In Edinburgh, with proper planning, traveling anyway by car is possible and quite preferable when looking for main tourist destinations. Scenic back roads are particularly appealing with little traffic and fabulous sights to discover. A busy city, Edinburgh has excellent roadways that network to most major cities and towns. Just remember to drive on the left side of the road! Like the United States, seat belts are mandatory in Edinburgh, and speed limits average 60mph on single carriageways, and 70 on dual carriageways. Some areas on the A8 are restricted to 40mph. The speed limit within the city is 20mph and strictly enforced.
Car Hire
When considering a trip to Edinburgh, leasing a car is always a good idea. A rental car takes the stress away from sticking to a tour schedule, and you can go where you want when you want to go. If you’re traveling with family, a car hire is the best way to visit the biggest and greatest zoo in the country, and what better way to see the wonderful architecture, ruins and medieval buildings that run through the city? There is so much to do and see in and around Edinburgh, it certainly makes sense to hire a car.
Car hire can be found at the Edinburgh Airport and throughout the city. As in other cities and towns, the best car hire rates will probably be offered at the airport. There are approximately eight car hire companies at Edinburgh Airport and cars can be booked upon arrival or ahead of time via the Internet.
Car hire agencies offer many options as to the type, size, model and color of the vehicle you wish to lease. Typically, car rentals include estates and automatics as well as people carriers. If you have a valid overseas license, you are allowed to drive a motor vehicle for a year in the United Kingdom. If you wish to bring your own car, you must have green card insurance and have registration documents with you.
The Edinburgh Airport is 12km from Edinburgh’s centre. From the East, drive to A8 from city bypass and head towards Glasgow. North and West drivers will join A8 at Newbridge roundabout and go on to Edinburgh following airport signs.
More About Edinburgh and Its Roads
Between 2003 and 2009, Edinburgh’s City Council allocated £110m to improve road conditions and another £73 m is planned to the year 2012. There are over 5000 streets and 900 road miles in Edinburgh and an additional £70,000 is spent each day to keep roads and pavement well maintained.
There’s plenty of parking i n Edinburgh, and to celebrate holidays and special occasions, Edinburgh offers lots of free pay and display parking on many of its streets through the West End, Grassmarket, Tollcross, Old Town and City Centre.
Edinburgh Tram Project
Because the streets of Edinburgh can be extremely congested, a world class modern tram system construction project is underway in Edinburgh. The tram project reached a milestone in June, 2009 when tracks were delivered to Princes Street and laid. The Edinburgh Tram Project is expected to be completed in 2012.