Edinburgh — home of cobbles, castles and hills au crescendo. Be it sprinting from the Royal Mile to Leith, hurrying to catch a train at Waverley, or the mother of all taxi rides to the airport after a weekend of Fringe shows and expensive cocktails, knowing which cab company to call makes life so much easier.
This isn’t a sleepy village — but it’s not London frenzy, either. The trick is knowing who to trust when you need to get moving fast (particularly when the rain is falling sideways and you’ve had one too many at Panda & Sons).
So here’s your no-nonsense, no-nonsense guide to Edinburgh taxi services — based on actual journeys, local knowledge and the odd 4am sprint to the airport.
🚖 Top Edinburgh Taxi Services
| Company | Booking Options | Price Range | My Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| City Cabs Edinburgh | 📞 Call / 🌐 Web | ££ | ✅ Professional, reliable, everywhere |
| Central Taxis | 📞 Call / 🌐 Web | ££ | 👍 Massive fleet, solid app, always around |
| Capital Cars | 📞 Call / 🌐 Web | £–££ | ⚖️ Cheaper rides, sometimes slower |
| Uber | 📱 App Only | £–£££ | ⚠️ Convenient, but surges hit hard |
| A1 Cabs | 📞 Call / 🌐 Web | £–££ | ✔️ Great as backup apps |
1. City Cabs – The Gold Standard
City Cabs is the one locals and visitors swear by. Use my Booking, professional drivers and clean cars. They’ve been around forever and know every corner of the city — from the Old Town’s maze to the New Town’s one-ways. Their app is effective, or you can just hail one the old-fashioned way.
Best for:
- Airport runs
- City centre pickups
- Tourists who want reliability
2. Central Taxis – Another Local Contender
Central Taxis are your next best friend if City Cabs are booked solid. Massive fleet, very closely replicating service, and their app is a near identical duplicate. The drivers are typically on point — friendly, efficient and familiar with navigating festival traffic (which is saying a lot).
Best for:
- Waverley station dashes
- Festival-time madness
- Whenever you need something with little to no stress
3. Capital Cars – Economical Solution
Looking to save a few quid? Capital Cars is typically cheaper than the black cab-style services. They have a smaller fleet so sometimes the wait can be longer, but they’re great when you’re not in a rush. Useful for those who live slightly outside the city centre, too.
Best for:
- Leith runs
- Late-night pickups
- Pre-booked journeys
4. Uber – Handy, But Surge Prone
Uber is in Edinburgh — and often the fastest to book, especially in quieter hours. But on Friday night or festival season? Expect a surge. Drivers are wildly different, from brilliant to “hmm.” Nevertheless, it never hurts to check for app-based, short-haul rides, as well.
Best for:
- App fans
- Cashless rides
- When you’re out late and the thought of having to call
5. A1 Cabs – Strong Alternatives
If Uber’s surging or the fares are ludicrous, A1 Cabs often come to the rescue. Less drivers than Uber, sure, but sometimes cheaper and as fast. Unpack these for emergencies or price sniping.
Best for:
- Surge-avoiders
- Alternative app users
- Price comparing
Which Taxi Service Should You Choose in Edinburgh?
- Best all-rounder: City Cabs or Central Taxis
- Budget-friendly: Capital Cars
- Fast app bookings: Uber (when not surging)
- Other backup apps: A1 Cabs
- Airport & long-distance: Pre-book City or Central
Edinburgh is glorious, but the hills, the festivals and the ever-changing weather mean there’s gonna be times when you’ll need a reliable way to get around. You will, save for a handful of numbers or a few apps — floating between pubs, parks and postcard-perfect streets like a local.