Coach Hire for Edinburgh Festival Fringe Groups
In 2027 the Fringe turns 80, filling venues in the Old Town and New Town from 6 to 30 August. The venues are close together. The hard part for a coach is where it can stop in a city this full.
Where a coach can stop
Castle Terrace is the council's coach drop-off and pick-up point. The limit there is half an hour. The bay is available 08:30 to 18:30 on weekdays and Saturdays; on Sundays it opens at 12:30. Large coaches cannot use Johnston Terrace, so Castle Terrace is also the set-down for the castle.
Away from Castle Terrace the rule is strict: two minutes on a yellow line, single or double, purely to let people on or off, and not at all where a loading ban is signed. Two minutes is not long for forty people. Have the group at the kerb before the coach arrives.
After an evening show
The Castle Terrace window ends at 18:30. A pick-up after a late performance needs its own plan. Agree the collection point and time with the operator in advance, and make sure every member of the group knows it.
Dates and venue
- 6-30 August 2027 (the 80th Fringe)
- Venues across Edinburgh city centre, including the Old Town and New Town
Parking between drop-off and pick-up
The council's medium-stay coach parking allows up to nine hours at Regent Road or Inverleith Place, weekdays 08:30 to 17:30. It offers no short-stay or long-stay coach parking at present. Pay-and-display bays are for cars, and Park and Ride sites take a coach only by prior arrangement. A weekend visit needs parking agreed with the operator.
A council coach plan covering routes, stopping points and parking is in preparation. Treat all of this as the current arrangement and check it before the trip.
Low Emission Zone
Edinburgh's zone is enforced at all hours, every day. Diesel coaches must be Euro VI. There is no fee to drive in; a vehicle that falls short is issued a penalty. Ask for a compliant coach.
Questions
How do we get in from Edinburgh Airport?
The airport is about 8 miles west, around 25 minutes. Coaches load in the airport coach park, and passengers cross at stand 10. The tram to Princes Street suits people with light bags.
Is a school day trip to the Fringe practical?
Yes, if the day is built around the stopping rules. Plan the Castle Terrace set-down, the weekday parking and the collection time first, then choose the shows.
Where does the coach wait between shows?
On weekdays, Regent Road or Inverleith Place, for up to nine hours. At weekends no council coach park is listed, so agree parking before the trip.