With lots of ticket options, there’ll be one that’s right for you. We offer great choice and flexibility – let’s start with the types of ticket you can buy.
Single Tickets
If you’re making one journey, Single Tickets are for you!
Day Tickets
For great value and flexibility, check out our Day Tickets.
Season Tickets
Our season ticket, Ridacard, offers the best value travel.
Step 1: Which kind of ticket are you looking for?
Single tickets
Best for: a single journey on one bus
Day tickets
Best for: making more than 2 trips in a day
Season Tickets
Best for: regular travellers and commuters
Airport Services
Tickets to or from Edinburgh Airport
Scottish National Entitlement Card Holders
Step 2: Who is travelling?
Adult
Child
5-15 years
Family
2 adults, up to 3 children
Student
with an eligible matriculation card
Young Scot
with an eligible Young Scot card
Step 3: Which services are you travelling on?
Lothian
over 50 bus routes across Edinburgh and the Lothians
Lothian Night Bus
Airlink 100
24/7 express service between Edinburgh Airport and the City Centre
Skylink 200/300
Connections to Edinburgh Airport from across Edinburgh
Lothian Country
Connecting communities throughout West Lothian
EastCoastbuses
Connecting Edinburgh with the towns and villages of East Lothian
EastCoastbuses NightHawk
Single tickets
Adult Single
For a single, one-way journey on Lothian day services, this is the ticket for you.
PAY BY
VALID ON
Lothian day services, East Coast Buses zones A & B, Lothian Country buses city zone and Skylink city zone.
Child Single
For a single, one-way journey on Lothian day services, this is the ticket for you.
INFO
Up to two children under five may travel free when accompanied by a fare-paying passenger who is responsible for them. Additional children under five will be charged the Child fare.
VALID ON
Lothian day services, East Coast Buses zones A & B, Lothian Country buses city zone and Skylink city zone.
Lothian Country Adult Single
Lothian Country services connecting the communities of West Lothian.
INFO
Fares on this network are based on the number of zones you want to travel. Young Scot National Entitlement Card: Eligible cardholders are entitled to 1/3 off the adult single fare.
VALID ON
Lothian Country services
| Ticket Type | Price |
|---|---|
| travel in 1 zone | £1.70 |
| travel in 2 zones | £2.70 |
| travel in 3 zones | £3.70 |
| travel in 4 zones | £4.70 |
Lothian Country Child Single
Lothian Country services connecting the communities of West Lothian.
INFO
Fares on this network are based on the number of zones you want to travel. Children aged between 5-15 years travel at a discounted price. However, the driver may ask for proof of age. It’s one of those things we must do if a child looks older than 15 years.
VALID ON
Lothian Country services
| Ticket Type | Price |
|---|---|
| travel in 1 zone | £0.80 |
| travel in 2 zones | £1.30 |
| travel in 3 zones | £1.80 |
| travel in 4 zones | £2.30 |
EastCoastbuses Adult Single
Our popular bus network connecting Edinburgh with East Lothian
INFO
Fares on this network are based on the number of zones you want to travel. In addition to city Zone A, which includes Edinburgh, there are five county zones B - F in East Lothian. See table for prices. Young Scot National Entitlement Card: Eligible cardholders are entitled to 1/3 off adult single fare
VALID ON
All zones above. See link to network route map.
| Ticket Type | Price |
|---|---|
| travel in 1 zone or 2 zones if it includes city zone a | £1.70 |
| travel in 2 or 3 zones | £2.70 |
| travel in 4 zones | £3.70 |
| travel in 5 zones | £4.70 |
| travel in 6 zones | £5.70 |
EastCoastbuses Child Single
Our popular bus network connecting Edinburgh with East Lothian
INFO
Fares on this network are based on the number of zones you want to travel. In addition to city Zone A, which includes Edinburgh, there are five county zones B - F in East Lothian. See table for prices. Children aged between 5-15 years travel at a discounted price. However, the driver may ask for proof of age. It’s one of those things we must do if a child looks older than 15 years.
VALID ON
All zones above. See link to network route map.
| Ticket Type | Price |
|---|---|
| travel in 1 zone or 2 zones if it includes city zone a | 80p |
| travel in 2 or 3 zones | £1.30 |
| travel in 4 zones | £1.80 |
| travel in 5 zones | £2.30 |
| travel in 6 zones | £2.80 |
Young Person's Concession
For a single, one-way journey, this is the ticket for you.
INFO
Eligible Young Scot Card holders are entitled to 1/3 off the Adult Single fare on Lothian day services. Just place your Young Scot Card on the ticket machine, and pay your discounted fare.
