Is bus travel free in Edinburgh?

Who can get free bus travel? Every 5-21 year old living in Scotland for more than 6 months of the year can travel for free by bus if they have a valid National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot National Entitlement Card (Young Scot NEC). If you are 5-15 years old, your parent or guardian must apply for you.



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If you have a Scottish National Entitlement Card (also known as a Saltire card) issued by the City of Edinburgh Council, you are entitled to free travel on the tram. The same applies to cards from any local authority indicating visual impairment.

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Scottish ITSO Smartcards Depending on the operator, tickets can be loaded onto your chosen ITSO smartcard at ticket offices, ticket vending machines, on board or in advance online and can be paid for with cash, card or contactless. There are many ITSO smartcard options available to you.

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There's no need to choose what ticket to purchase, just tap your contactless card or device every time you need to travel. We'll automatically charge you the cheapest fare for the journeys you've made on that day – you'll never pay more than the appropriate Day, Night or Weekly Ticket.

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Single-journey adult ticket: A First ticket costs from £ 1.80 ( US$ 2.20) (depends on the distance of your trip), and a Lothian ticket is £ 1.70 ( US$ 2.10). Single-journey child ticket: Both Lothian and First single tickets cost £ 0.90 ( US$ 1.10).

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Catch the bus Tickets for the Airlink 100, taking you straight to the city centre, can be purchased from the driver as you board using contactless card payment, m-tickets or the exact cash fare. Other bus routes and companies will accept either online bookings or payment on board using cash or contactless card payment.

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English bus passes are not accepted in Scotland and vice versa. Only passes issued by City of Edinburgh Council work on the trams as they're funded by the council. Other Scottish passes aren't accepted on the trams. We have our own Scottish bus passes so I'm afraid your ones are not valid.

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Eligibility. If you live in Scotland and are 5-21 years old you are eligible for a card giving you free bus travel. Children under 5 years old already travel for free on buses and don't need a card.

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2.10 Bus pass holders travel for free. Travel through the national scheme is paid for directly by the Scottish Government. It is a principle of the Scheme that operators should be no better and no worse off as a result of their participation.

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Missed Tap Off Cost If you don't have a default set on your card and you forget to tap off at the end of your trip, you'll be charged the fare to the last stop on the train line or bus route and with your fare type and any applicable loyalty discounts applied.

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Scottish ITSO Smartcards Depending on the operator, tickets can be loaded onto your chosen ITSO smartcard at ticket offices, ticket vending machines, on board or in advance online and can be paid for with cash, card or contactless.

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Edinburgh's intimate size makes walking the best way to get around. Plus, many of the top attractions are huddled close together in New Town and Old Town. When you want to explore the farther-flung neighborhoods, you can rely on Edinburgh's efficient bus or tram system.

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Once activated, Network Day Tickets are valid from time of activation until 04:30 the following morning, and should be shown to the driver or ticket services assistant upon boarding for each journey taken.

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60 and over The NEC card entitles you to free bus travel across Scotland, and also on trams if your card was issued by the City of Edinburgh Council.

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In Scotland, all people with a disability, and those aged 60 and over are entitled to a National Entitlement Card. Depending on people's circumstances, and the region in which they live, this Entitlement Card can give access to a concessionary fare, or free train travel.

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The card gives holders free bus travel in Scotland and, through the Strathclyde Concessionary Travel Scheme, reduced fares on trains and Subway in the Strathclyde area. If you live on an island or peninsula within Strathclyde you can also receive reduced ferry fares with a Strathclyde Concessionary Travel Ferry Card.

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