Car Hire in Edinburgh

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Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Driver's country of residence is United States of America (USA) and age is 30-65
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Cheapest Car Hire Rates

Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station
Mini
Toyota Aygo or comparable
Toyota Aygo
  • 4
  • 1
  • 3
  • A/C
  • Man.
Alamo
£23.33 per day
Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station
Compact Commercial Van/Truck
Citroen Berlingo or comparable
Citroen Berlingo
  • 2
  • 6
  • 4
  • A/C
  • Man.
GreenMotion
£25.34 per day
Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station
Economy
Vauxhall Corsa or comparable
Vauxhall Corsa
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Man.
National
£26.44 per day
Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station
Intermediate SUV
Nissan Qashqai or comparable
Nissan Qashqai
  • 5
  • 3
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Man.
Enterprise
£41.56 per day

Most Popular Car Hire Deals

Edinburgh Leith
Compact Elite
Mercedes Benz A Class or comparable
Mercedes Benz A Class
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Routes Car Rental
£50.59 per day
Edinburgh Sighthill
Premium
Skoda Superb or comparable
Skoda Superb
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
Arnold Clark
£60.98 per day
Edinburgh Airport
Standard SUV
MG HS or comparable
MG HS
  • 5
  • 3
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Man.
Keddy
£61.08 per day
City Centre
Full-size
BMW 3 series or comparable
BMW 3 series
  • 5
  • 2
  • 5
  • A/C
  • Auto.
SIXT
£111.52 per day
These prices are approximate and depend on the dates of the booking, hire length and type of car. This information was last updated at 08:47 on 2024-07-13.

Travel Information

Languages
English
Currency
GBP
Drive on
Left-hand side
Dialing code
+44
Average car hire price
£50 per day
Average car hire length
6 days
Speed limit within city centre
48 km/h or 30 mph
Speed limit out of city centre
96 - 112 km/h or 60 - 70 mph
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.08%
Score
9.2 / 10
Average petrol price
£1.57 per litre or £5.94 per gallon
Lowest petrol price
£1.42 per litre or £5.38 per gallon
Highest petrol price
£1.90 per litre or £7.19 per gallon

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.
Edinburgh

One-way Car Hire in Edinburgh

The most popular one-way car hire options for pick up in Edinburgh and drop off in another city include:

  • From Edinburgh to Glasgow - 327 offers from £25.55 per day
  • From Edinburgh to Inverness - 143 offers from £32.28 per day
  • From Edinburgh to Manchester - 104 offers from £30.75 per day
  • From Edinburgh to Aberdeen - 104 offers from £32.28 per day
  • From Edinburgh to London - 130 offers from £33.21 per day

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

  • Station wagons - starting at £61 per day
  • Large cars - starting at £29 per day
  • Medium cars - starting at £25 per day
  • People Carriers - starting at £77 per day
  • Premium cars - starting at £56 per day
  • Small cars - starting at £23 per day
  • SUVs - starting at £33 per day

Money-saving 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.
This information was written, fact-checked, and/or translated by our content creators.

Learn more about our Editorial Policy.

Top 20 cities near Edinburgh

  1. Dundee starting at £36.70 per day
    62.4 km / 38.8 miles
  2. Glasgow starting at £19.07 per day
    66.7 km / 41.4 miles
  3. Paisley starting at £36.70 per day
    67.4 km / 41.9 miles
  4. Carlisle starting at £16.90 per day
    120.8 km / 75.1 miles
  5. Newcastle starting at £15.60 per day
    146.6 km / 91.1 miles
  6. Aberdeen starting at £18.93 per day
    156.8 km / 97.4 miles
  7. Sunderland starting at £24.90 per day
    170.3 km / 105.8 miles
  8. Inverness starting at £23.25 per day
    181.8 km / 113 miles
  9. Barrow-in-Furness starting at £31.17 per day
    204.9 km / 127.3 miles
  10. Belfast starting at £13.52 per day
    230.3 km / 143.1 miles
  11. Blackpool starting at £31.17 per day
    243.1 km / 151.1 miles
  12. Preston starting at £26.52 per day
    246 km / 152.9 miles
  13. Leeds starting at £19.51 per day
    256.3 km / 159.3 miles
  14. Derry starting at £21.81 per day
    259 km / 160.9 miles
  15. Salford starting at £5.30 per day
    282.4 km / 175.5 miles
  16. Warrington starting at £24.90 per day
    289.3 km / 179.8 miles
  17. Liverpool starting at £17.54 per day
    292.9 km / 182 miles
  18. Manchester starting at £24.81 per day
    297.2 km / 184.7 miles
  19. Holyhead
    304 km / 188.9 miles
  20. Chester starting at £22.42 per day
    307.8 km / 191.3 miles

