---
type: Airport Family Guide
title: "Edinburgh Airport (EDI) with Kids: Every Family Facility, Mapped"
description: EDI has a Family Lane for under-12s, a lockable nursing room and family washroom at Gate 21, and 2-litre liquids. Verified Oct 2026.
resource: https://www.velivolotravel.com/family-airport-guide/edinburgh-airport-edi
tags: [airport, family, travel, EDI, european]
timestamp: 2026-10-30
---

# Edinburgh Airport (EDI) with Kids: Every Family Facility, Mapped

**Short answer:** Edinburgh Airport has a dedicated Family Lane at security for children under 12, a lockable nursing room near Gate 21, a family washroom at Gate 21 and five restaurants with kids' menus. It publishes no children's play area, sensory room, buggy rental or family lounge, and liquid containers up to 2 litres can stay in your bag.

**Velivolo family score:** 5.5/10 (Fair)

Edinburgh is a compact, single-terminal airport whose strongest family feature is security: a dedicated Family Lane for children under 12, quiet screening for sleeping babies and liquids that stay in your bag. Feeding and changing are concentrated at Gate 21. There is no published play area or sensory room, so bring entertainment.

## Quick facts

- Edinburgh's Family Lane is for anyone travelling with children under 12.
- Children taller than 1m stand in the security scanner; children under 1m are checked by an officer.
- Liquid containers up to 2 litres can stay in your bag at Edinburgh security.
- Edinburgh's nursing room near Gate 21 is lockable, and a family washroom sits at the same gate.
- Giraffe, Burger King, JD Wetherspoon, Forth & Main and Icons Sports Bar + Kitchen all have kids' menus.

## Facility matrix

| Facility | Status | Terminals | Security side | Hours | Age limit | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Children's play area | unconfirmed | n/a | unknown | n/a | n/a | unknown |
| Nursing room / lactation pod | available | Gate 21 | post-security | Not published | n/a | free |
| Family / companion care restroom | available | Gate 21 | post-security | Not published | n/a | free |
| Baby changing table | available | Departure lounge washrooms | post-security | Terminal hours | n/a | free |
| Sensory room | unconfirmed | n/a | unknown | n/a | n/a | unknown |
| Family security lane | available | Security Hall | pre-security | Not published | Travelling with children under 12 | free |
| Stroller rental | unconfirmed | n/a | unknown | n/a | n/a | unknown |
| Dedicated family lounge | unconfirmed | n/a | unknown | n/a | n/a | unknown |

## Nursing rooms

| Name | Location | Security side | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing room near Gate 21 | Main terminal · Near Gate 21 | post-security | Walk in and lock the door. Edinburgh also says breastfeeding is welcome throughout the terminal, so you do not have to use the room. | https://www.edinburghairport.com/prepare/services-and-facilities/family-facilities |

## Family restrooms

| Name | Location | Security side | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family washroom at Gate 21 | Main terminal · Gate 21 | post-security |  | https://www.edinburghairport.com/prepare/services-and-facilities/family-facilities |
| Baby changing and children's cubicles in departure lounge washrooms | Main terminal | post-security |  | https://www.edinburghairport.com/prepare/services-and-facilities/family-facilities |

## Security with children

- **Family lane:** Edinburgh runs a dedicated Family Lane for travellers with children under 12. Children taller than 1m are asked to stand still for a moment in the security scanner, and children under 1m are checked by an officer. Teddies and dolls are screened rather than taken away.
- **Strollers and car seats:** If arranged in advance with your airline, you can take a pram or buggy through security and hand it to airline staff at the gate, where airlines take it as you board. Sleeping children can stay in their pram during screening, which staff carry out quietly.
- **Formula, milk and baby food:** Liquids and electricals can stay in your bag at Edinburgh, and containers can hold up to 2 litres each. Under UK rules, baby food, formula, cow's milk and sterilised water are allowed in hand luggage when your baby travels with you, and breast milk is allowed with or without your baby in containers up to 2,000ml. Frozen breast milk must go in the hold.
- **Shoes:** Edinburgh Airport publishes no shoe rule for children. Jackets and belts go in the tray.
- **PreCheck:** The UK has no TSA PreCheck equivalent. Edinburgh sells fastTRACK security, open daily, and everyone in your group needs a ticket or booking regardless of age.
- Source: https://www.edinburghairport.com/prepare/services-and-facilities/family-facilities

