Edinburgh Trams

Edinburgh Trams is a modern tramway running 18.5 kilometres between Newhaven in the north and Edinburgh Airport in the west. It crosses the heart of the city, passing through Princes Street and Leith Walk, before heading west to the airport. The line has 23 stops spaced along its route, linking residential areas, business districts and transport hubs. The trams run on a mix of street track and segregated sections, with overhead power supplied by poles or building-mounted cables. A depot at Gogar maintains the fleet of 27 CAF Urbos 3 vehicles. The project began in 2008 but faced delays and cost increases before opening in 2014. A public inquiry in 2023 examined these problems. The line was extended twice, first in 2016 and again in 2023, reaching York Place and then Newhaven. Fares match those on Lothian Buses except for airport trips, where the tram is more expensive. Contactless payment was introduced in 2025, allowing tap-on, tap-off travel across the network. Visitors find a smooth, quiet ride with frequent seven-minute intervals throughout the day. Sheltered stops provide lighting, ticket machines and CCTV for safety. The route passes landmarks such as Haymarket station and the former Caledonian Alehouse site. Bridges and a tunnel handle railway crossings, while the street sections use cobbled surfaces designed to suit Edinburgh’s historic character. The trams offer a fast, reliable way to travel between the airport, city centre and waterfront areas.