It’s no secret that parking in the centre of Edinburgh can be testing at the best of times. We always recommend guests explore the city by foot if possible, as not only will you find hidden lanes, walks and secret gems, but it also makes life easier (and cheaper)!
If you are driving though or hiring a car, here are some of the hot spots around Edinburgh we recommend that won’t cost the earth.
Search on Parkopedia: https://en.parkopedia.com/
We always recommend looking on parkopedia to find out where the nearest parking options are going to be to your apartment. The parkopedia website will give you a full break down of availability, chargeable times and prices for duration. We also recommend downloading the ringo app, to allow paying on your mobile if you don’t have cash to hand!
Park and ride, Hermiston Gait
Located just on the outskirts of the city. Hermiston Gait has a frequent bus service that runs straight into the city centre. The car park is free, and we highly recommend it if you won’t be needing your car for a few days. The bus usually takes about 20 minutes to get to the centre.
Street parking
Street parking is available all around the city, however it can be expensive and have a maximum time of 2-4 hours. We always ask guests to be really sure about the time zones before leaving their car, as the traffic wardens in Edinburgh are always on the lookout! Generally, we recommend using the ringo app for street parking as it will prompt you as and when your parking session is due to expire.
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Q-Parks
If you’d like really secure parking for the duration of your stay and don’t mind paying a little bit extra, there are two Q Parks located in the city centre. One, located at Edinburgh OMNI centre and the second at Quartermile. There is CCTV at both sites and parking available for up to 1000 cars.
Our hot tip: if you plan on staying in the new town area, parking North of Jamaica Street (half way down Dundas street) can be free in certain areas, but a reminder to check the signs before you ditch the car!
HAPPY PARKING!