## Getting between terminals

Edinburgh is a single-terminal airport, so there are no terminal transfers to plan. After the Security Hall you reach the departure lounge, where the shops sell nappies, formula, toys and books, and the family facilities are grouped at Gate 21: a lockable nursing room and a family washroom. Water refill stations are near Gates 12 and 5, with more planned. Check-in generally opens about two hours before departure, and some airlines open earlier.
- Source: https://www.edinburghairport.com/prepare/services-and-facilities/family-facilities

## Layover plans

### 1 to 2 hours — Short wait: Family Lane, then Gate 21

1. Use the Family Lane at security if you have children under 12.
2. Keep liquids and electricals in your bag.
3. Go straight to Gate 21 if you need the nursing room or family washroom.

### 3 to 5 hours — Longer wait: plan your own entertainment and a sit-down meal

1. Edinburgh publishes no play area, so pack activities or buy toys and books in the departure lounge.
2. Pick a restaurant with a kids' menu such as Giraffe or Forth & Main.
3. Refill water bottles near Gates 12 or 5.

### Planning ahead — Child with additional needs: prepare before the day

1. Collect a Sunflower lanyard at Special Assistance reception or the Security Hall if it helps.
2. Download My Airport Journey to talk your child through each step.
3. Book a familiarisation tour in advance if your child needs to see the airport first.

## Your rights

- **Lactation:** We could not confirm a UK statute requiring airports to provide lactation rooms. Edinburgh Airport provides a lockable nursing room near Gate 21 and says breastfeeding is welcome throughout the terminal.
- **Changing tables:** No UK statute on airport changing tables is confirmed here. Edinburgh says many of its departure lounge washrooms have baby changing facilities or children's cubicles, plus a family washroom at Gate 21.
- **Liquids:** UK rules allow enough baby food, baby milk and sterilised water for the journey in hand luggage when you travel with your baby. Breast milk is allowed with or without your baby in containers up to 2,000ml, and cooling gel or ice packs are allowed. Frozen breast milk is hold luggage only.
- **Boarding:** Priority boarding for families is set by your airline. Edinburgh notes that many airlines board families first, so listen for announcements.
- **If it is missing:** Ask a member of Edinburgh Airport staff, or go to the Special Assistance reception, which also hands out Sunflower lanyards.
- Source: https://www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions/baby-food-and-baby-milk

## FAQ

### Does Edinburgh Airport have a family security lane?

Yes. Edinburgh runs a dedicated Family Lane at security for anyone travelling with children under 12. Children taller than 1m are asked to stand still for a moment in the security scanner, while children under 1m get a check from a security officer instead. Teddies and dolls are screened rather than taken away, and a sleeping child can stay in the pram while staff carry out the check quietly. Liquids and electricals can now stay in your bag, which makes the trays quicker to pack.

### Is there a nursing room at Edinburgh Airport?

Yes. Edinburgh has a lockable nursing room near Gate 21 in the departure lounge, after security. It is the only dedicated nursing room the airport lists, so if your gate is at the other end, plan a stop there before you walk down. Edinburgh also says breastfeeding is welcome anywhere in the terminal, so you do not have to use the room. The airport does not publish opening hours for it, so treat it as available whenever the departure lounge is open.

### Does Edinburgh Airport have a family restroom?

Yes. There is a family washroom at Gate 21, beside the nursing room, which Edinburgh describes as ideal for keeping everyone together. Beyond that, many departure lounge washrooms have baby changing facilities or dedicated children's cubicles, though the airport does not list which ones. If you need a changing space close to your gate, ask a member of staff, or plan a stop at Gate 21 on your way through the departure lounge before boarding is called. The family washroom is the only one Edinburgh names, so it is worth knowing where Gate 21 is before you need it.

