threeweeks guide to edinburgh

Unless you have your own transport, we're talking about buses, taxis or your feet. It must be stressed from the outset that Edinburgh is really a very compact little city - walking is nearly always an option although smokers / the chronically unfit / terminally lazy may find the Old Town a bit of a strain due to the proliferation of very steep sets of steps. Rest assured that these can be avoided if you're happy to walk the long way round. Up very steep roads.

However, if you're staying a little further out of the city you will need public transport. And if you're moving around a lot and time is at a premium, then you might want to try the bus option. But be warned: at busy times of year (and especially during the Festival) buses tend to get you there slower than if you had walked, particularly if you're using a route that goes down Princes Street.

The people that run the buses are First Edinburgh and Lothian Buses. Lothian Buses are by far the majority, and operate a lot more city centre routes. Points to remember: Firstly, all Edinburgh bus stops are request stops. Never expect the bus to stop automatically. Always put your hand out to flag it down. Secondly, always have the right change. You pay the driver as you get on the bus, but the drivers cannot give you change. All the money goes straight into a sealed box. So don't hassle the driver. It's not his fault. You just need to have plenty of change in your pocket.

For the vast majority of city centre bus journeys you will be using Lothian Buses - so here is there price information. A single journey is 80p to go 8 stops, £1 for any journey which is longer (60p for kids oblivious of journey length). The 80p option is a safe one for any journey through central Edinburgh. If you're going to use the bus more than a couple of times a day, it's probably wise to get a Daysaver (£2.30 for adults, £2 for kids) You can also buy carnets, called ‘City Singles'(£18 for 20), and period tickets called ‘Ridacards'. A weekly card will cost you £12, a four week card £36, but you will require a passport photo for both. Daysavers you buy as you get on the bus. Ridacards must be bought from the travel shops at Waverley Bridge (just by the station) or at Hanover Street (this is also the place to find up to date timetables), or from 'ticket agent' shops. Many central branches of newsagents R S McColl (Forrest Road, Nicolson Street, St James Centre) are ticket agents. More information about Lothian Buses, timetables and fares can be found at www.lothianbuses.co.uk.

Similar information for First Buses by calling 0131 555 6363 for Lothian or 0131 663 9233 for First Edinburgh.

Or, of course, you could just hail a cab. I am often heard to say that its possible to get anywhere in a taxi in Edinburgh for a fiver. Of course this is a blatant lie. And times they are a changing (I think they call it inflation). But as I said earlier, Edinburgh is very compact, so any taxi journey is relatively short, and is possibly the reason why I tend to think of Edinburgh taxis as terribly cheap. They are generally fairly easy to find in the centre but if you can't find one you can always call for one (all the Edinburgh black cab companies do phone pick-ups too). My AVOURITE Also worth a try is Festival City on 0131 552 1777.

And that about wraps it up really. Happy traveling. Although do try and walk a bit. Edinburgh's a beautiful city to walk around, and the exercise is good for you... unless its raining, in which case it's not worth the bother.