All systems By city Edinburgh Trams
Tram
Edinburgh Trams
One line from Edinburgh Airport through the city centre to Newhaven on the waterfront. The single most important thing to know is that the airport is a separate, much more expensive fare zone.
Which ticket should you buy?
Photo: TriStateGuy · CC BY 4.0
Ticket options
City single
£2.20
Best for Anywhere except the airport
Covers the whole line between Ingliston Park & Ride and Newhaven.
Airport single
£7.50
Best for Airport transfers
A large jump from the city fare. The Airlink 100 bus costs less and is often quicker to the Old Town.
Airport return
£10.50
Best for Round trips to the airport
Worth buying up front if you are flying back out.
CityCycle Day (tram + Lothian buses)
£5.50
Best for A day around the city
Sold as a Day Ticket; valid on trams within the city zone and on all Lothian buses.
RideCard, 7 days
£24.00
Best for A week in the city
Tram city zone plus buses. Does not include the airport.
Fares checked May 2026. Confirm on the operator’s own fares page before you buy.
Where you tap
Tap in only. One tap at the start of the journey covers it — there is nothing to tap on the way out.
Is the day ticket worth it?
Comparing the City single at £2.20 with the CityCycle Day (tram + Lothian buses) at £5.50, the day ticket also covers Lothian buses. The day ticket becomes the cheaper choice from your third journey onwards.
| Journeys in a day | Singles cost | Against the day ticket |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | £2.20 | £3.30 cheaper |
| 2 | £4.40 | £1.10 cheaper |
| 3 | £6.60 | £1.10 more |
| 4 | £8.80 | £3.30 more |
How to pay
- Contactless at stop validators, with a daily cap
- The Transport for Edinburgh app
- Ticket machines at every stop
Concessions
- Under 5s travel free.
- Under 22s resident in Scotland travel free with a National Entitlement Card.
- Children 5–15 pay a flat reduced fare, including a cheaper airport rate.
Worth knowing
- Compare the tram with the Airlink 100 bus before buying — the bus is cheaper, runs through the night, and drops closer to the Old Town.
- The city day ticket also covers Lothian buses, which reach far more of Edinburgh than the single tram line.
- The Newhaven extension puts the Leith bars and the Royal Yacht Britannia within easy reach.
Photos
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Common questions
- How much is a single on the Edinburgh Trams?
- The cheapest single listed is £2.20 (City single).
- Is a day ticket worth it on the Edinburgh Trams?
- It pays for itself on your third journey. The CityCycle Day (tram + Lothian buses) costs £5.50 and the City single £2.20, so 3 singles come to £6.60.
- Do I need to tap out on the Edinburgh Trams?
- Tap in only. One tap at the start of the journey covers it — there is nothing to tap on the way out.
- Can I pay with a contactless card on the Edinburgh Trams?
- Yes. Contactless at stop validators, with a daily cap.
- What do children pay on the Edinburgh Trams?
- Under 5s travel free.