How to find a cheap car hire deal in Edinburgh (EDI)
Make your move with a cheap Edinburgh rental car. With prices averaging ج.م. 11,652 a day, it's a wallet-friendly way to explore on your terms. From fuel-savers to people movers, we'll help you pick the right wheels at a price that works.
The cheapest daily price for a rental at Edinburgh is ج.م. 2,004.
Planning to spend longer in Edinburgh? Book a weekly rental from ج.م. 4,721 and organise some day trips or detours.
We've cracked the code on when to book. One week in advance is your sweet spot for driving off with the best price on a EDI car hire.
Check out the options available with Green Motion, Drivalia and Hertz. These are some of the popular providers at Edinburgh.
Whether you book with Green Motion or a different supplier, double-check the coverage on your Edinburgh car hire. Some companies include a collision damage waiver (CDW), while others offer it as an optional extra.
Consider getting a one-way rental. You might be able to land a good deal if the provider needs to shift vehicles between branches. Find the best available rates for a car for hire in EDI by clicking 'Return car to a different location.'
Search for a vehicle with a 'Fair fuel policy.' You'll pick up and drop off your car hire in Edinburgh with a full tank, so you're only paying for what you use. You also avoid the high fees rental companies charge for refueling.
Want to explore more without worrying about the number of miles you clock up? Search for rentals with 'Unlimited mileage' under the 'Policies' filter and travel as far as you like without the extra costs.
Best value car hire options right now
Taking the top spot for value is this company, with average prices of ج.م. 8,563 a day.
Next up is this provider, offering daily rates of around ج.م. 8,685.
The third option also stays competitive on price. Pick up one of their rentals for roughly ج.م. 11,588 a day.
The Compact rental category is a dependable choice if you're unsure what kind of wheels you need. It's also the car type that's booked the most at EDI.
Compare car hire types from Edinburgh (EDI)
Small: These cheap Edinburgh rental cars may be small in size, but they pack a big punch. Including mini and economy vehicles, they're agile, great on mileage, and perfect for city driving or short trips.
Medium: A reliable pick when you need something that's easy to drive but with some added perks. This category includes compact and intermediate models that come with a bit of extra space compared to smaller options.
Large: Long drives fly by in this EDI car hire category. Also known as full-size, their bigger engines are built to perform. The extra space and comfort make them a top choice for families and groups of friends.
SUV: Enjoy a higher driving position and a commanding view of the journey ahead in an SUV. Whether you're navigating rugged backcountry or gliding down stretches of highway, many offer all-wheel drive to help you tackle any road.
Van: If you need a car for rent in Edinburgh that can handle a small crowd (and all their gear), a van has space to spare. Including commercial vans and trucks, they're just the thing for group trips, business needs or moving.
Insurance and optional extras
Car rental excess insurance isn't a necessity, but it's worth considering. If your ride is damaged, no matter how minor, it can help you avoid paying a hefty excess fee. Different EDI car hire providers have different insurance policies and coverage levels, so check the terms before booking.
Make your trip smoother when you rent a car in Edinburgh by adding some nifty extras. Think things like a navigation system to make wrong turns a thing of the past, or reverse cameras that'll help you park like a pro.
Good to know
To rent a car in the United Kingdom, you typically have to be at least 21 years old. Some locations may offer rentals to younger drivers for an additional fee, so always check the policies before finalizing your ride.
Planning a trip with the kids? Car seat laws vary according to the location, and the correct setup may depend on their height, age and weight. Confirm whether you need to add one to your EDI car hire booking.
You'll be asked to provide some documents when you get to the rental counter. As a general rule, bring your physical driver's licence, a credit card with enough funds to cover the excess (debit cards usually aren't accepted), and another form of photo ID. Your booking confirmation will spell it all out.
Driving in the United Kingdom may take some getting used to if it's your first time. Keep in mind traffic flows on the left side of the road.
Make sure you stay within the local speed limits. Most of the time that's around 40kph in built-up areas and 100kph or so on highways, unless signs say otherwise.
The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in the United Kingdom is 0.08%. Because alcohol affects each person differently, the best way to be sure you're safe to drive is not to drink at all.
You'll be using the British pound (GBP) for day-to-day spending here. You may find it handy to carry a mix of cash and cards so you're covered for every situation.
Drive smarter from the start
The real fun starts once you've grabbed the keys to your EDI car hire. You have the freedom to roam wherever the mood takes you, but if you're off to central Edinburgh, it's around 11 kilometres to the east.
At peak travel times, expect the drive from Edinburgh to the centre to take as long as 50 minutes.
One of the busiest times to be on the road in this destination is around 5pm. Make things easy by driving outside rush hours in general.
Don't need a set of wheels right away? Think about picking up a car hire in Edinburgh instead of at the airport. That way, you won't be paying for days you don't use.
Hit the road: Where to drive from Edinburgh (EDI)
Before leaving town, enjoy a bit of sightseeing around Edinburgh first. Popular attractions like Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle are the perfect warm-up for the rest of your trip.
Shift gears and take off to Glasgow. Around 56 kilometres west of EDI, you'll find must-do sights like Glasgow Cathedral and King's Theatre.
Add Dundee to your journey too. Around 64 kilometres northeast of the airport, head there in your Edinburgh car hire to explore highlights such as V&A Dundee and Victoria Park.
Keep the momentum going and road-trip it to Bradford, about 257 kilometres southeast of EDI. First, swing past Bradford Cathedral, then follow it up with Cartwright Hall.
