Taxi from South Queensferry cruise port to downtown Edinburgh?

[Vagabond Knight]

I believe we've decided on doing the Scotch Whiskey experience and wandering to a few local pubs before and/or after for some food and drink during our stop in South Queensferry. I am having trouble finding private transportation options such as a taxi from the South Queensferry cruise port to that area of Edinburgh (354 Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NE). 

[fruitmachine]

There are taxis listed here: https://www.cruiseforth.com/content/getting-around-south-queensferry/ that you should be able to pre-book. 

The alternative is to take the X99 Cruiselink (https://www.lothianbuses.com/cruiselink-x99/) from the pier to South St David's St in Edinburgh.  Then either hail a taxi there (they should be plentiful, unless it's raining) or if you're happy walking 0.5 mile it's straightforward, on foot with half of it uphill. https://goo.gl/maps/xS7LiqQ5NyhF3CxM7

Once you're at Castlehill, everything except the castle itself is downhill!

 

The X99 ticket gets you free on any city bus for the day, so you can treat them a bit like a HoHo bus, and just use them for a stop or two uphill if one happens to be coming!

[Vagabond Knight]

Thank you very much, @fruitmachine.

[pink845]

I see the x99 appears very convenient but I wonder what time is the last bus to south queensferry and what traffic might be like on a saturday in August. We are in Edinburgh 7 to 7. We are going to have the train schedule ready as well in case no room on bus at end of day when we want to return.

[fruitmachine]

7 hours ago, pink845 said:

I see the x99 appears very convenient but I wonder what time is the last bus to south queensferry and what traffic might be like on a saturday in August. We are in Edinburgh 7 to 7. We are going to have the train schedule ready as well in case no room on bus at end of day when we want to return.

A good move, and the downhill walk from the station to Hawes Pier is rather easier than the other direction!

There are lots of ticket machines in Edinburgh Waverley station.  You'd need a ticket to Dalmeny.

 

This search on a website for hardcore train travellers will give the most concise list of trains and, importantly, the final destination of each of them.  You'll need to change the date to suit you.  If you save the link on your phone and have Internet access, you can normally check the platform before it's displayed in the station (but I'd still rely on the departure board as the definitive position).

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/detailed/gb-nr:EDB/to/gb-nr:DAM/2023-05-29/1200-1900?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

[edinburgher]

Additional info here.  Find your ship and date then the info

https://www.cruiseforth.com/content/ship/

 

for info on the bus timings, google" Lothian buses cruiselink 99"

 

BTW, No criticism as is a fairly common error, but in Scotland it is WHISKY not Whiskey.

Edited May 29, 2023 by edinburgher

[Aloha 1]

Sadly, for whatever reason, the X99 is not running on June 14 when Oceania Riviera is docked. Would the train be faster than the 43 bus?

[fruitmachine]

On 5/30/2023 at 6:16 PM, Aloha 1 said:

Sadly, for whatever reason, the X99 is not running on June 14 when Oceania Riviera is docked. Would the train be faster than the 43 bus?

I think that has to be either a typo or a mistaken omission.

Let me raise it - I believe it will be sorted - and come back here.

But on your question, yes, the train will be faster than the 43 bus,

Edited June 3, 2023 by fruitmachine

[fruitmachine]

1 hour ago, fruitmachine said:

I think that has to be either a typo or a mistaken omission.

Let me raise it - I believe it will be sorted - and come back here.

But on your question, yes, the train will be faster than the 43 bus,

Unfortunately, the X99 is not running on June 14 - I believe there is insufficient demand.  Perhaps the ship is running a shuttle bus?

You still have the train and 43 bus (https://www.lothianbuses.com/our-services/lothian-country/) options as well as a local taxi.(https://www.cruiseforth.com/content/getting-around-south-queensferry/)

Edited June 3, 2023 by fruitmachine

[gumshoe958]

11 minutes ago, fruitmachine said:

Unfortunately, the X99 is not running on June 14 - I believe there is insufficient demand. 

It’s a small, high end ship whose passengers will, presumably, have mostly booked private or ship’s tours. So I’m not surprised. 

[Aloha 1]

3 hours ago, fruitmachine said:

Unfortunately, the X99 is not running on June 14 - I believe there is insufficient demand.  Perhaps the ship is running a shuttle bus?

You still have the train and 43 bus (https://www.lothianbuses.com/our-services/lothian-country/) options as well as a local taxi.(https://www.cruiseforth.com/content/getting-around-south-queensferry/)

No shuttle from the ship. Taxi cost quoted from City Cabs is £25-£27 one way.

[3Shelaghs]

Bus not running on Sept 6th either... sigh....HAL hasn't responded re shuttles being offered....

Guess it's train or taxi. Somewhere in this misery is a missed opportunity to make gazillions!!!!

[fruitmachine]

39 minutes ago, 3Shelaghs said:

Bus not running on Sept 6th either... sigh....HAL hasn't responded re shuttles being offered....

Guess it's train or taxi. Somewhere in this misery is a missed opportunity to make gazillions!!!!

Keep checking back.  I've raised this as an issue with the appropriate people and it may well be fixed.

[VMax1700]

@fruitmachine Could you check if X99 will be running on August 18th (Friday) or Saturday 19th for a rescheduled visit by HAL Rotterdam?  

Thanks!

[SueMo]

The X99 bus schedule is here:  https://www.lothianbuses.com/cruiselink-x99/

August 18th is not listed, probably due to the fact that the cruise schedule has dramatically changed since the bus schedule was first established.