Free Edinburgh trams return this Hogmanay to get you home from celebrations in the city centre

Edinburgh Trams has released its festive timetable for the Christmas period 2025 into the New Year of 2026, with trams running throughout the period, except for Christmas Day.

On Hogmanay, Wednesday, December 31, trams will operate a 10-minute service on either side of the closure, between Edinburgh Airport - West End, and Picardy Place - Newhaven.

And, as in previous years, after midnight, all trams will be free so that you can go home safely when you call it a night after seeing in the bells. From midnight until 2am, trams will operate from up to every 10 minutes, then a frequent service until the early hours of New Year's Day.

Normal weekday service will resume on Thursday, January 1, once Princes Street re-opens, with trams running on either side of the closure before that.

Edinburgh Trams will provide a split service between Newhaven and Picardy Place and the West End to Edinburgh Airport free of charge over a two-hour period to help people get home safely.

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Before all that, there will be a normal weekday service on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24, with trams from every seven minutes to help you buy those last-minute presents.

There will be no service on Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25. While from Friday, December 26 until Monday, December 29 normal weekday service resumes, with trams from every seven minutes.

On Tuesday, December 30, there will be a normal weekday service until 5.50pm, when Princes Street closes to prepare for the Hogmanay Street Party. From then until end of service, trams will operate on either side of the closure, between Edinburgh Airport - West End, and Picardy Place - Newhaven.

A spokesperson for Edinburgh Trams said: “As usual, we'll run a normal service on almost every day over the festive period, ensuring that you can glide to festive events, Christmas parties and home for Christmas almost uninterrupted. The exception to this is on Thursday, December 25 when tram services will pause for the day, allowing our staff to enjoy a well-earned break.

“If you’re driving from beyond Edinburgh and heading into the city, park the car at Ingliston Park & Ride, and glide into the city! There's over a thousand free spaces available and it is conveniently located just off the A8 Airport Junction, with trams departing from every seven minutes all month long.”