Some cruise ships anchor off Edinburgh's north shore and tender guests into Newhaven Harbour, a former fishing village next to Leith. It is the closest landing to the city: Edinburgh Castle is roughly 15 to 25 minutes' drive away. Our private Toyota Alphard tours for up to 4 guests start from £350 for 4 hours, port to port.
Part of our Scotland Cruise Shore Excursions
What is it like landing at Newhaven?
Newhaven is a small, historic harbour on the Firth of Forth, just west of Leith. When ships use the Newhaven anchorage, tenders bring guests to the harbour, where your driver meets you. Because it is so close to the centre, you lose little time on the road, which makes a 4-hour city tour very practical. Landing arrangements can change with weather and the ship's plans; we confirm the day before.
Where can you go from Newhaven?
| Package | About | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh city | 4–6 hours | Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Holyrood |
| Edinburgh & Rosslyn Chapel | 5–6 hours | Old Town plus the carved chapel south of the city |
| Kelpies & Stirling Castle | 6 hours | Giant horse-head sculptures, then the royal castle |
| Glenkinchie distillery | 4–5 hours | Lowland whisky tour in East Lothian |
| St Andrews | 6–8 hours | Old Course, cathedral ruins, the Fife coast |
| Loch Lomond | 8 hours | First taste of the Highlands |
Drive times are approximate and depend on traffic; tickets are paid separately.
From Newhaven, the Edinburgh-plus-Rosslyn Chapel day and Glenkinchie distillery are especially efficient because there is no long drive to start.
Send your ship name and date and we will plan around your tender times.
See cruise transfersHow much does it cost?
| Duration (port to port) | Whole vehicle, up to 4 guests |
|---|---|
| 4 hours | from £350 |
| 6 hours | from £450 |
| 8 hours | from £550 |
| Extra hour | £70 |
2027 season prices for a Toyota Alphard with driver, fuel and parking. Time runs from pickup at the port to drop-off back at the port. Attraction tickets are not included. Your final route and price are confirmed in writing.
How does this compare with cruise-line excursions?
Cruise-line private-car excursions in the Forth are typically priced around US$999 to US$1,199 for about 4 hours (a major cruise line's published South Queensferry options). Our 4-hour tour is from £350 for up to 4 guests. Cruise-line tours include the ship-waits guarantee; ours relies on careful timing.
How do you make sure we get back to the ship?
Cruise-line excursions have one real advantage: if their tour runs late, the ship waits. An independent tour does not carry that guarantee, so we manage timing instead. We plan the route around your ship's schedule, keep a time buffer, and return you to the port at least 1 hour before all-aboard time. Please tell us your ship name, date, and whether you tender or berth. Landing points can change with weather, so we confirm the day before.
Send your ship name and date and we will plan around your tender times.
See cruise transfersFrequently asked
How much is a 4-hour tour?
From £350 for the whole Toyota Alphard, up to 4 guests, including driver, fuel and parking. 6 hours is from £450 and 8 hours from £550.
Will the ship wait for us?
No, independent tours have no ship-waits guarantee. We return you to the port at least 1 hour before all-aboard time.
Is Newhaven the same as Leith?
No. Newhaven is a small harbour next door; larger ships tender here, while smaller ships berth at Leith's Ocean Terminal.