VALID ON
Lothian day services, East Coast Buses zones A & B and Lothian Country buses city zone.
Day tickets
Adult DAYticket
This ticket gives you unlimited travel for those special days out with family and friends
INFO
If you’re making more than two journeys in a day, look no further than the adult DAYticket.
VALID ON
Lothian day services, East Coast Buses zones A & B, Lothian Country buses city zone and trams (except the airport fare zone).
Child DAYticket
This ticket gives you unlimited travel for those special days out with family and friends
INFO
If you’re making more than two journeys in a day, look no further than the adult DAYticket.
VALID ON
Lothian day services, East Coast Buses zones A & B, Lothian Country buses city zone and trams (except the airport fare zone).
EastCoastbuses County Adult Day
Explore the towns and villages of East Lothian with our great value day ticket.
INFO
M-tickets bundles are available for 28 tickets saving you 30% on individual ticket price. See table for prices and savings. This is perfect for commuters living and working in East Lothian.
VALID ON
Unlimited travel in county zones B – F (see Network map for details).
EastCoastbuses County Child Day
Explore the towns and villages of East Lothian with our great value day ticket.
INFO
M-tickets bundles are available for 28 tickets saving you 30% on individual ticket price. See table for prices and savings. This is perfect for commuters living and working in East Lothian.
VALID ON
Unlimited travel in county zones B – F (see Network map for details).
EastCoastbuses Adult countyPLUS
Enjoy unlimited travel in Edinburgh and make connecting journeys across the wider East Lothian network.
INFO
M-tickets bundles are available for 28 tickets saving you 25% on individual ticket price. See table for prices and savings. This ticket is ideal for commuters in East Lothian.
VALID ON
Unlimited travel in City zone A, County zones B – F (see Network map for details) and all Lothian day services (except airport fare zone).
EastCoastbuses Child countyPLUS
Enjoy unlimited travel in Edinburgh and make connecting journeys across the wider East Lothian network.
INFO
M-tickets bundles are available for 28 tickets saving you 25% on individual ticket price. See table for prices and savings. This ticket is ideal for commuters in East Lothian.
VALID ON
Unlimited travel in City zone A, County zones B – F (see Network map for details) and all Lothian day services (except airport fare zone).
Lothian Country Adult cityWEST
Lothian Country services connecting the communities of West Lothian.
INFO
This great value ticket is just perfect if you live in West Lothian.
VALID ON
Unlimited travel on all Lothian and Lothian County buses and Edinburgh Trams (except airport fare zone)
Lothian Country Child cityWEST
Lothian Country services connecting the communities of West Lothian.
INFO
This great value ticket is just perfect if you live in West Lothian.
VALID ON
Unlimited travel on all Lothian and Lothian County buses and Edinburgh Trams (except airport fare zone)
Lothian Country Adult countryWEST
Lothian Country services connecting the communities of West Lothian.
VALID ON
countryWEST areas only.
Lothian Country Child countryWEST
Lothian Country services connecting the communities of West Lothian.
VALID ON
countryWEST services only.
Lothian Country Adult lothianWEST
Lothian Country services connecting the communities of West Lothian.
VALID ON
countryWEST, cityWEST, city zone and on Lothian Buses.
Lothian Country Child lothianWEST
Lothian Country services connecting the communities of West Lothian.
VALID ON
countryWEST, cityWEST, city zone and on Lothian Buses.
Family DAYticket
All-day travel for up to 2 adults and up to 3 children!
INFO
The Family DAYticket allows up to 2 adults and up to 3 children unlimited travel together on Lothian Buses day services, all day.
VALID ON
All Lothian day services, East Coast Buses in zones A & B, Lothian Country in the city zone, and on Edinburgh Trams in the city zone.
Adult Network DAYticket
Go anywhere, any time with this great value ticket.
INFO
This is the ultimate day ticket – nowhere is off-limits with our Network DAYticket.
VALID ON
All Lothian, Lothian Country and East Coast Buses, Airlink, Skylink and Edinburgh Trams. It also covers Nightbus and East Coast Buses’ NightHawk services until 04.30 the following morning.
PLEASE
NOTE
DAYtickets (£4.00) are valid on Lothian Country city zone and Skylink city zone, but not at all on Airlink
Child Network DAYticket
Go anywhere, any time with this great value ticket.
INFO
This is the ultimate day ticket – nowhere is off-limits with our Network DAYticket.
VALID ON
All Lothian, Lothian Country and East Coast Buses, Airlink, Skylink and Edinburgh Trams.
PLEASE
NOTE
DAYtickets (£2.00) are valid on Lothian Country city zone and Skylink city zone, but not at all on Airlink
Night bus tickets
NIGHTticket
The perfect ticket for that big night out. Adult ticket only.
