Arriving in Edinburgh

• Walk. You had better be fit, it's a long way into town, especially with luggage.
• Bus. There's a direct bus service from the airport into the centre of town but it's awkward with luggage and you still have to get from the bus stop to your final destination.
• Taxi. You can either get an airport taxi (saloon cars who pay the Airport authority for the right to pick up passengers at the airport and get their money back from the passengers e.g. approx. £16 to the end of Princes Street.) or phone for an Edinburgh taxi ("London" taxis, purpose built vehicles who charge approx. £11 to £12 for the same trip). I recommend phoning 229-2468 (but I would, as I drive a taxi for a living).
• Hire Car. The car-hire companies have desks at the airport, but it's wisest to book beforehand to make certain the have the model you want available and to save time waiting. This option supposes that you feel like driving in city traffic right after your flight - don't panic, outside of rush hours and the Festival, Edinburgh traffic is not bad. And for anyone used to driving in major cities like London or New York then even rush hour traffic is a piece of cake.
• Prearranged pickup. The best option of all, but not everyone has somebody to come and wait if the flight is delayed.

   If you're at the main (Waverley) railway station-

• Walk. Strongly recommended, if it's daylight, not raining and you've not too much luggage. The main exits from the station are up a fairly steep ramp (take the one on the right as you face them), but when you get to the top the view of the Castle, Princes Street gardens and the Scott monument make an excellent introduction to Edinburgh.
• Bus. The bus service in Edinburgh is pretty good, but can be confusing without a decent map. If you follow the signs to Princes Street you'll find plenty of bus stops. The thing to remember is that they require the correct fare, so make sure that you have small change. Don't be afraid to ask the driver if his is the right bus, or if not which bus you should get, in fact save time and ask the people waiting for buses, they probably look fairly unfriendly but if you make the first approach you'll usually find them only too willing to help.
• Taxi. The wisest decision! There is a taxi rank right in the centre of the station and it is serviced well, even at the busiest times you shouldn't have to wait too long. Incidentally, you should be safe there as I don't work the station rank! Scotrail being money grubbers charge a fee to taxis wishing to rank on their property and the company I work with declined to encourage their greed.
• Hire Car. There is a Hertz car hire point in the station beside platform 11.
• Prearranged pickup. Again, this is of course the best option if you can arrange it. There is some parking in the station and a large car park just behind the station.