Edinburgh Airport Car Rental
The Edinburgh Airport (EDI) is situated in due West of the city center of Edinburgh, Scotland - about 10 km. The airport is easily the largest airport in Scotland - in terms of passenger count. The airport currently runs about 10 million passengers per year to and from the airport. The most common flight connection to (and from) the Edinburgh Airport are Heathrow and Gatwick airports. 
There are several car rental companies located at the Edinburgh Airport. These include Alamo, Europcar, National, Budget, Avis, Hertz, Enterprise, Sixt, Thrifty and Dollar. Any of these companies would make a fine choice to explore the area in a rental car.
The actual car rental center is located outside of the main terminal. To get to the car rental center, you will simply walk out of the front of the terminal. Staying to the left, you will walk underneath a covered walkway to the newly-built car rental center. Car rental pickup and return will both be located in this area, and it's not difficult at all to find.
Returning your vehicle back to the Edinburgh Airport isn't difficult either. To re-fuel your rental at a service station before returning is generally a good idea. We typically recommend a Shell Service Station (see Picture Below) on your way back to the airport. This petrol station will be on the right-hand side - situated across from a Marriott Hotel. Once you pass the Gyle Public Park on the left, watch for the Shell Station. It sits on the corner of Maybury Road about 3 km from the turn off of A8, into the airport.
Finally, if you get back to the airport too early, there is a key drop-off at the car rental center at the airport. As usual, we always prefer to drop off the rental vehicle to an actual human. This way, you are able to make certain no additional charges will be tacked on to your invoice that you were unaware of. But if you have an early flight out of Edinburgh, and the situation is unavoidable, simply drop the keys in the car rental center drop box and leave your vehicle in the appropriate drop off location at the airport. 
Hilton Edinburgh Airport Hotel - Of the two airports that we are looking at here, the Hilton offers a little more in terms of convenience. Leaving the airport road (Eastfield), you will approach the Hilton long before you get to the A8, or Glasgow Road. The signs will be well-marked, as you exit to the left at the second traffic circle. Watch for flags overhead, right next to the brown-brick hotel building. The hotel offers a shuttle service from the terminal, for those who don't rent a car at the Edinburgh. A bar, fitness center, restaurant and business center are included at the hotel. A very good breakfast checks in at around £14-£15.
Quality Hotel Edinburgh Airport - Another good choice is the Quality Hotel. The Quality Hotel also offers a nice breakfast buffet, and is within a short shuttle transfer as well. If traveling in your rental car, simply take the 2nd traffic circle and travel West on Fairview Road for a few hundred meters. Recently (2012) the hotel seems to have taken a more proactive stance in terms of service. Not that it was ever lacking before, but it appears that practically almost all of their patrons are very pleased with their stay at the Quality Hotel near the Edinburgh. Amenities include a bar, free parking, and of course the restaurant. The price in comparison to the Hilton above will generally be far cheaper (about 60% of the price of the Hilton) as well. It's worth the research to see if this one works for you. 
Driving a rental car in Edinburgh isn't too difficult, normally. However, as of this writing (2012) the tram disaster has created a problem for many drivers in the area. And, because of this, renting a vehicle from the Edinburgh Airport (if you're planning on renting, that is) is probably the best place to do so. Many streets in the city are closed and it may be difficult to even find a good location to rent from.
However, even in normal circumstances, drivers should take much caution when driving in Edinburgh. Many compare driving in Edinburgh with driving a rental car in London. At times the roads can be very congested, and you'll be driving on the left-hand side of the road as well. Speed limits are in force for all roads, even if there is no sign. And count on encountering loads of traffic circles, or roundabouts throughout the country.
Car rental prices vary considerably - depending on what type of rental vehicle you decide to go with at the airport. You can spend from about 30 EUR for a basic mini rental to well over 200 EUR per day for a 7-passenger minivan, and actually the prices that you will find at the airport will generally be cheaper than the prices you will find at the Edinburgh Waverley Railway car rental location. But as always, it is a good idea to check on specific vehicles just to get an idea. Other cars available for hire at the airport include luxury/Mercedes vehicles, compacts, premium vehicles and SUV's for renters looking for a little more room.
Finally, we want you to know how much we appreciate your visiting our site. We hope you learned a little bit about renting a car at the Edinburgh Airport. Also, if you ever have any more questions, just use the contact form above. We'll answer just as quick (and accurately) as we possibly can.
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Edinburgh Airport Basics.....
