Driving from the north east to Edinburgh airport help.

[mrsbenny]

Hi,

I have just booked some flights and flying for the first time from Edinburgh. Due to crazy hotel prices we have decided to drive up the morning of our flight. Flight is 13.25 and I was thinking of setting off at 6 am ! I am wondering if traffic will be crazy due to the Edinburgh festival or because of the route we would take do we miss the city centre so traffic will be ok? It will take about 2.5 hours according to Google maps . Not sure if anyone has done this route before? I’m driving from Co Durham on a Saturday morning. Thanks.

[RM2016]

Are you coming up via the A1? You will miss the city centre however, the City Bypass can be grid locked for no real reason at the weekend or it can be totally dead. You are allowing plenty time and should miss the worst of the daytime traffic.

[mrsbenny]

Yes it will be A1. So even if it is gridlocked is that plenty time? I know I will be stressed on the morning but i’m just hoping it will be worth the saving of the hotel price! Thanks.

[BevS97]

My daughter did this route at the start of the summer and then we collected her at the end.

They left Whitley bay at 6am and were checked in my 9:30

Flight was at 1:30.

I made then leave super early ‘just in case’ as you just never know.

When we went to collect her we left about 8am and hit a lot more traffic and arrived about 11 which was just as she was landing. Ok for a collection but for departure you need a much bigger window.

[Mariesmith]

I would be more worried if it was during the week, but Saturday morning traffic should be quieter. (Unless it's when Oasis are playing?)

If you're staying 2 weeks and travelling home on the Sunday, that will be quieter again.

[PPM]

I thought you were driving down from the North East ( Aberdeen) 😀

[mrsbenny]

Originally Posted by PPM

I thought you were driving down from the North East ( Aberdeen) 😀

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Sorry no 😂 we are driving up. Live in co Durham. Hopefully if we give ourselves plenty time should be ok!

[THOscar]

Edinburgh bypass is the worst part of the journey and can be inexplicably busy at the weekend. An accident on there can be a real pain for delays but even if you had to reroute into the city you’ll be fine leaving at 6am.

[Butts1]

Did you think about the Train ?

It's possible to go direct from Durham to Edinburgh Waverley in less than 2 Hours and then connect onto the Tram or Airport Bus direct to the Airport.

[mrsbenny]

Originally Posted by Butts1

Did you think about the Train ?

It's possible to go direct from Durham to Edinburgh Waverley in less than 2 Hours and then connect onto the Tram or Airport Bus direct to the Airport.

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Yeah I have thought about this. I’m sure when I looked the earliest train would get us there for about 9.20 am. I don’t know whether that would be too late .

Is it easy and quick to catch the bus.