Travel Disruption on Princes Street
A section of Princes Street is expected to remain closed into August following a fire at the former Debenhams store in the early hours of 9 July.
Work is continuing to make the building safe while ensuring its historic features are preserved. While timescales are not yet confirmed, these works are expected to take several weeks to complete.
As such, travelling around the city will be disrupted during the August festivals period. Audiences should therefore plan for their journey to take longer and give themselves enough time to travel to or between venues.
This will be the case regardless of whether you are travelling near Princes Street because it is expected that all transport areas and options will be affected by the disruption.
The following information [and map] may help you plan your journey and you should also note that the City of Edinburgh Council has created a set dedicated web pages with all the latest information on the current disruption.
Pedestrians: Pedestrians can still access Princes Street except between Boots and the former Debenhams building (101 - 109 Princes Street). Two options are available when you come to the closed area on Princes Street. You can either travel up on to Rose Street or down into Princes Street Gardens – see the green arrows in the map below - and continue your journey in parallel to Princes Street.
Cyclists: Bicycles are unable to travel along Princes Street from South Charlotte Street and Frederick Street, and cyclists should use alternate routes, such as along George Street or Queen Street.
Buses: Buses are unable to travel along Princes Street from South Charlotte Street and Frederick Street and are being diverted via George Street and Queen Street. The Mound remains open.
Trams: Trams are running between Edinburgh Airport and Shandwick Place only [see yellow marker in map below]. They are unable to travel along Princes Street to Leith or Newhaven. Please note that there are no replacement bus services at Shandwick Place.
Edinburgh Airport: If you are travelling from the Airport to the city centre or east end of Edinburgh, we would advise that you avoid the tram and instead take the Airport Bus [number 100]. This is because trams will only travel to Shandwick Place [see yellow marker in map below] at which point you will have to get off and find alternate transport, whereas buses will travel into the city centre [after a slight diversion].
