Edinburgh Airport Guide

EDI Airport Overview

To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Edinburgh Airport (Code: EDI).

What to Expect

Edinburgh Airport has only one terminal, making it simple to navigate, but services are limited to about a dozen or so eateries and a similar number of shops. Free WiFi is available, and economy-class passengers can purchase entry into an airport lounge for additional comfort.

Sleeping in Edinburgh Airport

While Edinburgh Airport is open 24 hours a day, you may have to stay in the landside/public zones, as security checkpoints close for a few hours at night. Seating is plentiful landside (e.g., Arrivals and Check-in) and airside, but most have armrests, limiting sleep comfort. Armrest-free benches are available near the baggage claim and in quieter gate areas (e.g., near Gate 5). Cafes may ask lingerers to move during peak hours, but this isn’t consistently enforced overnight when fewer staff are present. Sleeping on the floor seems to be no problem, and you may be able to find some darker or more private corners. The sooner you can arrive, the better your chances are for snagging a good spot.

Here are specific spots that travellers have reported:

• The Arrivals and Baggage Claim area has a good amount of armrest-free benches.
• The car rental centre, across from the main terminal, is quiet and has some chairs without armrests. (Airport staff may not allow you to stay here all night.)
• The Starbucks, located on the landside, has comfortable seating.

Recent traveller feedback notes occasional checks of tickets/ID overnight, but no significant safety concerns beyond typical airport risks. Numerous reviewers have identified the terminal as bright and loud, eyeshades and earplugs/noise-cancelling headphones are recommended. Many travellers end up sleeping on the cold floor, so be prepared!

There are several nearby hotels for uninterrupted sleep, albeit for a price. See the Airport Hotels section below for more info.

Good to Know

If faced with a long daytime layover, consider a journey into Edinburgh Centre via the tram service that runs every seven minutes with a journey time of 30 minutes.

Read the latest traveller airport reviews for more tips. If you would like more airport information, you can continue scrolling down to explore more in our Edinburgh Airport Guide.

To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos.

Airport Hours

Edinburgh Airport is open 24 hours, landside and airside.

Rest & Relaxation Zones

No dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones exist. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.

Cots

The airport does not provide cots to stranded travellers. If this has changed, click here to update the guide.

Airport Hotels

If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Edinburgh Airport:

• Hampton by Hilton Edinburgh Airport – 400 meters/4-5 minute walk from the terminal. Connected via covered walkway. » Check Rates
• DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Edinburgh Airport – 600 meters/6-8 minute walk from the terminal. A shuttle is  available.  » Check Rates
• Moxy Edinburgh Airport – 500 meters/5-6 minute walk from the terminal. No shuttle is typically needed.”  » Check Rates
• Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh Airport – An airport shuttle is available.  » Check Rates
• Ibis Budget Hotel Edinburgh Park – No airport shuttle.  » Check Rates

For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Edinburgh Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating, and popularity.

Airport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program.

• Plaza Premium Lounge – Location: Airside, near Gate 16, next to the Aspire Lounge (Gate 16). Hours: 4:00 AM – 8:30 PM. Showers: Yes. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (£45 per person, subject to availability) • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs • Credit card rewards programs • Complimentary access for select American Express Platinum and Capital One Venture X cardholders.
• Aspire Lounge (Gate 16) – Location: Airside, near Gate 16, primarily serving gates 13–21. Hours: 4:30 AM – 8:30 PM. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (£38 per person, subject to availability) • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs • Credit card rewards programs.
• Aspire Lounge (Gate 4) – Location: Airside, near Gate 4, opposite the Duty Free area. Hours: 4:00 AM – 8:30 PM. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (£38 per person) • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs • Credit card rewards programs • Complimentary access for eligible business-class passengers and frequent flyers.
• Escape Lounge – Location: Airside, near Gate 4, Main Departure Lounge (adjacent to the former Aspire Lounge area). Hours: 4:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (£49 per person) • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs • Credit card rewards programs • Complimentary access for American Express Platinum and Centurion cardholders.

Airline Lounges

If you are a First or Business Class traveller, you may have access to the lounges listed below. If you would like more information, you can check the airline’s website.

• British Airways Lounge – Location: Airside, near Gate 4, close to the Aspire Lounge. Hours: 4:30 AM – 9:00 PM. Showers: Yes. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: British Airways Club Europe and Business Class passengers • British Airways Executive Club Silver and Gold members • oneworld Sapphire and Emerald members flying on eligible oneworld flights.
• Emirates Lounge – Location: Airside, near Gate 11, International Departures. Hours: 4:00 PM – 8:30 PM. Showers: Yes. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Emirates Business Class and First Class passengers • Emirates Skywards Platinum and Gold members • oneworld and Skywards partner elites.

Drinking Water

Refill-friendly drinking water fountains are available in the terminal. (Reader report, Dec 2024.)

Food & Drinks

Food and beverage outlets operate on varying schedules. Sainsbury’s (landside, before security) is open 24 hours for basic groceries and snacks. On Caffe Nero (airside, Gate 7) is open 24 hours.

Luggage Storage & Lockers

Lockers are available at the Luggage Point. Location: Landside, Arrivals. Hours: 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Rates for standard size: £9.50/ 0 – 3 hours • £14.50/ 1st day • £12.50 each additional day/bag • £60.00 per week.

Mobile Charging

Charging points are available before security at Caffè Nero (first floor) and after security at WHSmith Café (near Gate 16). Additional power outlets can be found in seating areas both landside and airside, though availability varies.

Showers

Public showers are not available. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.

WiFi / Internet

Free WiFi is available at Edinburgh Airport, but the connection is slow and only works in certain areas of the building. Connect to the ‘Edinburgh Airport’ network.

Security & Safety

Because the security checkpoints close overnight, you won’t be allowed to stay in the airside/gate areas. Instead, airport staff relocate all travellers to the landside/public zones. The security guards may also keep you in specific areas, like the Arrivals floor and not the Check-in areas. Still, they tend to tolerate overnight sleepers, even those sprawled on the floor. Around 4:00 AM, the airport starts buzzing with early morning activity, so you probably won’t be able to sleep much past that.

At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Edinburgh Airport. However,

sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:

• Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
• Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
• Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
• Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.

Pro-tip: If you sleep in the public zone, don’t be surprised if you receive an early morning wake-up call. Security is known to make the rounds, waking people up as travellers arrive for morning flights.

More Airport Information