Car Parking in Edinburgh

• By: Editor
• On: 09/Jan/2009
• In: UK Travel Tips

On-Street Parking in Edinburgh

As Edinburgh is a medieval city, the streets are fairly narrow. Add to this the fact that there's a new tram line being built through the city and the result is limited on-street parking.

The streets in the city centre where you can legally park are so limited that they're usually full. Streets you should try include Abercromby Place, Heriot Row, Georges Street, Charlotte Square, Saint Andrews Square, Melville Street, Johnston Terrace and King's Stable Road.

No parking in Bus Lanes, on yellow or red lines, on footpaths, double parking, in a residents pay and display bay as well as across pedestrian crossings and driveways. The fines for violating these rules can cost in excess of £100, though usually it is about £60.

Off-street parking in Edinburgh City

If you can’t find a legal space on the street, then your next port of call would probably have to be one of the multi-story car parks in the city centre.

To the north east of Princes Street there's: St. James on Elder Street, open 24 hours and has 254 spaces; St. James on Leith Street, open 24 hours and has 280 spaces; and Greenside Place off Leith Street, open 24 hours and has 1030 spaces.

To the east of Princes Street there's: Calton Street, open Mon-Fri (7.30am to 7.30pm) and Sat (10pm to 5pm) and has 40 spaces; Waverley behind Waverley Station, closes at midnight and has 350 spaces; Niddry Street, closes at 11pm and has 135 spaces; and Saint John's Hill, open Mon-Fri (closes at 9pm), Sat & Sun (closes at 7pm) and has 295 spaces.

To the south west of Princes Street there's: Castle Terrace, open 24 hours and has 750 spaces; Sheraton off Lothian Road, open 24 hours and has 120 spaces; Princes Exchange, Mon-Sat (closes at 10pm), Sun (closes at 8pm) and has 175 spaces; Semple Street off Morrison Street, Mon-Sat (closes at 10pm), Sun (closes at 8pm) and has 198 spaces; The Exchange on Morrison Street, Mon-Fri (closes at 9pm), Sat (closes at 8pm) and has 80 spaces; and Morrison Street, Mon-Fri (closes at 9pm), Sat (closes at 8pm) and has 450 spaces.

Park-n-Ride facilities around Edinburgh City

Edinburgh is surrounded by a number of excellent Park and Ride (PnR) systems.

If you're heading out of Edinburgh Airport then the nearest PnR to you is the Ingliston Park and Ride. It is only about 1km from the airport, just off the A8/Airport junction. It's served by the 35 bus which serves Edinburgh Park, Sighthill, Chesser and via Edinburgh's Old Town to Ocean Terminal. There's also an express bus that heads directly for the city centre every 10 minutes called the X48.

If you had headed out around the countryside and are heading back along the M8, then the Hermiston Park and Ride is conveniently located on the A71 (just west of the A720 City Bypass Junction). Parking is free and a number of routes pass through here including the No. 25 which runs to the city centre every 10 minutes (30 minutes in the evening and Sundays). Overnight there's an hourly N25 service. The No. 34 takes a round about route to the city centre, passing through Fountainbridge and Tollcross.

The Straiton Park and Ride is the newest PnR and is located the south of the city. It's situated just off the A701, south of its junction with the A720 City Bypass to Penicuik. There are 600 spaces as well as a terminal building in which you can wait for your bus or make inquires with the staff. Parking is free and the bus routes that pass through here include the 47, X47 and 67.

The Sheriffhall Park and Ride is located to the south east of the city, on the A7 just north of the City By-pass/Sheriffhall junction near Danderhall. From Mon to Fri there are several buses each hour to the city centre. These include the X48 which passes the Zoo.

The Newcraighall Park and Ride is situated to the east of the city, just off the A1 and accessed via Newcraighall Road. Here you can use a rail link to get into the city centre instead of a bus and this only takes about 11 minutes to take the trip.

If you're coming from the north, across the bay in Fife then you could avail of the Ferrytoll Park and Ride. This station is connected to Edinburgh city centre, Edinburgh Park, Heriot-Watt, the Royal Infirmary, Livingston, and Ocean Terminal.

If you do decide to hire a car take a look at our car hire Edinburgh Airport page and take your pick.

So that's how to park in the city - if you've any other questions or would like to provide tips of your own then we’d be more than happy to see them. Please leave your message in the comment box below.