How to Get Around Edinburgh on the Cheap

Edinburgh is one of the great cities of the Celtic world and offers a lot to visitors, from the famous castle on the hill to the cashmeres and tartans in the shops along Princes Street. Here are some hints to help you get around Edinburgh while still staying within your travel budget.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Walking Shoes
• Maps
• Travel Guides
• Travel Services

1. Get a guidebook, preferably one which contains transportation information and details explaining how to get to specific sites of interest.
2. Visit the main tourist office at 3 Princes Street, just above Waverly train station, soon after you arrive. This office can help you plan transportation and day trips, as well as assisting you with accommodations and sight-seeing.
3. Walk as much as possible. Some Edinburgh streets can be a bit steep, but it is still an excellent walking city, offering some wonderful street-level views.
4. Pick up a bus travel map at the Traveline office located at 2 Cockburn Street. This is also the place to get road condition reports through the Customer Lighting and Roads Enquiry Centre, or CLARENCE.
5. Visit the bus terminal for local and inter-city services, especially if you plan to take side trips outside the city. The terminal is located on St. Andrew Square across from Waverly train station.
6. Ride a bike, both in and around the city. The Scottish Cycling Database and Scottish Cyclists Union offer route maps and information to bike-riding visitors of all skill levels and sponsor events for serious cyclists. You can also rent bicycles in various locations around Edinburgh.

Tips & Warnings

• Bring a warm, waterproof jacket with you, no matter what time of year you're traveling ' Edinburgh can get cool, damp and windy, even in the summertime.
• Read up on Scottish pronunciations before you leave home. In Scotland some words sound very different than they look. "Cockburn," for example, is pronounced "Coe-burn."
• Wear flat, comfortable shoes to avoid tripping or twisting an ankle on Edinburgh's often uneven streets, especially in the Old Town area.
• If you are coming for the annual Edinburgh Festival (one of the world's largest fine arts festivals), make your accommodation plans well in advance, since the city is always packed with visitors during that three-week period in August and September.