Car Hire in Edinburgh

Why hire a car in Edinburgh?

The capital of Scotland, Edinburgh is the UK’s second-most visited city (after London) for a reason. In addition to its well-preserved architecture and fairy-tale atmosphere, the city is a cultural and innovation hub and boasts some of the country’s best museums.

Top ways to enter Edinburgh

• Edinburgh Airport. The busiest in Scotland, Edinburgh Airport handles about 15 million travellers annually. A number of low-cost carriers fly here, including easyJet and Ryanair. Edinburgh Airport is about a 30-minute drive from the city centre.
• Glasgow Airports. There are two other international airports near Edinburgh, both nominally serving the neighbouring city of Glasgow. By far the largest of the two, Glasgow Airport is about a 90-minute drive east while the smaller Glasgow-Prestwick Airport, served only by Ryanair, is about 1 hour and 45 minutes away.

Top sights and activities

• Edinburgh Castle. The symbol of Edinburgh and home of the Scottish Crown Jewels, this is arguably the most famous of all the Edinburgh landmarks. The castle was first built more than 1,000 years ago, though the complex has been renovated and expanded over the centuries. Tickets need to be purchased in advance — you can do that on the official website.
• Scottish National Gallery. Another Edinburgh treasure, the National Gallery has a collection of virtually all of the most notable Scottish artists, as well as foreign masters like Botticelli, Gauguin, Cezanne, and many more. As with Edinburgh Castle, you should book your tickets in advance. 
• Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Not just a public green area, but also a centre for the conservation and study of plants, RBGE is home to more than 13,000 floral species (as well as a herbarium of over three million specimens). In addition to plants native to the British Isles, there are many exotic species that can be found in the Palm House and Cryptogamic Garden.

Traffic and parking

• The United Kingdom drives on the left-hand side of the road
• On-street parking is usually heavily restricted. Never park on a white, double yellow or double red line (stopping on motorways and along red lines is illegal).
• There are relatively few parking areas available for city visitors in Edinburgh. Some paid parking spots are available via a pay-and-display system. You can find many of those on this map on the city’s official website. The exact fee will depend on the length of the time you park there, the hour of the day, and the day of the week. It is not a good idea to park without a permit as the fines are quite high and the rules are strictly enforced; sometimes your car might even be towed away. 
• You are not allowed to use your mobile phone while driving unless you use a hands-free system.
• Unless specifically indicated otherwise, the speed limits are 112 km/h (70 mph) on motorways, 112 km/h (70 mph) on dual carriageways, 96 km/h (60 mph) on single carriageways and 48km/h (30 mph) in residential areas and areas with street lighting.
• In Scotland, the legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for both experienced and novice drivers. In the rest of the UK, the legal alcohol limit is 0.08% for both experienced and novice drivers. Exceeding the limit can lead to large fines, a suspended license, or even imprisonment.
• Proof of insurance and the documentation of the car need to be in it whenever you’re driving.
• When driving, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
• The emergency numbers are 999 and 112.

Ideas for day trips

• Leith. Technically a district of Edinburgh, the port area is highly distinct —  it even has its own accent! Naturally, many of the attractions here are sea-related — such as the Trinity House Maritime Museum, the display of the Royal Yacht Britannia, and the scenic waterfront. Leith is immediately to the north of Edinburgh and only a short drive away.
• Glasgow. The largest city of Scotland and sometimes seen as a rival of Edinburgh, Glasgow might not be as historic or picturesque but is definitely a very fun destination. Not that there’s any lack of notable landmarks — Glasgow Cathedral, St. Mungo’s Museum of Religious Life and Art, Kelvingrove Park and Art Gallery, and even Glasgow Necropolis are just a few to mention.  The drive from Edinburgh takes only about an hour and 20 minutes.

Most popular cars

The most hired car in Edinburgh is the Skoda Octavia, followed by the Ford Fiesta and the Vauxhall Corsa. The most popular car types are economy, compact, and intermediate.

Car hire prices in Edinburgh

• Large cars - starting at 17 GBP per day
• Premium cars - starting at 36 GBP per day
• SUVs - starting at 15 GBP per day
• Station wagons - starting at 22 GBP per day
• Small cars - starting at 12 GBP per day
• Medium cars - starting at 13 GBP per day
• People Carriers - starting at 37 GBP per day

Money-saving and other tips

These are some good methods to save money on the car you’ll hire:

• Compare rates of different car hire providers
• Book your vehicle well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Edinburgh is the cheapest in October.