Christmas 2019 bus times: timetables in Edinburgh over Christmas and the New Year

The festive season can see Scotland's public transport system under more strain than ever before, as people travel to and from the residences of their loved ones.

Bus services can be under even more pressure, as people make short trips in the days following Christmas to make the most of the Boxing Day sales.

But bus drivers and staff need their Christmas holidays too, and often timetables are amended around the holidays to reflect a shorter number of staff behind the wheel.

That can have an affect on your travel plans. But fear not, we've brought together the key Christmas information from Lothian Busses, to help you plan your festive travel itinerary as effectively as possible.

(Photo: Shutterstock)

Lothian Busses’ timetables will be amended on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Christmas Day

Lothian services 3, 7, 8, 16, 22, 26, 30, 34, 37, 44 and 100 will operate, providing customers with links across the city including to the Royal Infirmary and the Western General Hospital.

Lothiancountry will be operating seven services in West Lothian. Special timetables will operate on services 217, 280, 287, X18, X27/X28 and X38.

EastCoastbuses services 106, 113 and 124 will be running in East Lothian.

Boxing Day

There will be increased early morning services, with routes serving retail destinations such as Fort Kinnaird, The Gyle Shopping Centre, Ocean Terminal, Straiton Retail Park and Cameron Toll Shopping Centre.

New Year’s Day

Many services will be available across Edinburgh and the Lothian’s offering connections to key parts of the city.

Lothiancountry will also operate with an increased frequency on service 43, running every 10 to 15 minutes to Queensferry for the ‘Loony Dook.’

For more information on Lothian Busses’ Christmas and New Year plans, go to the website