VALID ON
Night, midnight – 04:30
EastCoastbuses NightHawk
Services run between Edinburgh and East Lothian. You have the option of buying a County NightHawk ticket for journeys in East Lothian or CountyPLUS NightHawk which entitles you to travel across all zones between Edinburgh and East Lothian. Adult ticket only. Multiple NightHawk journeys are valid with the same ticket.
VALID ON
Night, midnight – 04:30
| Ticket Type | Price |
|---|---|
| county for travel within East Lothian only | £5.00 |
| countyPLUS for travel in all zones | £8.00 |
DAY&NIGHTticket
Going out for dinner and a late, late show? If so, this is the ticket you should buy before you go.
INFO
Adult ticket only
VALID ON
Day and night, unlimited service on Lothian day services, Lothian Country (City zone), East Coast Buses zones A & B and Nightbus services from 18:00 until 04:30 the next day.
Airport services
Airport Adult Single
Our regular Airlink and Skylink buses taking you to and from Edinburgh Airport
INFO
Valid for a single, one-way journey on Airlink to or from Edinburgh Airport, or the Airport Hotel. Single tickets are also available for journeys between the Airport and Maybury.
PAY BY
VALID ON
All Airlink and Skylink services, 24 hours, 7 days a week. Return tickets can also be used on NightBus N22
SKYLINK
ONLY
SINGLEtickets (£1.70) are valid in the city zone on Skylink, but not at all on Airlink
Airport Adult Open Return
Our regular Airlink and Skylink buses taking you to and from Edinburgh Airport
INFO
We operate three airport services: Airlink 100 is our 24/7 Express service between the airport and the City Centre, with Skylink 200 to north Edinburgh and Skylink 300 to west Edinburgh. Single tickets are also available for journeys between the airport and Maybury/Gyle Centre. Scottish National Entitlement Card concessions are valid on all services except night-time journeys on Airlink 100 between 00:15 – 03:45 from the City Centre or 00:40 – 04:15 from the airport.
PAY BY
VALID ON
All Airlink and Skylink services, 24 hours, 7 days a week. Return tickets can also be used on NightBus N22
Airport Child Single
Our regular Airlink and Skylink buses taking you to and from Edinburgh Airport
INFO
We operate three airport services: Airlink 100 is our 24/7 Express service between the airport and the City Centre, with Skylink 200 to north Edinburgh and Skylink 300 to west Edinburgh. Single tickets are also available for journeys between the airport and Maybury/Gyle Centre. Scottish National Entitlement Card concessions are valid on all services except night-time journeys on Airlink 100 between 00:15 – 03:45 from the City Centre or 00:40 – 04:15 from the airport.
VALID ON
All Airlink and Skylink services, 24 hours, 7 days a week. Return tickets can also be used on NightBus N22
SKYLINK
ONLY
SINGLEtickets (£0.80) are valid in the city zone on Skylink, but not at all on Airlink
Airport Child Open Return
Our regular Airlink and Skylink buses taking you to and from Edinburgh Airport
INFO
We operate three airport services: Airlink 100 is our 24/7 Express service between the airport and the City Centre, with Skylink 200 to north Edinburgh and Skylink 300 to west Edinburgh. Single tickets are also available for journeys between the airport and Maybury/Gyle Centre. Scottish National Entitlement Card concessions are valid on all services except night-time journeys on Airlink 100 between 00:15 – 03:45 from the City Centre or 00:40 – 04:15 from the airport.
VALID ON
All Airlink and Skylink services, 24 hours, 7 days a week. Return tickets can also be used on NightBus N22
Young Person Airport Zone
Our regular Airlink and Skylink buses taking you to and from Edinburgh Airport
INFO
We operate three airport services: Airlink 100 is our 24/7 Express service between the airport and the City Centre, with Skylink 200 to north Edinburgh and Skylink 300 to west Edinburgh. Single tickets are also available for journeys between the airport and Maybury/Gyle Centre. Scottish National Entitlement Card concessions are valid on all services except night-time journeys on Airlink 100 between 00:15 – 03:45 from the City Centre or 00:40 – 04:15 from the airport.
PAY BY
VALID ON
All Airlink and Skylink services, 24 hours, 7 days a week. Return tickets can also be used on NightBus N22
Young Person City Zone
Our regular Airlink and Skylink buses taking you to and from Edinburgh Airport
INFO
We operate three airport services: Airlink 100 is our 24/7 Express service between the airport and the City Centre, with Skylink 200 to north Edinburgh and Skylink 300 to west Edinburgh. Single tickets are also available for journeys between the airport and Maybury/Gyle Centre. Scottish National Entitlement Card concessions are valid on all services except night-time journeys on Airlink 100 between 00:15 – 03:45 from the City Centre or 00:40 – 04:15 from the airport.
