Bringing a car to Edinburgh gives you more freedom to explore beyond the city, but it can make choosing a hotel more complicated. Many of the most central hotels occupy historic buildings where private car parks were never part of the design. Others offer parking, but spaces may be limited, chargeable or available only through a nearby public car park.
The best hotels in Edinburgh with parking are not always the ones with the largest car park. A hotel with reliable street parking and an easy walk into the centre may be more convenient than a property where you still need to drive every day. Before booking, consider how often you expect to use the car. If most of your trips are spent around Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile and the New Town, you may prefer to park once and explore on foot.
If you are planning day trips to East Lothian, the Borders or the Highlands, quick access to the main roads may matter more than staying directly in the Old Town. Here are some of the best Edinburgh hotels with parking, including city-centre stays, quieter neighbourhood options and hotels near major routes.
1. Black Ivy
Black Ivy sits opposite Bruntsfield Links, close enough to walk into central Edinburgh but away from the busiest Old Town streets. There is on-street parking directly outside the hotel and on many nearby roads. Parking is free overnight and at weekends, with charges applying between 8:30am and 5:30pm on weekdays. Guests staying for longer can speak with the hotel team about other nearby options.
This setup suits visitors who plan to arrive by car, park near the hotel and spend most of their stay exploring Edinburgh on foot. Bruntsfield Links and The Meadows create a pleasant walking route towards the Old Town, while buses are available for journeys farther across the city.
Black Ivy does not have a large private car park, so drivers wanting a guaranteed space directly inside hotel grounds may prefer another option. For weekend stays, however, the free on-street periods can make parking easier and less expensive than it is around Royal Mile or Princes Street. The hotel has 21 individually designed bedrooms, along with a restaurant, bar and terrace. Having food and drinks downstairs can also be useful when you would rather leave the car parked after checking in.
- Best For: Weekend visitors who want a neighbourhood setting, nearby street parking and an easy walk into the centre.
Black Ivy’s guide to getting around Edinburgh can help you plan the rest of your stay without relying on the car each day.
2. Sheraton Grand Hotel And Spa
The Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa is on Festival Square, close to the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, Usher Hall and the western end of Princes Street. It is one of the more convenient parking hotels in Edinburgh city centre because paid self-parking is available on site. The hotel currently lists parking at £5.95 per hour or £25 per day, although guests should confirm the rate when booking.
From the hotel, Princes Street, Grassmarket and Edinburgh Castle are all accessible on foot. That allows guests to leave the car parked during their stay rather than repeatedly navigating the city centre. The Sheraton also suits travellers looking for a full-service hotel experience, with restaurants, bars, a fitness centre and spa facilities available within the property.
The main consideration is cost. Daily parking adds to the room rate, particularly during a longer visit, but the ability to park within the hotel building may justify the expense for guests carrying luggage or arriving late.
- Best For: Visitors who want paid on-site parking in a central location with spa facilities.
3. Novotel Edinburgh Centre
Novotel Edinburgh Centre is on Lauriston Place, near Grassmarket and within walking distance of Edinburgh Castle. The hotel provides paid private indoor parking and on-site electric vehicle charging. Spaces can be limited, so guests should check availability and the current charge before arriving.
Its position offers a useful balance for drivers. The hotel is central enough for sightseeing on foot, but it is slightly removed from the narrowest and busiest streets around the Royal Mile. Facilities include a restaurant, bar, indoor pool and fitness centre. This makes it a practical option for families, business travellers and anyone who wants to leave the car parked for most of the trip.
The hotel sits within Edinburgh’s wider central road network, so drivers should check their vehicle against the city’s Low Emission Zone requirements before setting off.
- Best For: Travellers who want indoor paid parking, EV charging and easy access to Grassmarket.
4. Prestonfield House
Prestonfield House offers a very different arrival experience from most central Edinburgh hotels. Set within its own grounds near Holyrood Park, the hotel has an expansive private car park that is free for guests. CCTV operates around the clock, and electric vehicle chargers are also available. Valet parking can be arranged as part of the hotel’s wider concierge service.
Although Prestonfield feels more like a country’s estate, it is only a short taxi ride from the Royal Mile and Old Town. Its location also gives drivers easier access to the city bypass and roads leading south or east. This is one of the stronger options for guests who want secure parking without staying on the edge of Edinburgh. The tradeoff is that most visitors will use a taxi, bus or car to reach the centre rather than walking to every attraction.
Prestonfield is a five-star property, so prices reflect the setting, service and larger grounds. It may suit a special occasion or a trip that combines sightseeing with a quieter hotel experience.
- Best For: Luxury stays where free private parking, EV charging and a quieter setting are priorities.
5. Holiday Inn Edinburgh
Holiday Inn Edinburgh is beside Edinburgh Zoo on Corstorphine Road, west of the city centre. Registered hotel guests can use complimentary on-site self-parking on a first-come, first-served basis. If the main car park is full, additional spaces may be available in the adjacent zoo car park for a daily charge. The hotel also lists 16 third party-operated EV charging spaces.
This location is particularly useful for visitors arriving from the west, travelling from Edinburgh Airport or planning a day at the zoo. Regular buses run towards the city centre, so guests can leave the car at the hotel rather than drive into the Old Town. The journey into central Edinburgh takes longer than it would from Bruntsfield or Festival Square, especially during busy periods. However, free hotel parking can make the location worthwhile for longer stays or travellers who expect to drive beyond the city.
