One of the most exciting trips I’ve planned was a girls’ trip to Edinburgh this spring. Here are a few tips to help you get there if you’re planning a visit.

I flew from Dubai Airport, and the best option was a direct flight on Emirates, which lands in Glasgow GLA. Another direct flight from the Middle East is Qatar Airways, which goes directly to Edinburgh Airport EDI. But don’t worry, no matter where you’re flying from—the UK and Scotland have an excellent transportation system, with well-connected trains and public transport.

In my case, I took a direct flight to Glasgow Airport GLA and then a taxi for about a 15-minute drive to Glasgow Central Station. My final destination was Edinburgh Waverley, with an estimated travel time of around 1 hour and 30 minutes. Later, I found out that if I had used Queen Street Station, a 20-minute drive from Glasgow Airport, I could have taken a more direct route to Edinburgh Waverley, which would have taken only 50-60 minutes.

Tips for Traveling to Edinburgh:

• Flexible Arrival Options: You don’t need a direct flight to Edinburgh Airport. Choose the airline that suits you best. For example, you can take a train from London to Edinburgh, which takes about 4 hours and 20 Minutes.

• Travel Light: Avoid bulky luggage if you plan to take the train, as it will be easier to manage and fit into the train’s luggage carrier, located at the end of each carriage.

• High-Speed Trains: High-speed trains to Waverley run every 15-20 minutes on average, though travel times may vary due to different stops. Always check the screens at the station or online for the best routes.

• Ticket Prices: The one-way seated flexible fare is $36 USD.

• Booking Tickets: You can book your tickets online at rail.ninja or buy them directly at the station.

• Edinburgh Waverley: This is the main central train station in Edinburgh, located in the city center. It has plenty of restaurants, shops, and direct access to taxi stations to take you to your accommodation.

Happy travels!