Parking and travel

At the University of Edinburgh we are dedicated to taking a 'climate conscious' approach to travel to reduce our emissions where we can and encourage travel by foot, bike, or public transport. Please find our travel policy on our sustainability webpages.

Whilst vehicle parking is limited, there is plenty of bike parking available, and the public transport terminus next to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh is nearby.

Directions and travel

On arrival at Edinburgh BioQuarter - enter via Gate 2 onto Little France Drive.  Take right after the second pedestrian crossing.

From the airport, Edinburgh BioQuarter can be reached in approximately 30 minutes by car, traffic dependent.

You can discover the numerous bus routes that arrive at Edinburgh BioQuarter on the Lothian Buses website.

Lothian Buses - BioQuarter parking map

Lothian Buses - Network map

Visitors and contractors

Visitors should note that there is extremely limited public parking on campus, principally comprising the car parks intended for visitors to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Hospital.

All Visitors & Contractors must be pre-registered and parking arranged via the IRR Reception Team in advance. Email: IRR-Reception@ed.ac.uk.

The reception team will confirm your parking request and advise you where to park.

Accessibility and disabled bays

IRR is fully accessible by visitors in wheelchairs or with mobility needs. If you require any reasonable adjustments to be made to facilitate your visit, please let us know prior to your arrival.

Disable bays are available for Blue Badge holders and those with temporary medical needs. This parking can be arranged via the reception team.

Please be courteous and do not use disabled bays if you are not a Blue Badge holder. Overflow parking is available.

Park & Ride facilities

There is free parking at Sheriffhall Park & Ride, just off the A7. Fast and frequent buses (services 33 and 48) connect this site to BioQuarter - the journey time is around 10 minutes.

You can also park at Newcraighall Park & Ride for 50p per 24 hours. Bus services 46 and 48 go from here to BioQuarter.

Lothian Buses Park & Ride

Staff parking

Parking Permit

Staff, students and permanent visitors of IRR, that are unable to travel by public transport and wish to drive to work are required to apply for a University of Edinburgh Parking Permit.

If successful in receiving a parking space you will be advised which car park you are permitted to park in (2C or Plot 2). Please note a parking permit provides you with the right to access your allocated parking area, it does not guarantee a space. Any issue relating to this should be taken up with the parking office.

Out of hours parking

Out of hours parking (weekdays 5:30pm to 8am and weekends) requests can be made via reception.

Vehicles must be moved into regular parking between 8am and 5.30pm.

IRR Staff Parking & Out of Hours Parking Application Form

Emergency parking

Staff and students with emergency parking requirements can arrange for one of our limited spaces via reception. These are for one-off emergencies and are chargable at half-day and full-day rates.

Bikes

You can access our bike sheds using your University PIN number.

Bike repair kits are bookable from reception.

Motorcycling parking

There is no motorcycle parking at IRR Buildings, however there is motorcycle specific parking in Plot 2, in the top right-hand corner. A parking fob is required to gain access to this area, so please provide the IRR Reception team at North with your name and registration details and they will issue you with a fob. Please only park within the motorcycle area.