Travel to Edinburgh from Gibraltar; Three full day trip!
A magnificent and quick trip to experience flying direct from Gibraltar International Airport to Edinburgh, Scotland.
As a small airport, Gibraltar is easy to navigate, get to your gate and prepare for departure. Offering twice weekly flights to Edinburgh makes this a trip worth taking. The time in the airport is short and sweet.
easyJet often offers special prices on tickets. My ticket was 70 pounds roundtrip. I have also opted for the easyJet plus program which allows me to bring on a large cabin bag and choose my seat. Which I got lucky in doing.
The booking process with easyJet is very simple. The website keeps it easy to pick your departure and return dates form Gibraltar to Edinburgh, Currently there are only two flights per week offered between Gibraltar and Edinburgh. This year, I noticed starting in November (when the winter schedule began) the daily flights changed to Friday and Tuesday.
On Friday EZY6934 departs from Gibraltar at 12:00 to arrive in Edinburgh shortly before 3pm local time. The Tuesday flight departs Edinburgh just before 4pm and arrives at Gibraltar at 8pm local time. In total its about a 3 hour flight. During the summer schedule the flights were on Saturdays and Tuesdays.
Because easyJet is a budget carrier there are no free snacks or drinks or seat assignments on the flight. But if you are able to travel with a small back pack and don't mind what seat you get, its a great price to get a weekend visit to Scotland.
Landing at Edinburgh we flew directly over the city and the sea. Featuring spectacular views of the greenery and the landscape. I was lucky to be sitting in 10A which is on the left side of the plane if you are looking forward.
Landing at Edinburgh was quick, we got to the gate, and were off. Passport control was a breeze and before I knew it I was in Scotland. I walked out of the exit where is there is a line of busses. You have the airlink 100, 200, 300, 400, as well as the tram. The airlink 100 and the tram take you on a journey directly to the center of Edinburgh with stops along the way. The Airlink 200 takes you to Ocean Terminal which is convenient if you stay at the Holiday Inn Express in Leith.
The bus ride was about an hour long but it was fun to take in the sites of the local neighborhoods and houses in the city. Once I got to my hotel it was almost dark already so I found a local Aldi's to grab some snacks and drinks for my room.
The room was standard, clean and spacious. I liked that it had a mini couch and a table for me to get some work done and sit and relax at night. Breakfast was included in the booking. I booked on priceline, and chose the option of "being surprised by which hotel I would get. Two on the lister were in the center of the city and one, the one they chose for me was about a half hour bus ride, or 45 minute walk downtown.
Luckily during my stay I had great weather for mid-November and didn't get rained on, so the walking option was quite convenient. However, in my location immediately around the hotel there weren't as many services or restaurants as I had hoped for, but I made due. I usually would take the bus to the center of the city for lunch and tried a local place for dinner.
On Saturday I took a leisurely walk from the hotel to the center of town and was surprised by the beautiful gothic victorian architecture. The buildings are stunning and it was such a change from where I live in Southern Spain.
I then found the bus store, The Lothian Bus Company, and bought a weekly top up pass so that I could get on and off the city busses as much as I wanted. That was percet for 20 pounds allowing unlimited rides around the city on the busses. The city tourism does offer several tours on busses, but I opted to get a personal bus pass, use google maps, and find my own way around to new and wonderful surprises.
Saturday, I continued walking around The Royal Mile, The Edinburgh Castle, down to Victoria Street where I ate a pulled pork sandwich at a cool restaurant called Oink. It was a grab and go sandwich, which was perfect because I could keep waling around while munching on my sandwich. There was a long line so I waited about ten minutes, but I enjoyed the sandwich and being able to keep walking around while I ate.
I then made my way over to the backside of Edinburgh Castle, all the while admiring the local shops. By this time it was starting be become dusk so I wrapped around the back fo the castle to walk through the gardens to get exquisite views of the castle. Along the way I stopped at the old cemetery
with gravestones dating back to the 1700's.
I then made my way back up toward the Waverly place bus station and took the number 10 back toward the hotel. I grabbed a couple snacks and headed to my room before venturing out for dinner. I stopped Pilipino place to order some to go food (which was not that great it was the only place open). I then happened upon a local dive bar, which was great. I got to meet some locals and talk about Scotland with them over a pint. It was a highlight being able to meet some people form the area.
On Sunday, the weather was good and I decided I would venture out of the city. There was still many places to tour in the city, I could make a trip to Edinburgh Castle, or Holyrood Palace, but I was more interested in seeing some of the landscape out of the city.
I was able to find a bus that to me to Queens Ferry Crossing, the area that features 3 glorious bridges spanning the loch. One thing for sure is the bridges are mighty feats of architecture and engineering. And to my surprise there is a walking path on the middle bridge.
The bridge spans almost two miles, so its a decent walk and it was good weather, very windy and cool, but not raining so it was an enjoyable walk to the other side. It was an excellent way to really feel the Scottish wind and sunshine. A great way to get to explore and see amazing views overlooking the coast of Scotland.
In the small town of Queensferry, I found a small local cafe, had a sandwich and then hiked along a pilgrimage path from the 1000's AD. I had breathtaking views of the Scottish shoreline, the bridges, the sea, and sounds of local birds. This short and easy hike was an excellent way to get to enjoy the trees and nature just outside the city. It was exactly what I had wanted to experience.
It was so nice to get out into nature and really enjoy the Scottish trees and water. In this small town there is a local spring, I don't know if you should drink the water, but I asked the locals and they said there is nothing wrong with it. So I drank it and it was some of the best water I had ever drank.
