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Like any town or city built thousands of years ago, parking in Edinburgh is certainly no joy. Public transport in the capital is some of the best in the UK, and visitors and locals are encouraged to catch a bus, tram, or train into the city. But if you must bring your car into Edinburgh, the different areas around the capital have different rules and regulations, so make sure to check out the signs.
Edinburgh Airport offers a wide range of options for visitors and travellers, and choosing the right one could save you a pretty penny! Our guide will describe the differences and let you decide on the best option.
And, of course, check the signs and the rules! Don’t get caught out. Our traffic wardens are a special breed of eagle-eyed enforcers!
→ You may also like | Hotels with parking in Edinburgh
Parking Guide Edinburgh
Park and Ride in Edinburgh
The best way to get into the centre for shopping and work is actually to leave the car and use public transport to get into town.
This may mean leaving the car at home or your hotel or using one of the park-and-ride facilities on the outskirts of the city.
The concept is simple.
Park at one of the seven free car parks listed below and hop on a bus, tram or train into the town.
You can read our guide to Edinburgh Bus Station here.
Note: We refer to parking lots or garages as car parks.
- Ingliston (Tram, Skylink 200, 300, 400)
- Hermiston (Lothian 25, X25, 34, 35, 24, N25, N34)
- Newcraighall (Scotrail)
- Ferrytoll (Various Stagecoach Services from Fife, Dundee and the North)
- Sheriffhall (Lothian 33, 49)
- Straiton (Lothian X37, 47, X47, 67)
- Wallyford (Lothian 44, 44A, N44 & Scotrail)
Paying for Parking in Edinburgh
On-street parking is generally paid for throughout the city.
There are traditional meters that you pay using coins.
A ticket will print, and it should be stuck in your windscreen.
You can also use the RingGo app (Google Play | Apple), which has the added benefit of extending your parking if it is about to expire.
You can also use a card to pay for the parking cost.
→ Fun fact: some tour guides say that J.K. Rowling paid for parking at a city meter when she was writing her final book. This, however, is confirmed as total fiction. Check out our guide to the top Harry Potter spots in Edinburgh.
Parking in Edinburgh City Centre
In general, parking in Edinburgh’s City Centre is the most expensive.
Edinburgh’s City Centre was never designed to accommodate cars, which is reflected in its parking provisions.
The general rule of thumb is that parking in the City Centre is expensive and for a short period.
Most parking meters will only allow you to buy a maximum of 4 hours of parking, and it is illegal to ‘feed the meter’ to extend your stay.
If you can find a rare parking space, parking on central streets such as George Street, Queen Street and Market Street will cost you the most – £8.20 per hour.
A cheaper option is to park on London Road, which is about a 10-minute walk from Waverley Station.
You can see today’s rates at Parkodepia.
Parking for Edinburgh Castle
The easiest way to visit Edinburgh Castle is to park and take public transport to the centre.
You can park at one of the Park and Ride facilities on the outskirts and take the bus or tram into the town.
Any bus or tram to Princes Street is suitable for castle visits.
Buses that take you to North Bridge will bring you even closer.
The closest car park to the Castle is NCP Castle Terrace, which you can pay for via their app or at the car park.
Free Parking in Edinburgh
Parking in Edinburgh is free on Sundays before 12:30 and on the following holidays:
- Christmas Day
- Boxing Day
- New Year’s Day
- Easter Monday
Parking is likely to be busy on these days, so it is best to avoid street parking in Edinburgh if possible.
Parking in central zones (generally the City Centre and West End) is free between 18.30 and 6.30 Monday through Saturday.
Parking in Peripheral and Extended Zones (such as Bruntsfield, Marchmont, and the New Town) is free between 17:30 – 8:30 Monday to Friday and Saturday.
Always check the parking information signs, as parking zones, prices, and times vary from street to street.
Parking in Leith
The good news is that, beyond the centre, parking is often free in Edinburgh.
The bad news is that because it’s free, it can be tricky to find a parking space sometimes in neighbourhoods such as Leith’s Shore and then you need to pay for public transport to get into the City Centre.
Local tip: Weigh up saving money on parking with the time it takes to get to the intended location before deciding on a plan.
Just Park Edinburgh
Just Park is a UK-based parking app that lets you choose a space, review the price, and pay for it with your credit card.
Driveway renters can make from £400 a month renting their space to the app.
The app has photos, and users leave reviews for each parking space.
Parkopedia is another pre-book parking app.
Parking at Edinburgh Airport
There are many options to consider if you’re jetting off on your holidays from Edinburgh Airport or are picking up a friend or family member.
Long-stay parking is always much cheaper if you book in advance, so make sure to do this before you arrive at the terminal to avoid hefty price increases.
Alternatively, consider the popular Airlink bus and let someone else drive.
You might also like our guide – best ways to get to and from Edinburgh Airport.
