Edinburgh Airport Car Rental

Car Hire at Edinburgh Airport

Edinburgh Airport is well served by the usual multi national car rental companies and National, Alamo, Avis, Europcar and Hertz all have car hire desks located in the UK arrivals hall. These are however expensive options and significant savings can be made by booking your hire car with us in advance of your trip.

Please visit our Car Hire Home Page for more details of the service we can provide.

Airport Location

Edinburgh Airport is located seven miles to the west of the city centre and is Scotland's fastest growing airport, having recently undergone a £100 million redevelopment to extend and upgrade its terminal facilities. Currently its two runways handle over 6 million passengers each year.

By Car

The airport is about 25 minutes drive from the city centre, outside of peak rush-hour times when the journey time can be as much as an hour.

Road access to the airport is from the two-level junction on the A8 midway between the Gogar and Newbridge roundabouts.

Edinburgh Airport ©Duck Foot Design

Edinburgh Airport ©Duck Foot Design

By Rail

Edinburgh Airport does not have direct rail access at present. The city's main railway hub, Waverley station which first opened in 1846, is in the very heart of city centre and is easily reached by taxi or bus. From here, there are frequent services to Glasgow and a variety of other destinations in Scotland and England. Most train services also operate from Edinburgh Haymarket station which is on the main bus route between the airport and the city centre.

By Taxi

There is a designated taxi rank beside the coach park outside the UK arrivals hall. This is a very busy taxi rank and at peak periods in the morning anticipate a lengthy wait.

By Bus

The airport is well served by a regular bus service and pick up points are located at stand 18 on the terminal forecourt road outside the UK arrivals hall. The express bus service to Edinburgh city centre operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Tickets can be bought from an onward travel desk in the UK arrivals hall, the airport information desk in the International arrivals hall, or on the bus itself. The journey takes approximately 25 minutes and terminates at Waverley Bridge, right outside the main railway station and very close to the city's main shopping street, Princes Street and the bus station.

Parking

There are 1-hour and short-stay parking facilities if you wish to see off or meet someone from a flight. There are also longer-stay and holiday parking options available with a frequent courtesy transfer service operating on the 5 minute journey between the car park and the terminal. Holiday parking can be pre-booked on 0870 000 1 000 (UK) or +44 (0)121 410 5105 (from outside the UK).

Facilities

Edinburgh is a busy airport with a wide range of bars, restaurants and shops.

Special Needs

For travellers with special needs you should contact the Edinburgh Airport Information Centre +44 (0)131 333 1000 or minicom +44 (0)131 344 3100 to pre-arrange assistance or check available facilities.

Arriving at Edinburgh Airport

The prevailing winds at Edinburgh Airport usually mean an approach from the east either up the Firth of Forth, or over Arthurs’ Seat in the centre of the city, offering you wonderful views of Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, and the Georgian New Town. On the right-hand side shortly before landing, you can also usually get an excellent view of the quite spectacular Forth Road and Rail bridges. When flying over Edinburgh city centre, the view is worth a look which ever side of the plane you are on, and in clear weather is equally impressive at night or during the day.