Car hire in Edinburgh, United Kingdom

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Choose from 69 pick-up spots

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There are 69 car hire providers in Edinburgh. Check out the map below to find the most convenient pick-up spot.

Driving in Edinburgh: What to expect on the road

Documents you'll need
You’ll need a full licence and a credit card.
To rent a car in Edinburgh, bring your driving licence, passport and credit card. No International Driving Permit (IDP) is needed for UK or most EU visitors. Most rental companies require drivers to be over 21.
Navigating city driving
City centre traffic and trams need attention.
Driving in Edinburgh means narrow streets, bus lanes and tram crossings. Navigation apps are useful to avoid restricted zones and road closures, especially during festivals or events.
Tolls, emissions zones and charges
A low-emission zone is in place.
Edinburgh has a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) affecting older vehicles. Toll roads are not used locally, but charges apply on some bridges and longer routes. Check your hire car’s compliance in advance.
Parking your car in Edinburgh
Street parking is restricted and expensive.
Parking in Edinburgh is mostly pay-and-display, with many resident-only areas. Use multi-storey car parks or park-and-ride services on the city outskirts to avoid central congestion.
Finding fuel or charging points
Fuel is easy to find, and EV charging is well supported.
Petrol stations are common across Edinburgh. EV charging stations in Edinburgh are widely available — use apps like Zap-Map or ChargePlace Scotland to find one near your route or hotel.
Local driving style and tips
Drivers are courteous, but the roads are tight.
Local driving rules in Edinburgh are well enforced. Expect slow-moving traffic, speed cameras, and tricky hill starts. Stay alert in the city centre, and watch for cyclists and trams.
Find Edinburgh car hire deals

The most popular car rental companies in Edinburgh

Choose from the best car hire companies in Edinburgh

Hiring a car in Edinburgh: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car hire companyGreen Motion
Most popular carFullsize, Estate
Average daily price304 €
Best time to book1 week before

How to book the best car rental deals in Edinburgh

We’re frequently named as the most trusted travel search site out there. We scan hundreds of trusted travel providers and put it all in one place, allowing you to instantly compare car hire rates and then book with no fees. Here's how to get the most out of your Edinburgh car rental search.

Book now, cancel later

We clearly highlight car and van hire options in Edinburgh that have free cancellation. So you can bag the best deal with total flexibility to change your plans if you need to.

Rent a car in Edinburgh for a whole month

Want to hire a car for almost a month? Often, car rental companies in Edinburgh avoid costly admin in between pick-ups by hiring out cars for longer periods. So see if monthly car hire is cheaper than the three weeks you need it for by selecting 30 days.

Compare fuel policies

To save money on topping up the tank as you take off in Edinburgh, look out for deals with a 'full to full' fuel policy, as opposed to a 'half-full to full' one.

Skip the queues

We call out keyless pick-up when you search for cars with us. No keys to pick up, means no queues. Just turn up at your preferred Edinburgh car hire location, hop in and hit the road.

Frequently asked questions

On average, hiring a car in Edinburgh will set you back around 304 € per day or 923 € per week. 
The cheapest car to rent in Edinburgh is an intermediate crossover (similar to SUVs). The most popular is Fullsize, Estate.
The cheapest car hire companies in Edinburgh are currently Drivalia and Green Motion.
Bagging the best car hire deal depends on when you book  – often, it pays to book your wheels as far in advance as possible. But according to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in Edinburgh is currently August.
On average, around 923 €. But the best price we found for car hire for a week in Edinburgh is 59 €.
Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to hire a car in Edinburgh for a whole month is 1.956 €. 

But sometimes, you'll get a discount for booking a whole month instead of 3 and a half weeks. So play with your dates to find the best deals!
If you're looking for freedom to explore Edinburgh, choose a car with unlimited mileage, or look for car hire deals with a ’full to full' fuel policy as opposed to a 'half-full to full' one.

We also clearly highlight car and van hire options in Edinburgh that have free cancellation
Yes – you can easily find car hire companies that allow you to pick up your car in one place, and then drop it off in another. Just select ‘Return car to a different location’ when you search with us.
Public transport can only get you so far, and could be tricky to navigate with children or luggage. With your own set of wheels, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want, for as long as you want. And you'll be able to discover more outside of Edinburgh.
Most places – Edinburgh included – allow under 25s to rent a car as long as they provide a valid driver's license and the correct documentation. It may cost slightly more due to a higher insurance excess for young drivers. 
The cheapest price we found for an economy car is 24 € per day. The average price per day is around 71 €.
Of course. Most major car hire companies like Green Motion, Drivalia and Europcar offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
Other travellers rated Europcar as the best overall in terms of experience.
Yes – van hire is available in Edinburgh.