Why fly from Edinburgh?
Edinburgh Airport (EDI) is Scotland's busiest and a surprisingly strong base for budget airlines. Ryanair and easyJet both operate significant schedules, competing with Jet2 on leisure routes and BA/Loganair on business routes. The competition keeps prices low despite Edinburgh being a smaller market than London.The airport is 13km west of the city centre. The Airlink 100 bus takes 25 minutes (£4.50). Trams now connect the airport to the city centre in 35 minutes (£7.50). Taxis cost about £25–30.
Scottish travellers are motivated sun-seekers, and airlines respond with a disproportionate number of Mediterranean routes for a city this size. Ryanair alone flies to 20+ sun destinations from EDI.
Best weekend routes from Edinburgh
Malaga, Alicante, Faro, Palma — Jet2 and Ryanair compete hard on Scottish sun-seeking routes
Amsterdam, Paris, Barcelona, Dublin — easyJet and Ryanair, multiple daily
London (5+ daily to various airports) — easyJet and BA from £25 return, 1h15 flight
Kraków, Budapest, Riga — Ryanair routes under £30 return
When to fly from Edinburgh
Summer (Jun–Aug): Scottish school holidays inflate Mediterranean routes. But Edinburgh Festival Fringe (August) fills INBOUND seats — outbound can be cheap as planes reposition.
Autumn (Sep–Nov): Post-Fringe, prices crash. Best deals of the year for sun destinations. Spanish coasts from £30 return in October.
Winter (Dec–Feb): Hogmanay (New Year) inflates inbound. Outbound city breaks are cheapest. Amsterdam, Dublin, London weekends from £20 return in January.
Spring (Mar–May): Gradually climbing. Easter bumps family routes. May is ideal — warm in Mediterranean, prices haven't peaked, Scottish weather gives you every reason to leave.
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Airport insider tip
The Airlink 100 bus is the best value to the city centre — £4.50 vs £7.50 for the tram, and it's actually faster (25 min vs 35 min). Night buses run from the airport after midnight on weekends.
Frequently asked questions
What's the cheapest destination from Edinburgh?
It changes weekly. Use Weekendstop to see live prices from EDI — compare across all airlines and dates to find the best deal.
How do I get to Edinburgh airport?
Check the details above for transport options to EDI. Public transport is usually the best value.
When are flights cheapest from Edinburgh?
Generally September–November and January–February. Avoid school holidays and public holiday weekends. Tuesday and Wednesday departures are typically cheapest.
Does Weekendstop search all airlines from Edinburgh?
Yes — we search every airline flying from EDI, including budget carriers and full-service airlines. Toggle 'Direct only' to filter, or leave it off to see connecting flights too.