### Is there a play area at Edinburgh Airport?

Edinburgh Airport's family facilities page does not mention a children's play area, so we have marked it unconfirmed rather than absent. Plan to bring your own entertainment. The departure lounge shops sell toys and books as well as nappies and formula, which helps if you run out. Several restaurants offer kids' menus, including Giraffe, Burger King, JD Wetherspoon, Forth & Main and Icons Sports Bar + Kitchen, so a sit-down meal is a good way to fill time. Water refill stations near Gates 12 and 5 are handy for keeping everyone topped up.

### How much liquid can I take through Edinburgh Airport security?

Edinburgh has lifted the old 100ml limit. Each liquid container can hold up to 2 litres, you can carry several containers, and liquids and electricals can stay in your bag during screening. For babies, UK rules allow enough baby food, baby milk and sterilised water for the journey when your baby travels with you, and breast milk in containers up to 2,000ml with or without your baby. Remember that rules may be stricter at the airport you fly home from.

### Can I take my buggy to the gate at Edinburgh?

Yes, if you arrange it in advance with your airline. Edinburgh says you can take your pram or buggy through security and hand it to airline staff at the gate, and airlines take buggies from you as you board. A sleeping child can stay in the pram during screening, which staff do quietly. Check your airline's own rules on buggy size before you travel. Edinburgh does not mention buggy rental, so bring your own if your child still needs one in the terminal.

### Does Edinburgh Airport have a sensory room?

Edinburgh does not publish one. Its support for children with additional needs includes a free Sunflower lanyard, collected on your travel date from the Special Assistance reception or the Security Hall, familiarisation tours you can book by email, and a downloadable social story called My Airport Journey that walks children through each step. Edinburgh says it is especially useful for passengers on the autism spectrum, so it is worth reading together before you leave home. You can also wear the lanyard through security to let staff know your child may need a little extra time.

### Which restaurants at Edinburgh Airport have kids' menus?

Edinburgh lists five restaurants with kids' menus: Giraffe, Burger King, JD Wetherspoon, Forth & Main and Icons Sports Bar + Kitchen. Its family page does not give their exact locations, so check the airport's restaurant listings before you go through security. Water refill stations are near Gates 12 and 5, and the departure lounge shops sell formula and baby food if you need to top up. Many airlines board families first, so listen for announcements while you eat. Kids' menus at the listed restaurants make it easier to find something familiar before a flight.

### When should we arrive at Edinburgh Airport with kids?

Edinburgh says check-in generally opens about two hours before departure, though some airlines open earlier, so check your airline's times. With children, use that window to drop bags, go through the Family Lane and settle in the departure lounge. If you want a quicker route, fastTRACK security is open daily, but everyone in your group needs a ticket or booking regardless of age, and the time you book is when you expect to pass through security. Allow extra time if you are checking a buggy or travelling with more than one small child.

## Related airports

- [London (LHR)](https://www.velivolotravel.com/okf/airports/london-heathrow-airport-lhr.md) — The UK hub many Edinburgh families connect through for long-haul trips.
- [Dublin (DUB)](https://www.velivolotravel.com/okf/airports/dublin-airport-dub.md) — A nearby alternative with play corners on every pier and two bookable sensory rooms.
- [Amsterdam (AMS)](https://www.velivolotravel.com/okf/airports/amsterdam-airport-schiphol-ams.md) — A major European connection point from Edinburgh.
- [Paris (CDG)](https://www.velivolotravel.com/okf/airports/paris-charles-de-gaulle-airport-cdg.md) — Another European hub often used for onward connections.

## Sources

- [Edinburgh Airport: Family facilities (2026)](https://www.edinburghairport.com/prepare/services-and-facilities/family-facilities) — Family Lane, Gate 21 nursing room and family washroom, kids' menus
- [Edinburgh Airport: Airport security (2026)](https://www.edinburghairport.com/prepare/airport-security) — 2-litre liquid containers, liquids and electricals stay in bag, fastTRACK
- [Edinburgh Airport: Travelling with additional needs (2026)](https://www.edinburghairport.com/prepare/travelling-with-additional-needs) — Sunflower lanyard, familiarisation tours, My Airport Journey
- [GOV.UK: Hand luggage restrictions, baby food and baby milk (2026)](https://www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions/baby-food-and-baby-milk) — UK rules on baby food, formula and breast milk in hand luggage

**Last checked:** 2026-10-30