£5–10 Megabus fares tempt the ultra-budget crowd out of EDI
Megabus runs long-distance coaches from Edinburgh to cities like London, Manchester and Birmingham, with Edinburgh–London runs often taking 9–11 hours depending on route and traffic. Think of it as the Ryanair of coaches: cheap, basic, sometimes chaotic, but it gets you there. From the airport, you’re almost always doing a two-step: airport into town, then Megabus from a city stop.
Most services leave from the city centre, typically Edinburgh Bus Station or roadside bays around Dundee Street, not from Edinburgh Airport itself. Reddit regulars are blunt: from EDI you’re usually better taking the tram or Airlink 100 bus into town – that ride is about 30 minutes – then picking up your coach there. Don’t bank on a dedicated high-frequency Megabus-branded “airport” coach actually lining up with your flight.
Promo fares between Edinburgh and major English cities can drop to around £5–10 if you book early, especially outside peak Fridays and student weekends. Prices rise as departure nears, and a last‑minute Edinburgh–London ticket can be several times the headline promo fare. Regulars hit the app or website weeks ahead and lock in a specific departure rather than hoping for cheap walk-up seats.
Timings are soft. Traveller reports mention late departures and extended runtimes on routes like Edinburgh–London or Edinburgh–Manchester, especially on Friday evenings and around bank holidays. A scheduled 9-hour run can push towards 11 hours with motorway traffic and extra dwell time at stops. Build the buffer on either side if you have fixed hotel check‑ins or early-morning meetings.
Stops in Edinburgh aren’t always full bus stations; some are just signed roadside bays on streets like Dundee Street with minimal shelter and no toilets. In winter, standing 20–30 minutes in the rain before a night coach after landing at EDI is rough. Check the exact stop name and postcode on your ticket and scout it on a map before you leave the terminal.
Luggage rules matter. The standard allowance is usually one large bag in the hold plus a small cabin bag, and Reddit users report staff getting strict on busy student changeover weekends. Extra or oversize bags can be refused or charged at the kerb, so weigh your suitcase and think twice before adding a second big duffel after a long trip.
Onboard, Wi‑Fi and toilets exist in theory, but reviews mention dirty loos and patchy internet on older coaches, especially overnight. Seats near the front shake less and get you off faster during intermediate stops in places like Newcastle or Leeds. For a 9–11 hour overnight haul, bring a hoodie, power bank, water and snacks instead of relying on the single mid‑route break.
Airport passengers typically ride the tram or Airlink 100 from EDI to the city and aim to be at their Megabus stop 30–45 minutes before scheduled departure to cover security queues and airport transport delays. One practical move: book a coach at least 4–5 hours after a European arrival or 5–6 hours after a long‑haul, then use the extra time in town rather than sweating a missed connection at a bare roadside bay.