Where does my cruise ship dock in Edinburgh?

Edinburgh is a tender port: your ship anchors offshore and passengers transfer to shore by small boat.

Can I walk from the cruise port into Edinburgh?

Walking into Edinburgh from the cruise port isn't practical. Plan to use a shuttle, taxi, or public transport.

How do I get from the cruise port to Edinburgh centre?

Typical options include Shuttle bus, Taxi, On foot, Train, Local bus. Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.

How much time do I need in Edinburgh?

Plan for at least 5 hours ashore to see Edinburgh independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.

What currency is used in Edinburgh and are cards accepted?

Edinburgh uses the Pound Sterling. Carry some cash for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors — cards aren't accepted everywhere.

Is there Wi-Fi at the cruise port?

Wi-Fi isn't reliably available at the Edinburgh cruise terminal. Consider a local SIM or your cruise line's data package.

When should I be back at the ship?

Cruise lines usually require all passengers on board about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Confirm the exact all-aboard time on your daily programme.

South Queensferry Cruise Port

Edinburgh, United Kingdom · Northern Europe

Cruise ships anchor offshore in Edinburgh — tenders ferry passengers to the port.

DIY 7/10

Tender port on the Firth of Forth — gateway to Edinburgh, Hopetoun House and the historic Forth Bridge.

⚓ Tender port15 km / 9.3 mi to city centre

⚠️This is a tender port; allow extra time for boarding the tender back to the ship, especially in choppy weather.

At a glance

Family friendlyTourist info at dockIndependent tours at dockUber availableMin. 5h neededAllow 90 min return buffer

Port summary

Ships anchor in the Firth of Forth and tender passengers ashore at Hawes Pier in South Queensferry. Edinburgh is 15 km away — easiest by cruise-line shuttle or ScotRail train from Dalmeny station (10 min walk from the pier). The town itself sits beneath the three Forth bridges and has a charming heritage high street with the historic Hawes Inn.

Cruise dock

🚢 Hawes Pier — Tender Landing

Tender pier at South Queensferry beneath the Forth Bridge. Cruise ships anchor in the Firth of Forth and tender passengers to this pier; the heritage high street is a 5-minute walk away and Dalmeny railway station is 10-12 min uphill.

📍 Latitude: 57.991722, Longitude: -3.386224

See dock on port map →

Getting to Edinburgh

From the cruise terminal to the city centre

🚌 Shuttle busRecommended

⏱ 35 min💶 £20-25 return (≈ €24–29 / $25–32)

Cruise-line shuttle into Edinburgh when offered; book at the shore-excursions desk

📍 Pickup at the Hawes Pier head after tendering ashore

🚕 TaxiRecommended

⏱ 30 min💶 £30-50 to Edinburgh (≈ €35–59 / $38–64)

Taxi to central Edinburgh costs £30-50; £8-12 to Dalmeny train station; cards accepted

📍 Taxi rank near Hawes Pier — call ahead on busy cruise days

🚶 On footRecommended

⏱ 5 min💶 Free

5 min walk to the historic Hawes Inn and the Forth Bridge viewpoint

📍 Walk straight off the pier into South Queensferry's heritage high street

🚆 TrainRecommended

⏱ 25 min💶 £4-5 each way (≈ €4.7–5.9 / $5.1–6.4)

ScotRail trains to Edinburgh Waverley (25 min); contactless tap-on/tap-off accepted

📍 Dalmeny railway station — 10-12 min walk uphill from Hawes Pier

🚌 Local busRecommended

⏱ 60 min💶 £2-4 each way (≈ €2.4–4.7 / $2.5–5.1)

Lothian Bus 43 to Edinburgh George Street (~60 min); contactless or app payment accepted

📍 Lothian Bus stop on Hopetoun Road — 5 min walk from Hawes Pier

Map & things to do

Money & payments

💱 Currency: Pound Sterling (£)💵 Cash needed: rarely💳 Cards widely accepted

Cards work for almost everything; carry no cash unless visiting small village shops.

Things to do

10 things to do

Hopetoun House

⭐ Highlight

Grand 18th-century stately home with opulent state rooms and 100 acres of grounds.

