Car Hire at Edinburgh Airport
This information is correct as of May 2015
Whether you’re planning a shopping weekend in Glasgow, a highland fling or a family break in historic Edinburgh, you can find the best car hire at Edinburgh Airport with Skyscanner.
Where to hire a car at Edinburgh Airport
There are ten car hire companies at one consolidated desk at Edinburgh Airport: Hertz, Sixt, Dollar, Thrifty, Alamo, Europecar, National Car, Avis, Budget and Enterprise, All of the companies are located at one desk outside the airport on the other side of the main car park, so you don’t need to go far to pick up your car.
Petrol stations near Edinburgh Airport
Depending on your car rental agreement, you may need to hand your car back with a full tank.
The nearest petrol station to Edinburgh Airport is just 4 minutes drive. Leave the airport on the Eastfield Road, take the first exit on the roundabout to stay on Eastfield Road then stay on the left side to take the Glasgow Road/A8. The Shell garage will be on the left. There is also a Morrisons supermarket with a petrol station close to the Shell garage.
Driving around Edinburgh Airport
Edinburgh Airport is just eight miles west of Edinburgh city centre. The entrance is reached from the A8 Glasgow Road, and is close to the M8 and M9 motorways. The A8 airport junction is between the Gogar and Newbridge roundabouts. If you are approaching from Edinburgh, join the A8 from the city bypass and head towards Glasgow. If you are coming from the north or west, join the A8 at the Newbridge roundabout and head towards Edinburgh, following signs for the airport. The airport has a drop off zone at the front and then a large multi-storey car park for longer stays.
Getting to your destination
We’ve put together a quick guide on getting to the most popular destinations from Edinburgh Airport.
Glasgow
Glasgow is known as the cultural capital of Scotland. With vibrant galleries, bustling local markets, an enviable live music scene, exceptional restaurants and pubs and a non-stop nightlife, Glasgow is the place for a girl’s weekend or a fun family break.
It takes between 40 and 60 minutes, depending on traffic, to reach Glasgow from Edinburgh Airport. Get on the M9 from the Eastfield Road and follow signs for Glasgow. At Canal Street, take exit 16 from the M8 then Dobbies Loan/A804 and North Hanover Street to get into the city centre.
Glencoe, Highlands
With breathtaking landscapes, plenty of munroes to ‘bag’, cosy Scottish pubs with roaring fires and a chance to leave the city tourists far behind, Glencoe is a magical Highland holiday for all the family.
It takes approximately 2 and a half hours to reach the wilds of Glencoe from Edinburgh Airport. Simply get onto the M9 from the Eastfield Road that leaves the airport. Continue on the M9 then take the A84 and A82 to the Highlands. Follow this for a couple of hours until you reach The Carnoch to Gleann Comhann.
Edinburgh
The capital of Scotland is a historic and architecturally beautiful city where modern shopping and dining sits alongside castles, cobbled streets and ancient monuments. Fabulous cafes and arthouse cinemas, local beaches and farmers markets make this petit city picture perfect. Check out our Edinburgh City Guide for more ideas.
It takes just 25 minutes to reach the city centre of Edinburgh from the airport. Simply take the Eastfield Road, then the A8 and then Queen Street to Leith Street/A900 into Edinburgh. There are several approaches in to the city depending on which part you are staying in. Parking in Edinburgh can be challenging with no free parking in the city centre. On-street parking is available. Be sure to check that you are in a Pay and Display space and not a permit holders space. Rates vary between £1.20 and £3.50* per hour in the city centre depending on how central you are. This is enforced from 8am to 6.30pm Mon-Sat and free on Sundays. There are also multi-storey and NCP car parks dotted around the city. Some hotels in Edinburgh have car parking; sometimes this is free or can come with a cost.
Prices subject to change