Edinburgh Council A – Z of Edinburgh Services. Good search facilities to find the department and phone number you require.

Edinburgh Buses - Lothian Region Transport. They now have easy access on every bus across their fleet which are suitable for wheelchairs and prams.

There are many taxi companies in Edinburgh if you wish to book ahead. Our two suggestions are Central Taxis on 0131 299 2468 and City Cabs 0131 228 1211

Lothian and Borders Police are responsible for the area of Edinburgh. If you require an emergency, then dial 999. If you wish to be put through to your locals station and don’t have the number to hand, dial 0131 311 3131 and ask to be connected. Also use that number if you looking for a particular department.

In the High Street, there is a Police Information Centre (beside the bright blue Fringe Office). You can report any crimes here, or lost wallets etc or just pop in to see the police artefacts on display.

Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service can be called on 999 for any kind of emergency that would require their expertise i.e fire, flood, trapped people. Please only use in a genuine emergency.

The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh houses Edinburgh’s Accident and Emergency Department (A & E) which operates 24 hours a day. If you have a medical emergency, you can dial 999 for an ambulance which will take you there. If you have an injury but are able to transport yourself, then you can report to the reception and be assessed by a nurse before being seen by a doctor.

Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
51 Little France Crescent
Edinburgh
Tel: 0131 536 1000

The Western General Hospital houses a minor injury unit which is open 0900 hours to 2100 hours every day. This is for injuries such as sprains and wounds that do not require surgery. Please phone for advice if in doubt whether to go straight to A & E.

Western General Hospital
Crewe Road South
Edinburgh
Tel: 0131 537 1000

The Royal Hospital for Sick Children should be used for emergencies of children under 12 years of age. There is a Sick Kids website for charity and making donations.

Royal Hospital for Sick Children
9 Sciennes Road
Edinburgh
Tel: 0131 536 0000

Emergency Dental Treatement information here as it depends on whether you are registered with an Edinburgh dentist and your age. Frequently updated.

Edinburgh Public Holidays List of holidays until 2012

Parking in Edinburgh including permit and ticket information

Citizen’s Advice Bureaus Free help on any consumer matter for residents

Looking for somewhere to stay? Check out Edinburgh Central Hotels

Looking for festival information ? Then head to our extensive guide here.

BBC 5 day weather forecast

How To Get To Edinburgh By Air, Train, Bus, Car and Tram

Air Edinburgh Airport is a few miles West of the city centre and the easiest way to get into town from the airport is by the special airport bus. Please do not be put off by this method, it is very smooth as you come out of the terminal and the buses leave every few minutes. Currently £3 for a single fare.

Bus National Express run buses to Edinburgh and arrive at St Andrews Square Bus Station from England, but within Scotland, Citylink are the company you need. There is also the Megabus that runs to Edinburgh with prices starting at £1 for a long journey !

Train Edinburgh Waverley is the main train station in Edinburgh, Haymarket is the other one you might use if staying in town. Train company serving Scotland is Scotrail but East Coast Trains and Virgin run trains for the journeys across the UK.

Tram Edinburgh Trams are coming in a few years. You are bound to witness some dug up streets during your stay.

Visitor Information Centres

If you are arriving by bus, train or car, then the tourist information centre best for you is at Waverly Market / Princes Mall. This centre is above the train station and shopping centre and next door to the Balmoral Hotel.

3 Princes Street,
Edinburgh, EH2 2QP
Telephone: 0845 22 55 121 (current opening hours)

If you are arriving by air to via international arrivals, then the tourist information centre is right outside (with an ATM and currency exchange). If you are arriving from within the UK, then please follow the signs.

Tourist and Airport Information Centre
Edinburgh International Airport,
Edinburgh, EH12 9DN
Telephone: 0870 040 0007

Also look at Visit Scotland

Tourist passes – If you are doing a lot of tourist sights, you might be better off buying on of THESE passes. Best to purchase it in advance if you are flying in as the airport bus is free and will save you a further £3 each way
Entry included to all main tourist sights in the city, and if you book with tour companies when your card is valid you can get 20% of them, for example – Timberbush Tours

Keep checking the website as sometimes they do passes cheaper (3 days for price of 2)

Money – The currency in Edinburgh is pounds sterling and there are money exchangers all over town, but the Post Office in Frederick Street and St James Centre along with Marks and Spencers on Princes Street are commission free and offer the best rates for tourists.

Euros are accepted in some tourist shops and attractions, but are exchanged at an unfavourable rate.

Travellers cheques are not widely accepted but some places do still take them, but they require your passport which can be an incoveniance if you are keeping it in the hotel for safe keeping.

If you are travelling to England after Edinburgh, it is perhaps wise to exchange any Scottish notes you may have for English ones. Scottish currency should be accepted by law, but some places in England still don’t recognise our money ! Any bank will also do this for you free of charge. Pound coins don’t need to be changed or any other coins.

There is no best time of year to visit, every month has it’s advantages and disadvantages as listed below

January All the hoo ha after the Hogmanay party has gone, town very quiet, tourist sights empty, good accommodation deals. It’s either freezing and sunny, or mild and rainy. Good chance of rain.

February Same as January but also busy around Valentines Day, local schools have week off mid February. Good chance of rain.

March Same as January, weather getting slightly warmer, town a little busier. Easter school holidays (2 weeks) either fall now or April. Prices rise a little . Good chance of rain.

April Slightly warmer again, but can get a lot of April showers. Nights are getting light, tourist sights getting busier. Most things open 7 days now. Good chance of rain.

May Can be warm (low 20s), nights are long – getting dark after 10pm. Tourist sights busier. Good chance of rain.

June Normally warmest month of year, dark at 10.30pm, everything open longer hours, considered high season. Last month before local schools go on summer holidays. Good chance of rain

July Last month before the Festival, can be very warm. Locals schools on holiday. Accommodation harder to find, prices rise. Good chance of rain.

August Festival month. Edinburgh Military Tattoo starts. Town extremely busy. Harder to find accommodation, places to eat. Traffic very heavy. Local schools on holiday till middle of month. Great atmosphere in town, tourist sights over run. Guaranteed to rain at some stage – it’s Festival time and it always does !!

September The lull after the festival. Town seems empty compared to August, but still high season, tourist sights very busy, nights getting a little darker. Often get good weather, last of the summer but also good chance of rain.

October Back to low / shoulder season. Often beautiful Autumn days, tourist places a little quieter. Locals schools off for a week mid October. Easier to get accommodation, good chance of rain

November Quiet month, good time to visit if you don’t mind the chance of cold weather / rain. Tourist places much quieter, shorter opening hours, dark by 5pm. Good chance of rain.

December Busy season. Winter Markets open up, lots of events on in town for lead up to Christmas. Dark by 4pm, can be very cold / windy / rainy, but can also be a cold, but wintery sunny day. Tourist places pretty empty. After Christmas, lead up to Hogmanay / New Year celebrations, town is very busy. High season, accommodation harder to get, shop sales on, prices increased. Good chance of rain / snow / strong winds !