Enjoy a hassle-free road trip adventure with the 5 best car rentals in Edinburgh
Finding the best car rental in Edinburgh is like choosing the perfect city tour—there are plenty of options, everyone has their favorite, and all claim to have the best ride in town.
But not all car rental companies can live up to their promise of well-maintained vehicles and fair pricing.
So, in the name of a stress-free travel (and a smoother road trip!), I took it upon myself to test out Edinburgh’s top car rental services.
I wanted to find out which ones truly offer the best selection, service, and value—whether you need a stylish ride in the city or an off-road SUV for exploring the Highlands.
Fasten your seatbelt, and let’s see which car rentals made it to the list!
How much do car rentals in Edinburgh cost?
You can expect to pay around £42 to £73 for a daily car rental in Edinburgh. Rates may vary depending on the make and model of the vehicle, time of year, booking date, and pick-up location.
1. SIXT Car Hire
Address:
Contact: +442070188246
Business hours:
- Edinburgh Airport: Mon – Sun: 6:30 AM – 11:00 PM
- Edinburgh Waverley / City centre: Mon – Sun: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Let’s start this list strong with SIXT Car Rental. This global company has provided car rental services since 1912 and has grown to 2,200 locations in over 105 countries worldwide.
Whether you want a convertible or a minibus, you can easily book your rental online or on their mobile app and select the perfect vehicle for your needs. This feature makes SIXT very popular among the past clients I interviewed.
In my experience, their website is easy to navigate and very helpful, especially for first-time customers. It contains a detailed Help Center page, handy driver FAQs on the city you’re visiting, and tourist spot recommendations.
Returning your rented car is also a breeze with their prepaid fuel option, as you no longer have to worry about refueling the vehicle on your way to the airport.
Many customers also noted their after-hours return service, where you can easily park it in a designated SIXT spot, lock the car, and leave the keys in the bright orange SIXT box.
However, one client I spoke with was surprised that she was charged double for the service. This may be an isolated issue, but it’s better to be clear about any free upgrades and always double-check your bill with the staff.
Premium experience
“Excellent pickup process where we were upgraded. The car was fantastic for what we needed and then the return process took all of about 10 seconds. I was sent a return report within an hour showing the condition of the car and confirmed, as expected, no additional charges. Great service, would definitely use again.”
– Marcus Arcanjo, Google Reviews
Seamless car rental service
“Easy to book through the app. Pick up was done in a whiff through the helping smile of Glency (I hope I got that right). Everything was according to the agreement and we driving an almost brand new Kia Sportage in no time. The car was comfortable, immaculately clean and a pleasure to drive during our 10 day road-trip around Scotland. The return was also seemless and we were aided by the amazing Jonas, who not only was extremely professional yet very friendly but also exceeded our expectations with his assistance!
Thoroughly recommendable experience! Well done SIXT @Edinburgh Airport! Amazing job!”
– Cyprian Dalli, Google Reviews
2. Arnold Clark Car and Van Rental
Address:
Contact:
- Edinburgh Airport: +441313330124
- Seafield: +441315617779
- Sighthill: +441314581501
Business hours:
- Edinburgh Airport: Mon – Sun: 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Seafield:
- Mon – Fri: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Sat: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Sun: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sighthill:
- Mon – Fri: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sat: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Sun: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Let’s keep the ball rolling with Arnold Clark Car and Van Rental.
What stands out is their nationwide fleet of over 55,000 vehicles, carrying stylish sedans, family-friendly SUVs, and spacious trucks—whatever you need, you can find it here.
Booking online was a breeze, as many customers mentioned, with standard prices inclusive of insurance and emergency roadside assistance for a hassle-free ride.
Plus, they offer a one-way car rental feature where you can return the vehicle at another branch. Talk about convenience!
From my experience, their customer service team is professional and efficient, ensuring a quick pickup and return process. A few customers noted how easy it was to rent a car at the airport without booking in advance, and I agree.
Many clients I interviewed were also impressed by how the company cares for the environment. The company has implemented ways to reduce its carbon emissions, waste, paper, and water use.
While there are mostly positive reviews, some customers claimed that the quality of the cars was not so great, and they had issues with their overall performance. It’s best to do a thorough inspection of the vehicle to avoid any inconvenience.
Free upgrade
“We rented a car here after we had to cancel our reservation at another company. Even though it was a last-minute reservation, they welcomed us with open arms. Pamela (one of their employees) was very friendly and explained everything we needed to know. We got a free upgrade because we wanted a small car, but they had none left. When returning the car, everything went smoothly. I can definitely recommend renting a car here.”
– Leander Mergaert, Google Reviews
Friendly and professional staff
“We had an excellent experience with this car rental company. The staff was friendly, professional, and always ready to help with any inquiries we had. I especially want to highlight Jared for his exceptional service—his expertise and warm attitude made the entire process smooth and enjoyable. Highly recommended!”
– Miroslav Brabec, Google Reviews
3. Clarkson Car & Van Hire
Address: 1-21 Swinton Crescent, Baillieston, Glasgow
Contact: +441417713990
Business hours:
- Mon – Fri: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Sat: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Sun: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Clarkson Car & Van Hire offers great value for money and has an accommodating staff ready to assist you from booking to car release.
