Where do cruise ships dock in Edinburgh?

Larger ships anchor off South Queensferry and use tenders. Smaller ships can berth at Leith or Rosyth. Check your cruise documents for your exact port.

How far is Greenock from Glasgow?

About 25 miles, usually 35 to 45 minutes by car.

Can I see Loch Ness from Invergordon?

Yes. Loch Ness is a little over an hour's drive from Invergordon, which leaves time for a visit and the drive back on most port days.

Do you offer transfers from the cruise port to the airport?

Yes. We run transfers from all of Scotland's main cruise ports to Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness airports, with fixed fares agreed in advance.

Where does my driver meet me at Rosyth cruise terminal?

Inside the terminal building at the passenger exit, holding a Cabslink name board.

Edinburgh & Glasgow Cruise Transfers

Cruise ships calling at Edinburgh and Glasgow don't actually dock in either city centre. Depending on your ship, you might arrive by tender at South Queensferry, tie up at Leith or Rosyth, or berth at Greenock on the Clyde. If you're a passenger planning a shore day, or joining or leaving a ship at the start or end of a holiday, knowing which port you're using is the first thing to sort out.

This guide covers each port, how far it is from the city and the airports, and your options for shore excursions and transfers.

Edinburgh's cruise ports

South Queensferry (tender port)

Larger ships anchor in the Firth of Forth near the Forth bridges, and passengers come ashore by tender boat at South Queensferry. It's a lovely spot, right below the Forth Bridge, but it's about 10 miles from central Edinburgh.

To Edinburgh city centre: 30 to 40 minutes by car
To Edinburgh Airport: about 15 minutes
Good for: shore days in Edinburgh, trips to the Kelpies, Stirling or the Fife coast

Tender times depend on the sea and the ship's schedule, so leave generous time for getting back. Missing the last tender is not a mistake you want to make.

Port of Leith

Some smaller ships berth at Leith, Edinburgh's port, a couple of miles north of the city centre. It's the closest port to the city.

To Edinburgh city centre: 15 to 20 minutes
To Edinburgh Airport: 30 to 40 minutes
Good for: a short city day, the Royal Yacht Britannia (which is moored in Leith), and seafood restaurants on the Shore

Rosyth

Rosyth is on the Fife side of the Forth, near the Queensferry Crossing, and is used for some cruise calls.

To Edinburgh city centre: 30 to 45 minutes
To Edinburgh Airport: about 20 minutes
To St Andrews: about 1 hour
Good for: Edinburgh, St Andrews, or Fife villages such as Culross

Glasgow's cruise port

Greenock

Ships serving Glasgow berth at the Greenock Ocean Terminal on the Firth of Clyde, about 25 miles west of Glasgow.

To Glasgow city centre: 35 to 45 minutes
To Glasgow Airport: about 25 minutes
To Loch Lomond: about 45 minutes
To Edinburgh: about 1 hour 30 minutes
Good for: Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, Glasgow city, or a longer day to Stirling Castle

The Highlands port: Invergordon

Invergordon, on the Cromarty Firth north of Inverness, is the port for Highland shore excursions. It's about 45 minutes from Inverness and a little over an hour from Loch Ness, which makes it the port of choice for a Loch Ness day.

Cruise transfer prices

Guide fares from Edinburgh Airport, per vehicle:

Cruise port	Saloon	MPV	Eight-seater van
South Queensferry	£54	£80	£107
Port of Leith	£40	£52	£96
Rosyth	£59	£84	£122

Private shore-day tours with a driver start from £400 for an eight-hour day in a saloon. Fares were checked in October 2026, and your exact price is shown on the booking page before you pay.

Shore excursion or private car?

Ship excursions are easy to book, but they're usually on a full coach with a fixed timetable. A private car suits:

families and small groups who want to go at their own pace
people with limited mobility who need door-to-door transport (a wheelchair-accessible vehicle is available on request)
anyone who wants to see a place that isn't on the ship's excursion list

We plan private shore days around the ship's all-aboard time, with a buffer for traffic. Popular options include Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town, the Kelpies and Falkirk Wheel, Stirling and Doune castles, Loch Lomond, and St Andrews. See our Falkirk Icons half day and Loch Lomond & Trossachs Explorer for ideas.

Embarkation and disembarkation transfers

If your cruise starts or ends in Scotland, you'll need to get between the port and the airport, a hotel or a railway station. Some tips:

Check the exact port first. Your cruise line will confirm it, usually in your final documents. "Edinburgh" could mean any of three places.
Allow plenty of time after disembarkation. It can take an hour or more for everyone to get off with their luggage, so don't book a flight too early.
Tell us about luggage. Cruise luggage is usually bulkier than airport luggage. We'll match the vehicle to your bags.
Group bookings. Sharing an eight-seat van or, on request, a 16-seat minibus with friends from the ship often works out better than several taxis.

At cruise ports you get 30 minutes of free waiting from your booked time. Full details are in our booking policy.

See our cruise port pages for South Queensferry, Port of Leith and Greenock, or book your cruise transfer.

Cruise Transfers from Edinburgh & Glasgow