Car Hire in Edinburgh

Scotland’s buzzing capital, Edinburgh, is as enchanting the first time you visit as it is on the tenth. It is not hard to see why it is the second most popular tourist destination in the UK - diverse landscapes, an eclectic food reputation, unrivalled culture scene...the list goes on.

Edinburgh is a great place to rent a car - whether you stay in the city, or venture out into the beauty of Scotland. Edinburgh is reachable from Glasgow, and by plane from London Gatwick.

With 5 Europcar stations across the city, you will find a convenient station to suit your needs. Popular pickup points include Edinburgh Airport and Edinburgh Waverley train station. Choosing car hire in Edinburgh leaves you free to explore the rest of the city and its surrounding area how and when you want. 

Smaller economy car hire and larger family models are both available. Our most popular models include Vauxhall Astra and Volkswagen Passat. Europcar Edinburgh offers both economy car hire and van hire for short and long term rental periods.

If you live within the EU, to legally rent a car in Scotland you need a valid EU driver’s licence.

All Scottish signposts are labelled in miles per hour. The national speed limit is 70 miles per hour (112 km/h) for cars on motorways and dual carriageways, 60 miles per hour (97 km/h) for single track roads, and 30 miles per hour (48 km/h) for built up areas. It is common for this to be reduced to 20 miles per hour around schools and more residential areas.

When driving outside of Edinburgh, be aware that remote areas will have different road conditions with fewer petrol stations. Plan your journey carefully and always check the weather before you drive. There are no toll fees to pay when you enter Scotland, or on Scottish roads.

Because of its historic centre, parking in Edinburgh is limited. There are pay & display systems, multi-storey car parks for long-stay parking, and areas where you can park during off-peak hours. Many areas of Edinburgh use a mobile system called RinGo, and you can pay for parking either by phoning or using the smartphone app.

Edinburgh is popular all year around, but be aware that when travelling by car, traffic coming in and out of the city is busier during peak hours of the working week, as well as Saturday mornings and Sunday evenings. During the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August, access to some of the city is blocked off.

Driving while under the influence of alcohol and driving with a phone (either calling or texting) is strictly prohibited. Penalties are large if you are caught.

Found on the east coast of Scotland, Edinburgh has been the country’s capital since the 15th century. The city is divided into the Old Town and the New Town, which are both World Heritage sites. With its colourful street rows, panoramic hilltops like Arthur’s Seat, and variety of inner-city green spaces like the Royal Botanical Garden - the Edinburgh experience is truly unique.

There are several great day trips from Edinburgh to be had. Explore Stirling - the gateway to the Highlands, with its gargantuan castle and dense woodland. Or how about St. Andrews - the home of golf, and Scotland’s oldest University? Fans of will be keen to head to Roselin, seat of Rosslyn Chapel and supposed burial place of the Holy Grail. 

Within driving range of Edinburgh by a car, are cities Glasgow (46 miles/74 kilometres) and Dundee (62 miles/99 kilometres).

The glowing palace of Linlithgow is reason alone to travel to this stunning area, around a 40-minute drive from Edinburgh. The birthplace of James V and his daughter Mary Queen of Scots, the lakeside castle is a relic of the Stewart dynasty that ruled Scotland during the 1300s. Walk around the grounds, and then into the charming town through the palace towpath.

Edinburgh is a festival town, with 11 regular events held every year. From the acclaimed Fringe arts festival, there are also the Film Festival, Jazz & Blues Festival, Edinburgh Military Tattoo and the New Year’s Eve celebration with Hogmanay. The city doesn’t sleep outside of festival season, with a constant thriving arts scene, food culture and countless adrenaline-inducing experiences. The atmospheric Edinburgh Castle, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, and the former Royal Yacht the Britannia, are just some of Edinburgh’s highlights.

We are proud to be European leaders in car rental. To find out more about the Europcar car hire experience, be sure to visit our car rental page!