Car Rental in Edinburgh
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Cheapest Car Rental Rates
Downtown Car Rental
Mini
Fiat 500
or similar
$36.80
per day
Downtown Car Rental
Compact
Ford Focus
or similar
$40.95
per day
Edinburgh Airport Car Rental
Economy
Ford Fiesta
or similar
$42.53
per day
Downtown Car Rental
Compact
Vauxhall Crossland
or similar
$42.71
per day
Most Popular Car Rental Deals
Edinburgh Airport Car Rental
Standard
VW Passat
or similar
$47.94
/ per day
Edinburgh Sighthill Car Rental
Compact
Vauxhall Astra
or similar
$51.59
/ per day
Edinburgh Airport Car Rental
Intermediate
MG ZS
or similar
$52.37
/ per day
Edinburgh Airport Car Rental
Compact
Kia Ceed
or similar
$59.92
/ per day
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 09:33 on 2022-10-02. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
Awards
World Travel Awards - World's Leading Car Rental Booking Website 2020
World Travel Awards - World's Leading Car Rental Booking App 2020
2021 Magellan Awards Silver Winner
Travel & Hospitality Awards 2021
2021 FT 1000: Europes Fastest Growing Companies - Top 100 Companies
2020 FT 1000: Europe's Fastest Growing Companies - Top 100 Companies
Uzakrota Travel Awards - World’s Leading Car Rental Website 2020
2019 Inc. 5000 Europe - Top 500 Companies
Travel Information
Language
English
Currency
GBP
Traffic direction
Left-hand
Country code
44
Economy car rental price
$99.04 / per day
Average car rental length
1 days
Speed limit within town
48 km/h
30 mi/h
Speed limit out of town
97 km/h
60 mi/h
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.08%
Average gasoline price
$1.78 / 1 liter
Highest gasoline price
$2.00 / 1 liter
Lowest gasoline price
$1.63 / 1 liter
Why rent a car in Edinburgh?
Historic and beautiful, Edinburgh is one of the most unique cities in the United Kingdom. Having the freedom of your own car will let you visit its different neighborhoods at your own pace. From older parts of the city to modern and upbeat districts and even nearby beaches and nature areas, there is plenty to explore.
One-Way Car Rentals in Edinburgh
The most popular one-way rental options for pick up in Edinburgh and drop off in another city include:
- From Edinburgh to Glasgow - 327 offers from $29.67 per day
- From Edinburgh to Inverness - 143 offers from $37.49 per day
- From Edinburgh to Manchester - 104 offers from $35.72 per day
- From Edinburgh to Aberdeen - 104 offers from $37.49 per day
- From Edinburgh to London - 130 offers from $38.58 per day
Top ways to enter Edinburgh
- Edinburgh Airport. The sixth-busiest airport in the United Kingdom and the busiest in Scotland, Edinburgh Airport is served by more than 30 different airlines. ALong with domestic flights and many flights to other places in Europe, Edinburgh Airport is also connected to North America and the Middle East. The airport is about 9 km (5.5 mi) west of the city center.
- Glasgow Airport. The second-largest airport in Scotland, Glasgow Airport is served by a large number of airlines, including many low-cost carriers. The airport is slightly more than an hour’s drive west of Edinburgh.
- Glasgow Prestwick Airport. Another international airport serving Glasgow, it only has flights one airline serving it, Ryanair. With connections to Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Poland, it can sometimes be the cheapest airport to fly into in Scotland. Glasgow Prestwick is a 1 hour and 40 minute drive west of Edinburgh.
- By rail. If you’re arrive in Edinburgh by train, you can conveniently pick up your rental car at the Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station.
City facts
Like much of the rest of the United Kingdom, Edinburgh has a temperate maritime climate with little temperature changes between seasons. Located on the North Sea, Edinburgh sometimes experiences haar, or sea fog. While not everyone likes it, it certainly adds to the city’s unique atmosphere.
Edinburgh has 4,500 protected buildings of historic architectural importance that cannot be demolished or rebuilt without the permission from a special local authority. Edinburgh has more protected buildings, proportionally, than any other city in the United Kingdom.
