Hack Your Commute: The Best Ways to Get to Campus in Edinburgh

Getting around a new city can feel like a puzzle, especially when your lectures are scattered across different corners of a major city like Edinburgh. The key to mastering your commute isn’t just reading maps; it’s about finding a routine that works for you. Whether you’re heading to a lab or a library, the city’s cobbles and climbs become much easier to navigate when you know the streets.

Below is a handy table you can use as a quick reference point, but read on if you want to learn all the key details you’ll need when living in the city.

Commute Goal	Best Method	Key Benefit
Budget Friendly	Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel	Free travel for under-22s
Speedy Inter-Campus	University Shuttle Bus	Connects Central Area & King’s Buildings
Reliability	Lothian Buses (Ridacard)	Capped fares and frequent service

How Do I Get to the University of Edinburgh?

Getting to the University of Edinburgh is helped by a blend of the city’s reliable bus network and the university’s own services. If your studies are split between the historic centre and the southern edges of the city, you’ll spend a fair amount of time on the move.

During the semester, the university operates a free shuttle bus for students and staff. It’s a lifesaver for getting rapidly between Bristo Square and the King’s Building. The service runs every 20 minutes during the busiest times of day, making it a cost-effective and efficient way to get around.

For those travelling to the BioQuarter or ECA, the local Lothian Buses are your best friend. Look for the 31 or 41 services to take you where you need to be.

What’s the Easiest Way to Reach Heriot-Watt University?

Heriot-Watt’s Riccarton campus sits a little further afield, but it’s well connected to the city.

• The Main Link: Service 25 is the go-to for most. It runs roughly every 10 minutes from Haymarket and the city centre, keeping the campus within easy reach.
• Alternative Routes: You might also find the 34 (from Ocean Terminal) or the 45 (from Bruntsfield) more convenient, depending on where you’ve set up home.
• Travel Time: These journeys take around 40 minutes each, giving you time to relax before the day begins.

How Do I Commute to Edinburgh Napier University?

Napier is spread across three campuses, so your route will vary depending on where you study.

• Sighthill: This campus is easiest to reach via the Edinburgh Tram (get off at Bankhead). You can also use the number 3, 25, and 35 buses.
• Merchiston: Found in Bruntsfield, this one is a quick trip from the centre on the 11,16, or 23 services.
• Craiglockhart: For this hilltop location, the 4, 10, or 27 buses are your most reliable options.

Insider Tips for Edinburgh Student Commuters

• Young Persons’ Free Travel: If you’re under 22 and living in Scotland, you can apply for a National Entitlement Card. It’s a brilliant scheme that makes bus travel entirely free. Just remember to keep your card handy.
• Tap Cap: For everyone else, Lothian’s contactless system is incredibly smooth. It caps your spending automatically, so you never pay more than you need to for your daily travels.
• The Student Ridacard: If you’re a frequent traveller, this card is the ultimate ‘set and forget’ option for unlimited bus and tram use.
• Active Travel: Edinburgh is compact and beautiful on foot. Walking between Central Area locations is often the quickest way to get around, though those famous hills will certainly keep you fit.

FAQs

What’s the best way to get to campus in Edinburgh? 

For University of Edinburgh students, the free shuttle bus is the most efficient way to get between the Central Area and the King’s Buildings during the semester. If you’re heading to locations like the BioQuarter or ECA, the city’s extensive Lothian Bus network is your best bet. For Napier or Heriot-Watt, specific routes like the 25 or the Edinburgh Tram offer direct and frequent links to their respective sites.

Is Edinburgh a walkable city for students? 

Absolutely. Edinburgh is compact and incredibly scenic, making it a joy to navigate on foot. While the city’s famous hills might give your legs a workout, walking between Central Area locations is often faster than waiting for a bus. It’s also the best way to truly soak in the atmosphere of the city’s historic wynds and grand tenements.

Now that you know how to get to campus in Edinburgh on foot, by bus, and by tram, it’s time to get settled in! Explore our range of Edinburgh student accommodation options to discover your ideal home from home in the Scottish capital.