Early flight from Edinburgh: Parking advice etc

We just use Secure Airparks - regular shuttle bus that drops you directly outside the terminal door. Plenty of other onsite and offsite parking is also available.

You can often get pretty good deals at Edinburgh in the on-terminal car parks. Worth a look and it takes a bit of uncertainty / faff out away when you can just walk into the terminal.

As for staying over night before - found the best thing to do is make sure your parents and/or siblings live close enough the the central region airports ;). Can't help on that one.

Thanks @st66 that does look like a good option. I'm always a bit concerned about how long you might have to wait for a bus at stupid o'clock in the morning, but they claim to offer a 24 hour service with on-demand busses and only a 1-2 minute transfer time, so should be fine.

Secure Airpark is great. Really reliable and organised for drop off and pick up.

Edinburghs ‘fast park’ service is actually really good… book it in advance then on the day pull up about 100m from the terminal. Drop your keys in the slot then it’s valeted away. It’ll be waiting for you on return. No more expensive then the other options.

I prepay the Muti-story, usually not bad value, and you get fast track security chucked in which, sometimes, is a huge benefit. It's fast to get into the car park, 1minute to terminal, and really fast to leave. I like.

Only issues have been twice, in about 10uses this year, the system failed to read my number plate correctly and wanted to charge me on exit, but it took 30seconds at the barrier after pressing the help button to sort out.

The on site parking is usually the same price as off-site if booked in advance - just a stroll in to the terminal.
There is also the tram park and ride at the entrance - trams are regular and two stops from car park to terminal.

Wow, so many options, looks like I can't go wrong. Thanks all.

Next question is how early do I actually need to get there given that we'll just have cabin bags and will check in online in advance. I did also pay for the fast-track security option (which was probably a waste of money).

Train down Friday evening.
Nice evening out
Tram/taxi/bus to the airport.

Start your holiday without driving?

Another vote for the fast park service. It's really very good indeed - especially with kids.

They get parked on what was runway 30 on the airside bit. I doubt there's anywhere more secure outside of the security services.

It's a thought @joshvegas but it still leaves the issue of arriving back around midnight on Wednesday. Could book another room but think I'd prefer to just hop in the car and be back in my own bed in a couple of hours.

Next question is how early do I actually need to get there given that we’ll just have cabin bags and will check in online in advance.

Security is the only big variable - I have flown from Edinburgh 4x last year... 2x it was maybe 10-15 mins to get through, once about 30 mins, and once over an hour. The bad day though they were great at looking at boarding passed and hauling people through to catch a flight.

Look at hotels around the airport sometimes the room will include parking for your trip.

I tend to use something like holiday extras for this, at least for cost comparison, often hotel and parking deals can work out very good. That said the last time it was better to book them separately.

Stayed at the on site Holiday Inn express before with parking and shuttle bus included. Worked well for us and not much more expensive than was quoted for airport parking.

Well you will already have spent way to much so a nice night in the glasshouse with a lazy breakfast, a couple of hours checking out the coffeeshops and a Tri to the museum of Scotland before alighting the express to greytown?

Ahem - permit free street parking near the zoo and airport bus stop - ahem

Park somewhere on South Gyle Crescent there is a footpath (5 minute walk) from there to the Edinburgh Park tram stop.
Might not be great on the return leg though walking from tram stop to the car in the rain at midnight.

+1 for the on site multi storey. The fast track security takes a lot of the pain away, and it is generally OK cost wise if you book decently in advance. We only paid £80 for a whole month when on hols to Oz back in January.

Park at Halbeath P&R, it’s free. Jct 3 on the m90. Nr dunfermline.
Take the stagecoach 747 bus directly to airport, they run 24/7.
Can’t remember the fare, but it’s not terrible. Contactless or cash payment.
Half hour journey.

Hilton hotel at airport. Park at hotel, a few beers, decent sleep and shuttle or walk to terminal (5mins) in the morning. Then drive home when you are back. Room and parking is pretty good value. Even better if you can get twilight check in with your airline.

Edinburgh Fastpark is very convenient and surprisingly cheap.

07:50 isnt early 🙂 Thats right in the middle of one of the peaks! (ive been there for 4am for a flight before)!

All the offsite Parking has on demand shuttle busses, if there isnt one you just call at it comes 5 mins later. Never had an issue with any delays and Ive used most of them just depending which one was cheapest on the day!

You could park at my house and get the tram in.  I'll look after your car honest gov 🙂

Another one for fast park or multi story. Weirdly cheap and close to terminal compared to other airports.

Another one for fast park or multi story. Weirdly cheap and close to terminal compared to other airports.

I know, but seriously, shush! they might be listening 🙂