Edinburgh Airport Accessibility & Facilities Guide
Planning to travel through Edinburgh Airport? This guide covers everything disabled, neurodivergent, and SEN passengers need to know about Edinburgh's accessibility, facilities, and support services. Find information on special assistance booking, accessible toilets, quiet areas, parking, transport links, and the Sunflower Lanyard scheme at Edinburgh.
At-a-glance
Key accessibility information
Everything you need before you arrive
Assistance Booking
- Who
- Operated by ABM. Dedicated Assistance Reception on the ground floor of the terminal.
- How
- Via your airline, Edinburgh Airport website, or call the assistance line.
- Min. notice
- 48 hours recommended. Walk-up assistance available but may involve longer waits.
Where to Go on Arrival
- Help point
- Car parks — Help Point intercoms at entrances and levels
- Help point
- Terminal entrance — signed assistance reception area
- Help point
- Tram stop — Help Points on platform (step-free to terminal)
- Tip
- Head to the Assistance Reception on the ground floor. Staff will coordinate your journey from there.
Step-Free Access
- Status
- Fully step-free route from tram stop and car parks through the terminal to all gates.
- Pinch point
- Terminal has multiple levels — lifts available but can be busy at peak times
- Pinch point
- Some gate areas involve longer walks from the main departures hall
- Pinch point
- Long Stay car park to terminal requires a shuttle bus (accessible)
Quiet / Sensory Spaces
- Available
- Yes
- Location
- Quiet areas available in the departure lounge (airside). Staff trained to support passengers with sensory and cognitive needs.
- Hours
- Available during terminal operating hours.
Changing Places & Accessible Toilets
- Changing Places
- Yes
- Location
- Main terminal — landside
- Location
- Departure lounge — airside
- Accessible toilets
- Throughout the terminal, landside and airside.
Sunflower Support
- Where
- Free from information desks in the terminal.
- How
- No proof needed. Ask at any information desk or assistance reception.
Security Support
- Priority lane
- Available. Assistance staff escort you through a dedicated lane.
- How to request
- Pre-book assistance or ask at the Assistance Reception. Staff will escort you through security.
Accessibility Ratings & Reviews
CAA Accessibility Rating (2024/2025)
Rated by the UK Civil Aviation Authority under their Airport Accessibility Framework.
View full CAA reportAccessAble Detailed Access Guide
This airport has been independently audited by AccessAble, providing detailed accessibility information.
View AccessAble guideCAA ratings are from the Airport Accessibility Performance Report 2024/2025. Ratings are based on waiting times, complaint handling, consultation, and overall service quality for disabled and less mobile passengers. Smaller airports below 150,000 annual passengers may not be individually rated.
Special Assistance Services
Contact your airline at least 48 hours before travel. You can also request assistance through the Edinburgh Airport website.
On arrival, go to the Assistance Reception on the ground floor or use the Help Points in the car park.
Departing
Help from the car park or tram stop through check-in, security, and to your gate, including boarding assistance.
Arriving
Support disembarking, through immigration and baggage reclaim, and to your onward transport.
Hidden disabilities
Staff trained to support passengers with sensory, cognitive, and non-visible disabilities.
Accessible Facilities
Accessible toilets
Throughout the terminal, including Changing Places facilities.
Changing Places
Available in the main terminal (landside) and departure lounge (airside).
Wheelchair provision
Wheelchairs available. Your own wheelchair can be used to the aircraft door.
Sensory support
Staff trained to support passengers with sensory and cognitive needs. Quiet areas available.
Accessible parking
Blue Badge spaces in the main car park, close to the terminal entrance.
🌻 Hidden Disabilities & Sunflower Lanyard
Edinburgh participates in the Sunflower lanyard scheme. Lanyards are free from information desks. No proof of disability is required.
Sensory Profile (ND/SEN)
For neurodivergent and sensory-sensitive passengers
Noise Hotspots
- •Security hall — scanner alarms, crowds (peak: 04:00–08:00 for early departures)
- •Main departures concourse — large open space, retail noise, announcements
- •Baggage reclaim — carousel noise, echoing hall
- •Tram arrival area — automated announcements, door alarms
Lighting Notes
- •Main terminal — modern design with mix of natural and artificial light
- •Departure lounge — bright commercial lighting in retail areas
- •Gate areas — generally calmer than main concourse
- •Quiet areas — deliberately lower-lit and calmer
Quieter Areas
- •Designated quiet areas in the departure lounge (ask assistance staff)
- •Gate areas furthest from the main retail concourse
- •Multi-faith room (quiet, low-lit)
- •Upper level seating areas away from main shopping zone
Queue Predictability
Early morning (04:00–07:00) is busiest for holiday and budget airline departures. Assistance passengers are escorted through a dedicated security lane. The tram from the city centre is step-free and runs every 7–10 minutes.
Suggested Request Script
“I have a hidden disability / I'm neurodivergent and I've pre-booked assistance. I find busy and noisy environments difficult. Could you please take me to a quieter area, and let me know what will happen at each stage so I can prepare?”
You can say this to any staff member, or show it on your phone.
Getting There & Transport
By tram
Edinburgh Trams run directly to the airport from the city centre with step-free access at all stops. ~35 minutes from Princes Street.
By car
Blue Badge parking in the main car park, close to the terminal. Free for Blue Badge holders in designated bays.
By bus
Lothian Buses Airlink 100 and other services connect the airport to the city centre with accessible vehicles.
Drop-off & pick-up
Designated areas outside the terminal. Blue Badge holders may have concessions on charges.
Passenger Rights & Complaints
Your legal rights
Under the UK Equality Act 2010 and EU Regulation 1107/2006, airports and airlines must provide assistance to disabled passengers free of charge. This includes wheelchair assistance, accessible toilets, and other reasonable adjustments.
How to complain
- Contact the airport's customer service team directly with details of what happened.
- If unresolved, escalate to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) at caa.co.uk.
- Document everything: what happened, when, who was involved, and keep records of all communication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Compare other Scotland airports
Useful links
Last checked: 4 March 2026