The Edinburgh Airport (EDI) is situated in due West of the city center of Edinburgh, Scotland - about 10 km. The airport is easily the largest airport in Scotland - in terms of passenger count. The airport currently runs about 10 million passengers per year to and from the airport. The most common flight connection to (and from) the Edinburgh Airport are Heathrow and Gatwick airports.
Edinburgh Airport Car Rental.....
There are several car rental companies located at the Edinburgh Airport. These include Alamo, Europcar, National, Budget, Avis, Hertz, Enterprise, Sixt, Thrifty and Dollar. Any of these companies would make a fine choice to explore the area in a rental car.
The actual car rental center is located outside of the main terminal. To get to the car rental center, you will simply walk out of the front of the terminal. Staying to the left, you will walk underneath a covered walkway to the newly-built car rental center. Car rental pickup and return will both be located in this area, and it's not difficult at all to find.
Returning your vehicle back to the Edinburgh Airport isn't difficult either. To re-fuel your rental at a service station before returning is generally a good idea. We typically recommend a Shell Service Station (see Picture Below) on your way back to the airport. This petrol station will be on the right-hand side - situated across from a Marriott Hotel. Once you pass the Gyle Public Park on the left, watch for the Shell Station. It sits on the corner of Maybury Road about 3 km from the turn off of A8, into the airport.
Finally, if you get back to the airport too early, there is a key drop-off at the car rental center at the airport. As usual, we always prefer to drop off the rental vehicle to an actual human. This way, you are able to make certain no additional charges will be tacked on to your invoice that you were unaware of. But if you have an early flight out of Edinburgh, and the situation is unavoidable, simply drop the keys in the car rental center drop box and leave your vehicle in the appropriate drop off location at the airport.
Hotels Near the Edinburgh Airport.....
Hilton Edinburgh Airport Hotel - Of the two airports that we are looking at here, the Hilton offers a little more in terms of convenience. Leaving the airport road (Eastfield), you will approach the Hilton long before you get to the A8, or Glasgow Road. The signs will be well-marked, as you exit to the left at the second traffic circle. Watch for flags overhead, right next to the brown-brick hotel building. The hotel offers a shuttle service from the terminal, for those who don't rent a car at the Edinburgh. A bar, fitness center, restaurant and business center are included at the hotel. A very good breakfast checks in at around £14-£15.
Quality Hotel Edinburgh Airport - Another good choice is the Quality Hotel. The Quality Hotel also offers a nice breakfast buffet, and is within a short shuttle transfer as well. If traveling in your rental car, simply take the 2nd traffic circle and travel West on Fairview Road for a few hundred meters. Recently (2012) the hotel seems to have taken a more proactive stance in terms of service. Not that it was ever lacking before, but it appears that practically almost all of their patrons are very pleased with their stay at the Quality Hotel near the Edinburgh. Amenities include a bar, free parking, and of course the restaurant. The price in comparison to the Hilton above will generally be far cheaper (about 60% of the price of the Hilton) as well. It's worth the research to see if this one works for you.
Driving a Rental Car in Edinburgh.....
Driving a rental car in Edinburgh isn't too difficult, normally. However, as of this writing (2012) the tram disaster has created a problem for many drivers in the area. And, because of this, renting a vehicle from the Edinburgh Airport (if you're planning on renting, that is) is probably the best place to do so. Many streets in the city are closed and it may be difficult to even find a good location to rent from.
However, even in normal circumstances, drivers should take much caution when driving in Edinburgh. Many compare driving in Edinburgh with driving a rental car in London. At times the roads can be very congested, and you'll be driving on the left-hand side of the road as well. Speed limits are in force for all roads, even if there is no sign. And count on encountering loads of traffic circles, or roundabouts throughout the country.
Car Rental Types at the Edinburgh Airport.....
Car rental prices vary considerably - depending on what type of rental vehicle you decide to go with at the airport. You can spend from about 30 EUR for a basic mini rental to well over 200 EUR per day for a 7-passenger minivan, and actually the prices that you will find at the airport will generally be cheaper than the prices you will find at the Edinburgh Waverley Railway car rental location. But as always, it is a good idea to check on specific vehicles just to get an idea. Other cars available for hire at the airport include luxury/Mercedes vehicles, compacts, premium vehicles and SUV's for renters looking for a little more room.
Finally, we want you to know how much we appreciate your visiting our site. We hope you learned a little bit about renting a car at the Edinburgh Airport. Also, if you ever have any more questions, just use the contact form above. We'll answer just as quick (and accurately) as we possibly can.
Source: Edinburgh Airport Homepage