Discover Edinburgh by Hire Car
Edinburgh is the capital and parliamentary seat of Scotland, making it one of the most important cities in the United Kingdom.
The city is situated on several hills of volcanic origin on the east coast of Scotland and has about 450,000 inhabitants.
Edinburgh is a tourist magnet due to its sights and cultural events.
And the surrounding countryside can be easily explored by hire car. We have put together a few tips for your trip.
Receiving the hire car
Just a few steps away from the terminal of the airport in Edinburgh, you will find the Hire Car Center. There are numerous stations of hire car companies located there. You should only make sure that your rental company is also located directly at the airport. There are also providers whose stations are only close to the airport. And if you have to wait for the shuttle to get there, you will lose valuable holiday time.
Choosing the right hire car
Due to the left-hand traffic in Scotland, it is advisable to rent an automatic vehicle. Then you do not have to search for the gears with your left hand, but can concentrate completely on the traffic. As many roads in Scotland are quite narrow, it is advisable to take a smaller vehicle with which you can get through everywhere quickly. If, on the other hand, you want to go into the wild Highlands, an off-road vehicle is the right choice. With it you can also manage on unpaved roads.
Hire car prices
It is not too expensive to hire a car in Scotland. However, during peak season, there can be shortages. And that’s when prices go up, too. To play it safe, book your hire car well in advance and use our handy price comparison.
hire car price comparison Edinburgh
Insurance
The unfamiliar left-hand traffic and the narrow roads ensure that a small accident can easily happen. With a comprehensive insurance without deductible you are well insured in such a case. It is important that you pay attention to the amount of coverage of the liability. It should be at least one million euros. Because if people are injured in an accident, it can quickly become really expensive.
age limit
Young drivers should definitely pay attention to whether there is an age limit with their rental company. Many providers charge extra if drivers are under 25. And some don’t lend to drivers under 21 at all.
Accessories
Do you need a sat nav or a child seat? Then you should reserve these items well in advance so that you are also in stock when you pick up the hire car. Often it is also advisable to compare the rental prices for accessories. There the providers often have quite different conditions. And only when you have added the cost of the accessories to the cheek rental, you know the actual price.
Language barrier
If pure Scottish is spoken, you probably won’t understand a word. But don’t worry: all Scots also speak the best English, so you’ll always get on fine.
Free kilometers
If you fancy Scottish country drives, you should book a car with no mileage limit. Then you do not have to look constantly anxiously at the mileage indicator to avoid additional costs. If, on the other hand, you only want to go to the Edinburgh area, it might be enough to take out a cheaper rental contract with a mileage limit.
Customer Review Hire Car
Most of the customers are satisfied with the hire car stations in Edinburgh. However, since many hire cars have dents and scratches, you should confirm them in the fault report. And before renting the car, read the customer reviews on this portal. So you avoid to get to a black sheep among the rental companies.
Safety hire car
Usually, you will be provided with a roadworthy hire car in Scotland. Nevertheless, before your first drive, test the car’s lights, including the brake light and turn signals. And do a brake test while still in the hire car car park.
Bail
A deposit is required when you rent your hire car. Some providers simply block the amount on your credit card, others actually collect it. To avoid having to wait an unnecessarily long time for the refund, you should find out how your rental company of choice handles this before you rent the car.
Sights in Edinburgh
Princes Street: feel the pulse of the city
A stroll down Princes Street is a nice start to a city tour. There, original shops and chic restaurants and cafés await you in an exciting mix of classicist and modern buildings.
Edinburgh Castle: witness to the past
Next stop could be Edinburgh Castle. A gloomy castle complex awaits, with its oldest building, St Margaret's Chapel, dating back to the 11th century. Visitors who visit the castle at lunchtime should not be alarmed by the loud cannonading. The “one o'clock gun” is fired daily from the “Mill's Mount Battery” at 1pm sharp. From there you have a fantastic view over the city. Don’t miss the Great Hall, which has been used for banquets since the Middle Ages. Especially the vaulted ceiling made of wood fascinates the visitors. Edinburgh Castle is open from 1 April to 30 September from 09:30 to 18:00. In winter, you can visit it until 17:00. The entrance fee is 16 pounds.
Scotch Whisky Experience: The national drink on the track.
A nice end to the stroll is a visit to the Scotch Whisky Experience. There you will learn everything about the production of the Scottish national drink, which you may also taste after the tour. The Scotch Whisky Experience is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00. Last admission is at 5:30pm. Tickets cost between £13.50 and £54, depending on which of the tours on offer you choose.
Suggestion of a round trip
St. Andrews: Home of Golf
A first drive with your hire car could take you first to St. Andrews. You will be there in just over an hour. In St Andrews, you will not only have the opportunity to experience a venerable university town, but you can also discover the mecca of all golfers. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews was founded as early as 1754, making it one of the most traditional golf clubs in the world.
Glamis Castle: castle like something out of a chivalry novel
Next stop on the trip is Glamis Castle. From St Andrews, you can reach the castle in less than an hour. Standing in front of the charming building with its numerous towers, you will surely expect to see a knight or damsel soon. However, it is much more likely that you will meet the Queen or one of her relatives, as Glamis Castle has been one of the residences of the British nobility since 3172. The Queen’s mother spent her childhood there and Princess Margaret was born here. Today Glamis Castle is occupied by the Earl and Countess of Strathmore, who have decided to open parts of the castle to the public. An admission ticket costs £10.90. You can visit the castle from April 12 to November 2 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. The last admission is at 4:30pm.
Pitlochry: Enchanting place with picturesque hiking trails
Before you steer your hire car back to Edinburgh, it is still recommended to make a stop in Pitlochry. You will be there in about an hour. A picturesque place awaits you, from where you can take wonderful walks and hikes in the surrounding area. And the return journey to Edinburgh will only take you an hour and a half.
Conclusion
The diversity of the landscape around Edinburgh is great to explore by hire car. Numerous historic buildings await discovery. The wild nature invites to extensive country trips. And with our price comparison for hire cars you will always find a suitable offer.
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