Car rental in Edinburgh, United Kingdom

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Choose from 68 pickup spots

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There are 68 car rental providers in Edinburgh. Check out the map below to find the most convenient pickup spot.

Driving in Edinburgh: What to expect on the road

Documents you'll need
You’ll need a full license and a credit card.
To rent a car in Edinburgh, bring your driver’s license, 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-center 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 rental 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 parking garages 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.
Gas 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 center, and watch for cyclists and trams.
Find Edinburgh car rental deals

The most popular car rental companies in Edinburgh

Choose from the best car rental companies in Edinburgh

Renting a car in Edinburgh: Fast facts

Here's everything you need to know to hit the road happy.
Most popular car rental companyGreen Motion
Most popular carCompact, 4-5 doors
Average daily price51 685 Ft
Best time to book3 weeks 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 rental 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 rental 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 rent a car for almost a month? Often, car rental companies in Edinburgh avoid costly admin in between pickups by renting out cars for longer periods. So see whether monthly car rental is cheaper than the three weeks needed by selecting 30 days.

Compare fuel policies

To save money on filling 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 lines

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

Frequently asked questions

On average, renting a car in Edinburgh will set you back around 51 685 Ft per day or 196 044 Ft per week. 
The cheapest car to rent in Edinburgh is an intermediate van or truck. The most popular is Compact, 4-5 doors.
The cheapest car rental companies in Edinburgh are currently Drivalia and Green Motion.
Scoring the best car rental deal depends on when you book – often, it pays to book your wheels as far in advance as possible. However, according to our data, the cheapest month to rent a car in Edinburgh is currently May.
On average, around 196 044 Ft. But the best price we found for a car rental for a week in Edinburgh is 6 105 Ft.
Based on everything we know about daily prices, the average cost to rent a car in Edinburgh for a whole month is 1 130 549 Ft. 

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 rental deals with a "full to full" fuel policy as opposed to a "half-full to full" one.

We also clearly highlight car and van rental options in Edinburgh that have free cancellation
Yes – you can easily find car rental 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 transportation 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, and for as long as you want. You'll also be able to discover more outside of Edinburgh.
Most places – Edinburgh included – allow people under the age of 25 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 deductible for young drivers. 
The cheapest price we found for an economy car is 5 753 Ft per day. The average price per day is around 45 792 Ft.
Of course. Most major car rental companies like Green Motion, Drivalia and Alamo offer baby and child seats as an add-on when you book.
Other travelers rated Europcar as the best overall in terms of experience.
Yes – van rental is available in Edinburgh.