Did you know that Alamo at Waverley is one of the busiest rental locations in the UK? Not because of Edinburgh’s size, but because everyone wants to drive the North Coast 500 after arriving by train. It’s like a pilgrimage, but with more snack wrappers. Also, the station was built on a former loch (yes, a lake). So technically, you’re renting a car on a drained body of water. That’s not a fact about Alamo, but it’s fun to say while waiting for your shuttle.
Another gem: Alamo’s fleet here includes a suspicious number of automatic cars. Why? Because Americans. And also because Edinburgh has more hills than San Francisco, and your left leg will thank you for not having to clutch every two meters. If you’re British and can drive stick, you’ll feel like a god among mortals.
The One Thing That Will Drive You Insane
The parking. Oh, the parking. The Alamo return lot at Waverley is a concrete puzzle box. It’s tight, it’s dark, and it smells faintly of regret. Do not attempt to return your car during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, unless you enjoy being trapped behind a minibus full of jugglers. My advice: return your car at 6 AM, or just accept that your last ten minutes in the car will be a low-budget action film.
Car Rental From Edinburgh Train Station at Miguel Arnold blog
But here’s the beautiful surprise: the Alamo staff are legends. They’ve seen it all—the tourists who left the headlights on, the couple who tried to return a car with a stag’s antler stuck in the grill. They will process your return with the patience of Zen monks. Tip them with a smile and a solid parking job.
