Travel & Transport

The main hub for buses is at the front (east side) of the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, with bus stops on Little France Crescent, near the RHCYP and on Old Dalkeith Road for buses going into Edinburgh.

There is a live bus timetable located on both entrances to the hospital.

Lothian Buses has several services that can bring you to the RHCYP, including route numbers 7, 8, 21, 24 and 38.  For further information on bus services and travel information, bus trackers are in place on-site or see http://lothianbuses.com/timetables-and-maps/route-maps Opens in new window

The taxi drop off rank is located on the approach to the Hospital Square, adjacent to the Anne Rowling Centre.  To protect access for emergency vehicles, parking on site is restricted to car parks and marked drop off zones only.   The speed limit around the campus site is 20mph.

A drop-off zone for the children’s Emergency Department at the RHCYP is available – please follow the signs through the hospital campus.  A second drop off zone is located at Hospital Square, opposite the taxi rank.  Please do not block access for emergency vehicles by parking or waiting outside of these areas.

Car park 1B is for patients, families and visitors to the RHCYP, with access via Gate 1 from the A7 (Old Dalkeith Road).  Parking stewards will be available to help families and to make sure visitors are using the most suitable car park.  Parking for patients and visitors is currently free of charge.  Families needing close proximity parking (for example children with disabilities or those reliant on medical equipment) can pre-book a space, if one is available.  Details can be found on the tab below.

There are 112 disabled spaces across the site.  Such spaces are appropriately marked and are specifically reserved for use by blue badge holders.

The RHCYP has three close-proximity car parks for certain eligible patients and their families. Car parks 1A and 1D are barrier-controlled with number plate recognition and can be pre-booked under certain circumstances for families with a clinical need to park close to the hospital entrance. This includes patients that meet the following criteria:

• Wheelchair users and those with severe mobility problems
• Severe sight impairments
• Children dependent on medical equipment
• Patients assessed by their clinical team as needing closer access.

Spaces are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. When booking you will be asked about your eligibility for close-proximity parking and given a specific time slot, depending on your appointment time and type. To make a booking please call 0131 537 3333 (option 5) 24-hours before you are due to attend. Lines are open 24 hours a day. You will need details of your child’s appointment and your car registration number at the time of booking. The close-proximity parking area is regularly monitored by CCTV and by car park stewards to make sure that it is being used by those families that need it most. Thank you for your cooperation.

If you are caring for a child with a long-term hospital admission or frequent visits, help with your transport costs (including parking) might be available.  Please ask on your ward, or visit the Family Support Hub on the ground floor.