Car Hire at Edinburgh Airport

Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the leading car hire companies at Edinburgh Airport, giving you exclusive access to our All Inclusive+ rate. This rate offers additional benefits that no other company can match:

• Full vehicle coverage with no excess (applies only to certain rates and itineraries)
• Toll cashback: recover up to 5% of the reservation's total value for toll charges incurred during your hire period
• Premium travel medical assistance, covering up to GBP 100,000 for a maximum of 5 passengers in case of medical emergency, excluding pre-existing conditions
• No Extra Charges© guarantee: if the counter charges you for something not listed on your confirmation and not an optional add-on you accepted, Hola Car Rentals will work to remove or reimburse the charge after verification

All of this at no extra cost, guaranteeing you a unique car hire experience with full protection and peace of mind throughout your trip at Edinburgh Airport.

No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking at Edinburgh Airport are clearly shown at the time of reservation and in your confirmation email, so you know exactly what you are paying before you arrive at the counter.

On top of that, every Hola Car Rentals booking includes the No Extra Charges© guarantee. This is a pricing guarantee (not insurance) that protects you if the counter at Edinburgh Airport charges you for something that was not listed on your confirmation and was not an optional add-on you accepted. If that happens, Hola Car Rentals will work with the hire partner to remove or reimburse the charge after verification.

The only costs outside this guarantee are:

• Optional add-ons you choose at the counter (GPS, child seats, prepaid fuel)
• Usage-based charges (tolls, fuel shortfall, traffic fines)

At Edinburgh Airport, the collection process has two steps: the hire desk and the Car Hire Centre.

• After collecting your baggage, exit into the Arrivals hall and locate your brand's hire desk (for example, the Avis or Budget desk) to complete paperwork and receive your keys or directions.
• From there, exit the terminal via the plaza and follow the covered walkway running alongside the multi-storey car park. The Car Hire Centre is well signposted and takes roughly five minutes on foot, no shuttle or people mover is needed.
• All major brands operate from this on-site Car Hire Centre, located at Car Hire Centre, Edinburgh, EH12 9DN.

Counter hours are typically 07:00 to 23:00 daily, though this varies by brand. If you are arriving outside those hours, contact your hire provider in advance. After-hours returns are supported 24 hours via designated parking and a key drop box beside the main doors. Allow at least 45 to 90 minutes from landing to driving away, accounting for immigration, baggage, and the desk process at Edinburgh Airport.

To collect your hire car at Edinburgh Airport, you must present all documents in physical form. Digital copies are not accepted at the counter.

• A valid, original driver’s licence in the main driver’s name.
• A major credit card with the driver’s name printed on the physical card, used for the security deposit authorisation hold.
• A passport or valid government-issued photo ID.
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher.
• Round-trip flight or cruise tickets (required for visitors from outside the UK).

If your licence is not in English and not issued by an EU or EEA country, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is strongly recommended. If your licence uses a non-Latin alphabet such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic, an IDP is mandatory. The IDP is a translation only and must be carried alongside your original licence.

UK licence holders picking up at Edinburgh Airport should also generate a DVLA licence check code at gov.uk/view-driving-licence before travel, as some providers require it. The code is valid for 21 days.

Not always, but it depends on your licence.

At Edinburgh Airport, visitors holding a full, valid foreign licence that has been held for at least 12 months can generally drive without an IDP, provided the licence is clearly identifiable as a driving licence and uses a Latin alphabet.

An IDP is mandatory if your licence uses a non-Latin alphabet, for example Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic. In that case, you must carry both the IDP and your original licence. The IDP is a translation document only and is not valid on its own.

An IDP is also recommended if your licence is a paper licence or if there is any doubt about its readability at the Edinburgh Airport hire counter. Obtain your IDP in your home country before travelling, as it cannot be issued abroad.

EU and EEA licence holders do not require an IDP to hire at Edinburgh Airport. Always verify the specific requirements of your hire brand at the counter, as individual companies may apply stricter rules.

There are no toll roads on the immediate routes from Edinburgh Airport into the city centre, but toll charges can apply on longer journeys across the UK.

• The M6 Toll in the West Midlands is the main motorway toll, covering a 26-mile stretch. A car using all three zones pays GBP 10.30; two zones cost GBP 8.30.
• Certain bridges and tunnels across the UK also carry tolls.
• London's Congestion Charge and Clean Air Zone charges apply if you drive into central London during your hire.

