Coach and Minibus Hire in the United Kingdom

Flying into Edinburgh with your group

Edinburgh Airport treats any minibus with eight or more seats the same way as a coach, so your minibus meets you in the coach park rather than outside the terminal doors. It's a short walk, and it's the same routine whatever size you've booked.

Finding your vehicle

The coach park lies to the south of the multi-storey car park. You walk there from the terminal using the crossing point at stand 10, which is worth pointing out to anyone who comes through arrivals ahead of the rest.

The coach park is charged by how long the vehicle stays, so a quick text when the last bag appears helps the driver time things well. There's no reason to rush the youngest or oldest members of the party, just no reason to linger either.

Executive Sprinter van interior with leather seats
Executive Sprinter van interior with leather seats

Getting into the city

Waverley Bridge is about 8 miles east, around 25 minutes when traffic is light. The heart of the city is a Low Emission Zone running every hour of every day; coaches must meet Euro VI and diesel cars and vans Euro 6, so ask for a compliant vehicle if your hotel is inside it.

In the Old Town, stopping places are limited. Coaches set down on Castle Terrace for the castle, and elsewhere may stop on yellow lines for no more than two minutes. With luggage and a hotel on a narrow street, a smaller vehicle is often the gentler choice.

The terminals

  • Single passenger terminal

Good to know at Edinburgh Airport

  • Blue Badge holders get free access to the airport car parks for one hour.
  • Free drop-off and pick-up is in the Long Stay car park (up to 30 minutes); there is no shuttle bus, and the walk to the terminal takes about 10 minutes.
  • Cars use the drop-off and pick-up zone on the ground floor of the multi-storey car park outside the terminal; it is barrier-controlled and card-only.

Days out from Edinburgh

South Queensferry and the Forth Bridges are about 10 miles from the city, Stirling Castle about 37 and St Andrews about 50. If you're coming for the Festival Fringe, from 6 to 30 August 2027, book early; the city is at its busiest then.

Your questions

Where exactly do we meet a minibus?

In the coach park, the same as a coach. Head for the crossing point at stand 10 and walk across; your driver will be waiting there.

Some friends are collecting a few of us by car. Where do they go?

Cars head for the multi-storey's ground floor, just outside the terminal, where the pick-up area has a barrier and only takes cards. Free pickup in the Long Stay car park is possible for up to 30 minutes, but it's a 10-minute walk with no shuttle.

Does a Blue Badge help at Edinburgh Airport?

Blue Badge holders get free access to the airport car parks for one hour. Mention the badge when you book so the driver can plan the pickup.

Could we fly into Glasgow instead?

It can work. It's around 45 miles from Edinburgh to Glasgow Airport, an hour's drive or so, so compare flights before deciding.

Cities

Vehicles