Car Hire in Edinburgh Waverley

Edinburgh Waverley is the city's most central rental location with as many as 11 rental companies gathered around the railway station and surrounding streets in the heart of New Town. Here you pick up your car right after your train and you're ready to explore Scotland in minutes. Waverley is at the bottom of Princes Street, 400 meters from Edinburgh Castle.

From Waverley you can reach Arthur's Seat in a 10-minute walk and Holyrood Palace in 1.5 km. The M9 motorway north toward Stirling and the Highlands can be reached in approximately 20 minutes via A90 and the Forth Road Bridge. Book a car at least 2 weeks in advance during the Edinburgh Fringe (all of August) when all 11 companies quickly become fully booked.

Drive early in the morning to avoid queues on North Bridge and Royal Mile. If you're planning a Highlands trip, take the A9 north via Perth – Inverness is 280 km away, approximately 3 hours. Where do I pick up my rental car at Edinburgh Waverley?

Most rental companies have offices within 500 meters of the station, mainly along Waverley Bridge and St Andrew Square. How long does it take to drive to Loch Ness from Waverley? Loch Ness is approximately 250 km to the north via A9, which takes roughly 2.5–3 hours.

Can I park my rental car at Waverley station? Waverley has limited parking – use the NCP St James or Castle Terrace car parks right next to it.

We compare prices from all major providers at Edinburgh Waverley so you can see the total cost upfront - including insurance, fuel terms and any extras. Most bookings include free cancellation up to 48 hours before pickup, giving you flexibility if your plans change.