Edinburgh accomodations-advice, please

Greetings

I've had many an early flight out of Edinburgh, and I always pre-book a taxi. At that hour of the morning, it only takes 15-20 minutes from centre city. And it usually costs me about £14-16 including the extra pre-booking cost.

If you can check in online, you probably don't need to be at the airport any earlier than 4:30 am or even 5am. Depends on which airline you are flying. My memory is that the first flight each morning is the 5:50am to Schipol, and security doesn't open until about 5:20-5:30, so you get a stampede of people going through. Even then, it'll take no more than 5-10 minutes at worst, then 2-5 minutes after that.

My experience is that KLM and BMI/SAS lines are fairly short (and have separate bag drops), but Easy Jet can have very long lines.

I took that early KLM flight recently and I think I got to the airport around 4:30 am, and was sitting at the gate surfing the 'net by 4:40. Yawn.

Kate

Hi Liz,

Hope the time you are in Edinburgh is not the month of August because there will be very little, if anything, for you to choose from....what with the Tattoo and the Festival going full bore! Hang on to that room you have until you find something less expensive if you can. we really liked Rick's suggestion of "Turret House". Typically though, b and b's only have 1 single room....so you might have to take a double. The price you have for the hotel is fair though for a big city when you figure $1.00US is worth 50cents in the UK.

All Best,

Mollie

I'll be in Edinburgh May 17, 18 & 19. As mentioned, I'm concerned about getting out of the B&B/hotel in time to catch a 6:00 international flight. Has anyone had experience with getting to the airport this early? (I'm assuming I need to be there at least 2 hrs. ahead)

Liz,
We had an early morning flight as well and we decided to stay on Corstorphine Road on our last night in Edinburgh--there are many B & B's that line that main street--it's on the bus route to/from the airport. Unfortunately, I can't remember the name of the B & B that we stayed in--it was across from the zoo with a bus stop very nearby. We quietly left early in the morning and caught the Airlink bus (runs 24 hours) that took us directly to the airport. The B & B was very affordable and we booked it when we arrived. Hope that helps--for the rest of the trip we stayed in one of Rick's recommended B & B's in the Dalkeigh Road neighborhood. Airlink Bus

Have your B&B arrange for a taxi to pick you up at a pre-designated time. That's a normal request to make of them. I would ask the B&B ahead of time, as to any special arrangements that might have to be made for your early departure, such as paying the night before, letting yourself out, etc.

Hi Liz, I too am flying out of Edinburgh at 6am in early May and staying at a B & B the night before. I think you stumbling around looking for a flight is something they come to expect. There is probably more stumbling coming from late night pub crawlers than from early morning flyers anyway. I have a good friend from Edinburgh that assures me that either the bus or a taxi will be quite easy even at that early hour. BTW, this is my "once in a lifetime" trip too!

Rob

thanks for all the great (as usual) help. Does anyone know the name of the neighborhood, accommodations wise, close to the airport?

I'll second those who say that it's common place to leave very early in the AM. Our hotel was even kind enough to arrange for a snack to be waiting for us when we got up to catch that early morning taxi.

Pam