Top destinations and activities
- Edinburgh Castle. Of all the many impressive buildings of Edinburgh, its castle is arguably the most famous one and the most important landmark of the city. First built in the 12th century from a volcanic rock, the castle is still in use today. The castle complex includes attractions like the Portcullis Gate and the St. Margaret’s Chapel, and offers truly amazing views.
- Royal Botanic Garden. The garden is one of the nicest green places in the city. It includes the 165 m (541 ft) long herbaceous border and many smaller gardens of both local and exotic plants. The stunning John Hope Gateway with a restaurant and museum is also located here.
- Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. The museum is actually made up of two separate buildings called Modern Art One and Modern Art Two which are divided by a street,. Both feature a large number of famous artworks and beautiful gardens for relaxing and taking it all in. The National Gallery of Modern Art is in the New Town of Edinburgh.
- National Museum of Scotland. First established in the 1860s, the National Museum of Scotland is actually made up of two separate museums, the Royal Scottish Museum and the Museum of Scotland. The former is dedicated to natural history and classical cultures from around the world with exhibits that range from Assyrian sculptures to a taxidermy of Dolly the sheep, the first-ever cloned animal; the latter, meanwhile, stays closer to home and offers fascinating artifacts of the Celts, Picts, and other cultures that have inhabited Scotland over the millennia.
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 pay parking spots are available via a pay-and-display system. You can find many those on this map on the city’s official website. The exact fee will depend on the length of the parking period, on 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 lightning.
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.
The insurance and documentation of the car needs to be in it whenever you’re driving.
If you’re the driver, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
The emergency numbers are 999 and 112.
Toll roads
Currently there is only a single toll road in the United Kingdom, the M6 toll. You also have to pay a toll for using a number of bridges and tunnels, as well as for entering the central areas of London and Durham (a city in North East England).
As an alternative to the M6 around Birmingham, the M6toll is a 43 km (27 mi) long portion of the road, also known as the Birmingham North Relief Road (BNRR), that relieves congestion on the M6 itself. There are toll gates where you can pay by either cash or credit card. As of March 2019, the price is £6.40 for using the toll road from Monday to Friday (from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.), £5.30 for using the toll road on Saturday or Sunday (from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.), and £4.10 for using the toll road at night time on any day (from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.). Find out more on the M6 Toll official website.
Find out more about toll roads in the United Kingdom on the European toll road website.
Ideas for a day-trip
- Portobello. Affectionately called “Porty” by locals, Portobello is a nice beach resort area. Frequented by travelers and local families alike, it is a great place to have a picnic and spend a relaxing day away from the city. Even if you’re visiting in winter, you can still have a nice walk along the beach or visit the Portobello Swim Center and enjoy dipping in the Victorian baths. Portobello is just a 15 minute drive from Edinburgh center.
- North Berwick. Another nice beach town, and arguably even more local in character, North Berwick is famous not only for its coastline, but also for the Tantallon Castle and Coastal Communities Museum. If you’re more of a nature lover, you’ll enjoy the impressive views of the Bass Rock or a visit to the Scottish Seabird Center. North Berwick is about 45 minutes drive northeast of Edinburgh.
- Pentland Hills Regional Park. Great for long walks through its pastures and forests, Pentland Hills is a nature area just south of Edinburgh. Its austere landscape might not be the most impressive in Scotland, but it is a perfect spot to spend a day away from civilization.
- Glasgow. Rougher than Edinburgh, perhaps less historic, but nonetheless charming, Glasgow is a fun city to visit. From quirky museums to unique restaurants and ancient forests, there’s plenty to see. Glasgow is just an hour’s drive west of Edinburgh.
Most popular cars
The most popular rental car in Edinburgh is the VW Golf. Many travelers also pick the Vauxhall Corsa and the Fiat 500. The most popular rental car types are compact, economy, and mini.
Further destinations
For more about traveling around Scotland with a rental car, check out our complete guide.
- Scottish Highlands. Sparsely populated and spectacular, the Scottish Highlands are, for many, among the most spectacular areas of Europe. Whether you’re looking for natural beauty or to learn about traditional Scottish culture, it’s all there. Start at the region’s capital, Inverness, then go on to explore Glencoe Valley, the mountains, and the lakes. Inverness is about three hours’ drive north of Edinburgh.
