Making the most of Queensferry Edinburgh Scotland
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Ships anchor offshore and tender passengers to South Queensferry, within view of the renowned Forth Railway Bridge.
Most cruise lines provide shuttles into central Edinburgh for 16.90 Euros, but announce them only the previous evening so their excursion sales are not disrupted.
The ship's shuttle takes 25 minutes and sets passengers down at Waterloo Place, only a few steps from the starting point for every hop on/off bus, just beyond Waverley Station.
Local operator Lothian runs buses from the quayside into Edinburgh in approx 35 mins. A return costs £12.00 per person, and services stop on central Saint David`s Street opposite the Scott Monument, making the collection point easy to find again. The ticket remains valid all day on Edinburgh's local buses.
Taxis charge a fixed one-way fare of 25 Pound per vehicle, rather than per passenger.
Climb a modest hill of 110 steps to Dalmeny railway station and spend the day in Edinburgh. Trains depart every 20 minutes, take 15 minutes and cost just over £8 for a return. The off-peak return rail fare between Dalmeny and Edinburgh is £5.80.
Watch a video of the tender journey into South Queensferry.
A printable map is worth carrying.
View the webcam.
Walk along the waterfront, admire the small Priory Church of St Mary, browse the few remaining shops and relax at the pavement cafés.
Money
The pound (£) is used across the UK and is sometimes called a quid. Scottish banknotes are frowned upon in other parts of the UK, so change them before leaving Scotland.
Ensure that any change is given in English notes, as Scottish notes are not accepted everywhere else in the UK.
Cash machines (ATM), known informally as 'holes in the wall', are very widely available and normally dispense £10 and £20 notes.
Visa, Mastercard and Maestro are accepted at most restaurants and shops.
Staying connected
English is spoken throughout the country, though accents can sometimes be strong!
Many High St venues provide free WiFi, including the museum.
Public bus 43 also has free WiFi. For a local emergency, call 999; the EU-wide number 112 works as well.
Opening Hours and
General shopping hours are:
Small retailers generally open from 10am - 6pm on 6 or 7 days each week. Larger stores usually remain open until 9PM, while hypermarkets often trade 24/7.