Car Hire at Edinburgh Airport

Airport travel guide

The capital of Scotland, Edinburgh is the second-most visited city in the United Kingdom, behind only London. Home to dramatic hilltop castles and cathedrals, a well-preserved old town, and bustling cultural life, it has something for every traveller to enjoy. Here’s our pick of three of its most interesting attractions:

• Edinburgh Castle. Located on top of the aptly named Castle Rock and visible from most places in the city, Edinburgh Castle is the main symbol of the city. Built more than a millennium ago and having survived the sieges of numerous invaders, it now welcomes more than 2 million visitors a year. More than a single building, the whole castle complex houses a number of museums and other points of interest. Whether you visit the inside of it (for that, you need to book tickets in advance) or just appreciate the magnificent structure from the outside, seeing the castle is the quintessential Edinburgh experience.
• Old Town. The well-preserved oldest part of the city is where most of Edinburgh’s classical landmarks are located. Home not only to Edinburgh Castle, it is also the location of the National Museum of Scotland, the Scottish Parliament, and the National Library of Scotland. Other attractions beloved by tourists include the Camera Obscura Gallery, the charming Grassmarket area, and Holyrood Park.
• New Town. Another part of the city that’s not to be missed, New Town is home to many famous Edinburgh landmarks as well as a good share of hidden gems. Built in the 18th and 19th centuries and famous for its distinct Georgian architecture, the area is home to three of the most important museums in the UK: the National Gallery of Scotland, the Scottish National Portrait Gallery and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. In addition to those, the well-preserved Dean Village, the Edinburgh Gin Distillery and many other landmarks are located in the New Town.

Top international routes

• London
• Amsterdam
• Dublin
• Bristol
• Paris
• Belfast

Main airlines

Ryanair, easyJet, Flybe, Jet2.com, Norwegian Air Shuttle, and Eurowings

Terminals

The main passenger terminal serves both local and international flights.

Location

Edinburgh Airport is about 9 km (5.5 miles) from the city center. Glasgow Rd., St. John’s Rd., Corstorphine Rd., and Balgreen Rd. are the main roads connecting the airport to Edinburgh. The city of Glasgow is about 60 km (39 miles) from Edinburgh Airport.

Most popular types of hire car

• Small cars - starting at £31 per day
• Medium cars - starting at £38 per day
• SUVs - starting at £41 per day
• Large cars - starting at £55 per day
• Premium cars - starting at £59 per day
• People Carriers - starting at £52 per day
• Station wagons - starting at £52 per day

Car hire desks

All car rental companies are located right next to the arrivals area, to the left of check-in.

Services and facilities

You’ll find shops and duty-free outlets, several ATMs, and currency exchange offices. There are many opportunities for dining, with the food village in the Edinburgh Airport's departures area offering the most choices. There are several lounges, baby care facilities, a children’s play area, pharmacy, spa, and a prayer room. The lost and found office on the ground floor of the UK arrivals area also provides luggage storage services. It’s open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The airport’s facilities are friendly to travelers with reduced mobility. You can find more information on the airport's official website.

Nearest petrol station

Morrisons petrol station at 47 Gyle Ave. can be reached in about seven minutes and is open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. There are many other petrol stations nearby.

Popular one-way hires

• Glasgow (60 km / 39 mi)
• Inverness (248 km / 154 mi)
• Chester (417 km / 259 mi)
• Dublin (459 km / 285 mi)
• Prestwick (116 km / 72 mi)
• Huddersfield (409 km / 254 mi)
• Dundee (101 km / 63 mi)
• Hartlepool (254 km / 158 mi)
• Wigan (330 km / 205 mi)
• Guildford (708 km / 440 mi)
• Sunderland (225 km / 140 mi)