Things to Do Near Edinburgh Airport

Do you have a long layover for your flight from Edinburgh Airport? 

You’re in luck because there are many interesting places to visit in the area. You can store your bags at one of Stasher’s secure and convenient Edinburgh Airport luggage storage locations and discover this exciting neighborhood instead of spending a dull day guarding your bags.

Are There Any Activities You Can Do During a 1 to 2-Hour Layover at Edinburgh Airport?

If you’ve checked in and only have an hour or two to spare, you’ll probably want to enjoy some of the airport’s amenities instead of venturing into the surrounding area. Edinburgh Airport’s duty-free shops offer a plethora of last-minute souvenirs, including authentic Scottish handicrafts. You’ll also find an art gallery next to Gate 13, where you can browse and buy local artwork.

You’ll find a decent selection of eateries ranging from casual spots like Caffe Nero, Krispy Creme, Yo!Sushi, and BarBurrito to fine dining at All Bar One, Flutes & Tails Champagne Bar, The Gathering, and the Wetherspoon Restaurant.

What could be better than a relaxing massage between flights? Edinburgh Airport’s AeroSpa provides massage therapy and a full menu of beauty treatments, including facials, pedicures, manicures, and hair styling. 

Travelers can also use a one-hour layover to catch up on work or social media, as the airport offers two hours of free Wi-Fi. You can browse the internet in style if you book time at one of the airport’s lounges. Gain entry to the lounges if you’re flying business, first class, or you belong to the membership program. Edinburgh’s Airport lounges offer cozy seating, food, drinks, and unlimited free Wi-Fi.

Places You Can Visit During a 3 to 5-Hour Layover

A three-hour layover will give you just enough time to discover the surrounding area. Some activities in the neighborhood include:

• The Ingliston Circuit: If you have a need for speed, check out the auto-racing track at Ingliston, only an 11-minute walk from the airport. You can pay to drive one of the track’s Supercars, and you may even be able to see a race if one is scheduled during your layover time.
• The Royal Highland Centre hosts some of Scotland’s premier indoor and outdoor events. Even if you can’t catch a show, it’s worth the 15-minute walk to see the breathtaking grounds surrounding the event hall.
• History buffs can get to Edinburgh’s Cammo Tower in 15 minutes by taxi or just under 50 minutes via the 200 Skylink or 100 Airlink. The tower offers spectacular views and excellent opportunities for Instagram photos.

If you have a 4 to 5-hour layover, you can check your bags in early or store them with Stasher and head to the city. Both the Edinburgh Tram and the Airport 100 bus will get you to Old Town in around 30 minutes. Old Town is home to some of Edinburgh’s most well-known attractions.

• History and natural beauty await at Edinburgh Castle and the surrounding Princes Street Gardens. You can save time by pre-purchasing a Fast-Track Entry to skip the often long queue.
• Art lovers should head straight to the Scottish National Gallery, which offers free admission.
• The Royal Mile is lined with authentic Scottish Pubs for whisky tasting or a frosty pint of Scottish ale. You can also take a spooky interactive tour through Mary King’s Close, the Queen’s former prison that is rumored to be haunted.
• Old Town also features quaint streets where you can peruse local shops and art galleries.
• While you’re in the area, you can also take a peak at the Waverley Bridge or stroll through the University of Edinburgh campus.

Things to Do During a 6 to 8-Hour Layover at Edinburgh Airport

The tour of the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the surrounding area is an ideal activity for a 6 to 8-hour layover in Edinburgh. The guided tour lasts around 1.5 hours, and transport to and from the palace takes just under an hour. So, you shouldn’t have any trouble fitting the trip into a 6-hour layover. If you have more time, you can stroll the adjacent Royal Mile, visit the Museum of Edinburgh, the Writer’s Museum, or have a Guinness at one of the area’s many pubs.

With an 8-hour layover, you can easily squeeze in a stroll through Holyrood Park and climb to Arthur’s Seat, located atop an inactive volcano. If you get lucky, you’ll be able to attend one of the onsite adventure yoga classes to get in a stretch before your flight.

Enjoying an 8 to 12-Hour Layover 

An 8-12 hour layover allows for all the previous activities and much more, such as:

• Sports fans may want to visit  Murrayfield Stadium for a world-class event like an unforgettable Scottish Rugby match. The stadium also hosts concerts and American football games.
• The 82-acre Edinburgh Zoo makes an excellent destination for animal lovers and families. Located three miles from the city centre, the zoo houses over 1000 rare animal species, many of them endangered. Additionally, you won’t want to miss the free hilltop safari ride.
• An 8 to 12-hour layover also offers the opportunity to shop until you drop in Edinburgh’s best local stores and shopping centers. You’ll find everything you could imagine at the St. James Shopping Quarter downtown or the Ocean Terminal along the waterfront. For a more laid-back experience, try the shops along Princes Street, High Street, or the Gyle Shopping Centre.
• A layover of at least 8 hours would also give you plenty of time to play a few rounds of golf at the Turnhouse Golf Club. You can get to the club in just 7 minutes by taxi.

Overnight Layovers at Edinburgh Airport

• An overnight layover in Edinburgh offers the perfect opportunity for a pub crawl, sampling Scottish beer and whiskeys. In the morning, you’ll be ready to slumber your way to your next destination. But don’t forget to fill your belly with some haggis, meat pie, or Scottish porridge before you head to the pubs.
• Overnight layovers are also ideal for taking in a show. You’ll find several top-notch venues in the city. As mentioned before, Murrayfield Stadium hosts national and international acts. The Queen’s Hall is home to some of Scotland’s best classical music, and Edinburgh’s 5-star Usher Hall presents an impressive range of musical acts, both traditional and contemporary. In addition, St. Cecilia’s Hall is the second oldest concert hall in the UK and also serves as a music museum.

Do you need safe, convenient, and affordable luggage storage during your layover in Edinburgh? Download the Stasher app for Apple or Android, or head over to Stasher.com, and you can book your storage in a few minutes. There are no size or weight restrictions, and the company only charges £5.90 per item/day. Plus, each item comes with insurance worth up to £1000.