We are planning a trip to Scotland the first 2 weeks of June and need advise on an apt in Edinburgh to use as our home base. We would like to be in walking distance to a train or tram stop as we plan to use public transportation for most of our time, but we also need to be in a residential area so there are markets nearby. Our daughter is joining us for part of the time and will have a rental car so need something that has parking close by. Any suggestions for the area we should be looking at.
Posted by
Camano Island, WA, usa
1551 posts
I just read in January 2020 AAA Journey magazine that Stockbridge was "charming neighborhood" and Leith is "trendy" with modern tourist rental condos, some with water views. Both are walking distance to old Edinburgh.
Posted by
Delaware
1535 posts
Hi, paneeley,
You're not going to find much near a train stop, as there are only two train stations in Edinburgh - Waverley and Haymarket. If you're planning to make a lot of day trips out of town, then that would be convenient.
The tram runs from York Place out to the airport by way of Princes Street. The closest tram stops that aren't directly in the center of town are at Haymarket and Murrayfield. However, if you stay near Murrayfield, it would be a long way in to town if you decide to walk.
Fortunately, buses are everywhere, so you shouldn't have too much trouble getting about. Parking in town is really expensive. Just about every street is metered, so you should try for an apartment/flat that comes with a designated parking space. Otherwise, count on running out to the meter every one or two hours to feed it!
Morningside or Newington might be a good choice. Bus service is frequent, and there lots of shops and restaurants nearby, particularly in Morningside.
Best wishes!
Mike (Auchterless)
Posted by
Lives globally
115 posts
Hello,
Our first trip to Scotland (2017) we stayed in an amazing Air BnB on York Place. This location has several Coop food stores as well as a wide variety of local grocery and boutique stores within walking or tram rides. Sometimes we just hopped onto the tram to venture to other towns to shop.
York Place is where the tram currently ends. There is the bus station on the next block and Waverly train station is a 5 minute walk away.
And for this Ravelry junkie, there are two fantastic yarn stores and an artistic supplies store also within walking distance. There are some extraordinary coffee shops and restaurants within walking distance.
We love York Place so much that members of our family purchased a flat there. Some members of our family has been there since early December on business and report this is by far the best location for maneuverability in Edinburgh (which is critical to our business and access to the university).
We never need a car when visiting Scotland. We only use public transportation so York Place fulfills that requirement.
Good luck with your search and happy travels!
Posted by
Edinburgh
12 posts
The tram is limited as it is only one line from the city to the airport. However buses are everywhere and fares are cheap. £1.80 per journey anywhere in the city or £4.50 for unlimited travel all day ticket. Pay as you board, cash (exact fare) or contactless (per journey, one card per adult, capped at £4.40 - 10p discount! - over multiple journeys). See www.lothianbuses.co.uk for full info. Good areas to stay include Stockbridge, Bruntsfield, Morningside. Also plenty of b and b's in Murrayfield and Newington. Edinburgh is not huge so each of these areas only 15-20 minutes by regular bus to the centre. All are close to local food shops.
A word of warning: even although those areas are outside the centre, car parking is limited and costly. Check if your accomodation has onsite parking, which will be limited. If a car is necessary (it really isn't worth it in Edinburgh) then look to stay farther out of town such as Corstorphine or Portobello about 40 minutes by bus but with local shops and easier parking.