Cheap flights from London to Edinburgh

October is when fares on this route tend to sit at their lowest, so if your dates are flexible, aim for the autumn. September and November come in close behind, while summer and the run-up to Christmas push prices up as weekend city breaks fill the planes. Midweek departures are quieter than Friday evenings and Sunday nights, when business travellers and weekenders overlap. School holidays and big events in either city tighten availability, so book a few weeks ahead for the cheap months and leave the late booking for when you have no choice.

Ryanair UK, Ryanair and EasyJet are the low-cost names you will see most often here, while British Airways and its CityFlyer arm fly the route full-service. Jet2 also appears on some departures. A low-cost fare buys a seat and a small cabin bag; a hold bag, a chosen seat and a drink on board all cost extra, so the price you first see can climb. Full-service tickets include a cabin bag and a snack, with hold luggage usually part of the fare. Aer Lingus, Norwegian International and Air France tend to show up as connecting options rather than nonstop flights, so check the routing before you book — a cheaper-looking fare can mean a change of plane.

Edinburgh has one airport, Edinburgh Airport, west of the city, and every flight from London lands there. The centre is a short ride away: the tram runs from the terminal into town, and buses cover the same route. A taxi is quicker at quiet times but sits in traffic at peak. Allow time on arrival if you are heading straight to a hotel check-in, and note that the airport sits on the west side, so plan your onward travel from the centre rather than the terminal.

Currency

GBP (£)

Power sockets

Type G · 230 V

Language

English

Emergency number

112, 999

Calling code

+44

Internet domain

.uk

Population of Edinburgh

488 k (2016)

Time zone

UTC+01 (Europe/London)

Country facts: Wikidata

• Pick your London airport first: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and London City are not interchangeable.
• Check what the low-cost fare includes — cabin bag size, hold luggage and seat choice are usually add-ons.
• If a connection is involved, check whether both legs sit on one ticket or on two separate bookings.
• Carry photo ID that matches your booking name, since it is checked at the airport.
• Flying in October usually costs less than in summer, so shift your dates if you can.
• Book early for weekend departures and school holidays, when the cheap seats go first.