Car Hire in Edinburgh
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Cheapest Car Hire Rates
Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station Car Hire
Mini
Fiat 500
or comparable
£ 12.21
per day
Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station Car Hire
Economy
Kia Rio
or comparable
£ 18.51
per day
Edinburgh Airport Car Hire
Compact
Ford Focus
or comparable
£ 33.87
per day
Edinburgh Airport Car Hire
Intermediate
Nissan Qashqai
or comparable
£ 41.94
per day
Most Popular Car Hire Deals
City Centre Car Hire
Standard
Vauxhall Insignia
or comparable
£ 55.80
/ per day
Edinburgh Sighthill Car Hire
Premium
Skoda Superb
or comparable
£ 66.50
/ per day
Edinburgh Airport Car Hire
Full-size
BMW 3 series Aut.
or comparable
£ 74.13
/ per day
Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station Car Hire
Compact Elite
Mercedes A Class
or comparable
£ 78.47
/ 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 21:05 on 2023-01-31.
Why book with us?
Special offers
We get special offers like contactless pick-ups, great prices, and free upgrades due to being a market leader (see SimilarWeb).
Award-winning
World's Leading Car Rental Booking Website in the World Travel Tech Awards (3 years in a row).
Highly-rated
A combined rating of 4.5 with 90k 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.
Awards
World Travel Tech Awards - World's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2022
World Travel Tech Awards - World's Best Car Rental Booking App 2022
Magellan Awards Gold Winner 2022
Travel & Hospitality Awards 2021
FT 1000: Europes Fastest Growing Companies - Top 100 Companies 2021
FT 1000: Europe's Fastest Growing Companies - Top 100 Companies 2020
Uzakrota Travel Awards - World’s Leading Car Rental Website 2022
Inc. 5000 Europe - Top 500 Companies 2019
Travel Information
Language
English
Currency
GBP
Traffic direction
Left-hand
Dialing code
44
Average car hire price
£ 37.70 / per day
Average car hire length
1 days
Speed limit within city centre
48 km/h
30 mi/h
Speed limit out of city centre
97 km/h
60 mi/h
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.08%
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.
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 £ 26.73 per day
- From Edinburgh to Inverness - 143 offers from £ 33.77 per day
- From Edinburgh to Manchester - 104 offers from £ 32.17 per day
- From Edinburgh to Aberdeen - 104 offers from £ 33.77 per day
- From Edinburgh to London - 130 offers from £ 34.75 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 destinations 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 £ 66 per day
- Large cars - starting at £ 63 per day
- Medium cars - starting at £ 51 per day
- People Carriers - starting at £ 99 per day
- Premium cars - starting at £ 95 per day
- Small cars - starting at £ 41 per day
- SUVs - starting at £ 74 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.
Top 20 Cities near Edinburgh
-
London Car Hire starting at £ 16.77 per day509.9 km / 316.8 miles away
-
Gatwick Car Hire starting at £ 15.50 per day573.7 km / 356.5 miles away
-
283.3 km / 176.0 miles away
-
55.6 km / 34.6 miles away
-
492.0 km / 305.7 miles away
-
216.6 km / 134.6 miles away
-
Birmingham Car Hire starting at £ 26.15 per day396.4 km / 246.3 miles away
-
Liverpool Car Hire starting at £ 15.50 per day278.5 km / 173.1 miles away
-
Bristol Car Hire starting at £ 27.87 per day503.1 km / 312.6 miles away
-
Inverness Car Hire starting at £ 40.60 per day182.1 km / 113.1 miles away
-
Leeds Car Hire starting at £ 34.75 per day256.3 km / 159.2 miles away
-
Newcastle Car Hire starting at £ 28.74 per day155.5 km / 96.6 miles away
-
Southampton Car Hire starting at £ 59.67 per day575.5 km / 357.6 miles away
-
Crawley Car Hire starting at £ 22.86 per day577.7 km / 358.9 miles away
-
Cardiff Car Hire starting at £ 26.15 per day506.3 km / 314.6 miles away
-
Aberdeen Car Hire starting at £ 26.49 per day156.8 km / 97.4 miles away
-
Croydon Car Hire starting at £ 34.95 per day551.8 km / 342.9 miles away
-
581.6 km / 361.4 miles away
-