Most UK toll roads are fully cashless, using number plate recognition or electronic billing. If you use a toll road without a transponder programme, the hire company will bill the toll amount plus an administrative processing fee to your credit card after the hire ends.

At the Edinburgh Airport counter, ask your hire provider whether a toll programme is available for your vehicle. If you plan to drive to toll areas, enrolling in a daily-rate programme can simplify billing. Tolls are always the driver’s responsibility unless stated otherwise in your hire agreement.

All bookings include Tolls Cashback from Hola Car Rentals, which lets you reclaim up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your hire. See the next FAQ for details.

Yes, every booking includes Tolls Cashback, which reimburses you for tolls paid during your Edinburgh Airport hire, up to 5% of your total booking value.

For example, if your booking total is US$500, the maximum cashback is US$25. If you paid US$18 in tolls, you receive US$18 back. If you paid US$40, you receive US$25 (the cap).

To claim after returning your Edinburgh Airport hire car:

• Email [email protected] within 30 days of vehicle return.
• Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback - HOLA followed by your confirmation number.
• Attach your Hola Car Rentals booking confirmation, the signed hire agreement, and a receipt or statement showing the toll charges paid.

Refunds are issued to the original payment method and typically process within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Late submissions received after 30 days are not accepted. This benefit does not mean tolls are included in your rate. You still pay tolls normally during the hire and claim reimbursement afterwards.

Yes, a major credit card in the main driver’s name with the driver’s name printed on the physical card is required at Edinburgh Airport to cover the security deposit authorisation hold.

At Edinburgh Airport hire counters, the partner brand places a temporary authorisation on your card at pickup. For UK locations, this hold is typically GBP 300 to GBP 400 for a standard vehicle, though the exact amount varies by brand, vehicle class, and hire duration. The hold reduces your available credit until your bank releases it after the hire ends, which can take up to 15 business days.

• Debit cards and prepaid cards are not accepted for the deposit hold.
• Virtual or digital-wallet-only cards are not accepted. You must present the physical card.
• The card must be in the main driver’s name. A third party’s card is not permitted.
• Bring a backup credit card in case your primary card is declined.

Even if you prepaid your booking in full, you must still present a physical credit card at the Edinburgh Airport counter for the security hold. Notify your bank of international travel before arriving to prevent fraud blocks on the authorisation.

Driving from Edinburgh Airport involves several rules that differ from many other countries and can catch first-time visitors off guard.

• Traffic drives on the left side of the road, and the steering wheel is on the right side of the vehicle. Take extra care at junctions and roundabouts until you adjust.
• At roundabouts, you must give way to traffic already on the roundabout, entering from your right. This rule is strictly observed and applies on all roads around Edinburgh Airport.
• Average-speed cameras operate continuously on the A8 and M9 corridors leading from Edinburgh Airport into the city. Fines are issued by post, including to international addresses, so observe posted speed limits at all times.
• The immediate exit from Edinburgh Airport feeds onto the M9 motorway, which has tight merges. Stay alert and follow lane markings carefully.
• When returning your vehicle, follow signs for Car Hire Returns. The return area is accessed via a roundabout just before the terminal, with the Hilton Hotel on your right. Turn right at the Car Hire Returns sign.

Speed limits in the UK are in miles per hour, not kilometres per hour. Built-up areas are typically 30 mph, single carriageways 60 mph, and motorways 70 mph.

At Edinburgh Airport, the hire partner places a temporary hold on your credit card at pickup. This is not a charge but an authorisation that reduces your available credit until it is released after the hire ends.

Typical deposit holds at Edinburgh Airport for standard vehicles are approximately GBP 300 to GBP 400. Premium or speciality vehicles may carry higher holds. The exact amount is set by the hire company at the counter and may vary by brand, season, and vehicle class.

• Only a major credit card with the driver’s name printed on the physical card is accepted for the hold.
• Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual cards are not accepted.
• The card must belong to the main driver. A third party’s card is not permitted.
• Ensure your card has sufficient available credit to cover the hold plus any expected charges.

After you return the car at Edinburgh Airport, the hire company releases the hold. Your bank controls when the funds become available again, which can take up to 15 business days. Set a travel notice with your bank before arriving to prevent the authorisation from being flagged as suspicious.

Most bookings include travel assistance provided by Terrawind Global Protection, which covers you and up to five passengers during your Edinburgh Airport hire trip. This benefit does not apply to residents of the United States or Canada.

Core benefits typically include:

• Travel insurance with medical coverage for accidents and non-pre-existing illnesses.
• Legal assistance in the event of a road accident, which can be particularly useful if you are involved in an incident on the A8 or M9 near Edinburgh Airport.
• Compensation for baggage lost by the airline.
• Flight cancellation insurance.

