Edinburgh Layover Near South Queensferry and the Forth Bridges
Part of the full Edinburgh Layover Guide: What to Do Before a Late Flight Out of Edinburgh Airport
If you land with a few hours before a late flight and would rather not backtrack into central Edinburgh at all, take the 15-minute bus straight from the airport to South Queensferry, walk the harbour for views of all three Forth Bridges, and catch the same bus back to EDI.
Can’t-miss
South Queensferry’s harbour is the whole reason to make this trip: from Hawes Pier, you can see the Forth Bridge (the red 1890 rail bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Forth Road Bridge, and the newer Queensferry Crossing all at once, three very different pieces of engineering spanning the same stretch of water.
Walk the short length of Harbour Lane down to the water, then wander back up onto the High Street, where the Jubilee clock tower and a run of colorful old harbourfront houses make for an easy, low-effort stroll between bridge views.
Why hands-free matters here
The 747 bus doesn’t have luggage racks built for suitcases, and Harbour Lane’s older paving and the pier itself aren’t the easiest surface for wheels. It’s a small town built for wandering, not for hauling a bag between bus stops.
If you have more time
With extra time, the Maid of the Forth runs boat trips from Hawes Pier out to Inchcolm Island, home to a well-preserved medieval abbey and usually a few seals along the way, though check sailing times in advance since it isn’t a walk-up option. Otherwise, a slower option is simply picking one of the High Street’s pubs for a proper sit-down instead of squeezing in a boat trip.
Getting back to Edinburgh Airport
Catch the 747 bus from the same stop you arrived at; it runs every 10-30 minutes and takes about 15 minutes back to the terminal. Even so, build in enough buffer for check-in and security once you’re there.
A bridge view without the detour
South Queensferry works precisely because it skips the city altogether: no tram into town and back out, just a short bus ride each way and a harbour view most travelers never see. Store your bag before you go and it stays that simple.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a size limit for bags at a luggage storage point?
No, storage locations take suitcases and backpacks of any size for one flat daily rate per item, whether you store near the airport or back toward the city.
Do I need to go into central Edinburgh at all for this itinerary?
No, that's the point of this route: the 747 bus runs directly between the airport and South Queensferry in about 15 minutes, so there's no need to detour into the city center and back out again.
What if it's raining?
The harbour views hold up fine in light rain since you're mostly walking along the pier and High Street, and there are pubs and cafes on the High Street to duck into if it turns heavier.
How often does the bus back to Edinburgh Airport run?
The 747 runs every 10-30 minutes depending on the time of day, so you won't be waiting long, but check the current timetable before you set off since frequency drops later in the evening.