Premier Inn Edinburgh Airport M9 Jct1: Reviews, Distance & Costs

Planning an early morning flight from Edinburgh Airport on a budget means finding a hotel that balances cost with convenience. The Premier Inn Edinburgh Airport (M9, Jct1) is one of the closest budget options to the terminal, sitting approximately 1.7–2.2 km from the airport by road, but its lack of a free shuttle and chargeable parking means the real value depends entirely on how you get there. This guide breaks down the verified distances, breakfast policies, taxi costs, and recurring guest feedback to help you decide if this stopover works for your travel plans.

Last checked: 2026-07-21

Location: 7-minute drive from Edinburgh Airport · Star rating: 3-star · Check-in time: 15:00 · Restaurant: On-site restaurant with breakfast buffet · Parking: On-site, £7 per night · Family rooms: Available (single to family rooms with pull-out beds)

How far is the Premier Inn Edinburgh from the airport?

The Premier Inn Edinburgh Airport (M9, Jct1) is located at 5 Hallbarns Crescent, Newbridge, EH28 8TH, approximately 1.7–2.2 km from Edinburgh Airport by road, according to Skyscanner and Kayak. The hotel’s own website markets it as around a 15-minute drive from the main terminal.

Driving distance and time

The straight-line distance is less than a mile, but the road route via the M9/A8 adds approximately 1.5 miles. Under normal traffic conditions, the drive takes roughly 7 minutes. The hotel is positioned next to the M9 at Junction 1, which can mean faster road access than some city-centre alternatives but also potential noise from the motorway.

Taxi cost from the hotel to Edinburgh Airport

Guest reports on a TripAdvisor FAQ suggest typical taxi fares between the hotel and Edinburgh Airport of around £18–£20 one way, described as about a 20-minute journey via the M8/M9. A taxi transfer operator, Gojo Scotland, markets fixed-price transfers on this route as a 13 km, 25–35 minute drive, though this likely allows for congestion at peak times. A guest report on TripAdvisor states the hotel recommends a local firm called All The Fours Inc.

Free shuttle availability at Edinburgh Airport

Edinburgh Airport does not operate a free shuttle to nearby hotels. The Premier Inn itself does not provide a complimentary shuttle. However, some third-party parking packages, such as those sold via Purple Parking, include long-stay parking at Secure Airparks with a free 2-minute shuttle to the terminal. This is a separate service from the hotel, not a hotel-run transfer.

On-site parking and plane parking options

On-site parking at the Premier Inn costs approximately £7–£7.50 per night, confirmed by the Premier Inn website. By contrast, third-party packages quote overnight parking at the hotel for as low as £6, with long-stay parking provided separately at Secure Airparks. For guests driving to the airport, the hotel’s parking rate is cheaper than most airport long-stay options, but it requires driving back to the terminal if you’re not booking a package that includes the shuttle.

Can you walk into a Premier Inn for breakfast?

Yes, non-guests can walk into the Premier Inn Edinburgh Airport (M9, Jct1) for breakfast. The hotel’s restaurant, Thyme Bar & Grill, serves a buffet breakfast that is open to the public.

Breakfast policy for non-guests

According to Purple Parking, the breakfast buffet is available to anyone, not just hotel guests. The price is £8.99 per adult, with up to two children under 16 eating free with a paying adult. This policy makes it a reasonable option for travellers staying elsewhere who want a hot meal before heading to the airport.

Breakfast hours at Premier Inn Edinburgh Airport (M9, Jct1)

Breakfast is served from 06:30 to 10:30 on weekdays, and from 07:00 to 11:00 on weekends, per the same source. For early-morning flights, the weekday 06:30 start time is workable for departures after 08:00, but for flights before 07:00 you’ll likely need to skip the buffet and rely on the takeaway option.

Taking food back to your room

Premier Inn policy generally allows guests to take breakfast or other food items back to their room. While this isn’t explicitly listed for this specific property, it’s a standard practice across the chain. If you need to leave very early, the hotel’s 24-hour reception can often provide a takeaway breakfast bag if arranged the night before.

What are common complaints about Premier Inn Edinburgh Airport?

General complaints about Premier Inn properties, as reported by guests on TripAdvisor, include mattress quality, noise, and slow check-in processes. For the Edinburgh Airport M9 Jct1 location specifically, reviewers note clean, generally spacious rooms and friendly staff, but also cite outdated furnishings and occasional noise issues.

General Premier Inn complaints

Across the chain, guests frequently mention inconsistent mattress firmness, the cost of paid Wi-Fi, and variable restaurant quality. These patterns apply to the Edinburgh Airport property as well, though specific reviews for this location don’t flag any single issue as overwhelming.

Specific issues at Edinburgh Airport location

Based on the available TripAdvisor reviews, complaints about noise at the Edinburgh Airport M9 Jct1 property are linked to its proximity to the M9 motorway. Some guests note that rooms facing the motorway can be noisier than those at the back of the hotel. Outdated furnishings are mentioned by several reviewers, which aligns with the property having been built around 2009–2010, per Travel Weekly.

Is there a free shuttle at Edinburgh Airport?

Edinburgh Airport does not operate any free shuttle service for nearby hotels. The only free shuttle options available are those provided by third-party parking operators as part of bundled park-and-fly packages.

Edinburgh Airport shuttle services

The airport offers paid bus and tram services to the city centre. Public buses such as Skylink and Airlink cost around £4.50 one-way for adults, according to Premier Inn. There is no free hotel shuttle run by the airport itself.

Shuttle from Premier Inn to airport

The Premier Inn Edinburgh Airport (M9, Jct1) does not provide a complimentary hotel shuttle. The only way to get a free ride to the terminal is if you book a hotel-plus-parking package through a provider that includes a separate shuttle from their own car park. The Purple Parking package, for example, includes a free 2-minute shuttle from Secure Airparks to the terminal, but this is not a hotel service.

Alternatives in the area

For travellers considering options other than the Premier Inn Edinburgh Airport (M9, Jct1), here are two notable alternatives in the Edinburgh airport corridor:

Premier Inn Edinburgh Park (Airport) – Located at 1 Lochside Court near Edinburgh Park Station, this property is listed around 2.6–5.7 km from the airport and offers better access to tram and train links into the city. It is slightly further from the runway but may suit travellers who prefer public transport connections.

Secure Airparks hotel + parking package – This is not a separate hotel but a bundled option that combines a night at the Premier Inn M9 Jct1 with long-stay parking at Secure Airparks, including the free 2-minute shuttle. It may work out cheaper for drivers than paying for the hotel’s own parking separately.

Sample itinerary: Overnight stop before an early flight

For a typical pre-dawn departure from Edinburgh Airport, here’s a practical timeline using the Premier Inn Edinburgh Airport (M9, Jct1):

21:00 – Arrive and check in. Request a room away from the M9 to reduce noise. 21:30 – Dinner at Thyme Bar & Grill (serving until 22:00). 06:00 – Wake up. 06:15 – Leave the hotel for the airport. 06:20 – Arrive at terminal (taxi £18–£20, or if driving, park and walk to check-in). 06:30 – Security. 07:30 – Boarding.

Note that breakfast does not start until 06:30, so for flights before 08:00 you will not be able to use the buffet. Ask at reception about a takeaway breakfast bag when you check in.

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