- Northumberland National Park. On the other side of the border, this is the northernmost national park in England. There are very few people here, even for a nature area - instead, you’ll find blue lakes, extensive woodlands, and the remains of ancient religious sites. The border between England and Scotland was defended by Hadrian’s Wall during the Roman times, a large part of which still survives and can be explored within the national park’s territory. The park’s northeast corner is just a 90 minutes drive from Edinburgh.
- Shetland and Orkney Islands. These islands north of Scotland teeming with wildlife offer visitors an opportunity to immerse themselves in nature and see historic sites from the neolithic era. They can be reached by ferry from Aberdeen, north of Edinburgh. Rental cars can be picked up and dropped off at the Aberdeen Northlink Ferry Terminal. It is also possible to pick rental cars up at Kirkwall Airport which has flights to and from Edinburgh.
- Aberdeen. Sitting on the coast of the North Sea, Scotland’s third-largest city has been steadily growing in stature as a tourist destination. Known as the Granite City thanks to its distinctive architecture, it boasts a variety of attractions from the well-preserved Old Town to Aberdeen Maritime Museum and many beautiful public gardens. Despite its northerly location, Aberdeen is also a major hub of surfing and other water sports. Located about 205 km (127 miles) northeast of Edinburgh, Aberdeen can be reached in 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Car Rental Prices in Edinburgh
- Station wagons - from $230 per day
- Large cars - from $203 per day
- Medium cars - from $146 per day
- Vans - from $428 per day
- Premium cars - from $267 per day
- Small cars - from $118 per day
- SUVs - from $216 per day
Money-saving tips
Land a great rental car deal in Edinburgh by applying these tricks:
Compare the rates of different rental car providers
Book your rental car well in advance
Plan your route before you go
Know your fuel and mileage requirements
Visit during the month when rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Edinburgh is cheapest in March when renting a car is about 52% cheaper than the yearly average and about 72% cheaper than renting a car in December, around Christmas time and the New Year’s Eve.
Top 20 Cities near Edinburgh
-
London Car Rentals from $36.80 per day532.8 km / 331.1 miles away
-
283.9 km / 176.4 miles away
-
Luton Car Rentals from $33.59 per day492.8 km / 306.2 miles away
-
Belfast Car Rentals from $14.46 per day216.6 km / 134.6 miles away
-
Glasgow Car Rentals from $41.15 per day61.6 km / 38.3 miles away
-
Bristol Car Rentals from $97.30 per day503.1 km / 312.6 miles away
-
Birmingham Car Rentals from $36.80 per day402.8 km / 250.3 miles away
-
255.7 km / 158.9 miles away
-
Liverpool Car Rentals from $31.66 per day292.9 km / 182.0 miles away
-
Newcastle Car Rentals from $31.66 per day146.6 km / 91.1 miles away
-
Inverness Car Rentals from $36.80 per day181.8 km / 113.0 miles away
-
Southampton Car Rentals from $20.16 per day575.6 km / 357.7 miles away
-
Watford Car Rentals from $30.19 per day516.5 km / 321.0 miles away
-
552.6 km / 343.4 miles away
-
524.6 km / 326.0 miles away
-
Cardiff Car Rentals from $31.66 per day506.3 km / 314.6 miles away
-
Preston Car Rentals from $29.01 per day246.0 km / 152.8 miles away
-
Leicester Car Rentals from $31.66 per day395.2 km / 245.6 miles away
-
Slough Car Rentals from $31.66 per day524.6 km / 326.0 miles away
-
Coventry Car Rentals from $29.01 per day411.8 km / 255.9 miles away
Top 20 Locations near Edinburgh
-
Edinburgh Waverley Train Station Car Rentals from $76.11 per day0.8 km / 0.5 miles away
-
Edinburgh Leith Car Rentals from $112.08 per day2.2 km / 1.3 miles away
-
Edinburgh Sighthill Car Rentals from $41.15 per day7.8 km / 4.9 miles away
-
Edinburgh Airport Car Rentals from $36.80 per day11.5 km / 7.1 miles away
-
Stirling Railway Station Car Rentals from $51.43 per day49.7 km / 30.9 miles away