- Best For: Zoo visits, airport access and guests looking for complimentary parking west of the centre.
6. Leonardo Hotel EdinburghMurrayfield
Leonardo Hotel Edinburgh Murrayfield is in Clermiston, northwest of the city centre. The hotel offers approximately 100 complimentary parking spaces for guests, giving it one of the larger free hotel car parks in Edinburgh. A nearby bus route connects the area with Princes Street, while Haymarket and Murrayfield are also accessible by road or public transport.
Because the hotel sits outside the historic centre, arriving and departing by car is generally easier than navigating around the Old Town. It can work well for guests planning day trips, attending events at Murrayfield Stadium or visiting Edinburgh Zoo. The property also has an indoor swimming pool, restaurant, and fitness facilities. The distance from the main sights is the main compromise, as guests should expect to use a bus, taxi or car when travelling into central Edinburgh.
- Best For: Drivers who want plenty of complimentary parking and do not need to stay within walking distance of the Royal Mile.
7. Novotel Edinburgh Park
Novotel Edinburgh Park is close to Edinburgh Airport, the city bypass and the western business district. The hotel has a large car park with around 100 spaces, although parking is chargeable. Edinburgh Park railway station and tram stop are around a five-minute walk away, giving guests a simple way to reach the city centre without driving further into Edinburgh.
This combination can be useful for visitors who want to arrive by car and avoid central traffic completely. Once the car is parked, the tram connects the area with Haymarket, Princes Street, St Andrew Square and Newhaven. The hotel also has an indoor pool, restaurant, and family room options. It is farther from Edinburgh’s main attractions than the other hotels in this guide, but the transport connections make that distance manageable.
- Best For: Airport stays, road trips and drivers who prefer to use the tram for sightseeing.
Where To Stay in Edinburgh with a Car
1.Bruntsfield
Bruntsfield works well for visitors who want to park near their hotel and explore most of central Edinburgh on foot. The neighbourhood is close to The Meadows, Tollcross and the Old Town, but it is less congested than the streets immediately around Edinburgh Castle. On-street parking restrictions still apply, so signs and payment periods should always be checked carefully. Black Ivy’s Bruntsfield neighbourhood guide gives a closer look at what is available within walking distance of the hotel.
2. City Centre
Staying in the centre gives you the shortest walk to the main attractions, but parking is more likely to be limited and chargeable. Hotels with their own spaces can remove some of the uncertainty, although daily fees should be added to the total cost of the stay. It is also important to check whether the car park has height restrictions, particularly when traveling with a roof box or larger vehicle.
3. West Edinburgh
Hotels around Corstorphine, Murrayfield and Edinburgh Park tend to have more parking spaces than Old Town properties. These areas are convenient for the airport, Edinburgh Zoo, and the main roads leading west. Buses and trams make it possible to travel into the centre without moving the car each day.
4. South And East Edinburgh
Hotels near Holyrood Park, Portobello and the A1 can suit travellers arriving from southern or eastern Scotland. You may be farther from Princes Street, but road access is often simpler. Properties with private grounds, such as Prestonfield, also provide a quieter alternative to a dense city-centre stay. For a wider comparison of Edinburgh neighbourhoods and accommodation types, read Black Ivy’s guide to places to stay in Edinburgh.
Driving In Edinburgh City Centre
Edinburgh is compact, but driving through the centre can be slow. The Old Town contains narrow streets, restricted routes, and busy pedestrian areas. Road layouts can also change during festivals, major events, and tram works. In many cases, the easiest approach is to park at the hotel and continue by foot, bus, or tram.
Drivers should also be aware of Edinburgh’s Low Emission Zone. It operates 24 hours a day throughout the year, and fines have been enforced since 1 June 2024. Vehicles must meet the required emissions standard unless an exemption applies. Check your vehicle and planned route before travelling, even when your hotel sits outside the zone. Your satnav may direct you through the restricted area on the way to a car park or attraction.
What Should Drivers Check?
The word “parking” can mean different things on hotel booking pages. Some properties have a private car park reserved for overnight guests. Others use shared public facilities, offer discounted parking nearby or rely on metered spaces in surrounding streets. Before confirming a room, check whether spaces can be reserved, how much a full day costs, and whether you can leave the vehicle after checking out. Electric vehicle drivers should confirm charger availability and whether charging is included in the parking price.
Vehicle height and width can also matter. Central underground car parks may not accommodate vans, roof boxes or larger SUVs comfortably. Parking information and charges can change, so it is worth contacting the hotel directly before a busy weekend, festival, or public holiday.
Choose The Right Parking Setup
Finding the right hotel with parking depends on more than whether a space exists. For some visitors, free private parking outside the centre will be the most practical choice. Others will happily pay for a city-centre car park to keep the main attractions within walking distance. Weekend travellers may find that nearby street parking provides the right balance between location and cost.
For guests comparing hotels in Edinburgh with parking, Black Ivy offers on-street options directly outside and around the hotel, with free parking overnight and at weekends. Its Bruntsfield location also makes it possible to leave the car behind and experience much of Edinburgh on foot.
Review the available Black Ivy rooms or contact the hotel before travelling for guidance on parking during your chosen dates.