Clients had nothing but praise for the company’s Meet and Greet service, where a uniformed officer meets you at the airport upon your arrival and personally hands over all the necessary paperwork.
Due to their customer-focused approach, their officer will assist you with your baggage and lead you to your rented vehicle. There, a thorough inspection will be made before they hand you the key.
Clarkson Car & Van Hire also offers compact cars, mid-sized sedans, hatchbacks, SUVs, vans, minibuses, and a cab tipper for construction or landscaping purposes. Customers also say that their prices are marginally cheaper compared to those available locally.
The only downside I noticed is that there are additional deposits for young drivers aged 21-24 and those with a non-UK license. However, these deposits are refundable upon the safe return of the vehicle.
Reliable roadside assistance
“Would give clarkson van hire more stars if I could I have used them many times now and they are very accommodating. 3 times have all been last minute hires 2 times my car broke down and had to be recovered and I called clarkson and they got me on the road quickly and last time I hired a van 3 weeks ago to do the NC500, again I booked the van for the week only giving them a few days notice and they could help with no problems. These guys charge 1/3 of what I was getting quoted at the bigger hire companies and the staff couldn’t be nicer. They are cheap, reliable, friendly and accommodating what more could you want. To the team at clarkson I appreciate your help and accommodation”
– Peter Allan, Google Reviews
Support local business
“Clarksons is a family run business that’s passed from generation to generation- and has stood the test of time- and with good reason I’ve been hiring from here for over 20 years and would highly recommend. Highly competitive prices where you can hire for as long or short a period as you like. The staff are all efficient, friendly and professional. We should try to support small local business, especially in the current climate . Thanks Clarkston!”
– Adele Innes, Google Review
4. Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Address: 67 Salamander St, Leith
Contact: +441315550555
Business hours:
- Mon – Fri: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sat: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Sun: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Since 1957, Enterprise Rent-A-Car has been providing exceptional service and flexible rental options, allowing them to expand to 9,500 branches in nearly 100 countries and territories.
One of their best customer-centric features is their ease of booking and diverse car selection. From cars to van rentals, SUVs, and exotic luxury vehicles, Enterprise has various options to suit your needs.
The company also provides a breakdown of rental costs, allowing customers to see what’s included in their booking and preventing hidden charges.
Clients also highlight the company’s sustainability efforts by including electric vehicles in their fleet. Aside from reducing emissions, EVs have lower fuel costs and superior performance, promising a smooth ride throughout your journey.
While most feedback is positive, some clients mentioned that Enterprise has higher rental costs compared to budget-friendly competitors in Edinburgh. Some also noted that while service is generally great, wait times at busy locations, such as the airport, can be an issue.
Knowledgeable staff
“Had an exceptional experience with Toby at the weekend. I was hiring a car to visit some garages to purchase a new one. Turns out the model I was looking to purchase was available to hire for an extra £10. Not only did toby initially get me a good deal for my first hire but he upgraded me for £10 and the look on my family’s face when I rocked up with the car was brilliant to see. Great start to our day. Thanks Toby! All staff at the beach were super friendly too and explained everything I needed to know about the hire and conditions very clearly. Put me at ease. No dodgy tactics here”
– Gordon Galway, Google Reviews
Vehicle in good condition
“Hired a van. Good vehicle in good condition. Drove well and had no problems at all. The rental process was simple and all the people I spoke with at pick up and drop off were friendly, helpful and professional. I was able to leave my car in their lot overnight while I had the van and there is lots of parking in the area too. Good experience throughout. Very happy.”
– Mia Nelson, Google Reviews
5. Edinburgh Car Rental
Address: Suite 1, 17 Tytler Gardens
Contact: +441312070878
Business hours: Available 24/7
Edinburgh Car Rental is the top choice for travelers looking for accessibility, convenience, and value for money.
With well-maintained vehicles ranging from budget-friendly cars to premium vehicles and convertibles to people-carrier rentals, they can cater to your needs without breaking the bank.
I noticed how easy it was to create a booking online, as their website is simple and easy to navigate.
They also have a Booking Manager page, where you can modify or cancel your rental. However, this is only applicable to online bookings.
Due to their affordable price range, Edinburgh Car Rental is popular among younger drivers, especially those aged 25 and below. Instead of charging astronomical fees, they carefully assess each driver’s experience and qualifications for the best rates.
Clients also praised the company’s diverse services, including long-term car hire, vehicle delivery, and one-way car hire. This flexibility is what keeps customers (young and old!) coming back.
However, while there is a live chat button on their website, it requires you to fill out a form instead and wait for their call. This may not be ideal if you have urgent inquiries.
Unmatched service
“The best car rental experience in Scotland!
The team are extremely kind, personable, and accommodating.
The process couldn’t have gone any smoother. The price for the quality of the vehicle and quality of the service couldn’t be matched.”
– David Lindros, Google Reviews
Unforgettable trip
“We both thoroughly appreciate our experience with Edinburgh Car Rental. The MINI Countryman S was absolutely perfect for the North Coast 500’s winding, mountainous roads – it really became a third member of the trip. Being able to hire the car we wanted made such a difference for our road-trip holiday. The customer experience was excellent, too.”
– sperberwe, Google Reviews