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Edinburgh will likely be your arrival point in Scotland. If you’re keen to explore various locations across the country, consider hiring a car in Edinburgh. A rental vehicle will allow you to follow an itinerary – you’ll find them all in the dedicated Scotland itineraries section – discovering Scotland’s must-see and most remote locations with complete peace of mind!
The choice of car rental agencies in Edinburgh is extensive, and it’s the Scottish city where tourists have the widest selection. To save money in the city, there are many local agencies offering budget-friendly rates.
Many Edinburgh hotels and B&Bs often offer complimentary private parking, where you can safely leave your car if you spend a few days in the city before setting off on your Scottish tour.
Below are the cheapest prices for car hire at at the airport of Edinburgh, to book click here.
The prices of car rental at the at the airport of Edinburgh varies depending on the time of year. This graph shows the average prices in the various months to help you find out which is the best period to rent a low cost car.
According to reviews by other travellers, the following are the best car rental companies at the airport of Edinburgh. To compare rates click here.
Hiring a car in Edinburgh is straightforward. At the city’s airport, there’s a vast car rental centre directly connected to the arrivals terminal, housing several major international rental companies. Whether you’re a loyal customer of major firms like Hertz, Europcar or Avis, you’ll definitely find your preferred agency waiting for you. Alongside these giants, which certainly offer strong reliability credentials, there are numerous budget airlines.
Their strength lies in combining lower prices with complimentary services that other companies often charge for. For example, Argus includes a second driver as a free option. Others, such as Celtic Legend Car Hire, include comprehensive insurance coverage in the booking price.
If you’re arriving in Edinburgh by train, Waverley station is right in the heart of the city. Once you’ve arrived, you can visit one of the many rental offices in town and collect your car.
To save money, you might also consider picking up your car at the end of your Edinburgh stay, when you’re ready to venture into the surrounding areas to explore Scotland. You can choose to pick up and return your vehicle at the same location, or have it returned at a different office or city. The latter option incurs a higher rental charge.
Book your rental car as soon as you know your travel dates for certain: online comparison tools allow you to compare various offers and secure the best price. It’s worth noting that prices often fluctuate day to day – when you find a good rate, book immediately and don’t risk missing out!
You can also choose to book your car once you arrive in the city, but on-the-spot prices are higher and available offers depend on the rental fleet availability.
You can pay for your rental car with a prepaid or debit card. A credit card isn’t strictly necessary to pay for the vehicle, but it’s essential at the time of collection: a sum of money will be blocked as a security deposit for the duration of the rental.
In Edinburgh, and Scotland generally, you must be at least 21 years old to drive. A valid driving licence must be presented at collection.
Generally, only one person can drive the car – the same person whose credit card is held as security – but you do have the option to include a second driver if needed.
You’ll need to specify the collection and return time when making your booking, as the price varies accordingly. Since times and rates correspond, it’s advisable not to be late returning your car to avoid unexpected penalties.
Generally, rental agencies at Edinburgh Airport are open from 7am until midnight. Returning your car outside these hours may incur an additional charge.
The most popular cars in Edinburgh and Scotland generally are classic compact cars – three-door models with small boots – suitable for two-person trips.
Those travelling with children can opt for a higher category vehicle to have more space. Agencies offer various optional extras such as child seats for all ages.
For group travel, you can hire both seven-seater cars and minibuses seating up to 16 passengers. Sports cars, four-wheel-drives perfect for the Scottish Highlands and luxury vehicles are also available. When booking online, you’ll select the category and an indicative model – but it’s quite possible that your chosen vehicle won’t actually be available at collection. In this case, rental companies reserve the right to provide you with a similar car or even one of a higher category.
Once you’ve completed the paperwork at the agency, you’ll be taken to your car. Have the vehicle explained to you, check for any existing bodywork damage and ensure there aren’t any others.
Agencies provide assistance contacts and numbers should you need help, such as for punctures. Depending on how confident you are, consider whether to add extra insurance coverage beyond the basic package – any additions can be made either online or at the time of collection.
You can also request a sat-nav, child seats, winter tyres and other accessories. Remember that to avoid additional penalties, the rental typically requires the vehicle to be returned with a full fuel tank.
Once you’ve taken all this information on board, all that’s left is to experience the thrill of driving on the left and set off to discover Edinburgh and its magnificent surroundings!
The rules, speed limits and everything you need to know about driving a car in Edinburgh are the same as for Scotland: explore them in detail in the Driving in Scotland section.
Here are some quick answers to the most common doubts about car rental in Edimburgo.
To reserve a car in Edimburgo a credit card or debit card is sufficient. However, when you go to collect the car, you will need:
The car rental companies in Edimburgo allow to rent a car to all those who are between 21 and 70 years old. However, there is an additional cost for under 25 and for those over 70.
A car rental in Edimburgo always includes:
Any extras or additional insurance coverage are separate.
Find the best rates by comparing all car rental companies in one search.
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