Pick Up and Drop Off
If you’re just dropping off or picking up, make sure you head toward the clearly signed short-stay car parks.
Both car parks are pretty pricey, so keep an eye on arrivals and only head to the airport when necessary.
Don’t pay to wait around!
To exit, present your card at the exit barrier.
Cheap Parking at Edinburgh Airport
The Plane Parking car park is the cheapest parking option for travellers heading on a flight from Edinburgh, but it’s also the least convenient.
Plane Parking is the budget version of long-stay parking at Edinburgh Airport.
Park your car and keep your keys.
Then, wait for the free, 24-hour shuttle bus to ferry you to the terminal.
This takes about ten minutes.
The Most Convenient Airport Parking – Multi-Storey
For the most convenient experience, the multi-storey is your best option.
For relatively short stay parking at Edinburgh airport, leaving your car at the multi-storey is simplest.
Simply park up and walk the 1-minute walk straight to security.
(Yes, they’ve built a bridge so you can bypass check-in if you’ve already got your boarding pass and only have hand luggage.)
This option isn’t cheap, though.
Valet Parking at Edinburgh Airport
Want to drop your car off and stroll into the terminal?
FastPark is a great option for travellers with a lot of luggage who don’t want to take a shuttle bus to the terminal.
Drive into the FastPark booth, and the 360º cameras will photograph your car. Then, drop your keys off and walk the one-minute journey to the terminal.
Insider Tip
If you have an early flight, why not drop your car off early, book into an airport hotel, and then take public transport into the city?
That way, you can enjoy your last day in Scotland’s capital stress-free, returning to your airport hotel for some sleep before heading to departures to fly home!
If the above sounds like a nightmare, Edinburgh has many bus tours where someone else drives.
Scotland has a decent transport system if you are happy to negotiate with bus and train schedules.
The prices are out of date.
Parking is not free on Sunday in parts of Edinburgh.
Hi John, the article states: Parking in Edinburgh is free on Sundays before 12:30. The link states: Hours of operation – Monday to Saturday 8.30am to 6.30pm and Sunday 12.30pm to 6.30pm
Hi , my husband has a blue badge & I’m taking him on holiday as his companion. Can I park my works van safely in Edinburgh ( easy access to the airport) from 18th – 25th September. Thanks
Hi Annika, you would need to pay for airport parking. Enjoy your trip!
Can you confirm that anybody can park in a “Permit Holders Only” bay in the evening outwith the restricted hours (i.e. after 6.30pm in the centre and 5.30pm in the extended zones)?
Hi Dan, thanks for your question. You would need to ask the council directly. I found this email for you: parking@edinburgh.gov.uk.
It’s worth knowing that on ‘Greenways’ free parking may be permitted during the day (but not during rush-hour periods). For example there is free parking 5 mins walk west of Haymarket between 9:30am and 4pm. Greenway parking bays are indicated by a red dotted line (check nearby signs for details of allowed hours as these will vary).
Thanks Peter!
We are visiting Edinburgh March 15-17th and due to the train strike am considering renting a vehicle to drive back to Manchester. Where is the best place to park for large vehicle/van?
Hi Cary, the city, especially the Old Town, isn’t really built for large vehicles. You could book accommodation outside of the city and use public transport to travel in or book parking through your hotel. Have a nice trip.
I am going to the Edinburgh festival theatre on the 5/03 /23 was wondering where I can park
Hi George. You are close to Chamber Street which has parking in front of the National Museum of Scotland.
Hi, we’re not flying but staying in the city centre for a few days. Can we park at the airport and then take the tram into the city centre for our stay?
You should be able to book airport car parking just as if you were flying out of Edinburgh. Have a lovely trip.
This is very helpful. We will be renting our car the morning we need parking, therefore we do not have any vehicle information yet. Do you know of any places that we can book ahead and add vehicle info afterwards? I am having a hard time finding an option without having vehicle details at time of booking. Thanks!
Thank you for the feedback. By places to mean hotels or parking lots/garages? The latter you wouldn’t need car information for.
Can I park for free outside my house in Controlled Parking Zone 7 using my Blue Badge . All Day in Leith. Please Help. as I’m HOUSEBOUND, and the nearest Disabled Bay is too far to Walk to. thanks
Hi Joseph, you are best speaking to the local council. Best of luck.
Hi
Will be attending Murrayfield on 19/07/23, where can I park
Hi, the official Rugby Scotland site recommends that visitors use Edinburgh’s Park and Ride facilities to get to Murrayfield. You are not far from Haymarket Train Station either.
We’ll be staying at 18 Briery Bauks in Edinburgh 11 August to 18 August. Can we park our 9 passenger van there? If not what do you suggest?
Hi Walter, you’re best to ask your host. Good luck!
That property has 2 parking spaces.