Help needed—Edinburgh taxi ranks

[Ineedcoffeenow]

DD has just started at Napier. She’s going to a concert at Edinburgh uni’s student union next week, but she doesn’t have anybody else to go with. She’s talking about going on her own, but I’m worried about her getting back to halls safely. Can anyone give me the location of the nearest taxi rank to the union? She doesn’t know Edinburgh at all (nor do I).

Sorry, if I wasn’t clear. She’s at Edinburgh Napier (staying at Bainfield halls), but the concert is at the student union of Edinburgh University. They share some events during Fresher’s week.

Probably Teviot Place. Black cabs tend to be more expensive than an uber, so she may want to use them instead.

Many thanks. Neither of us have ever used uber (it’s not in our home city). Cost doesn’t matter right now. I’d just be much happier that she knows where to go for a cab.

Uber can be much easier. Black cabs can sometimes be thin on the ground and you don’t always find a queue of cabs at a rank these days. She should really try the uber app. And the buses run pretty late, she should download the Lothian bus app too.

@WhatWouldTheDoctorDo thanks for explaining that. This is all new to me (including the first child to go to uni.!)

Uber is super efficient in Edinburgh.

Buses also run late. But recommend Uber.

I’ve joined the 21st century and downloaded the Uber app. Am I right in thinking that the app can locate where you are to be collected? That would be so much better than DD wandering around.

Yes that’s how it works. The price is agreed ahead of the trip and no cash changes hands. Account will need to be linked to a bank card

Thanks everyone. I’ve suggested to her that she downloads the app and she’s got a card to my credit card account that she can use. I feel much happier if she doesn’t need to wander the streets to find a taxi rank.

Lothian buses are brilliant in Edinburgh and much heaper than a taxi or an uber. Download the My Bus Edinburgh app and it will give you live times for all the buses. For Edin university union to Bainfield halls in Fountainpark, she can take the 35

In the kindest way, maybe you could think about giving your DD a little more scope to spread her wings?

I'm absolutely amazed she doesn't already have Uber, nor can she search on Google maps for a taxi rank or bus route.

Just for some perspective, I'm an Edinburgh local and regularly walk that route late at night/in the small hours. My friends have no qualms at all saying goodnight to me knowing I'm walking home alone along that exact route.

City cabs and central taxis are the two black cab companies in Edinburgh. Both have an app you can book on and pay by card.
Uber pricing is dynamic whereas the black cabs run to metered rates so it can be hit n miss which is cheaper. The black cabs usually give you an estimated fair when you book on the app but it tends to be over estimated in my experience.
the buses and night buses are also excellent

Whenever she’s in an uber she can share her ride with you so you know she’s arrived safely.

Definitely get the Lothian buses app, also most stops have live departure times and it’s much cheaper than getting Ubers everywhere.

Not everywhere has uber, it’s not available in Dundee for example.