Suggestions for car rentals in Edinburgh

**Sample m** · 21st May 14, 03:31 PM

I'm a chicago daily driver. And consider ourselves the best drivers in the nation. ( even though everyone else thinks we are the worst). The wife and I were in Edinburgh last summer. We visited the city and went to the highlands and checked out the country side. By bus. And now starting to get to know the city, i would still take the bus. It's real hard not t stare off at the beauty of scotland. And while driving on narrow roads and driving a foreign car on the opposite side of the road. Busses are cheap, most have wifi and most will give You a great history lesson. Bus, hiking or taxis. Just my thoughts. Have a great trip. Cheers

**cck** · 21st May 14, 04:26 PM

Last year I rented a car at the Edinburgh Airport and here are my comments: First I had to battle the car rental co. who wanted to double my rental fee by insisting I take their insurance. Unlike in the US, most cars are shift models. I chose to get one with automatic drive, since I would be driving on the strange side and using my left hand, I wanted to eliminate at least one of the challenges. Roads are narrow, shoulder are absent. Highways are beautifully marked. Avoid driving through large cities. Take you kilt, the tourists will want to take your picture.

**Calgacus** · 22nd May 14, 03:20 AM

The buses in Edinburgh are reasonably priced and the service very good. I wouldn't bother taking a car in to Edinburgh city centre, the traffic is bad, parking is difficult and expensive. I suggest park & ride.

http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/200..._park_and_ride

For getting to the parts of the highlands that the buses don't get to (the best bits!), I'd drive. The roads are generally quiet and you have the freedom to stop off wherever and whenever you like.

**Ozark Ridge Rider** · 22nd May 14, 06:30 PM

The first trip, I booked early and specified an automatic transmission and a GPS, which I was assured would be no problem. When it came time to pick it up, I got neither. Rather I got a Chezh clone of a VW golf with a 5-speed manual. I don't have a problem with a stick shift but the wrong side of the road was something I never got used to.

This past summer, I told the fair lass; "go anywhere and schedule whatever you like, but I'm not driving" The buses were great.

**BCAC** · 23rd May 14, 08:48 AM

Originally Posted by Ozark Ridge Rider

The first trip, I booked early and specified an automatic transmission and a GPS, which I was assured would be no problem. When it came time to pick it up, I got neither. Rather I got a Chezh clone of a VW golf with a 5-speed manual. I don't have a problem with a stick shift but the wrong side of the road was something I never got used to.

This past summer, I told the fair lass; "go anywhere and schedule whatever you like, but I'm not driving" The buses were great.

My bold. You should be used to driving on the wrong side of the road, you do it all the time at home!

**SeumasA** · 25th May 14, 12:40 PM

Five years ago, we took a two week trip to Ireland and Scotland for our anniversary. Each time we picked up a rental car, we were told, "You know, this is a pretty small car. And it has a manual transmission. Don't you want something bigger?" I thanked them and told them it was exactly what we wanted. When we got away from the cities and onto the single track roads I was glad I hadn't let them talk me into something bigger.
Driving on the 'wrong' side of the road wasn't a problem at all for me; I had more trouble getting used to shifting with my left hand than anything else.

**Phil Campbell** · 25th May 14, 02:55 PM

Last summer the family and I had the good fortune to be in Scotland and rented a car from Hertz in downtown Edinburg. They were not the cheapest but I have recieved good service from them in years past. I asked for a Manual Transmission, No GPS and I did not want insurance. I ended up with a new Volvo with Automatic Transmission and GPS and at the last moment I purchased the Insurance. I was glad for all three. The roads in the Highland get a wee bit narrow for this Yank. When we returned the car in London, the nice folks at Hertz noted that I had "skinned" the left front tire sidewall and hubcap and said that without the Insurance I would have been charged 300 pound for repairs. Enjoy your Holiday!

**Alan H** · 5th June 14, 01:49 PM

Just as an update on this, for our first two nights I've booked us a room in a B&B on Corstophine road, about 3 miles from the City Center. It's apparently about 10-15 minutes via the 100 bus to the city Center and about the same from the airport to our B&B. I've opted to not rent a car at all, the first two days, as all of you lads have convinced me that driving into Edinburgh is a nightmare which is best avoided.

We'll take the bus from the airport to our B&B when we get there and ask them nicely to hide our luggage in the back room until we return in the late afternoon. The B&B is more or less right across the street from the rugby stadium. Then we take the bus into the City for the rest of the day. Next day...same thing.

The third day, we get up a bit early, have breakfast and get on the bus for the trip back to the airport. There, we rent a car and head for Stirling.

This way I don't have to jump in a car on a day when I've been sitting on airplanes or in airports for 20-something hours. I have two days to adjust to the notion of seeing cars on the opposite side of the road. I don't have to find a place to park the car at the B&B when we're not even using it. We're not paying for two days use of a car we won't even start up. It's all just so much simpler.

Now to figure out if the Shell stations around Scotland will accept a USA Shell credit card.

**cck** · 5th June 14, 03:32 PM

I think you are wise not to drive in Edinburgh. Even with a good navigator and a map we had difficulties. Roads change names and are poorly marked. Stirling is relatively small and should not be a driving challenge - at least it was not for us. Sorry, I can't help with the Shell card. Enjoy !

**Jock Scot** · 6th June 14, 12:50 AM

I think that you have chosen wisely with your course of action for the first couple of days Alan.

If I may, can I make a plea to all visiting drivers to Scotland? I suppose it could apply to visiting drivers worldwide. Anyway, as far as Scotland is concerned, whilst our "A" roads are pretty good and THIS IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT on"B" and single track roads, given the terrain they often do not always allow for easy and safe overtaking, particularly the further North you go.

So to our visitors can I beg you to look in your mirrors regularly to see if there are people trying to overtake. You may have time on your hands to take your time and enjoy the wonderful views , but the locals have not. It is not uncommon, an everyday occurance at this time of year,for a 5 mile tailback of cars and lorries to occur behind a visitor----I kid you not. If you want to drive at 30 MPH taking in the views thats fine, but please allow others to proceed at a faster pace. If you want to take pictures, or soak up the atmosphere then there are plenty of well signposted laybyes to pull into. Visiting drivers and impatiant locals in this situation are I am afraid all too often, a lethal mixture on our roads.