Getting Around

Bicycle Hire

Edinburgh is a reasonably cyclist-friendly city, with car-free cycle paths criss-crossing the town and plenty of nearby countryside. Biketrax, 11 Lochrin Place, Tollcross (tel: (0131) 228 6633; www.biketrax.co.uk), has city, mountain and folding bikes available to hire. The Leith Cycle Company has hire-shops at 276 Leith Walk and at 1 Cadzow Place (tel: (0131 652 1760; www.leithcycleco.com).

Public Transport

Public transport in Edinburgh's centre is currently subject to disruption and re-routing as preparation continues for the introduction of a new tram system in 2011. Badly affected roads include Leith Walk and the western approach to the city centre.

Lothian Buses (tel: (0131) 555 6363; www.lothianbuses.co.uk) provides bus services within the city and to outlying suburbs. A good night-bus service operates from midnight until early morning. The exact change must be tendered for all journeys. The busiest bus stops have ticket machines where tickets can be purchased, at a slight discount, before boarding. Buses have exclusive use during peak traffic hours of Greenway lanes on the city's main arteries.

Some dormitory towns are covered only by First buses (tel: 01324 602 200; www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/scotland/sescot/home). Traveline (tel: 0871 200 2233; www.travelinescotland.com) provides information on all bus, coach and train routes in Scotland.

Both Lothian and First buses offer a range of passes. The Lothian Day Ticket gives one day's unlimited travel on its routes. Lothian Buses also sells weekly, four-weekly and annual passes, called Ridacards, which allow unlimited travel on Lothian Buses within these time frames, and packs of 20 tickets known as CitySingles. Ridacards and CitySingles must be purchased at one of Lothian Buses' Travelshops.

Taxis

Edinburgh's taxis are mainly hackney cabs and can be safely hailed in the street. All are licensed by the City of Edinburgh Council and have meters fitted. Drivers must carry a photographic identity card issued by the council. Taxi companies include City Cabs (tel: (0131) 228 1211) and Central Taxis (tel: (0131) 229 2468). A 10% tip is expected.

Driving in the City

In central Edinburgh, it is best to walk, cycle or use public transport. Visitors who do bring a car should be aware that traffic in the city centre is often congested and parking can be problematic. Metered parking (in force Monday to Saturday 0830-1830) is restricted on city streets; almost all other street parking-spaces in and around the centre are reserved for residents with parking permits. Failure to comply with parking regulations will result in a costly fine and the offending vehicle may even be towed away.

There are five Park-and-Ride carparks around the periphery of Edinburgh, plus one at Inverkeithing across the Forth. Off-street car parks in the city include St James Centre or Castle Terrace.

Car Hire

Drivers require a valid driving licence to hire a car in the UK. In most cases, this can be a national driving licence, although an International Driving Permit may be preferred if the licence is not in English. Separate proof of address is often required. A credit card is also essential. It is important for visitors to check what level of insurance is included in the price of car hire. In general, drivers have to be over 23 to hire a car.

Major car hire companies in Edinburgh include Avis (tel: (0131) 337 6363; www.avis.co.uk) and Hertz (tel: (0131) 556 8311; www.hertz.co.uk) and Arnold Clark (tel: 0845 607 4500; www.arnoldclark.co.uk).

The City Car Club (www.citycarclub.co.uk) operates in Edinburgh, with many pick-up points throughout the city. Visitors who are members of a City Car Club in another UK town or city have access to the Edinburgh car club vehicles.