Visit the capital of Scotland and experience a city like no other. VroomVroomVroom can help you find a campervan for your next adventure as we compare deals from major providers in Scotland; or, if you prefer a smaller vehicle like a station wagon or SUV, you can compare rental cars in Edinburgh.
Situated in Lothian and on the southern shore of Firth of Forth, Edinburgh is famous for its cultural and historical attractions, from medieval castles and old churches to world-class museums. It houses many national institutions, including the Scottish National Gallery, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, City Art Centre, and National Museum of Scotland. Make the most of your holiday by exploring these must-see places in Edinburgh with a campervan.
Some of our favourite things to do year-round in Edinburgh are:
Summer (June, July, August): Cool off at one of the pristine beaches near Edinburgh: Portobello, Cramond, and Yellowcraigs. Do you want to learn how to surf? Look no further than a trip to Belhaven Beach in Dunbar. Join the crowds at the annual Edinburgh International Festival, or lose yourself among the jaw-dropping stunts and world-class performances of the Edinburgh International Magic Festival in July.
Fall (September, October, November): Walk around the New Town and enjoy the traditional Georgian architecture against a backdrop of beautiful autumn leaves. Edinburgh is also the perfect city to celebrate Halloween with plenty of spooky events to choose from, such as the Samhuinn Fire Festival, Real Mary King’s Close, Mercat Tours, and The Edinburgh Dungeon.
Winter (December, January, February):The city is host to a variety of exciting events in December, such as the Santa Fun Run & Walk, Winter Windows, 24 Doors of Advent, and Night Walk for Edinburgh. Get your holiday shopping done at the Edinburgh Christmas Market in East Princes Street Gardens, located beside the Waverley Station and the National Gallery Complex.
Spring (March, April, May): Stroll the Meadows walkway or the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh during the magical cherry blossom season, find your groove and impress at the Edinburgh International Tango Festival, sign up for Edinburgh Marathon Festival and run like you never have before, or get all hoppy and happy at the Edinburgh Craft Beer Festival.
Year-Round: Check out some of the most iconic landmarks in the city, including the famous Edinburgh Castle, Scottish Parliament, Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh Underground, and The Dean Village. If you're up for a day trip, the majestic Stirling Castle is full of surprises and certainly not to be missed. Known as the gateway to the Highlands, you'll find plenty to entertain you in this fascinating city whether you're a nature lover or a history buff.
Drummohr Holiday Park is located along Levenhall in Musselburgh and just 20 minutes away from Edinburgh's main shopping street, Princes Street. The holiday park has easy access to the picturesque East Lothian countryside and the John Muir Way walking route. They offer touring pitches for motorhome and caravan rentals, as well as camping pitches. The pitches have ample space so campers will have more room to roam around. Apart from their excellent camping facilities, guests can also stay in any of their luxury lodges, octolodges, hexilodges, and glamping bothies .
Edinburgh Caravan and Motorhome Club Site lies on the Firth of Forth and has easy access to Europe's festival capital. The caravan site is the perfect base for your sightseeing journey as most of the city’s main attractions and landmarks are nearby. You’ll also be close to some of Edinburgh’s best shopping, dining, and entertainment venues. Located at 35-37 Marine Drive, this camping area has 142 hardstanding pitches and 12 serviced pitches to accommodate caravanners and tourists. They also have 50 tents for those arriving in campervans.
Slatebarns Caravan Park is the ideal campsite for those wanting to enjoy the great outdoors. Golfing and hillwalking enthusiasts will have easy access to the Pentland Hills, which is just 3 miles from the site. Skiers and snowboarders will also only need to travel 3 miles to reach Hillend Ski Centre. This family-run park offers hardstanding pitches with electric hook-ups for Edinburgh RV rental and campervan hire, and their facilities include a heated toilet block, laundry room, and dog walk area.
Edinburgh Castle is nestled on Castlehill and is one of the most visited landmarks in the city. This iconic site has shaped the story of Scotland. The castle faced many battles and sieges, became the home of royalty, and was used as an army headquarters. You can still find traces of the past within the walls of Edinburgh Castle. Learn more about Edinburgh's history by exploring the different areas of the castle, including The Great Hall, The Royal Palace, and St. Margaret's Chapel. Additionally, artifacts, memorabilia, and artworks can be found on display at the National War Museum and Regimental Museums.