PAY BY
VALID ON
All Airlink and Skylink services, 24 hours, 7 days a week. Return tickets can also be used on NightBus N22
Season tickets & concession cards
Ridacard
The more you travel, the more you save. That in itself is worth the price of the card, but it’s the convenience of travelling across Edinburgh and the Lothians whenever you want without the hassle of searching for the exact fare which seals the deal for our Ridacard customers. You can enjoy unlimited travel on buses and trams 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You can buy a Ridacard at any of our three Travelshops and there are numerous ways to pay. The table below has all the details, including our Best Value option which is available for a one-off fee, followed by a monthly Direct Debit. You have the option of paying weekly, four-weekly or annually and top-ups can be bought from our Travelshops and at PayPoint retailers across the city. Student and child discounts are available too. It’s a good idea to check our terms and conditions of purchase which you can access from the link below.
For a travel deal this good, check the table above for full details of prices for adults, students and children, and any travel restrictions that apply.
| Adult | Student** | Junior (5-15 years) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-week Advance Purchase | £19 | £16 | £9 |
| 4-week Advance Purchase | £57 | £48 | £29 |
| Annual Advance Purchase | £665 | £560 | £324 |
| Direct Debit** Monthly | £53 | £42 | £25 |
How do I buy a Ridacard?Download, print and complete the application form below, or pick one up from one of our Travelshops. Direct Debit customers should also complete Form 2. Pop into one of our Travelshops - Hanover Street, Waverley Bridge or Haymarket. Choose your Ridacard - (e.g. advance purchase or Direct Debit). A card issue fee (currently £3) is payable when a card is first issued or subsequently replaced Once you have a Ridacard, one week and four week “top-ups” can be purchased either from our Travelshops or from one of the 250 Agents within our operating area. Find your nearest PayPoint agent. ** Discounted rate for students with a valid matriculation card |
|||
m-tickets
Download the Transport for Edinburgh app and you can buy your m-tickets using your credit or debit card – a minimum purchase of £10.00 applies.
This gives you the flexibility of purchasing any combination of ticket types and quantities for use on all our buses and Edinburgh Trams and loading them on your phone before you travel. Searching for change becomes a thing of the past. Just activate a ticket when you get on the bus and show your phone screen to the driver. The app also has a great real-time bus tracker function that sends push notifications to your phone to let you know when your bus is due.
Please remember that m-tickets can only be used by one passenger per device (except family DAYtickets) but you can now share your m-tickets with family and friends using our new ticket sharing feature.
Scottish National Entitlement Card Holders
INFO
Valid Scottish National Entitlement Cards allows free bus travel across Scotland, including the following services that we operate.
VALID ON
All Lothian, Airlink, Skylink, EastCoastbuses and Lothian Country services.
* Not valid on Night Buses, Nighthawk, special services, and Tours
How do I use my National Entitlement Card?
If you keep your card in a purse or wallet, please remove it if necessary so that the driver can see the photograph on the card.
- Hold your card against the card reader on the ticket machine.
- Once you see the green light on the card reader or hear the short “beep”, the process is complete. The screen facing you will show the date when your card expires.
- Take your card and enjoy your journey with us - if you need some time to get to your seat, please tell the driver.
What happens if my Scottish National Entitlement Card doesn't work?
This could mean your card is faulty. You will need to obtain a replacement card from the local authority in whose area you live.
On the bus, you can choose to either:
- Keep your card and buy a ticket for the journey you intend to take, or
- Give the faulty card to the driver who will then issue you with a temporary concession pass, valid for 7 days on all eligible local bus services throughout Scotland.
Whichever you choose, please make sure that you apply for your replacement card as soon as possible.
What happens if I lose my Scottish National Entitlement Card, or it has expired?
You will need to contact the local authority in whose area you live to apply for a replacement. Please be sure to do this as quickly as possible – while you wait for your replacement card, you will have to pay for your bus travel.
Useful Contacts
- City of Edinburgh Council - 0131 200 2351 / website
- Midlothian Council - 0131 561 5455 / website
- East Lothian Council - 0162 082 7367 / website
- West Lothian Council - 0150 677 5291 / website
Exact Fare
We are often asked why we request the exact fare and don’t give you change when you buy your tickets.
There’s a very good reason for this – our drivers do not have access to cash. The current arrangement is designed to speed up boarding and keep our buses on the move. Your cooperation in having the correct fare ready is appreciated.