-
Dundee Airport Car Rentals from $105.47 per day55.6 km / 34.6 miles away
-
Dundee West Car Rentals from $119.90 per day58.9 km / 36.6 miles away
-
Glasgow Central Train Station Car Rentals from $143.94 per day67.6 km / 42.0 miles away
-
Glasgow Scotstounhill Car Rentals from $41.15 per day73.1 km / 45.4 miles away
-
Glasgow Airport Car Rentals from $36.80 per day78.2 km / 48.6 miles away
-
Prestwick Airport Car Rentals from $75.27 per day100.9 km / 62.7 miles away
-
Newcastle Airport Car Rentals from $31.66 per day139.4 km / 86.6 miles away
-
Aberdeen Airport Car Rentals from $36.80 per day150.9 km / 93.7 miles away
-
Inverness Train Station Car Rentals from $21.35 per day180.3 km / 112.1 miles away
-
Inverness Airport Car Rentals from $36.80 per day183.5 km / 114.0 miles away
-
Belfast Cruise Port Car Rentals from $14.46 per day226.0 km / 140.5 miles away
-
George Best Belfast City Airport Car Rentals from $71.66 per day226.2 km / 140.5 miles away
-
Isle of Man Airport Car Rentals from $33.20 per day227.9 km / 141.6 miles away
-
Belfast Central Railway station Car Rentals from $130.44 per day230.0 km / 142.9 miles away
-
Belfast International Airport Car Rentals from $71.66 per day240.2 km / 149.2 miles away
Map of Car Rental Locations
Which is the cheapest month to rent a car in Edinburgh?
Car rental prices in Edinburgh vary a lot according to the time of year. This graph compares month-to-month price changes to help you find the best offer.
Average Rental Price in Edinburgh
The best month to rent a car in Edinburgh is October (when prices for an Economy class start from $29.50). This is 49% cheaper than the yearly average and 73% cheaper than renting in December (when rental prices start at $110.16 for a Compact class). Knowing this can help you find the best price.
What’s the usual rental length in Edinburgh?
Travel lengths vary from month to month: in January, travelers rent a car for an average of 6 days in December, the average rental period is 3 days.
Average Rental Length in Edinburgh
What's the most popular month to rent a car in Edinburgh?
The most popular month for renting a car in Edinburgh is January, and the least popular is November.
Popularity of Car Rental in Edinburgh by Monthly Searches
Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers
| Rental Agency | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easirent | Fiat 500 | 3 | 2 | Small cars |
| Easirent | Ford Fiesta | 5 | 2 | Small cars |
| Easirent | Ford Focus | 5 | 2 | Medium cars |
| Arnold Clark | Ford Fiesta | 5 | 2 | Small cars |
| GreenMotion | Citroen Berlingo | 4 | 6 | Medium cars |
| Arnold Clark | Kia Ceed | 5 | 2 | 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.
BS
Malaysia
Ford Focus
September 14, 2022
Skye and Scotland was a beautiful place to visit.
SW
United States of America (USA)
Peugeot 3008
September 13, 2022
We love Scotland. The car we got was big enough for the four of us with all of our luggage.
ML
United States of America (USA)
Kia Ceed
September 12, 2022
Book well in advance!
BM
Malaysia
Fiat 500
August 18, 2022
Reliable and seriously means business.
GR
United States of America (USA)
Nissan Tiida
June 14, 2022
We traveled about the boarder lands and Northumbria. Quite gorgeous. Friendly peoples. For drivers, be sure you know the signs on the road and proper etiquette for driving in single lane roads.
OP
Finland
Ford Focus
April 28, 2022
I can recommend warmly the Scottish Highland and Isle of Skye in particular.
DE
United States of America (USA)
Ford Fiesta
March 22, 2022
Scotland is immense and absolutely breathtaking, our drive up to Inverness was gorgeous, driving along Loch Ness was amazing. We took a ferry over to Isle of Lewis and the drive along the coast line was breathtaking. I would advise travelers to really track their time wisely as we lost a lot of sunlight driving and had to cut a lot of outdoor activities short, because we just drive for so long.
