Edinburgh essentials

Entry to the UK

Visitors who don’t need a visa for the UK now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before they travel; gov.uk explains who needs one, how to apply and what it costs. Irish citizens don’t need one. Apply only on gov.uk or the official UK ETA app.

The Edinburgh Visitor Levy

From 24 July 2026, overnight stays in paid accommodation in Edinburgh carry a visitor levy of 5% of the room cost, for at most five consecutive nights, the City of Edinburgh Council says. It is worked out before VAT, and doesn’t apply to meals, parking or other extras. Stays booked and paid for, in full or in part, before 1 October 2025 are exempt.

From the airport

Edinburgh Trams run from the airport through the West End to Princes Street, St Andrew Square and on to Leith and Newhaven: £7.90 for an adult single from the airport (October 2026). Lothian’s Airlink 100 bus runs to Waverley Bridge for £6.00. Waverley station, in the heart of the city, has trains to London, Glasgow and the Highlands.

Money

The currency is the pound sterling (£). Scottish banks issue their own banknotes, which are pounds sterling too. Contactless cards are widely accepted, including on the buses and trams.

The seasons

August is festival month: the International Festival, the Fringe, the Book Festival and the Tattoo fill the city, and hotels book up early. December brings the Christmas markets and Hogmanay; spring and early autumn are quieter, with long light evenings in early summer. Pack a waterproof in any season.

Emergencies and health

Call 999 (or 112) in a critical emergency. For urgent care that is not life-threatening, call NHS 24 on 111, day or night; it will direct you to the right service, NHS Lothian says. The adult Emergency Department is at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, and the children’s at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, both at Little France. Carry travel insurance that covers medical costs.

Questions and answers