Nottingham Car Hire starting at £ 31.28 per day363.8 km / 226.1 miles away
-
311.2 km / 193.4 miles away
Top 20 Destinations around Edinburgh
-
Edinburgh Sighthill Car Hire starting at £ 41.82 per day
-
Edinburgh Airport Car Hire starting at £ 12.87 per day5.2 km / 3.2 miles away
-
Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station Car Hire starting at £ 12.21 per day7.5 km / 4.7 miles away
-
Stirling Railway Station Car Hire starting at £ 34.80 per day45.0 km / 27.9 miles away
-
Glasgow Scotstounhill Car Hire starting at £ 37.29 per day65.9 km / 41.0 miles away
-
Glasgow Airport Car Hire starting at £ 12.87 per day70.9 km / 44.1 miles away
-
Newcastle Airport Car Hire starting at £ 26.15 per day141.6 km / 88.0 miles away
-
Aberdeen Airport Car Hire starting at £ 26.49 per day157.1 km / 97.6 miles away
-
Inverness Airport Car Hire starting at £ 33.15 per day185.3 km / 115.1 miles away
-
George Best Belfast City Airport Car Hire starting at £ 24.31 per day218.5 km / 135.8 miles away
-
Belfast Central Railway station Car Hire starting at £ 25.60 per day222.4 km / 138.2 miles away
-
Belfast International Airport Car Hire starting at £ 17.16 per day232.4 km / 144.4 miles away
-
Leeds Bradford Airport Car Hire starting at £ 34.75 per day252.0 km / 156.6 miles away
-
Manchester Trafford Park Car Hire starting at £ 30.47 per day280.3 km / 174.2 miles away
-
Warrington Longford Car Hire starting at £ 84.40 per day283.7 km / 176.3 miles away
-
Liverpool Airport Car Hire starting at £ 20.59 per day289.9 km / 180.1 miles away
-
Manchester Airport Car Hire starting at £ 16.31 per day293.7 km / 182.5 miles away
-
Holyhead Port Car Hire starting at £ 48.03 per day302.9 km / 188.2 miles away
-
East Midlands Airport Car Hire starting at £ 20.21 per day367.1 km / 228.1 miles away
-
Wolverhampton Old Heath Car Hire starting at £ 28.74 per day379.6 km / 235.9 miles away
Map of Car Hire Destinations
During which month is it most affordable to hire a car in Edinburgh?
Our data shows how prices for hiring a car in Edinburgh fluctuate depending on the time of year. This graph can help you find the best bargain.
Average Price for Hiring a Car in Edinburgh
The cheapest month to hire a car in Edinburgh is October with prices starting at £ 26.57 for an Economy class cars. The most expensive month in which to hire a car is December with prices for for a Compact class) starting at £ 99.23. The average cost over the course of the entire year is £ 52. You can use this to plan your trip at the time of year when it would be most economical to hire a car. Note that these prices are only averages. The amount of time you hire a car for and the time at which you book will influence the prices.
What is the usual period for which people keep their hire cars, on average, in Edinburgh?
Hirers picking up a car in Edinburgh keep them for an average of 6 days during in January, while those picking up their cars in December keep them for an average of 3.
Average Hire Length in Edinburgh
What is the most favoured month for hiring a car in Edinburgh?
The most popular month for hiring a car in Edinburgh is May, and the least popular is September.
Popularity of Car Hire in Edinburgh by Monthly Searches
Most Popular Car Hire Models
| Hire Agency | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easirent | Fiat 500 | 3 | 2 | Small cars |
| Easirent | Ford Fiesta | 5 | 2 | Small cars |
| Arnold Clark | Ford Fiesta | 5 | 2 | Small cars |
| Easirent | Ford Focus | 5 | 2 | Medium cars |
| Arnold Clark | Kia Ceed | 5 | 2 | Medium cars |
| GreenMotion | Citroen Berlingo | 4 | 6 | Medium cars |
| Easirent | Ford Fiesta | 5 | 1 | Small cars |
| Alamo | Ford Focus | 4 | 2 | Medium cars |
| Alamo | Toyota Aygo | 3 | 1 | Small cars |
| Hertz | Ford Fiesta | 5 | 1 | Small cars |
Our Customers' Reviews
Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have an option to post a review here. Instead, we ask each and every customer to leave a review after they return their rental. This way, you know that all reviews are authentic, verified, and trustworthy.
PT
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.
