From the world-famous NC500 to the scenic Isle of Skye, there are so many fantastic road trips in Scotland.
We’ve spent almost 6 months here in total road tripping, so trust us… we know!
This country is teeming with the most breathtaking landscapes, historic castles, and stunning lochs.
This is why renting a car may be one of the best ways to experience the place.
But there are just so many car hires in Scotland.
So, where do you start picking just one?
Today, we’ll be talking about the best place to rent a car in Edinburgh and other cities in Scotland.
Without further ado, let’s start!
Before you choose the perfect rental for your trip in Scotland, it’s always a good idea to compare car rental companies and get not only the best price, but the best vehicle for your needs.
While you can do this manually, we recommend using a comparison website, such as DiscoverCars.
This will certainly make the entire process of choosing and renting a car in Scotland much easier!
DiscoverCars is among the best car rental comparison sites in Scotland, as it works with more than 500 rental companies across 10,000 locations worldwide.
You can compare thousands of different offers in Scotland alone…
Not only do they have a 4.6-rating on Trustpilot, they also offer free cancellation and no hidden costs!
Plus, it’s quite convenient to be able to filter cars and companies based on your budget and travel dates.
Below are a few more things we love about DiscoverCars:
Known as one of the biggest car rentals in Europe, Europcar is our top pick for renting a car in Scotland.
They have friendly service, new cars at low prices, and even offer a “Best Price Guaranteed”.
There’s also a Privilege Loyalty Program where you can get some rewards and perks, which is great if you’re planning to rent cars even beyond Scotland.
Not to mention that Europcar is the first car rental company in the UK with certified commitments to the environment through their Green Programme.
Finally, their mobile app is great if you’re a frequent traveller who likes to rent cars across the world. You can access options in 3,800 stations in over 130 countries!
The range of options that Europcar offers includes pretty much everything you could ever think of…
From automatic to manual transmissions, 5 or 9-seaters, luxury, economy rentals, the list goes on!
So, whether you’re driving in Scotland for a business trip or a family holiday, it’s easy to search for the most appropriate car to rent.
Brands vary from Cadillac, Chevrolet, and Ford, to Fiat, Jaguar, Volvo, Hyundai, Toyota, and so much more.
SIXT is a major player not only in Scotland, but the world (with them also offering car rentals in Greece and Norway, among other countries).
When you rent with them, you know that you’ll get well-maintained and new vehicles, while the prices themselves are still affordable.
There are lots of deals and promotions, including midweek rentals and packages for business customers.
Or you can opt for the SIXT car subscription, a unique program that allows you to rent a car long-term with plenty of flexibility.
Their fleet includes everything from classic German favourites like BMW and Audi, convertibles, sports cars, electric vehicles, and minivans.
(Though if you’re searching for campervans specifically, we have more specific recommendations too!)
So, it’s super easy to find the perfect car for your Scottish trip.
Whether you’re travelling alone or with a partner, or even the whole family, there’s something for everyone.
Hertz is another great car hire in Scotland that offers lots of car rental locations, including 10 in Glasgow and 5 in Edinburgh alone! It's also one of the best options when it comes to car rentals in the United Kingdom, in general.
Their Best Rate Guarantee ensures that they will match any price you can find for the same Hertz car, plus 10% more off.
They’re also great for flexibility, as you can cancel your bookings for free up to two days before the scheduled pick-up.
Hertz claims that they have one of the world’s largest EV rental fleets, which is definitely great if you’re looking to start driving in a more eco-friendly way.
In terms of vehicle range, you can pick from large family cars to a sleek, compact vehicle for business travel.
This also means that prices vary depending on what type of car you want!
Another option for flexible booking is Avis, which allows you to easily change your booking for free and offers full cash refunds.
This company also takes safety seriously, including checking everything before each rental, having clean hygiene protocols, and customers’ data protection.
If you want a faster check-in, you can opt for the free QuickPass registration and get going as soon as you pick up your car!
Most car rental companies in Scotland offer a variety of vehicles, including Avis.
They have everything you could possibly imagine and want…
Small and compact cars, mid-size models, large vehicles for groups or families, EVs, and even some luxury cars.
As one of the largest car rental companies in Scotland, Alamo has locations in multiple major cities, including in Edinburgh Airport and Waverley Train Station.
They were founded in 1974, offering relatively low rental rates with great customer service.
There are some convenient features like an Accelerated Check-in, as well as deals such as the Last Minute Specials and Plan Ahead Specials.
