Rent a car at Edinburgh Airport with confidence. Full, fee-free cancellation guaranteed
Scotland’s capital is one of Great Britain’s most historic cities, and our car hire at Edinburgh Airport will help you take a trip through the nation’s past. There are also plenty of contemporary cultural venues, gourmet restaurants, and exciting nightlife spots to keep you entertained for a long time. Let Avis show you the sights.
Step off your flight straight into your hire car, waiting nearby to save you hassle. Continue through arrivals and follow the signs to car rental. We’ll see you shortly on the right.
If you wish to collect your rental car outside of our office hours between 7.00am and 11.59pm, please let us know in advance, and we will arrange an alternative pick up option for you. Or come and meet us in Edinburgh. Travelling further afield in Scotland? You can always collect your rental from Glasgow or even Aberdeen Airport, if you prefer.
Edinburgh and beyond with Avis car rental
Discover cars to rent at Edinburgh Airport
Whether you’re holidaying with the whole family in tow, or just zipping around town for meetings and conferences, Avis has the ideal option for your Edinburgh Airport car hire. We have 7-seaters and people carriers for big groups, and economy vehicles to suit those on a budget. There are also high-end models available if you check out our Avis Prestige premium service.
Explore Edinburgh with your hire car
Edinburgh. Festivals, Hogmanay, castles, coastline – unsurprisingly, Scotland's capital city is one of the UK’s most popular destinations. The airport is around 20 minutes' drive from the city centre.
Take a tour under the city: South Bridge vaults present an underbelly of Edinburgh dating back to the 18th century.
Saunter down the Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle, which dates back to the 12th century and dominates the city’s skyline. Inside you’ll find the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Scottish National War Museum and St. Margaret’s Chapel, the oldest building in Edinburgh.
From the castle, continue down the Royal Mile to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, a royal residence for centuries and still used by the British Royal Family today. Stroll through the Royal Park to its highest point, Arthurs Seat. At 251m above sea level it offers an excellent view of the city
Your whole family will enjoy Edinburgh Zoo, and especially its star attractions – the UK’s only giant pandas.
Drive to Leith, 15 minutes away, to explore the retired Royal Yacht Britannia. An audio tour is available that takes you into the state apartments and the engine room, and offers a taste of Royal life on board.
Beyond Edinburgh with your hire car
Glasgow
Edinburgh’s lively big brother Glasgow is just an hour’s drive away. Hit its Style Mile for designer stores and boutique oddities, or take tea with a side of shortbread at the renowned Willow Tea Rooms. From Glasgow, it’s a short jaunt east to the heritage site of Bannockburn and 16th-century Stirling Castle.
Beyond Edinburgh
21-arched Glenfinnan viaduct near Fort William (which plays a starring role in the Harry Potter films); the Grampian Mountains; the Cairngorm massif and the jagged west coast, that stretches all the way from Argyll to Wester Ross.
Drive from Ullapool in Ross-shire, ferry out to the Outer Hebrides and into the windswept streets of Stornoway. An astonishing 150-mile round trip that takes in standing stones, lochs and white sand beaches looking on to sparkling seas.
Find your way around Scotland
To make your journey even easier, we can include a sat nav with your car so you can relax.
Finish with a smile
Just eight miles from the Scottish capital, Edinburgh Airport is clearly signposted from the A8 and surrounding motorways. Once you arrive, simply follow signs for car rental returns. We’ll see you there.
Top tips for driving in Edinburgh
Which side of the road?
In the United Kingdom, please drive on the left side of the road.
Country driving laws
- Mobile phones may only be used with a headset or hands-free device
- There is a congestion charge payable when driving in London
- Use the outside lane to overtake on motorways and dual carriageways
- Zebra crossings (black and white stripes on the road) give pedestrians right of way to cross the road
Speed Limits
All speed signs will be in mph.
For a standard Avis rental vehicle with no trailers:
- Urban areas: 30 mph (48 km/h)
- Motorways: 70 mph (112 km/h)
- Rural areas: 60 mph (96 km/h)
Unless indicated by road signs.
Child safety / Seatbelt laws
- It is compulsory for the driver and all passengers to wear a seatbelt
- Children aged under 12 or less than 135 cm tall must be seated in an appropriate child restraint for their size
Please note - It is the child’s parent/guardian or vehicle renter’s responsibility to fit the child seat.
This road rules information is for provided for general guidance only. We endeavour to keep the information up to date and accurate, but any reliance you place on this information is at your own risk. For more information, check out our Edinburgh driving guide.
Why choose Avis for your Edinburgh Airport car hire?
- Fully flexible
Enjoy fee-free flexible booking with full cash refunds and no vouchers.
- Fully flexible
- Savings on coverage
When you choose Avis Inclusive you can experience total peace of mind with no extras or surprises. Pay one upfront price for free Roadside Assistance Plus and 25% discount on comprehensive zero-excess cover.
- Savings on coverage
- Loyalty benefits
Join our free loyalty programme Avis Preferred, and benefit from priority service, discounts and more.
- Loyalty benefits
- Safety first
From our well-maintained fleet to protecting your data, we take safety seriously. That means before each rental our vehicles are safety checked and cleaned in line with hygiene protocols.
- Safety first
- Faster collection
Save time at the counter by registering your details in advance with our simple and free QuickPass. You could be on the road sooner than you think.
- Faster collection
- VIP treatment
Get priority counter service on collection with Avis Preferred. At our larger locations you can use our Avis app to go straight to your car where the keys will be waiting for you.
- VIP treatment
Edinburgh car rental FAQs
How do I collect my hire car at Edinburgh airport?
When you land at Edinburgh Airport, head from the arrivals hall to our desk. One of our members of staff will process your booking, and then you may proceed to collect your vehicle at the Car Rental Centre.
Can I return a rental car to the airport?
If you've rented a car from a different Avis hub but wish to return it at Edinburgh Airport, then you must arrange your return prior to the commencement of your rental agreement. If you return your car to Edinburgh Airport without specifying in your rental contract, a fee will apply.
Do I need winter tyres to drive in Scotland?
No, there is no legal requirement for passenger cars in Scotland to be equipped with winter tyres. However, most of our cars in our Edinburgh rental hubs will have winter tyres available.