Top 20 locations near Edinburgh

  1. Edinburgh Airport starting at £25.66 per day
  2. Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station starting at £23.33 per day
    11.5 km / 7.1 miles
  3. Glasgow Airport starting at £19.83 per day
    66.7 km / 41.4 miles
  4. Newcastle Airport starting at £15.60 per day
    146.6 km / 91.1 miles
  5. Aberdeen Airport starting at £18.93 per day
    156.8 km / 97.4 miles
  6. Inverness Airport starting at £23.25 per day
    181.8 km / 113 miles
  7. Belfast City Airport starting at £19.82 per day
    216.8 km / 134.7 miles
  8. Belfast International Airport starting at £13.52 per day
    230.3 km / 143.1 miles
  9. Leeds Bradford Airport starting at £19.51 per day
    256.3 km / 159.3 miles
  10. Derry Airport starting at £21.81 per day
    259 km / 160.9 miles
  11. City Centre starting at £5.30 per day
    282.4 km / 175.5 miles
  12. Liverpool Airport starting at £17.54 per day
    292.9 km / 182 miles
  13. Manchester Airport starting at £24.81 per day
    297.2 km / 184.7 miles
  14. Holyhead Port
    304 km / 188.9 miles
  15. East Midlands Airport starting at £19.42 per day
    371.2 km / 230.7 miles
  16. Birmingham Airport starting at £19.52 per day
    402.8 km / 250.3 miles
  17. Luton Airport starting at £15.53 per day
    493.9 km / 306.9 miles
  18. Bristol Temple Meads Railway Station starting at £28.89 per day
    503.1 km / 312.6 miles
  19. Cardiff Airport starting at £27.96 per day
    506.3 km / 314.6 miles
  20. Bristol Airport starting at £23.14 per day
    509.7 km / 316.7 miles

Map of Car Hire Destinations

In which month is car hire in Edinburgh the most affordable?

According to our data, prices for hiring a car in Edinburgh fluctuate depending on the time of year. This graph displays the average hire prices in each month in order to help you find the best bargain.
Average price for hiring a car per day in Edinburgh
£28.57
January
£27.72
February
£41.30
March
£45.15
April
£58.08
May
£53.79
June
£68.89
July
£70.09
August
£46.57
September
£41.19
October
£29.82
November
£43.08
December
The best month to hire a car in Edinburgh is February (when the average price is £27.72 per day). This is 40% less than the yearly average and 60% less than hiring in August (when the average price is £70.09).

This information can help you determine the low season. But note that these prices are only averages. The cost of your car hire is determined by the type of car you select, the length of time you hire it for, and how much in advance you book. Simply select your dates in the form at the top of the page to find out the exact prices.

What's the usual period for which people keep their hire cars, on average, in Edinburgh?

Car hire lengths vary from month to month: in July, the average hirer keeps their car for 8 days, and in January, they keep their car for 5 days.
Average number of hire days in Edinburgh
5
January
5
February
6
March
6
April
6
May
7
June
8
July
7
August
7
September
5
October
5
November
6
December

What is the most favoured month for hiring a car in Edinburgh?

Given the number of searches made by our customers, the most popular month for hiring a car in Edinburgh is August, and the least popular is January.
Popularity of Car Hire in Edinburgh by Monthly Searches
38%
January
39%
February
61%
March
89%
April
125%
May
104%
June
146%
July
202%
August
149%
September
136%
October
53%
November
57%
December

Car hire information

Car hire locations 8
Airport locations 1
Popular suppliers Drivalia, Arnold Clark, Alamo, GreenMotion, Enterprise
Popular car categories Small cars, Medium cars, SUVs, People Carriers
Lowest price £23 per day
Cheapest supplier Alamo

Most popular car models of suppliers

Hire Agency Model Doors Luggage Type
Drivalia Volkswagen Polo 5 1 Small cars
Drivalia Fiat 500 3 1 Small cars
Drivalia Renault Captur 5 2 Medium cars
Arnold Clark Ford Fiesta 5 2 Small cars
Arnold Clark Peugeot 3008 5 3 SUVs
Arnold Clark Kia Ceed 5 2 Medium cars
Arnold Clark Mercedes Benz Vito 5 3 People Carriers
Alamo Nissan Juke 5 2 SUVs
GreenMotion Kia Rio 5 1 Small cars
Alamo Nissan Qashqai 5 3 SUVs

Our customers' reviews

Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have the option to post a review here. Instead, we ask each and every customer to leave a review after they return their rental car. This way, you know that all reviews are authentic.