To use the assistance, contact Terrawind 24 hours a day at +1 888 980 9992 (toll-free or collect), or via WhatsApp at +1 208 910 1001, or by email at [email protected]. Provide your full name, your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number, your location, and a brief description of the situation. Follow the coordinator's instructions and keep all receipts and reports.

This coverage is not a substitute for CDW or third-party liability insurance on the hire vehicle. Check your Edinburgh Airport booking confirmation for the exact terms and coverage limits that apply to your reservation.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your Edinburgh Airport hire, either as part of your rate or by paying a fee at the counter.

Some rates include one additional driver at no extra cost. Check your booking confirmation for the line stating additional driver free of charge. If it is not included, the daily fee varies by brand:

• Avis, Budget, and Payless: US$13 per hire day, capped at US$65.
• Hertz, Thrifty, and Dollar: US$13.50 per hire day, capped at US$189.
• Alamo, National, and Enterprise: US$15 per day with no stated cap.

To add a driver at the Edinburgh Airport counter, the additional driver must be present in person with their valid driver’s licence and any required IDP. Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the hire agreement. Only drivers listed on the agreement are covered by the hire protections.

Note that Enterprise at Edinburgh Airport requires all drivers to be at least 25 years old. For Avis and Budget, additional drivers must also be at least 25. If the additional driver does not meet the minimum age requirement, the counter may decline to add them or apply a young driver surcharge.

By law, all hire vehicles at Edinburgh Airport include third-party liability insurance, which covers bodily injury and property damage you may cause to others while driving. This is a legal requirement across the UK and EU and is included in the hire price.

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) reduces your financial liability for damage to the hire vehicle itself. Whether CDW is included and what excess applies depends on the rate plan you selected. Check your Edinburgh Airport booking confirmation for the coverage level and any excess amount.

• CDW covers collision damage and theft of the hire vehicle, subject to exclusions such as tyre damage, undercarriage damage, and prohibited use.
• Third-party liability covers damage or injury you cause to others, not damage to your own hire car.
• Personal injuries and personal belongings are not covered by CDW or liability insurance. Separate add-ons (PAI and PEC) are available at the counter if needed.

If your Edinburgh Airport rate includes an All Inclusive or All Inclusive+ plan, review the Europe-specific terms in your confirmation, as deductible levels and included protections differ between the two plans. Always verify coverage on the hire agreement before signing at the Edinburgh Airport counter.

The standard fuel policy for hire cars at Edinburgh Airport is Full to Full. You receive the vehicle with a full tank and must return it full to avoid additional charges.

• At pickup, check the fuel gauge with the agent and confirm the starting level is recorded on the hire agreement. Take a photo of the dashboard showing the odometer and gauge.
• Use the correct fuel type. Petrol and diesel vehicles are common in the UK. Putting the wrong fuel in the car is not covered by the fuel policy and may generate significant charges.
• Before returning to Edinburgh Airport, refuel within approximately 10 miles or 15 kilometres of the return location so the gauge does not drop below full during the drive back.
• Keep your final fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address as evidence in case of a dispute.

If you return the car at Edinburgh Airport with less than a full tank, the hire company may charge for the fuel shortfall at their own refuelling rate, which is typically higher than the pump price, plus a service fee. As of late 2025, standard unleaded fuel in the UK costs approximately GBP 1.45 per litre, with no premium noted specifically at Edinburgh Airport.

Yes, one-way hires from Edinburgh Airport are possible, but a drop-off fee may apply depending on your return location, the hire brand, and the vehicle class.

Common patterns for one-way hires from Edinburgh Airport:

• Returning to another Scottish city or a different UK city typically incurs a drop-off fee. The amount varies by distance, route, and car class.
• Cross-border one-way hires, for example returning in a different country, may be restricted or carry significantly higher fees. Always confirm with the hire brand before booking.
• Returning to the same Edinburgh Airport location has no drop-off fee.

When booking a one-way hire from Edinburgh Airport, the drop-off fee is shown on the rate details page under the To pay at destination section during checkout. It also appears on your booking confirmation. This fee cannot be prepaid and is paid directly to the hire company at pickup or return.

If the counter charges a drop-off fee that was not disclosed on your Edinburgh Airport booking confirmation, keep all paperwork and contact support. The No Extra Charges© guarantee covers undisclosed fees that were not listed on your confirmation.