EDI
- To city center
- Edinburgh · ~11 km
- Time to city
- Edinburgh Trams · 30-35 min
All airportsCredit: Mike McBey 
Credit: Bill Henderson
Airport compare
EDI vs NCL
On the ground
NCL
- To city center
- Newcastle · ~8.2 km
- Time to city
- Tyne and Wear Metro · ~25 min
Where they are
One map, pinned from each airport’s published coordinates.
Category scores
Overall is the published weighted sum. A highlighted score is ahead; a tie stays plain.
Ease of use
25% · Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
EDI7.8
NCL8.2+0.4
Comfort & amenities
20% · Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
EDI7.2
NCL7.4+0.2
Food & retail
15% · Food and retail quality and variety.
EDI7.0+0.2
NCL6.8
Ground access
15% · Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
EDI7.5
NCL8.6+1.1
Reliability
15% · Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
EDI7.0+0.1
NCL6.9
Lounges
10% · Worth-it density and access quality.
EDI7.1
NCL7.1
Best for
EDI
Quick securityEasy city access via tram/busPriority Pass lounge options
NCL
Metro-to-city arrivals without a carPriority Pass travellers using AspireEmirates Dubai connections from the North East
Watch out for
EDI
Airport surcharge on tram/bus ticketsLounge capacity issues without pre-bookingLimited non-lounge dining varietyAspire Lounge closes 7 Nov 2026, leaving fewer Priority Pass seats
NCL
100 ml liquids still enforced despite CT lanesAspire Saturday early close and peak capacity limitsPaper Metro tickets cost more than Pop PAYG caps
Amenities and tips
EDI
FastTrack SecurityPriority Pass LoungesTram to CityTwilight Bag DropFree WiFiFamily Facilities
Arrive 90-120 min early for domestic/EU
FastTrack runs 04:00-19:00; booked multi-storey parking includes it.
Everything post-security in one hall
Follow signs to gates after security; duty-free is central but skippable via straight-ahead doors.
Lounges or airside pubs for better value
Escape or Aspire for unlimited food/drinks if eligible; otherwise pre-security options are limited.
NCL
Tyne and Wear MetroAspire LoungeAster & ThymeSecurity Fast TrackFree Wi-FiArrow Cars
Metro inside the terminal is the default city move
Metro ~25 min; Pop PAYG capped £2.50 single / £5 day from Apr 2026.
CT lanes help — but still pack 100 ml liquids
CT screening yes; 100 ml liquids still required; Fast Track optional.
Aspire for a real lounge — Aster & Thyme is a meal credit
Aspire = lounge; Aster & Thyme = £18 dining credit; check hours in-app.
Lounges
Escape Lounge
Credit: Escape Lounges
Turkish Airlines Lounge by Plaza Premium Group
Credit: Plaza Premium Group
Aspire Executive Lounge
Credit: young shanahan from Bratislava, Slovakia
Aspire Lounge
Main terminal (airside) · airside
- Priority Pass
- LoungeKey: DragonPass / LoungeKey where listed
- Day pass: Paid day entry / pre-book via Aspire
- Luxe / Suite by Aspire upgrades: Optional paid upgrade from the main room — confirm today’s Aspire tariff
Aster & Thyme Bar and Restaurant (Priority Pass dining)
Main terminal (airside Level 2) · airside
- Priority Pass: Dining credit (£18 off the bill per visit entitlement)
- Day pass: Walk-in dining — pay the full bill
Score summaries
EDI · Solid mid-sized airport with efficient security and good transport links but limited lounge variety and premium pricing on public transit.
NCL · Compact North East hub with an in-terminal Metro, a useful Aspire lounge stack, and daily Emirates long-haul — classic UK regional tradeoffs on food variety and morning leisure peaks.