South Queensferry to Edinburgh

[vjw1218]

Does anyone know an approximate cost of cab/taxi fare from the dock at South Queensferry to Edinburgh city? Also, can the taxis accommodate 6 people?

 

(X Century sailing: May 2007)

[Marie-Claude]

We took a cab from South Queensferry to Edinburgh last August.

 

The mini van could have accomodated 8 people, but we shared it with two other couples waiting in line, so 6 people.

 

The driver dropped us all at different places in the city depending on what we wanted to do. He charged 5 pounds per person - which was really reasonable.

 

We took the train back to South Queensferry. The ride cost 3.10 pounds per person and took about 30 minutes . Once there, you have to follow a path and go down a long series of stairs (150 steps) and that took about 15 minutes from the station to the pier. But the stairs are very long, so it is much easier to take a taxi down to town so you don't have to go UP the stairs!

 

Hope this helps!

[Denverite]

Marie Claude: Did you pre-book a cab or were cabs fairly plentiful at the dock? If you did not pre-book, did you have to wait in a long line in order to get a cab? It sounds like your cab charged per person instead of metered. If we pre-book, it sounds like the cab we are thinking of is a metered cab, which probably would be fine unless there is a lot of traffic. Thanks...Fran

[Marie-Claude]

Hi Fran:

 

We did not pre-book. We just went up to the terminal, and there were a few people in line (maybe 10-15). A dispatcher was there, and since there was just my Mom and I, he paired us with two other couples and off we went.

 

From what I understand it was all set prices, no meter. The drive is about 30-40 minutes, so a metered cab may be pricy. The cab was actually 30 pounds, which we divided between the 6 - it could have been a bit less had we been 8.

 

There were several cabs - plentiful? not really but enough and the dispatcher was calling more cabs as needed. So some people may had to wait a few minutes.

 

Hope this helps!!

 

MC

[vjw1218]

Thank you, Marie-Claude. This is the information I was hoping to find. Excellent.

[BaltiGator]

I wonder if the cabs are as plentiful on a Saturday (when Celebrity's Century will be at South Queensferry) as they might be on a weekday...

[calmac]

I would expect that taxis appear when a ship is at anchor off South Queensferry as there's probably not a huge amount of business at other times!

 

If you want to contact a taxi company then here are the names and phone numbers of four taxi companies in South Queensferry (in alphabetical order).

 

Arnes Private Hire - 0131-331-5050

 

Caledonian Private Hire - 0131-331-3321

 

Ferry Cabs - 0131-331-3558

 

Hawes Cars - 0131-331-1077

 

If you phone from South Queensferry or Edinburgh you can omit the 0131 (+44131 from outwith UK).

[nancycoop1]

Thanks for the information on the taxi's. It looks like the best way to get to Edinburgh. We will also be on the Century. I imagine it will be easy to pair up with people looking for a ride.

 

Marie-Claude - did you just go to the train station in Edinburgh to catch the train back?

 

Thanks Nancy

[Marie-Claude]

Marie-Claude - did you just go to the train station in Edinburgh to catch the train back?

 

Hi Nancy:

 

Yes, the train station is very central. We bought our ticket and were directed to the right platform. The ride was fairly short, 45 min or so. Once in South Queensferry, there are NO taxi to get you to the pier. I even tried to call for one and they told me it would take an hour. To find the path leading to the stairs was a bit tricky, but we just followed people. You walk along a wooded area for a few yards, then the stairs go down through the woods all the way to the pier. The bridge is a good reference point as the tender pier is at the foot of the South Queensferry bridge.

 

MC

[calmac]

The train between Edinburgh (Waverley) and Dalmeny (station for South Queensferry) only takes 15 minutes. There are large information boards showing all trains at Waverley but there are usually enough staff around to ask for help.

[woodmill100]

Just a litle point. Waverely, the main station in Edinburgh is currently under going a large renovation project meaning all trains from Fife (which includes Dalmeny for South Queensferry) are terminating at Haymarket. You will be asked to leave the train at Haymarket and wait on a different platform to get another train through to Waverely. It will be the same coming back so give yourself plenty of time to get back to port.

 

Waverely Station brings you right into the heart of the city. Haymarket brings you about a 10 minute walk West of the city centre.

 

The staff at both stations are there in number and will be able to assist.

[calmac]

Not all Fife (and therefore Dalmeny) trains are terminating at Haymarket at the moment but it does state on the timetable which ones are doing so. If there are staff at Dalmeny (depends on time of day), ask them for information, otherwise ask at Haymarket or Waverley.

 

This is the current timetable - you will see a small "b" posted beside trains which are terminating at Haymarket.

 

http://www.firstgroup.com/scotrail/tt/1179678811-fife%20circle.pdf

 

It may seem confusing at first but this line is a large circle so, to go FROM Dalmeny, look towards the bottom of the timetable page. The stations are Dalmeny, South Gyle, Haymarket, Edinburgh (Waverley). For your return journey, it's just the reverse.

 

The Cheap Day return tickets have restrictions -

 

You can travel:

• on any service at the weekends
  
• in both directions on the routes shown under
  
• after 0915 Monday to Friday
  
• except on services departing from Edinburgh Waverley and Haymarket between 1641 and 1809

If these are too restrictive, a standard Day Return is what you want.

 

If you want to look at the shops you might do what I normally do when going shopping - take the train to Haymarket, walk along Princes Street (one of the main shopping streets) then take the return train from Waverley.