Travel Clinic for Leith, Edinburgh

Medically reviewed by Emmanuel Ebube Umezulike, Pharmacist (GPhC 2222671) on 1 October 2026 · Verify on the GPhC register · 4 min read

There is no pharmacy travel clinic branch in Leith itself, so it's worth being upfront: for most people in Leith and Newhaven, the simplest route to a full travel vaccination service is the tram, which runs direct from Newhaven and along Leith Walk to Murrayfield Stadium — no changes, no crossing town by car.

Where can I get travel vaccinations if I live in Leith?

Neither Avante nor Murrayfield Pharmacy has a branch in Leith, so the honest answer is that the closest full-service options are a short journey away. The Edinburgh tram runs directly from Newhaven, through Leith (via stops near the Foot of the Walk) and on through York Place, Princes Street and Haymarket to Murrayfield Stadium, from where Murrayfield Pharmacy and Travel Clinic is a two-minute walk — a single tram journey with no need to change. Brougham Place, in Tollcross, is the other Avante branch worth knowing about if a Murrayfield appointment doesn't fit your day; check the current bus options for that route before you travel, as they vary by time of day.

Is Murrayfield really the easiest option from Leith?

For most journeys, yes, because of the direct tram line. Leith and Newhaven residents don't need to travel into the city centre and change onto a different bus or tram — the same tram that starts near Ocean Terminal and Newhaven runs straight through to Murrayfield Stadium. That makes Murrayfield Pharmacy a realistic option even without a car, and it means the appointment itself, not the journey, is usually the longer part of the trip.

What about visiting friends and relatives (VFR) travel or backpacking trips from Leith?

If you're heading abroad to visit family, or setting off on a longer backpacking trip rather than a standard beach holiday, it's worth saying so when you book, since the advice can differ from a short package trip. NaTHNaC notes that people travelling to visit friends and relatives can be at higher risk of travel-related illness, partly because trips are often longer, staying with the local community rather than in tourist accommodation, and sometimes to more rural areas where it's harder to avoid exposure. If that describes your trip, mention it when you book — the pharmacist will tailor the risk assessment to a longer stay and closer contact with local communities rather than a typical package holiday.

Does the NHS still do travel vaccinations?

Yes. NHS inform confirms that NHS Scotland provides a travel health service, and that diphtheria/polio/tetanus booster, hepatitis A, typhoid and cholera vaccines remain free on the NHS. Yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, tick-borne encephalitis and rabies vaccines are usually chargeable wherever you have them done. At Murrayfield Pharmacy, the same risk assessment applies regardless of which vaccines your trip needs.

How do I get travel vaccines through NHS Scotland?

Your GP practice is no longer the point of contact for a travel health risk assessment; instead, NHS Lothian runs six dedicated travel clinics, bookable online or by calling 0131 537 2823. Demand is high — NHS Lothian states its clinics are "regularly fully booked around 6-8 weeks in advance" (NHS Lothian). If your trip from Leith is sooner than that, a pharmacy appointment at Murrayfield is a practical alternative, with most travellers seen within the same week and some slots held back specifically for people flying soon.

Where is the best place to get travel vaccines when travelling from Leith?

There's no single "best" answer — it depends on your notice and your destination. NHS inform recommends arranging a risk assessment 6 to 8 weeks before travel wherever you go, since some vaccines need more than one dose to build protection. If your trip needs a yellow fever vaccine or the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis some countries ask for at the border, Murrayfield can't provide either, since it is not a designated Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre, as explained by NaTHNaC. Avante Pharmacy and Travel Clinic, a tram or bus journey further into town, is a registered centre (UKYFVC10709) — call ahead to confirm which day yellow fever appointments run.

If you're visiting family abroad or backpacking for several weeks, tell us your full itinerary, including any rural stops — it changes what we'd recommend compared with a standard package holiday. — Emmanuel Ebube Umezulike, pharmacist

Getting here and booking from Leith

The direct tram from Newhaven and Leith Walk to Murrayfield Stadium makes the Murrayfield travel clinic the most straightforward option for most Leith residents; the Haymarket & West End travel clinic area sits roughly halfway along the same tram line if that's a more convenient stop. Anyone whose trip needs cover for typhoid vaccine in Edinburgh or wants a wider view of the options across the city can also see where to get travel vaccinations in Edinburgh. You can book online or call 0131 337 5100.