Edinburgh Zoo is home to the only koalas and giant pandas in the UK. It houses more than 1,000 animals, including penguins, monkeys, and birds. Formerly known as the Scottish National Zoological Park, the zoo aims to inspire its visitors with the wonder of living animals. Edinburgh Zoo is nestled on Corstorphine Hill and features breathtaking views of the city. Join the Daily Talks to get up close with the animals and learn more about them.
Edinburgh's Camera Obscura has been hosting amusing and fascinating shows about the city's history for more than 150 years. Enter the mysterious Victorian chamber and witness moving images of the city projected onto a table using a giant periscope. You can even pick up the people or move the traffic signs using your hands. The World of Illusions also features hands-on exhibits—using lights and illusions. Next, you can head to the rooftop and enjoy panoramic views of Edinburgh and its surrounding areas.
On hiring a campervan in Edinburgh
Unlike when hiring a rental car, people tend to book a campervan a bit further in advance, and there are a few reasons for this.
When you’re hiring a campervan, you’re not simply hiring something with four wheels to buzz around a city for a few days, instead you’re hiring a vehicle that you could well be living in for days, weeks, or even months. As such, people tend to have far more specific needs — some may require a certain number of berths, perhaps an onboard kitchen, or more comfortable living space. All this means that doing your research to find the right campervan for you can pay off handsomely — but it also means that supply is more limited. When supply is limited, it is a good idea to book as far in advance as possible so that you know that the campervan you need will be waiting for you when you arrive.
With this in mind, while it isn’t unusual for people to book a hire car the day before they need it, with campervans, people often book their vehicle months in advance. So our advice to you is if you’re planning to rent a campervan, start researching today, and when you find the right campervan for you, book it!
One more point, another way campervan rentals differ from regular cars, is that bookings are not instant. Once you make a campervan booking it will need to be approved by the provider. Yet another reason not to leave your campervan rental until you’re sitting in the airport boarding lounge.
If you’re new to campervans and not sure where to start, please give our before booking a campervan rental page a read as it explains many of the basics you’ll need to know to make an informed decision.
We could start off by telling you that a typical customer hiring a campervan in Edinburgh tends to look at campervans with two or four berths (including a toilet and shower). This isn’t really all that helpful though, as they type of campervan you should hire in Edinburgh depends very much on the type of campervan you — rather than a typical customer — needs. Consider the following questions:
How big is your travel group? What is your budget? What facilities do you need — or not need? Where are you planning to go? How long for? Knowing the answers to these questions — and plenty more — is the best way to make sure the campervan you hire in Edinburgh is the right one for you.
Solo travellers or couples might find a compact campervan to be more than enough, while families — especially those with young kids — or larger groups might prefer a more spacious motorhome with multiple sleeping areas.
Next, consider the facilities you need and the facilities you want. These might sound the same, but they are very different! Basic campervans often include a bed and simple cooking gear, while more luxurious options feature kitchens, bathrooms, and comfortable bedding. For example, if you’re planning on camping, perhaps paying the extra for comfortable beds isn’t really necessary, but if you’re not even packing a tent, then the extra expense required to get more comfortable beds might be a smart choice.
Where you’re going also matters. If you’re planning to just potter around Edinburgh and its immediate surrounds, then you could probably get away with a standard campervan. That said, if you’re planning to drive from Edinburgh to Cornwall — or Glasgow — something more spacious would be a sound investment.
Think about your budget, as campervans vary in cost depending on size, amenities, and rental duration, and while shortening the length of your trip might bring different options within your budget, spending more to get a bigger van may mean you’ll spend even less on hotels. Either way, do the math!
In conclusion, when you’re booking a campervan for pickup from Edinburgh, it pays to be honest when considering what you need versus what you want, along with what fits with your budget and overall travel plans. It’s the best way to maximise your chance of getting the perfect campervan for you.
For most rental caravan providers, the minimum age to rent a campervan is the same as for car rentals — 21 years of age. Depending on the campervan rental supplier, those under 21 may only be able to rent certain vehicles. Double check with the campervan rental provider to see what their specific requirements are.
In most cases, you won’t need to present a special type of licence to rent a campervan — you’ll only be asked to present your standard and valid full driving licence. Keep in mind that a probationary, learner permit, or provisional licence are not accepted for campervan hire. If your licence is in a language other than English, you’ll need to provide an International Driving Permit in conjunction with your valid licence. If you’re unsure as to whether your licence will be accepted, you should contact your prospective campervan provider prior to booking.
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