United Kingdom
Volkswagen Polo
17 April 2024
Visiting family mainly but loved visiting St Andrews as always
United Kingdom
Ford Fiesta
3 February 2024
Returned to Scotland to sell home which is stressful enough.
United Kingdom
Ford Fiesta
28 October 2023
I had to come back to Scotland to attend a funeral and it meant I was able to catch up with all my family and spend time with people I love
United Kingdom
Kia Picanto
21 September 2023
Great Service
New Zealand
Vauxhall Astra
18 August 2023
Wonderful Scotland. What more can you say?
Canada
Vauxhall Corsa
15 August 2023
From beginning to end from Edinburgh to Inverness such amazing beauty.
United States of America (USA)
Ford Focus
8 June 2023
Drove to Isle of Skye with its crappy roads but beautiful scenery. Also drove th North Coast 500.
United Kingdom
Vauxhall Astra
3 June 2023
Used car to visit Ben Nevis and surrounding areas.
customer photo
United States of America (USA)
Peugeot 3008
20 November 2022
If you're traveling from abroad and is used to driving on the left side- the best thing to remember driving on the right side is to pay attention to the line in the center on the road not the side ones- if you keep an eye on the side lane I can assure you that an accident is very likely to happen. Scotland is truly a gem! On another note- Arnold Clark is the only car rental I'll ever use in Edinburgh and around the UK. They're the cheapest, have the best cars and very nice customer service.
United Kingdom
Fiat 500
26 February 2022
Waiting time when I picked up the car ( i couldn't open the park gate because I didn't have the ticket to leave the park). I called the park assistant and told me the easyar worn brake discs and windshield rubbers
United Kingdom
Toyota Yaris
13 August 2021
Driving around Highlands - most scenic trip ever. Loved it.! Great views, no traffic and lots of free car parks.
United Kingdom
Vauxhall Astra
7 July 2021
Very well managed and simple
United Kingdom
Renault Kadjar
9 June 2021
We rented a car to have more luggage space for our staycation and would do that again
× Full Size Image

Car Hire Statistics

Highest-rated company
Arnold Clark
9.3 / 10
)
Lowest-rated company
GreenMotion
6.6 / 10
)
Total number of reviews
141
Total rental companies
14
Average daily price
£50.11
Lowest daily price
£23.33
Total cars available
845

Top 14 suppliers in Edinburgh in 2024

Arnold Clark
Arnold Clark
Exceptional 9.3 / 503 reviews
3 locations
£37 - £205
Enterprise
Enterprise
Exceptional 9 / 214 reviews
5 locations
£27 - £411
Alamo
Alamo
Very good 8.9 / 319 reviews
3 locations
£23 - £403
Avis
Avis
Very good 8.5 / 53 reviews
4 locations
£55 - £211
Hertz
Hertz
Very good 8.4 / 50 reviews
1 location
£59 - £91
National
National
Very good 8.4 / 47 reviews
3 locations
£24 - £440
Keddy
Keddy
Very good 8.2 / 105 reviews
1 location
£44 - £61
Europcar
Europcar
Good 7.9 / 56 reviews
2 locations
£53 - £137
Budget
Budget
Good 7.9 / 12 reviews
3 locations
£59 - £227
Dollar
Dollar
Good 7.7 / 1 review
1 location
£56 - £87
Drivalia
Drivalia
Good 7.6 / 338 reviews
2 locations
£284 - £634
SIXT
SIXT
Good 7.5 / 62 reviews
4 locations
£83 - £290
Routes Car Rental
Routes Car Rental
Good 7.3 / 3 reviews
3 locations
£36 - £90
GreenMotion
GreenMotion
Satisfactory 6.6 / 352 reviews
2 locations
£25 - £264
Why book with us?
Special offers
As a market leader (see SimilarWeb), we get special offers like contactless pick-ups, great prices, and free upgrades.
Award-winning
World's Leading Car Rental Booking Website in the World Travel Tech Awards (4 years in a row).
Highly-rated
A combined rating of 4.5 with 150k+ total reviews on platforms like Trustpilot, Google, and Review Center.
4M users
Have already booked on one of the fastest-growing car rental booking websites.

Our clients highly recommend us

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Edinburgh

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Driver's country of residence is United States of America (USA) and age is 30-65
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