Car rental at Edinburgh Airport (EDI)

Compare car hire at Edinburgh Airport, with most companies a short covered walk away in the Car Rental Centre.

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Renting a car at EDI

Edinburgh Airport lies about eight miles west of the city centre, next to the M9 and a short hop from the Queensferry Crossing into Fife. That makes it a good launch pad for the Highlands, Loch Lomond, St Andrews and the North Coast 500, and for touring the Borders to the south. When you compare car rental here, look closely at mileage limits, fuel policy and what the excess covers, because Scottish road trips tend to rack up long distances on rural roads.

You probably won't want a car while you're exploring Edinburgh itself. The centre is compact, parking is limited and costly, a Low Emission Zone applies, and the tram runs from right outside the terminal to Princes Street. A common plan is to see the city on foot first and then return to the airport to collect the car, or to pick up on arrival and head straight north, leaving Edinburgh for the end of the trip.

Where to pick up your car

EDIEdinburgh Airport

Most rental companies at Edinburgh Airport are grouped in the Car Rental Centre on Jubilee Road, about five minutes' walk from the terminal. From arrivals, head out through the plaza, past the tram stop, and follow the car rental signs along the covered walkway beside the multi-storey car park. Desks and cars are in the same place, so once the paperwork is done you can go straight to your car. A few companies operate off-site and collect customers by shuttle; your voucher will say which applies. Bring your licence, a credit card in the main driver's name and your booking reference, and check the car carefully before you leave.

Driving around Edinburgh: what to know

  • Edinburgh's Low Emission Zone covers the city centre and has been enforced since June 2024, with penalty notices for non-compliant vehicles. Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen run similar zones. Modern rental cars almost always comply, but don't accept an unusually old car if you plan to drive into any of these cities.
  • Scotland's drink-drive limit is lower than in England and Wales, low enough that a single drink can put you over. The safest approach is not to drink at all if you're driving, including the morning after a late night.
  • Much of the Highlands and islands is served by single-track roads with passing places. Pull into a passing place on your left to let oncoming traffic by, or wait opposite one on your right, let faster drivers overtake, and never park in a passing place.
  • The A9 between Perth and Inverness has average speed cameras along long stretches, and many Edinburgh streets have 20mph limits. Fuel stations can be far apart in the north-west Highlands, so fill up whenever you drop to around half a tank.

Tips to avoid extra charges

  • If you plan to take the car on a ferry to the islands, check the rental terms first: many companies allow it within the UK, but some restrict certain vehicles or routes, and car spaces on summer sailings need booking well ahead.
  • Choose a rate with unlimited mileage for a Highland trip; the North Coast 500 loop alone is roughly 500 miles before you've driven to Inverness and back.
  • Book automatics and larger cars early for summer and especially August, when the Edinburgh festivals bring in huge numbers of visitors and smaller fleets sell out.
  • Pick a full-to-full fuel policy and refuel before reaching the airport. The deposit on your credit card usually reflects the excess, so decide beforehand whether to buy the desk's excess reduction or rely on separate cover.

Edinburgh Airport on the map

Open in OpenStreetMap · Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Car rental at Edinburgh Airport: questions and answers

Where do I collect a rental car at Edinburgh Airport?

Most companies are in the Car Rental Centre on Jubilee Road, around a five-minute walk from arrivals along a covered walkway beside the multi-storey car park. Follow the car rental signs through the plaza and past the tram stop. If your company is off-site, your voucher explains where its shuttle picks up.

Will I be fined in Edinburgh's Low Emission Zone in a rental car?

Very unlikely. The zone targets older petrol and diesel vehicles that don't meet emissions standards, and rental fleets are generally new enough to comply. Enforcement is by camera, so if you're given an unusually old car, check its registration on the Low Emission Zones Scotland website before driving into the centre.

Is it worth having a car in Edinburgh city?

Not really. The centre is walkable, buses and trams are frequent, and parking is limited and expensive. Collect the car when you leave for the Highlands, Fife or the Borders instead. The airport is on the west side of the city, close to the main routes north and west, so you avoid central traffic on the way out.

Do I need to book ferries for a Scottish island trip with a rental car?

Yes, especially in summer. Car spaces on popular routes, such as those to Mull, Islay and the Outer Hebrides, can fill up weeks ahead. Check first that your rental terms permit ferry crossings. Skye doesn't need a ferry at all: it's reached by a toll-free road bridge.

What documents do UK drivers need to hire a car at Edinburgh Airport?

Bring your photocard driving licence, a credit card in the main driver's name and your booking reference. Many companies also ask for a DVLA check code, which lets them see any penalty points. Generate it on the GOV.UK View Driving Licence service shortly before you travel, as it expires after 21 days.

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Before you pick up: the airport car rental checklist

Deposits, excess, fuel policy and the photos to take before you drive off.

Read the checklist