SC
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
AM
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.
AT
United Kingdom
Vauxhall Astra
7 July 2021
Very well managed and simple
AM
United Kingdom
Renault Kadjar
9 June 2021
We rented a car to have more luggage space for our staycation and would do that again
Car Hire Statistics
Highest rated company
Arnold Clark
9.47 / 10
Lowest rated company
GreenMotion
6.97 / 10
Total number of reviews
47
Total rental companies
13
Average daily price
£ 37.70
Lowest daily price
£ 12.21
Total cars available
779
Top 13 Hire Companies in Edinburgh in 2023
Arnold Clark
+441315617779
1 Seafield St, Edinburgh EH6 7LG
£ 42 - £ 121
Working hours
Mon:08:00-18:00
Tue:08:00-18:00
Wed:08:00-18:00
Thu:08:00-18:00
Fri:08:00-18:00
Sat:08:00-17:00
Sun:09:00-16:00
Alamo
+4401313330400
Edinburgh Airport, Burnside Rd, Ingliston, Edinburgh EH12 9DN
£ 39 - £ 129
Avis
+4403445446004
Car Rental Centre
£ 37 - £ 89
Working hours
Mon:07:00-23:00
Tue:07:00-23:00
Wed:07:00-23:00
Thu:07:00-23:00
Fri:07:00-23:00
Sat:07:00-23:00
Sun:07:00-23:00
Hertz
+4408433093025
Car Rental Centre, 175 Jubilee Rd, Edinburgh, Ingliston EH12 9FT
£ 35 - £ 46
Working hours
Mon:08:00-21:00
Tue:08:00-21:00
Wed:08:00-21:00
Thu:08:00-21:00
Fri:08:00-21:00
Sat:08:00-17:00
Sun:08:00-17:00
Enterprise
+4401313414441
WAVERLEY STATION, NEW STREET CAR PARK
£ 48 - £ 131
Working hours
Mon:07:00-19:00
Tue:07:00-19:00
Wed:07:00-19:00
Thu:07:00-19:00
Fri:07:00-19:00
Sat:07:00-19:00
Sun:07:00-19:00
Keddy
+4403713843811
65/67 SALAMANDER STREET
£ 28 - £ 60
Working hours
Mon:08:00-18:00
Tue:08:00-18:00
Wed:08:00-18:00
Thu:08:00-18:00
Fri:08:00-18:00
Sat:08:00-13:00
Europcar
+4403713843467
St James' Pl, Edinburgh EH1 3BP
£ 37 - £ 78
Working hours
Mon:08:00-18:00
Tue:08:00-18:00
National
+4401313330400
175 Jubilee Rd, Edinburgh, Ingliston, Newbridge EH12 9FS
£ 53 - £ 141
Working hours
Mon:07:00-22:00
Tue:07:00-22:00
Wed:07:00-22:00
Thu:07:00-22:00
Fri:07:00-22:00
Sat:07:00-22:00
Sun:07:00-22:00
Interrent
+441313330008 / +4403713840134
InterRent Car Rental Office
Working hours
Mon:07:00-21:00
Tue:07:00-21:00
Wed:07:00-21:00
Thu:07:00-21:00
Fri:07:00-21:00
Sat:07:00-21:00
Sun:07:00-21:00
SIXT
+442070188246
26 Dunedin Street
£ 44 - £ 152
Firefly
08433093025
CCRC RECEPTION
Working hours
Mon:08:00-21:00
Tue:08:00-21:00
Wed:08:00-21:00
Thu:08:00-21:00
Fri:08:00-21:00
Sat:08:00-17:00
Sun:08:00-17:00
Easirent
+441312021710
3 Queen Anne Dr, Newbridge, EH28 8LH
£ 12 - £ 143
Working hours
Mon:06:00-00:30
Tue:06:00-00:30
Wed:06:00-00:30
Thu:06:00-00:30
Fri:06:00-00:30
Sat:06:00-00:30
Sun:06:00-00:30
GreenMotion
+441313000068
26 Greenside Row, Q-Park, Edinburgh, EH1 3AJ
£ 18 - £ 125
Working hours
Mon:08:00-18:00
Tue:08:00-18:00
Wed:08:00-18:00
Thu:08:00-18:00
Fri:08:00-18:00
Sat:08:00-18:00
Sun:08:00-18:00