Quick answer: Car hire in Edinburgh is available at the airport (EDI), 8 miles West of the city, and in the city centre. Prices average £45 to £50 per day, from around £16 in quiet months. Edinburgh is compact and walkable, so a hire car is most useful for exploring beyond the city, the Borders, Fife and the Highlands.
Looking for cheap car hire in Edinburgh? Whether you are flying into Edinburgh Airport or picking up in the city centre, getcarhire.com compares deals from the leading suppliers so you can find the right hire car at the right price. Edinburgh is Scotland’s captivating capital and the perfect base for exploring the country, from the Highlands to the Borders, and a hire car gives you the freedom to reach the places trains and buses cannot, which is exactly why car hire Edinburgh is so popular with visitors.
Edinburgh has more than 15 car hire locations, but the two that matter most are Edinburgh Airport (EDI), around 30 minutes West of the centre, and the city-centre branches near Waverley. This guide covers both: where to collect, what cheap car hire Edinburgh costs, the truth about driving in the city, and how to use Edinburgh as a launchpad for a Scottish road trip. One honest tip up front, you may not want the car for the city itself, but you will be glad of it the moment you head beyond it.
Car Hire Edinburgh at a Glance
| Pickup options | Edinburgh Airport (EDI) or city centre |
| Airport to city | About 8 miles West, a 30 minute drive or direct tram |
| Typical price | Average £45 to £50 per day, from about £16 in quiet months |
| Driving in the city | Low Emission Zone in the centre; most modern hire cars comply |
| Best for | Day trips to the Borders, Fife, St Andrews and the Highlands |
| Busiest period | August (Festival), book months ahead |
Do You Need a Hire Car in Edinburgh?
Here is the honest answer. For the city centre itself, probably not. Edinburgh is compact, walkable and well served by trams and buses, and the Old Town in particular is a maze of narrow streets, one-way systems and restricted access that can be stressful to drive. Parking is limited and expensive, and the city now operates a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) covering the centre, which restricts older, more polluting vehicles. Most modern hire cars meet the LEZ standards, but it is worth checking, and worth knowing the zone exists.
Where car hire Edinburgh truly earns its place is beyond the city. With a hire car you can reach Rosslyn Chapel, the Borders abbeys, the Forth bridges, and further afield Glencoe, Loch Lomond, St Andrews and the Highlands, all of which are difficult or slow by public transport. The smart approach for many visitors is to explore Edinburgh on foot, then collect a hire car when you are ready to venture out.
Compare deals across Scotland and plan a Highland road trip. North Coast 500 Route →
Scotland\’s ultimate road trip, the full 516-mile guide and map.
Edinburgh Airport or City Centre: Where to Collect
The two main pickup options for car hire Edinburgh are the airport and the city centre, and the right choice depends on your trip. Car hire Edinburgh Airport is the most popular option, with all the major suppliers based at the airport rental centre, a short walk or shuttle from the terminal. Car hire Edinburgh Airport is the natural choice if you are flying in and heading straight out to tour Scotland, and it lets you skip the city traffic entirely.
City-centre car hire Edinburgh, near Waverley station and Princes Street, suits visitors who spend a few days in Edinburgh first and only want the car for the second half of their trip. City branches can sometimes avoid the airport location fee, though availability is tighter and opening hours shorter. A common money-saving trick is to enjoy Edinburgh car-free, then collect a city-centre or airport car when you are ready to drive out.
Getting to and from Edinburgh Airport
Edinburgh Airport (EDI) is around 8 miles (14km) West of the city centre, close to the M8 and M9 motorways, so it is well connected for heading straight out across Scotland. The drive into the city takes about 30 minutes depending on traffic, and the tram runs directly from the airport to the centre if you are collecting your hire car later. For terminal and transport details, see the official Edinburgh Airport website. The airport is Scotland’s busiest, so book your car hire Edinburgh Airport early in peak season.
How Much Does Car Hire in Edinburgh Cost?
On average, car hire in Edinburgh costs around £45 to £50 per day across the year, with the cheapest deals from as little as £16 per day for a small car in quiet periods. Prices are driven by season and demand, with summer and the August festival period the busiest and most expensive. Booking well ahead makes a real difference: the cheapest rates are typically found by reserving months in advance, while last-minute summer bookings cost the most.