⏱ 150 min💶 £14.50 entry (≈ €17 / $18)👨‍👩‍👧 Family♿ Accessible

🕐 Open Apr-Sep usually; check Hopetoun website for seasonal hours

Edinburgh Castle

⭐ Highlight

Royal fortress on a volcanic plug overlooking Edinburgh's Old Town.

⏱ 150 min💶 £21.50 entry (≈ €25 / $27)📋 Book ahead👨‍👩‍👧 Family

🕐 Right at opening (9:30); 1 o'clock gun fires Mon-Sat at 13:00

Palace of Holyroodhouse

⭐ Highlight

The King's official Edinburgh residence — state apartments, ruined abbey and gardens.

⏱ 120 min💶 £20 entry (≈ €24 / $25)📋 Book ahead👨‍👩‍👧 Family♿ Accessible

🕐 Open daily except when the royal family is in residence — check ahead

Linlithgow Palace

⭐ Highlight

Roofless royal palace where Mary Queen of Scots was born, set on a peaceful loch.

⏱ 90 min💶 £8 entry (≈ €9.4 / $10)👨‍👩‍👧 Family

🕐 Open daily; closes earlier in winter — check Historic Environment Scotland

Royal Mile Walk

Short stop

🚶 Walk

Mile-long historic spine of Edinburgh's Old Town from castle to palace.

⏱ 90 min💶 Free👨‍👩‍👧 Family

🕐 Anytime; quietest before 10:00 or after 18:00

St Giles' Cathedral

Short stop

⛪ Church / Cathedral

Edinburgh's High Kirk on the Royal Mile, with a striking crown spire and the Thistle Chapel.

⏱ 45 min💶 Free; £3 photography permit (≈ €3.5 / $3.8)👨‍👩‍👧 Family♿ Accessible

🕐 Open daily during daylight; check for service times

National Museum of Scotland

Short stop

🏛️ Museum

Vast free museum spanning Scottish history, world cultures, science and Dolly the Sheep.

⏱ 180 min💶 Free👨‍👩‍👧 Family♿ Accessible

🕐 Open daily; rooftop terrace at 6th floor offers free city views

Royal Yacht Britannia

🏛️ Museum

The Queen's former floating home and royal yacht, now moored at Leith for self-guided tours.

⏱ 120 min💶 £22.50 entry (≈ €26 / $29)📋 Book ahead👨‍👩‍👧 Family♿ Accessible

🕐 Book ahead in summer; quieter at opening or late afternoon

Three Bridges Viewpoint

Short stop

📸 Viewpoint

Iconic view of the three Forth bridges spanning 130 years of engineering history.

⏱ 30 min💶 Free👨‍👩‍👧 Family♿ Accessible

🕐 Daylight; sunset turns the cantilevered Forth Bridge gold

Arthur's Seat

🌿 Nature

Extinct volcano with 360-degree views over Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth.

⏱ 120 min💶 Free👨‍👩‍👧 Family

🕐 Clear morning for the best photos before crowds build up

Build your perfect day in Edinburgh

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Frequently asked questions

Where does my cruise ship dock in Edinburgh?: Edinburgh is a tender port: your ship anchors offshore and passengers transfer to shore by small boat.
Can I walk from the cruise port into Edinburgh?: Walking into Edinburgh from the cruise port isn't practical. Plan to use a shuttle, taxi, or public transport.
How do I get from the cruise port to Edinburgh centre?: Typical options include Shuttle bus, Taxi, On foot, Train, Local bus. Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.
How much time do I need in Edinburgh?: Plan for at least 5 hours ashore to see Edinburgh independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.
What currency is used in Edinburgh and are cards accepted?: Edinburgh uses the Pound Sterling. Carry some cash for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors — cards aren't accepted everywhere.
Is there Wi-Fi at the cruise port?: Wi-Fi isn't reliably available at the Edinburgh cruise terminal. Consider a local SIM or your cruise line's data package.
When should I be back at the ship?: Cruise lines usually require all passengers on board about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Confirm the exact all-aboard time on your daily programme.