There is a train station in this town, and because it gets dark by 4pm, I made my way there. The train ticket back to the city center was about 6£. The train was empty and beautiful ride across the Forth Bridge with the sunset in the distance. It was a magnificent end to the day. Once in the city center, I found the right bus to take and headed back to the hotel.
I stopped at Aldi's along the way and grabbed some items to make sandwiches in the room. I was exhausted by this point and some cheap cold sandwiches and resting was just was I needed.
On Monday morning, I looked over google maps as to where I wanted to go and check out. I'm mostly attracted to green spaces and I knew I wanted to check out Arthurs Seat, that big hill/mountain right in the center of the city.
Just to the south of Arthurs Seat is a castle called Craigsmillar built in the 1400's. I decided to go check that out since the entrance fee seemed reasonable to me at 7£. I found the bus that got me the closest to that location and had a nice 20 minute walk through a local neighborhood. It was nice seeing the houses and hearing the children playing outside at the local elementary school. Just like American kids, they were laughing, running around and having a good time!
I arrived at the castle only to find out that Mary Queen of Scotts had been a guest here, and my allure was heightened. I love the story of Mary Queen of Scots. She suffered a lot as an Anointed Queen during a time of solidified Monarchy.
Going into the castle was magical. You are taken back in time like none other to the the 14-1600's. The rooms are little, made of stone, the old kitchens are visible, but it's apparent the once wooden roof is gone. The castle is really big and I spent at least 45 minutes wandering around admiring the rooms and the stonework.
My favorite thing was the room Mary Queen of Scots would have stayed in. It had its own en-suite toilet. It's funny to think about it but its certainly interesting to imagine. The toilet is basically just a hole built out of the side of the wall with an opening at the bottom. In those days it would all just fall down to the ground to a bucket or something down the side of the castle. It's interesting to think of a toilet in a castle in the 1500's.
After the castle I took a walk through the woods toward the Sheeps Heid Inn, the longest running restaurant and inn in Edinburgh dating back 600 years. What a cool experience. The decor was antique and fitting, and in the back was a "Skittles set up" a type of bowling. If you go to Edinburgh I highly recommend a stop here. It's a little pricey, but it definitely gives you an awesome cultural and historical perspective.
After a quick and small lunch I decided to head up Arthurs Seat. The guides at the castle had recommended that I walk around to Holyrood Palace and walk up that way because it was less steep. However, being that I like adventure and wanted the difficult climb, I went up the backside, which is located near the Sheeps Heid Inn.
The climb was pretty steep with the beginning being stairs, and about 1/3 of the way up changed to grass, mud, and rocks. I think if it had been a rainy day, this side would have been a mistake, but because it was dry it worked. In fact, I would only climb this place on a dry day. Any rain would make it almost impossible.
After a fun filled day of castle, old inn, lots of walking and hiking up an 800 foot steep sloped volcano remains, I decided to make my way back. I walked past Holyrood Palace, got some ice cream there and then meandered through some parks to find a bus that would bring me back toward the hotel.
Tonight I opted for the restaurant called Dolphins and had their fish and chips. The portion was way to large to eat all of it and I should have got the kids size. but it was good none the less and worth it for a quick dinner in the hotel room to rest up for the flight home the next day.
Luckily, the next day I had an afternoon flight to Gibraltar. So I checked out of my hotel at 11am hopped on the bus and went to the city center. Today it was raining. Lugging my carry on and my back pack with my umbrella was a little cumbersome but I managed. I ran across a small coffee shop and through the window I saw fresh bread and saw they made sandwiches! I was in luck because I wanted to get a sandwich to take on the plane with me for the flight back home. And it was. well worth it! (See my review and location by clicking here)
I then made my way over toward the Balmoral Hotel to find somewhere to sit and have a beer or a cider for before departing to the airport. I wanted somewhere covered that I could enjoy the views of the historic buildings before leaving.
Waverly Place has an outdoor covered space. It was perfect and centrally located and allowed me to enjoy a hot apple cider while getting some cool views of the historic buildings and Scots tower. My ride-a-card also included the tram to the airport (don't confuse it with the train Scottrain thats a different carrier).
After a 30 minute ride on the train I was at the airport. It was all very easy with no complications. Edinburgh is very easy to get to and from the airport as it is not an overly large city.
I was already checked in for my flight on my phone so I didn't need to check in at the check in desks. easyJet doesn't have much for desk or gate, staff just someone there to help those who have to check a bag. As a budget carrier, almost all aspects are done online.
The Edinburgh Airport is on the smaller side compared to giants like Heathrow, Frankfurt, Charles de Gaul etc. The security gate was a little complicated as they filter you through and you don't know which line you are supposed to go to, which kind of caused a traffic delay. But the line was short and it was less than 5 minutes and I was through.
Edinburgh airport has all the things you would need, including a water fountain to fill your bottle up with fresh Scottish water before you head back home. Make sure to bring an empty water bottle with through security and don't forget to fill up. The water in Scotland is phenomenal.
Edinburgh is a magnificent city boasting beautiful 17th-19th century architecture. The people are the nicest and friendliest I've ever met in my life. Strangers are so kind and I felt so comfortable asking anyone anything and each person would open up so excited and friendly to talk
I highly recommend a visit to Edinburgh. And if you take the Gibraltar to Edinburgh flight its so easy with easyJet (pun intended) and hassle free. Basically from start to finish of this long weekend was perfect. Especially because it was a 15 minute walk to the airport from my house, and once inside of Gibraltar airport the wait seemed short before we were boarding and up in the air.
Be sure to check out Ministry of Flight on YouTube for more information about easyJet and how the flight was. Also make sure to check out THE SPAIN GIBRALTAR CHANNEL to learn more information about traveling to Gibraltar and Spain.
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