Edinburgh is a compact city - most of the sights and major tourist attractions are within the Old Town and New Town and are no further than a 15 minute walk apart. Walking along elegant or atmospheric streets is one of the pleasures of the city. There are however, a number of hills to be navigated; for example from Princes Street, up The Mound towards Edinburgh Castle requires some significant legwork, but it's worth it for the views en route.
The city's public transport system is relatively poor next to London and other major European cities - being heavily reliant on buses, which have to navigate the city's sometimes bustling traffic. Congestion charging similar to that found in the English capital has been proposed but was defeated at a referendum. Equally, the suburban railway network is very sparse compared to that of Glasgow, although there have been some slow and steady improvements over the years with work begun on a tram system linking the city centre to Leith and to the airport.
By taxi
Like most major British cities, Edinburgh offers a choice between Black Cabs, carrying up to 5 passengers, which can be hailed on the street, and minicabs, which must be pre-booked. Black cabs display an orange light above the windscreen to indicate that they are available to hire. It's usually quite easy to find a cab in and around the city centre, and on the main radial routes running out of the centre. There are also Taxi Ranks dotted around the city, where black cabs will line up to be hired. Taxi Rank locations include:
Outside the main entrances of Haymarket and Waverley train stations.
Opposite the Caledonian Hotel and Sheraton Hotel both near the West End, The George Hotel east end of George Street and the Crowne Plaza Hotel High Street, Royal Mile.
St Patrick's Square, off South Bridge
Leith Bridge, close to The Shore and Commercial Quay, in Leith
The main taxi firms operating within the city are:
Central Radio Taxis
Black Cabs - 0131 229 2468City Cabs
Black Cabs - 0131 228 1211Edinburgh Taxi
minicabs - 0131 610 1234 saloon cars, MPV's with 8 seats and chauffeur driven vehiclesFestival Cars
minicabs - mostly saloon cars but also have people carriers with up to 8 seats. Let them know the number in your party when you book - 0131 552 1777
By train
A small number of suburban rail routes run from Waverley station, most of the stations lying in the south west and south east suburbs of the city, and are useful for reaching the outer suburbs and towns of Balerno, Currie, Wester Hailes, Wallyford, Prestonpans, Musselburgh, South Queensferry, Newcraighall and a useful link to Edinburgh Park which is adjacent to the Gyle shopping complex. Services to North Berwick, Bathgate, Fife or Glasgow Central will make stops at these various stations. Note that standard National Rail fares apply to these trains - there are no credible daily season ticket options available. Check at the station before you board!
The "charged by the piece" left luggage service at Waverly train station is far more expensive than the storage lockers a few blocks away at the Bus station on St Andrew's square.
On foot
Edinburgh is a beautiful city that's full of history. There is no better way to see it than to walk.
Edinburgh walking directions (http://www.walkit.com/edi...) can be planned online with the walkit.com walking route planner.
By car
Central Edinburgh is a nightmare to drive in, particularly the Old Town with its tangle of medieval streets with their associated one way systems. The New Town fares slightly better, but the scourge "Blue Meanies" who mercilessly swoop on vehicles which may have only been illegally parked for a matter of minutes. Edinburgh operates a "controlled parking zone" - on-street parking is illegal within a large central area see map (http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/internet/Transport/Parking/Parking_permits/CEC_controlled_parking_zone__cpz__map) without a residents parking permit. Parking fines are £40 and vehicles parked in an obstructive manner are liable to be towed away with a £150 release fee to be paid for its retrieval. Even the suburbs especially Morningside, The Grange, The Meadows have little parking available and on-street parking is illegal within the controlled parking zone. Take a bus and/or walk. Leith seems to fare a bit better for parking, but there's no guarantee. Park and Ride facilities provide access to the city centre (http://www.parkandride.ne...). Additionally, until at least 2012 drivers should take heed of tram construction taking place at various loctions throughout the city centre, Leith, and the west of the city.