The biggest single factor is timing. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August fills the city and pushes hire prices up sharply, so if you are visiting then, book your cheap car hire Edinburgh as early as you can. The table below shows the seasonal pattern.
| Season | Demand | Typical value |
|---|---|---|
| August (Festival) | Peak | Highest prices, book months ahead |
| June, July, September | Busy summer | High demand, book early |
| October to May | Quieter | Best value, from around £16 per day |
Driving in Edinburgh: LEZ, Parking and the Old Town
A few practicalities make car hire Edinburgh much smoother. The city centre is covered by a Low Emission Zone (LEZ), which restricts the most polluting older vehicles from the central area. The vast majority of modern hire cars meet the LEZ standards comfortably, so this rarely affects renters, but it is sensible to confirm with your supplier if you plan to drive into the centre.
Parking in central Edinburgh is limited and can be costly, with controlled zones across the Old and New Towns. If you are staying in the city, check whether your accommodation offers parking before you collect your cheap car hire Edinburgh. The Old Town’s narrow, cobbled, one-way streets are best avoided by car altogether. None of this is a reason to skip a hire car, it simply confirms the smart play: use the car for the open roads beyond Edinburgh, where it comes into its own.
Choosing the Right Hire Car in Edinburgh
For most visitors, a small or medium car is the ideal choice for cheap car hire Edinburgh. Smaller cars are easier to park, cheaper to hire and more economical, the ideal cheap car hire Edinburgh choice whether you are nipping out to the coast or touring further. If you are planning a Highlands trip with luggage or passengers, a medium car or compact SUV offers more comfort over longer distances.
When comparing car hire Edinburgh deals through getcarhire.com, you can filter by transmission, mileage policy and fuel terms. Check for unlimited mileage if you plan a longer Scottish road trip, and choose a full-to-full fuel policy to avoid paying inflated refuelling charges. Automatics are widely available in Edinburgh but cost a little more, so book ahead if you need one.
Exploring Scotland from Edinburgh
Edinburgh is one of the best bases in Britain for a road trip. Within an hour you can reach Rosslyn Chapel, the Forth bridges, the fishing villages of the East Neuk of Fife, and the rolling Scottish Borders with their ruined abbeys. St Andrews, the home of golf, is around 90 minutes North. For ideas on what to see across the country, the official VisitScotland site is a useful resource.
For a bigger adventure, Edinburgh connects easily to the Highlands. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs are around 90 minutes West, Glencoe and Fort William around 2.5 hours North-West, and Edinburgh car hire is a popular starting point for those driving up to Inverness and the North Coast 500. A hire car turns a city break into a tour of the whole country.
Car Hire Edinburgh: Frequently Asked Questions
How much does car hire in Edinburgh cost?
On average, car hire in Edinburgh costs around £45 to £50 per day, with the cheapest small cars from about £16 per day in quieter months. Prices peak during the August festival and summer, so booking months ahead secures the best value.
Do you need a car in Edinburgh?
Not for the city itself. Edinburgh is compact, walkable and well served by trams and buses, and the Old Town is difficult to drive. A hire car is most useful for exploring beyond the city, the Borders, Fife, Glencoe and the Highlands, where public transport is limited.
Is car hire cheaper at Edinburgh Airport or the city centre?
It varies. City-centre branches can avoid the airport location fee, but the airport has more suppliers and availability. Compare both through getcarhire.com to see the true cost, factoring in how you will travel to the pickup point.
How far is Edinburgh Airport from the city centre?
Edinburgh Airport is around 8 miles (14km) West of the city centre, about a 30 minute drive via the M8, or a direct tram ride. It sits close to the motorway network, making it convenient for heading straight out across Scotland.
Can I drive in Edinburgh city centre?
You can, but the centre has a Low Emission Zone, limited parking and narrow one-way streets, especially in the Old Town. Most modern hire cars meet the LEZ standards. Many visitors find it easier to explore the city on foot and use the hire car for trips outside Edinburgh.
Can I drive to the Highlands or the NC500 from Edinburgh?
Yes. Edinburgh is a popular starting point for a Scottish road trip. Loch Lomond is around 90 minutes away, Glencoe about 2.5 hours, and many drivers continue North to Inverness to begin the North Coast 500. A hire car makes the whole country accessible.
Find Your Cheap Car Hire Edinburgh Deal
From a city break to a full Scottish road trip, a hire car gives you the freedom to see it all. Compare cheap car hire Edinburgh deals with getcarhire.com, choose airport or city-centre pickup, and set off to explore Scotland’s capital and the country beyond. Enter your dates below to see the latest car hire Edinburgh deals.