and Central Radio Taxis (tel: (0131) 229 2468; website: www.taxis-edinburgh.co.uk). Rates are fairly expensive at about £1.80 per kilometre (£2.30 per mile). A tip of 10% is expected.

Limousines
Little’s Chauffeur Drive (tel: (0131) 334 2177; fax: (0131) 316 4688; e-mail: reservations@littles.co.uk; website: www.littles.co.uk) has a fleet of Daimlers, Mercedes, people carriers and Volvo limousines. A ride from the airport to the city centre costs around £50 (plus VAT), while hire for eight hours and 60km (40 miles) costs £190-£390 (plus VAT). WL Sleigh Ltd (tel: (0131) 337 3171; fax: (0131) 346 8335; e-mail: info@sleigh.co.uk; website: www.sleigh.co.uk) hires out Mercedes and people carriers. Eight hours hire in the city centre costs £224 (plus VAT), hourly hire is from £28 in the city centre, £36 outlying areas and airport transfer costs from £48.

Driving in the City
Driving around congested Edinburgh is increasingly more hassle than it is worth, so the general advice to visitors is to walk, cycle or use public transport. Visitors who do bring a car should be aware that parking is particularly problematic. Metered parking (in force Monday to Saturday 0830-1830) is restricted in the city and a resident’s parking permit is required in many areas. In central locations, such as George Street, parking can cost up to 55p for 15 minutes. Failure to comply with parking regulations can result in a costly fine and the offending vehicle being towed away. The easiest option is for drivers to use one of the NCP car parks, such as at the St James Centre or Castle Terrace.

Car Hire
Regulations vary from company to company, however, in all cases, drivers will require a valid driving licence to hire a car in the UK. In most cases, this can be a national driving licence, although an International Driving Permit may be preferred if the licence is not in English. Separate proof of address is often required. A credit card is also essential. It is important for visitors to check what level of insurance is included in the price of car hire. In general, drivers have to be over 23 to hire a car.

Avis (tel: (0131) 337 6363 or (08700) 100 287; website: www.avis.co.uk) charges from £45 per day, including unlimited mileage, collision damage waiver, theft protection and tax. Hertz (tel: (0131) 556 8311 or (0870) 846 0013; website: www.hertz.co.uk) charges from £40 per day, including unlimited mileage, collision damage waiver, service charge and tax. Arnold Clark Car Rental (tel: (0845) 607 4500); website: www.arnoldclark.co.uk) charges from £19 per day, including a free 400km (250 miles) – drivers must have held a licence for over a year.

Bicycle Hire
Bike Trax Cycle Hire, 11 Lochrin Place, Tollcross (tel: (0131) 228 6633; fax: (0131) 228 3686; e-mail: info@biketrax.co.uk; website: www.biketrax.co.uk), hires out a wide range of bicycles. The standard rate (including helmet and lock) is £12 for half a day and £16 per day – a £100 deposit and photo ID are also required.