Taylor Swift Edinburgh: What Swifties need to know ahead of Murrayfield Eras Tour gigs - from transport to city's hidden gems

As an Edinburgh resident myself, I’ve taken the opportunities to give some of my recommendations to enjoy the city to its fullest during your visit for the Eras Tour. Here’s everything you need to know if you’re heading to the east coast of Scotland this weekend.

Transport to the gig

Getting in and around Edinburgh will be busy as the Era Tour rolls into town, but luckily for fans, the city is well-linked with its transport. The best way to get to Murrayfield Stadium, located to the west of the city, from Edinburgh’s famous Princes Street in the centre is using the trams with this journey taking only 12 minutes. 

While it is likely to be incredibly busy over the weekend, trams will be running every seven minutes all the way from the north edge of the city in Newhaven and also in the opposite direction, beginning at Edinburgh Airport. Murrayfield has its own dedicated tram stop, meaning that those opting for the tram have almost literally a hop, skip and a jump to the stadium’s entrance.

Additional services are being laid on by Edinburgh Trams especially for Swifties, with the last service leaving at 1am each night the concert is on. For those driving into Edinburgh for the gigs, you can also Park & Ride at Ingliston for free and jump on a tram running into the city. 

All tram users are warned to buy their ticket either online in advance or take a chance of buying at terminals found at all stations which may be busy on the day. If you have a Ridacard, you can load a ticket but this must be validated before travel. If you board a tram without a ticket or without validating your Ridacard, you risk a £10 on-board fare regardless of your journey (which I’ve almost been caught out by on occasion!).

There are Lothian Bus services running throughout the day to get you there in time for the show. If the tram or bus isn’t an option for you, Murrayfield Stadium is well within walking distance of Haymarket train station, with the jaunt taking around 20 minutes. 

Haymarket Station is a great train option for those travelling from across the country with frequent service to and from hubs such as Glasgow. For those not staying in the capital, there are frequent transport options to travel outside the city. 

ScotRail are laying on additional late-night services to make sure Swifties get home safe, with additional services from Edinburgh to Glasgow Queen Street, Dundee, Dunblane and Perth with the last service leaving for Glasgow Queen Street at 12.12am. 

There are also hourly, overnight CityLink bus services running throughout the night to and from Glasgow, as well as shuttle buses from locations across Scotland including Stirling, Dumbarton and Hamilton also available from companies such as Happy Bus although these tend to sell out quickly.

Taylor takes over city centre eateries

Edinburgh is a foodies dream, with restaurants galore both in the city centre. For Swifties looking to continue their Taylor love-in, plenty of bars and restaurants are hosting themed brunches and parties. 

Le Monde Hotel, located just behind Princes Street on George Street, is just one of the city centre establishments celebrating Swift's arrival in the capital with a Taylor Swift karaoke brunch starting at 11am each morning on June 7, 8, and 9. If you can’t find a space at La Monde, other city centre venues such as Hanover Tap, Chanter and Brewhemia are also offering Taylor-themed events. 

Getting out of the Swiftie bubble? 

Every now and then, even Swifties have to escape the madness that rolls into town alongside the Eras Tour and there is no better place for some down time than some of Edinburgh’s hidden gems. One of my favourite places to eat, drink and chill is Portobello, located on the east coast of the city. 

Portobello Tap and Foresters Guild is great for a relaxed drink, while the famed pizzeria Civerinos has a restaurant on the promenade. Civerinos is one of Edinburgh’s crown jewels for foodies offering up New York-style pizzas. While the Hunter Square location beside the university is likely to be busy as it’s slap-bang in the heart of tourist town, the Portobello location offers a more relaxed atmosphere, and stunning views if you’re lucky with the weather. 

Further north into Leith, there are some great options for food and drink at The Shore, which feels a world away from the madness of the city centre but only takes 15 minutes to reach on the tram. Teuchters Landing has fabulous Scottish food and an array of delicious local beers on tap. Domenicos has tasty Italian food down by The Shore, while those looking for a more formal dining experience can look towards The Ship On The Shore. 

Edinburgh is obviously not short on iconic landmarks and must-see attractions. If the reliably unreliable Scottish weather holds up and you’re up for a bit of a hike, I’d recommend climbing Arthur’s Seat for the most stunning panoramic views of the entire city. If the weather doesn’t hold up, there are plenty of museums and attractions for a quiet moment away from the chaos. I’d recommend Camera Obscura for a fun illusion-filled visit, which also has panoramic views if you don’t fancy the Arthur’s Seat hike.

For more of a traditional Edinburgh experience, the Grassmarket just off the Royal Mile is a dream, home to iconic Edinburgh institutions such as Armstrongs Vintage store and Mary’s Milk Bar for a sweet treat. Littered with both smaller and bigger traditional pubs, Old Town House, which is hard to miss with its cascading florals outside, is great for views of the Castle from its beer garden.