Part of our Taxi vs public transport from Edinburgh Airport guide
Quick answer
If you are staying in Edinburgh, a transfer is usually better than car hire: the city is compact and walkable, parking is limited and costly, and you will not need a car. Hire a car when you start touring the Highlands. Many visitors take a transfer into the city, then collect a hire car on the day they leave Edinburgh.
The short answer
- Staying in Edinburgh only? Take a transfer. The centre is walkable, with trams and buses for everything else.
- Touring Scotland? Hire a car for the touring days, not for your days in the city.
- Going to one place outside Edinburgh, such as St Andrews, a Highland hotel or a ski resort? A transfer there and back can be simpler than a week's hire.
Car hire at Edinburgh Airport
The car rental centre is a short walk from the terminal along the covered walkway beside the multi-storey car park. Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz, National and Sixt all operate there.
Things to weigh up
| Car hire | Transfer | |
|---|---|---|
| In the city | Parking at hotels and on-street is limited and costly; the centre has a Low Emission Zone | Door to door, then walk |
| After a long flight | Driving on the left on unfamiliar roads | Someone else drives |
| Touring the Highlands | Total freedom | Fixed-route trips, or a private tour with a driver |
| Cost | Daily hire, fuel, insurance and parking | One fixed price per journey |
A popular plan
- Take a transfer from the airport to your city hotel.
- Enjoy Edinburgh on foot, by tram and by bus.
- Collect a hire car in the city or at the airport on the day you head north.
Prefer not to drive at all? We run private day tours and long-distance transfers, including to the Highlands.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car in Edinburgh?
Usually not. The city centre is compact and walkable, with trams and buses, and parking is limited and expensive.
Where is car hire at Edinburgh Airport?
At the car rental centre, a short walk from the terminal along the covered walkway beside the multi-storey car park.
Is it better to hire a car or take a taxi from Edinburgh Airport?
If you are staying in Edinburgh, a transfer is usually better. Hire a car for the days you tour the rest of Scotland.
Sources
Facts, fares and timetables checked 26 October 2026. They change, so check with the operator before you travel.