Car Rental from Edinburgh to London

Rental companies on this route offer 3 pickup locations in Edinburgh:

• Edinburgh Waverley Train Station

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• Waverley Train Station

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• Edinburgh City CentreWaverley

  Office

Late spring through early autumn is best, especially May to September, for long daylight and the best chance of decent weather. Winter is cold, dark, and wetter.

Petrol around Edinburgh currently costs roughly 1.55 EUR per litre.

Edinburgh has very limited central parking and it can be expensive, commonly around £3–£5/hour in garages or meters. Park-and-ride is usually the best option, especially when visiting the city center.

No congestion charge in Edinburgh, but drivers may encounter tolls on some bridges or motorways elsewhere in Scotland/UK. Major routes out of the city are generally free.

Edinburgh has a low-emission zone that restricts non-compliant vehicles, including rental cars. Make sure the rental meets the zone’s emissions rules.

Near Edinburgh, Rosslyn Chapel, North Berwick, and the Pentland Hills offer scenic and easy detours.

Edinburgh can be cold and snowy in winter, especially on higher ground. Winter tyres are not legally required, but they can help on icy roads and when crossing nearby hills and passes.

Edinburgh has tram routes near the city center, so watch for tram crossings and keep clear of dedicated lanes. Parking is expensive and controlled, and many streets are one-way or very narrow in the Old Town.

The main airport is about 12 km from central Edinburgh.

Late spring and early autumn are the best times for London, when the weather is milder and parks are at their best. Summer is lively but busier, and winter is colder and wetter.

Petrol around London currently costs roughly 1.62 EUR per litre.

Central London has many parking garages, but availability is tight and hourly rates are very high, often £5–£10+ per hour. Park-and-ride is generally the better option for most visitors driving in.

Generally no road tolls or vignettes are needed leaving London on major routes. However, there are congestion/charge zones in parts of central London, not on the outbound motorways.

Yes. London has the ULEZ and Congestion Charge, which can affect many rental cars.

Short detours: Richmond Park, Windsor, and the Chiltern Hills countryside.

London is usually very mild in winter and snow is uncommon, so winter tyres are not normally necessary. Mountain-pass issues are not relevant around the city, though rural trips in colder parts of the UK can still be affected by frost or ice.

Drive on the left and give way to traffic from the right at many mini-roundabouts and side roads unless signs say otherwise. Congestion charge/ULEZ and numerous cameras make it important to follow lane markings and speed limits exactly.

The main airport is about 23 km from central London.