South Edinburgh to EDI in one seat, Gilmerton to terminal direct
Skylink 400 runs as a standard Lothian bus, linking the airport to Gilmerton, Fort Kinnaird and the south‑east suburbs without a city centre change. Journey time Airport–Gilmerton can push past 60 minutes, and that’s from multiple Reddit reports, not the timetable. Treat it as a long orbital local route that happens to reach the terminal, not as an airport express.
A single ticket sits in the usual Lothian range, roughly £2–3 depending on zone, with contactless caps if you’re hopping on other Lothian services the same day. There’s no airport surcharge like the Airlink 100 or tram supplement, so a return for one adult can easily come in under £6. You pay the driver or tap on, exactly as you would on the 3 or 37.
Daytime frequency runs around every 20–30 minutes, but late evening southbound the gaps stretch and you can see 30+ minutes between buses after about 21:00. Compared with the 100 or tram, the last services towards Gilmerton and Fort Kinnaird are noticeably thinner, so an 00:00 landing plus bags can leave you stranded. Check the specific 400 timetable if you land after 22:00.
The bus stops at the standard Lothian stance outside the EDI terminal, beside other city services and a short walk from domestic arrivals in under 5 minutes. Because the airport leg is only one part of a much longer route, buses often roll in already busy from the east side, with the front luggage bay half‑full and some seats taken by prams and shopping trolleys. Drivers treat it as a normal service, not a coach, so don’t expect dedicated bag racks on every vehicle.
Locals on the south side often tell visitors staying in the Old Town to skip the 400 entirely and use the 100 or tram plus a city bus, since the 400 meanders through estates and retail parks. One Reddit comment sums it up: “Would not recommend this if you’re staying in the Old Town; it meanders forever.” If you’re actually in Gilmerton or near Fort Kinnaird, that same meander becomes a direct line to the terminal.
Regulars with early flights sometimes pay for a short taxi to the Ingliston Park & Ride tram stop, then ride the tram straight into the airport in under 7 minutes, rather than banking on the first 400 of the day. Others from Gilmerton use a normal bus into Princes Street and then the 100 for a 30‑minute run to EDI. They only stick with the 400 when its stop is within a 5–10 minute walk of home.
Tip: Before you board at the airport, double‑check the destination display (Gilmerton vs Fort Kinnaird) so you don’t sit through an extra 20–30 minutes of the loop in the wrong order.