Port Atlas

Edinburgh

An Edinburgh cruise call can mean four different arrival points: Leith, Newhaven, South Queensferry or Rosyth. Confirm the name on your cruise documents before arranging transport.

Route overview

This guide covers a route or several places, so there's no single arrival point. Read the route notes for each stop.

United Kingdom · British Isles

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Overview

An Edinburgh cruise call can mean four different arrival points: Leith, Newhaven, South Queensferry or Rosyth. Confirm the name on your cruise documents before arranging transport. Leith and Rosyth offer alongside berthing; Newhaven and South Queensferry involve tender transfers from anchorages in the Forth.

The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh are a UNESCO World Heritage property. Choose a manageable part of the centre to explore once you have allowed for the journey from your particular port. The Forth Bridge is a separate World Heritage property, especially relevant to visitors landing at South Queensferry.

Currency is pound sterling (£), English is used, and emergency numbers are 999 and 112. Check current transport and attraction information for your travel date. For tender calls, plan around the last boat back to the ship.

Ports in This Region

  • Leith — dock. Cruise ships berth within the port, approximately 4 km from Edinburgh's centre; leave the secure area as directed before using onward transport. Nearby tram connections make the centre accessible, while the Royal Yacht Britannia offers a local attraction at Leith.
  • Newhaven — tender. Boats land at Newhaven Harbour, roughly 4.8 km from the centre, and Edinburgh Trams describes a signposted walk of about five minutes to Newhaven tram stop. Use its current journey information for onward travel, allowing extra time for tender boarding on the return.
  • South Queensferry — tender. Passengers usually land at Hawes Pier beneath the Forth Bridge, with cruise coaches, taxis and the X99 Cruiselink offering onward options to Edinburgh. Dalmeny station is approximately 800 metres away, but the direct walking route includes steep steps; the waterfront itself is an alternative focus if you prefer to stay local.
  • Rosyth — dock. This arrival is on the Fife side of the Forth, approximately 25 km from central Edinburgh, so plan a substantial transfer. Cruise Forth reports no public transport service at the port itself: taxis can connect with Inverkeithing station or Ferrytoll, and any ship excursion or local courtesy service needs confirmation for the call.

Sources

Sites consulted: forthports.co.uk, cruisescotland.com, edinburghtrams.com, cruiseforth.com, lothianbuses.com, whc.unesco.org, visitbritain.com, gov.uk. Details can change after a guide is checked, so confirm time-sensitive points with the operator. How we check our guides.

Printed from https://portatlas.co.uk/europe/united-kingdom/edinburgh/. Guide check date appears above; consult the sources for time-sensitive details.