RK
Portugal
Vauxhall Corsa
January 3, 2022
Cost is the only issue.
FT
Italy
Citro?n C3 Aircross
September 27, 2020
Beautiful city. I love Scotland.
AR
United Kingdom
Ford Fiesta
September 17, 2020
I live in Edinburgh but took car to the North Coast of Scotland. Car was comfortable and easy to drive
SF
Brazil
Citroen C4 Cactus Auto.
January 10, 2020
Best saleswoman!
AM
Belgium
Ford Focus
October 28, 2019
That was great. I like that very much. Location is very near the airport free shuttle pick and drop every 10 minutes.
JM
South Africa
Vauxhall Astra
September 6, 2019
Drove in Scotland. Great roads and easy to navigate with very good signposts.
LA
Denmark
Ford Fiesta
July 26, 2019
Edinburgh can be a bit hectic to drive around, especially for foreigners, however it is great to have as a base for exploring the surrounding nature and even the highlands. Thus, I would recommend renting a car. We hiked around Glencoe and Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park and visited St. Andrews and would highly recommend this.
HA
Malaysia
Ford Fiesta
July 25, 2019
Unless its a weekend, finding parking in central Edinburgh is an absolute nightmare and expensive. Wouldn't recommend getting a car if you're just wanting to explore the city, would definitely recommend however if you're wanting to explore the highlands
PS
Ireland
Ford Fiesta
July 10, 2019
Edinburgh Castle is a must see and make sure have enough time to get around. Then exploring the region and visiting whisky distilleries was really fun.
VS
Portugal
VAUXHALL CORSA
April 30, 2019
If you want the car to go to the city, check if you have parking available.
SG
Ireland
VW Polo
April 8, 2019
Great lively city full of historical interest, buzzing with activity and easy access to countryside.
IP
United Kingdom
VW Golf
February 18, 2019
All very convenient except for the long walk to pick up the shuttle bus
CC
United Arab Emirates
Ford S-Max
January 3, 2019
Edinburgh City is not car friendly, however a car is essential to see the beautiful Scottish countryside. My favourites include the fishing villages of the East Neuk of Fife; the Wallace Monument and Castle in Stirling; the little towns and ruined abbeys of the Borders ; Pitlochry, Loch Tay and Loch Earn in Highland Perthshire; the Angus Glens; the Cowal Peninsula, Inverary and Loch Lomond in Argyll; and Glencoe and Appin, all of which are within a few hours drive of both Edinburgh and Glasgow
Car Rental Statistics
Highest rated company
Arnold Clark
9.47 / 10
Lowest rated company
GreenMotion
6.95 / 10
Total number of reviews
20
Total rental companies
13
Average daily price
$99.04
Lowest daily price
$11.08
Total cars available
631
Top 13 Suppliers in Edinburgh in 2022
Arnold Clark
+441315617779
1 Seafield St, Edinburgh EH6 7LG
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
Avis
+4403445446004
Car Rental Centre
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
Working hours
Mon:08:00-17:00
Tue:08:00-17:00
Wed:08:00-17:00
Thu:08:00-17:00
Fri:08:00-17:00
Sat:08:00-17:00
Sun:08:00-17:00
Enterprise
+4401313414441
WAVERLEY STATION, NEW STREET CAR PARK
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
National
+4401313330400
175 Jubilee Rd, Edinburgh, Ingliston, Newbridge EH12 9FS
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
Europcar
+4403713843467
St James' Pl, Edinburgh EH1 3BP
Working hours
Mon:08:00-18:00
Tue:08:00-18:00
Keddy
+4403713843811
65/67 SALAMANDER STREET
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
SIXT
+442070188246
26 Dunedin Street
Firefly
08433093025
CCRC RECEPTION
Working hours
Mon:08:00-17:00
Tue:08:00-17:00
Wed:08:00-17:00
Thu:08:00-17:00
Fri:08:00-17:00
Sat:08:00-17:00
Sun:08:00-17:00
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
Easirent
+441312021710
3 Queen Anne Dr, Newbridge, EH28 8LH
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
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