Compare car hire in Edinburgh city centre

Curious to see what lies beyond the Scottish capital after a fun few days exploring its medieval streets? Simply hire a car from Edinburgh city centre to explore breathtaking Scotland with total freedom – and no timetables, crowds or stress.

From historic Stirling Castle to the artistic buzz of Glasgow and the legendary waters of Loch Lomond, you’ll soon find that some of Scotland’s best destinations are within easy reach by car.

Car hire in Edinburgh city centre is as straightforward and convenient as it gets, with several well-known rental providers to choose from. You’ll find some of the city’s car rental outlets conveniently located near both Waverley and Haymarket train stations, too.

Many car rental providers in Edinburgh offer out-of-hours pick-up and drop-off, which is perfect if you’re on an early or late schedule in or out of the capital.

Popular car hire providers in Edinburgh’s city centre include:

• Enterprise: +44 131 341 4441
• Hertz: +44 843 309 3026
• Sixt: +44 207 018 8246
• Budget: +44 344 544 6059
• Europcar: +44 371 384 3467
• Avis: +44 344 544 6059
• Drivalia: +44 131 202 1717

Edinburgh is a well-connected city, with the A720 City Bypass creating a handy loop around the city, joining the M8 and M9 motorways and the A90. These routes link you to the Scottish Borders, the stunning Highlands and the picturesque Fife coastline.

As a capital city, Edinburgh’s streets are often busy, with buses, cyclists, bikers, pedestrians and trams sharing the roads with other cars and vehicles. Many streets are one way or have limited access, which, if you’re new to Edinburgh, can be a little tricky to navigate.

Free parking in Edinburgh city centre is extremely limited and competitive, so expect to pay for parking. There are multi-storey car parks near Princes Street and metered street parking throughout, as well as park-and-ride facilities at Ingliston and Sheriffhall, which can help you bypass city centre congestion.

If you’re eager to explore the Scottish countryside, watch out for rapidly changing weather, especially in winter. In rural areas, single-track roads are common, so use the signposted passing places to let cars through when needed. Also, it’s not uncommon for deer and sheep to wander onto the road.

• Min. age required to hire a car: 21-25, depending on your provider
• Which side of the road: Left
• Credit card requirements: Debit or credit cards accepted

Any additional requirements: If you’re under 25, expect a young driver surcharge to be added to your bill