Cheap Car Rental in Edinburgh

Car Rental in Edinburgh: The (Ancient) Volcanic Epicentre of Scottish History

Edinburgh is an excellent city to explore to see the sights and sounds of both historical and contemporary avant-garde Scottish culture. While Edinburgh can certainly keep you busy for days, it would be a shame not to explore its incredible natural surroundings with a road trip to, for instance, Loch Ness and the Highlands or to the nearby Lammermuir Hills. Car hire is the best way to stay independent and mobile in the New Town and beyond. Make the most of your visit to the city by following our guide to finding the cheapest car rental in Edinburgh.

Left-Hand Driving in Edinburgh

• After you hire your car in Edinburgh, remember that traffic drives on the left-hand side of the road.

Driver’s License Requirements for Car Hire in Edinburgh

Any driver with a valid driver’s license can rent and drive a car in the United Kingdom, though many rental agencies have specific age requirements: drivers typically have to be at least 21 years old and may face young-driver surcharges until the age of 25.

Find Your Cheap Car Rental in Edinburgh at EconomyBookings.com

Rental cars are available in 9 locations throughout Edinburgh. Car hire in Edinburgh starts as low as €10 a day!

Tips for Getting Cheap Car Hire in Edinburgh

• Auto hire companies such as Easirent and Green Motion offer excellent prices in a number of locations throughout Edinburgh.
• To find the cheapest car rental in Edinburgh, compare prices at a variety of locations, particularly the Edinburgh Airport (EDI), downtown, and Waverly.
• To find economy car hire in Edinburgh city centre, book your car from the tab “Edinburgh downtown.”
• While you are likely to find good prices for rental cars in Edinburgh at the airport anytime you book, it is prudent to book your car one to two months in advance of your arrival to ensure you get the best prices.
• Summer months are typically the most expensive months for auto hire in Edinburgh.

Key Things to Remember for Rental Cars in Edinburgh

• Speed limits:
  • Starting in 2015, speed limits have been reduced in many areas throughout Edinburgh to 20 miles per hour, so keep an eye out for reduced speed limits, even if you are familiar with the area.
  • Many more frequently used roads throughout the city remain at 30 or 40 mph.
  • Speed limits on highways and motorways are typically 60 to 70 mph.
  • Any fines you incur will be passed along to you by your auto hire company in Edinburgh.
• Parking opportunities:
  • Street parking is very difficult to find in the Old Town, which retains its winding, narrow medieval streets, so take advantage of the numerous (though expensive) parking garages in the area.
  • However, if you can find street parking with your rental car in the Old Town, you can park for free at most Park-and-Pay spots after 18:30 during the week and all day on Sunday.
  • To save some money on parking, consider parking outside of the city and commuting in via public transportation. If you have picked up your car hire from the airport, for instance, take advantage of the Ingliston Park and Ride.
  • Parking is strictly enforced throughout Edinburgh, and you can receive exorbitant fines for parking incorrectly.
• There are no toll roads in Scotland.
• Drink driving is heavily penalized in Scotland. The legal limit in Scotland is lower than throughout the rest of the United Kingdom, at 50mg alcohol to 100 ml blood.
• All cars must be insured to drive in Scotland. Carry your car rental contract, proof of registration, and insurance paperwork at all times.
• While you can travel throughout the United Kingdom with your Edinburgh rental car, you will likely find that it is less expensive to hire a new car in Ireland than to take your Scottish car with you. You must speak with your rental car company before you board a ferry!

Important Facts to Help You Navigate Edinburgh After You Pick Up Your Economy Auto Hire

• Language: While Scots, Scottish Gaelic, and English are the official languages of Scotland, most residents speak English (with some Scots mixed in) on a day-to-day basis. While French, German, and Spanish are also likely to spoken by many Edinburgh residents, speaking English is your best bet for navigating the city with ease.
• Currency: The currency in Scotland, as throughout the rest of the United Kingdom, is the pound sterling.
  • Some banks produce unique Scottish sterling notes or bills, which may be rejected in other states of the United Kingdom. If you plan on travelling to Wales, England, or Northern Ireland and your Scottish notes are not accepted, you can exchange them at the Bank of England.
• Edinburgh is located in the Greenwich Mean Time Zone, UTC+0.