For future reference, Alamo is also a great option when it comes to rentals in Portugal, Iceland, and even the United States.
There are 80 types of vehicles you can choose from, which includes 34 car types.
Everything from a small car to full-size cars, luxury models, and hybrids, you name it.
Alamo’s Clean Pledge also ensures rigorous cleaning processes and health standards before every rental.
National Car Rental is part of the famous Enterprise Holdings, which you might be familiar with as they’re a massive name in the car hire industry.
Their mobile app makes it super easy to manage your bookings, search cars, locations, and other details.
As such, they're another fantastic option if you're looking to hire a car in Scotland.
There are plenty of options to fit every kind of traveller, and most at relatively low rates.
This includes midsize cars such as a Toyota Corolla, full-size vehicles, SUVs, sport cars, and luxury types.
While you may be able to find other small, independent car rental companies in Scotland, the best one has to be Arnold Clark.
They’re a family-run company that’s all about excellent customer service, focusing on the best used car deals in the UK.
However, their car rental fleet is also very impressive and worth a look! Not to mention, they offer some of the cheapest car rentals in Scotland.
Arnold Clark has a lot of car types you can rent.
From manual to automatic transmission, small, medium, or large cars, SUVs, and even some EV models.
There are also vans, Estates, and MPVs for those looking for a larger vehicle.
If you're looking for sustainable rental cars in Scotland, we’d recommend Green Motion Car Rental.
They offer low CO2 cars with the latest technology.
But more than that, the company also has other eco-friendly practices in place: recycling, using renewable energy, and working with ecological organisations.
All of their vehicles, from small cars to luxury limos, are fitted with the tech to reduce your carbon dioxide emissions.
You can choose from four main packages, from the Basic package for the best value, all the way to Premium Plus for ultimate flexibility, unlimited mileage, and a low deposit.
Next up is Drivalia, a UK-based car hire with 20+ locations (although they offer rentals in Italy too).
In Scotland, you can find pick-up points in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, both in the airport and city centre.
They offer excellent breakdown assistance for all customers, business car hire, and even the option to take the car out of the UK!
Drivalia’s fleet includes small city cars and high-end models alike, including from brands like BMW and Mercedes.
So, whether you’re planning a simple holiday with your family or a romantic getaway with your significant other, you can be sure to find the perfect car!
The average age of Drivalia’s cars are 6 months or younger, which we think is fantastic.
If you book an EV with them, you’ll receive a charging card to charge at any EV station.
Finally, we’d recommend renting from Keddy Car Rental, which is actually part of Europcar.
With decent customer reviews and years of experience, they also have locations in other cities in the UK. This includes the United Kingdom's capital, making them a great option for car rentals in London too.
Also, you can get some optional services and equipment with your rental. For example, an infant or child booster seat, GPS, and WiFi.
Keddy offers quite a few car categories to suit all sorts of travellers.
Examples include the SEAT Tarraco, Nissan Qashqai, Renault Grand Scenic, and many more…
The rise in prices of hiring a car in Scotland is mainly due to the recent Covid-19 pandemic. That has caused costs to surge and global shortage, which means that car rental companies have to spend more on new vehicles.
With that said, it’s not impossible to rent cars for an affordable rate in Scotland. You just have to look for the best offers and keep an eye out on deals and discounts…
The minimum age for renting a car in Scotland is 21, although many companies will have a surcharge for drivers younger than 25. This is mainly for safety and insurance reasons, and you may be able to find some places that offer a young driver’s add-on for a fee too.
There are so many beautiful places in Scotland that you should visit, and the easiest way to see all of them is by renting a car. So, yes, we’d say that renting a car in Scotland is well worth it!
Just be aware, that you'll need to factor in extra costs for accommodation (if you're not camping). Luckily, we've got some great recommendations for you:
You have to present a valid driver’s licence and some proof of identity, usually a passport or credit card. You can also legally drive in Scotland and the UK for up to 12 months with a current driver’s licence.
That’s all for the best car rentals in Scotland.
I hope this has helped you work through the huge amount of rental companies and find the ideal choice for your visit to this stunning country.
Now over to you…
Which one do you think will you choose?
Do you think we’ve missed any great alternatives? Let us know in the comments below!
After you've chosen your rental, you can get round to planning your epic trip.
Whether you're looking to explore the dramatic landscapes of the Isle of Skye or drive the Southwest Coastal 300, this amazing country has so much to offer.
We also have a few articles and guides that might be useful for you…
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