Getting Around Edinburgh

Getting Around Edinburgh

Edinburgh is linked to a wide channel of rail network connecting to all corners and near by locations. So you will hardly face any problem to move around the place and get the perfect feel of what Edinburgh has to offer you.

Bicycle

Edinburgh is a pretty decent and ideal place for cyclists, the city council has provided the off-road cycle paths and road edge cycle lanes. This was just done to make sure in heavy rush and traffic cyclists can easily have a go. Bicycling is just about the best way to get around the city, despite the hilly terrain. There are plenty of cycle routes around the town and out into the surrounding countryside. The local cycling association, Spokes, 232 Dalry Rd, Tel: 3132114, http://www.spokes.org.uk publishes a very good cycle map (£4.95, available at the TIC). If you've brought your own bike and need spares, you'll find everything you'll need at Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op, 8 Alvanley Terr, Tel: 2281368; open Mon-Fri 1000-1900, Sat/Sun 1000-1800. But be cautious while tethering your bike on streets: Grassmarket and Rose Streets are sensitive for vandalism and theft activities. Otherwise the only place to worry are steep and cobbled streets around the Old Town

Bus

Public transport is generally good and efficient. There are two main bus companies operate most services in and around the city. Lothian Regional Transport (LRT) use maroon and white double deckers buses (555 6363, www.lothianbuses.co.uk)it runs majority of the bus services around Edinburgh city and Mid and East Lothian. Meanwhile First Edinburgh operate the same routes using green and yellow buses. They also run the so-called 'Barbie' buses, which are pink and more user-friendly for parents with kids and disabled passengers. Edinburgh;tourist informationCar Edinburgh is one of the least car-friendly cities in Britain. The main routes into town have been turned into 'greenways', which give buses priority, and on-street parking is limited to 10 mins. The centre of town is a complicated system of one-way streets designed to ease congestion. The privatized traffic wardens are ruthless in their dedication to duty. Free parking in most of central Edinburgh is limited to resident- parking permit holders only, Mon-Fri 0830-1800, and the police have powers to tow away illegally parked cars. An excellent way to see the sights and avoid wearing out shoe leather is to take one of the city bus tours (Guide Friday or LRT); see page

On foot

Although Greater Edinburgh occupies a large area relative to its population of less than half a million, most of what you'll want to see lies within the compact city centre and to see the real charm and beauty of the buzzing city centre best ideas is to explore on foot. Well be cautious during night, especially around areas with abundant rowdy nightlife (Lothian Road and the Cowgate) else walking around the city othersise is safe and pleasant. . The centre is clearly divided in two, with the main thoroughfare, Princes Street, and its gardens, running between them. The Old Town is a medieval maze of cobbled streets, wynds and closes on or around the Royal Mile, which runs from the castle down to the palace. The New Town is the symmetrical layout of wide streets lined with elegant Georgian buildings which runs north from Princes Street. Though most of the main sights are within walking distance of each other, Edinburgh is a hilly city and a full day's sightseeing can leave you exhausted.

Driving

Driving around Edinburgh is not recommended as the town is reasonably small and the best way is to move in the public transport or foot. Another reason for this the fact that the city centre is soaked with one way streets and pedestrain area, which makes driving a nightmare. Do try to avoid Princess Streets as it has only limited access for private vehicles. The traffic is high during rush hours (7:30-9:30am, 4:30pm-7pm Mon-Fri).Other than that the parking restrictions are also there around the city. During the festival month of August huge number of visitors use to visit which makes the situation more worse, as High Street is pediestrinised and finding the parking space is also difficult.

Car Hires

If we you are looking for car hire to get around Edinburgh then to make sure you are over 21-years-of-age or altelast 21. Also required is atleast onee year's driving licence, that to without any serious endorsements. There are many car hire facilities available for visitors operating from city centre and also have their braches at Edinburgh Airport. Some of these car hire firms are Alamo UK:0870 400 4562/www.alamo.co.uk, US:1-800 522 9696/www.alamo.com. Arnold Clark UK & US:0845 607-4500/www.arnoldclarkrental.co.uk. Avis UK:0844 581 0147/www.avis.co.uk, US:1-800 331 1212/www.avis.com. Budget UK:0844 581 2231/www.budget.co.uk, US:1-800 472 3325/www.budget.com. Enterprise UK: 0870 350 3000/www.enterprise.co.uk, US:1-800 261 7331/www.enterprise.com. Europcar UK: 0845 758 5375/www.europcar.co.uk, US:1-877 940 6900/www.europcar.com

Black Cabs

The taxi's which operates in Edinburgh to provide easy access are black cabs. These cab services use to boards five passengers and also provides ample facilities for disable travellers. When the taxi's yellow 'For Hire' light is on you can hail it in the streets. The fares for these taxi services starts with ₤1.45 for the first 450 metres and ₤2.20 after 6pm, then each further 225 metres cost 23p and 24p in night. For every additional passenger over two 20p will be charged. Do call the cab if you require during night hours as it would be helpful rather seraching for cabs. Few of the cab services are Central Taxis 229 2468/www.taxis-edinburgh.co.uk, City Cabs 228 1211/www.citycabs.co.uk.

Complaints or Complements

If you come across any complaints about the taxicabs or any private hire, just report it to the Licensing Board, 343 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1PW (529 4260). Also you can register any compliment also if you have regarding the cab or private hire to the same board. Do make sure you put in the date and time of the journey and also the license number of the vehicle.

Car Parkings

These car parks are open round the clock so that you can get the right place to park even in odd hours. For more details about the city car parks with proper map visit at www.edinburgh.gov.uk. Few of the car park are Castle Terrace Old Town:229 2870/www.ncp.co.uk, Chalmers Street South Edinburgh:229 2870/www.ncp.co.uk, St James Centre Leith Street, Broughton 556 5066/www.ncp.co.uk