Car hire Edinburgh Airport

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See Scotland with an Edinburgh Airport car rental

Pick up an Edinburgh Airport car hire and find out why visitors come back to this Scottish capital again and again. Fall in love with the Medieval architecture and tucked away pubs, and admire the hilltop views overlooking the sea. Get a fascinating history lesson as you tour castles, vaults, palaces, memorials and more. Find a deal on Edinburgh Airport car hire and plan your trip to this charming Scottish city, today.

Picking up car hire at Edinburgh Airport UK

Edinburgh Airport offers numerous shops, cafes and dining options. You can find hotels, pay-per-use lounges, an art gallery, spa and on-site dry cleaning. There are also play areas for your children. Free WiFi (limited to two hours) and multiple charging stations are available throughout the airport terminal.

All car hire companies at Edinburgh Airport are located in one place, next to the multi-storey car park. You can get there via the covered walkway from the passenger terminal. All major hire car agencies have dedicated rental counters at the Edinburgh Airport Car Rental Centre.

The top of Arthur's Seat looking over Edinburgh.

Finding your way around with an Edinburgh car rental

Keep these driving tips in mind when you pick up your Edinburgh Airport car hire.

  • It takes about 30 minutes to drive from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre, depending on the traffic conditions. From the airport, exit on Eastfield Road to merge onto A8/Glasgow Road. Continue on until turning right onto Balgreen Road, then at the roundabout take the first exit on Stevenson Road. Stay on driving along Approach Road and take a left onto Lothian Road. Make a right turn on Castle Terrace to arrive in Old Town, Edinburgh’s city centre.
  • Make sure to use a GPS when driving your hire car near Old Town. There are many roads that are off-limits to cars and it is hard to read or find the road signs. It is recommended to park your Edinburgh car hire just outside the city centre limits and walk or take public transport into Old Town.
  • Beware of streets only to be used by private cars, public transport or taxis. Keep an eye out for cyclists—and share the road.
  • Watch out for potholes throughout the city.
  • Parking your rental car near Old Town? It can be expensive for hourly rates or all-day parking garages. In the city, there are pay-and-display zones for around £2 to £3.60 per hour from 8:30am to 6:30pm, Monday to Saturday (Sunday and national holidays are free). Visitors can also use the free parking lots at “Park & Ride” locations at bus and train stations on the outskirts of town.

City view of Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Airport car hire: Things to see and do

Go Medieval

Discover a hidden history of Edinburgh, as Mary King’s Close is right beneath the historic old town of the city, and is filled with incredible tales of murder, mystery, and urban legend. Head to Edinburgh Castle on Castle Rock, one of the strongest fortresses in the kingdom. Here you’ll find the Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny and unparalleled views.

Learn and admire

Art and history lovers must visit the Scottish National Gallery, the City Art Centre of Edinburgh, and the National Museum of Scotland.

Get inspired 

Head to the Writer’s Museum, where you’ll find a celebration of the lives of three of the country’s best wordsmiths—Robert Louis Stevenson, Robert Burns, and Sir Walter Scott. Edinburgh is the world's first UNESCO City of Literature, and there are hints of this status all over the city.

Top tips for car hire Edinburgh Airport

  • If you’re looking for the best car hire at Edinburgh Airport, check out our customer reviews page to see what fellow travellers have to say.
  • If you require an automatic Edinburgh airport car hire, be sure to select this option in the search filters, as many rental cars in Scotland are manual drives.
  • The cheapest car hire from Edinburgh Airport may not always be the best option. Check the listing for inclusions and specific depot locations. Off airport depots usually offer cheap car hire deals but less convenient.
  • Consider the terrain you will be travelling before choosing a vehicle. A trip to the Highlands will have different requirements than a city sojourn.

What our customers say

Go here first. I lookes for a whole day before coming across GoSee. Best deal around!
Mark
I found Moises, the agent who contacted us, very helpful and email responses were quick. This made the booking process very easy and stress free.
Scott Poole
GoSeeTravel team, especially Loma & Aish organised my first booking and later listened carefully and organised an extension amendment with very reasonable pricing. Communication was excellent, Thank you GoSeeTravel team....
Paul Joseph
The booking process is easy and the filtering is well detailed and allows one to only look at cars one is interested in.
Sean William Cummins
Very helpful and knowledgeable
Phillip
no waiting person very good and new her job
Michael Carr
Couldn't get through on Web site. Rang & Amy helped me with booking my rental car in Cairns Australia. The phone dropped out at the last minute & Amy rang me back with the final information. Great service!
Glenn Fabar
Very clear communication and professional team.
Prompt service in a different time zone.
Majella Finn
It was just straight forward and easy. The only thing, which I may have missed, is how the payment works. Do you just hold my card, or do you take the full payment straight away?

Thanks

Jason.
Jason Campbell

Car rental Edinburgh Airport: Frequently asked questions

See all of our FAQs

How much does it cost to rent a car in Edinburgh?

The cost of car hire at Edinburgh Airport UK varies depending on season and availability. Compare current prices across multiple brands to find the best deals and perfect hire car for your Edinburgh adventure .

What is the cheapest car rental company in Edinburgh?

The cheapest Edinburgh airport rental car company is currently Green Motion, but this can change depending on availability. Check current prices and compare thousands of car hire deals using our search tool at the top of this page.

Can I rent a car from Edinburgh Airport?

If you have a full and valid driver’s licence, a second form of ID and a credit card in your name, you can rent a car from Edinburgh Airport. Do note that some car hire companies have age restrictions, and if your license is not in English you may also require an International Drivers Permit.

Which car rental companies are at Edinburgh Airport?

There are several rental companies at Edinburgh Airport, including Hertz Edinburgh Airport, Europcar Edinburgh Airport, Sixt Edinburgh Airport, Avis Edinburgh Airport, Budget, Green Motion, Easirent, Arnold Clark, Keddy, Alamo, and Enterprise. Proceed to the Car Hire Centre next to the multi-storey car park, just a short walk from the terminal building, to find the dedicated rental counter of your chosen car hire provider.

What types of cars can I rent from Edinburgh?

Several types of rental cars are available from Edinburgh, including mini, compact, economy, intermediate, large, station wagon/estate, SUV, people carriers/vans, and premium/luxury vehicles.

How old do I have to be to book an Edinburgh car rental?

Age requirements for booking an Edinburgh Airport car hire vary by brand, ranging from 21 - 25, with some rental companies charging an additional young driver’s fee. Type your details into the search form to determine what rent a car Edinburgh airport deals are available to you.

Can I book now and pay later for my car rental in Edinburgh?

Not all companies allow you to reserve now and pay later. Filter the results by typing ‘Pay at Pickup’ under the Payment Type heading to see which brands allow this option.

Is it possible to book one-way from Edinburgh Airport?

It is possible to book one-way car hire from Edinburgh Airport if you wish to drop your vehicle at another location in the UK. Simply type in your desired destination to see availability and the associated costs for car rental returns. You may choose Edinburgh as your pick up location and drop off the car hire in Bristol, London Gatwick, London Heathrow or other car rental locations in the UK.

What is the best type of car to rent in Edinburgh?

Depending on your travel plans, the best type of car to rent in Edinburgh may be an economy car that can easily navigate the narrow streets of the city, or an SUV that will suit the terrain of the Scottish Highlands. Choose your Edinburgh airport rental cars based on your itinerary.

What do I need to bring when I collect my car rental in Edinburgh?

Bring your full driving licence, a second form of identification, and a credit card when you pick up your rental car Edinburgh Airport.