Visiting Edinburgh - Park and ride

Shelanne

Does anyone know the best place to leave car safely overnight outside Edinburgh and use public transport into city for overnight stay? We are planning a holiday in Scotland in August, hoping to move around a bit. We have one night booked in a city centre hotel on Tuesday night, we will be staying in Peebles the previous night. So we don't think driving into Edinburgh is a great plan so thought about getting a train to Edinburgh, I now know there aren't any trains from Peebles to Edinburgh!!! so will have to park somewhere en route and travel on public transport. Any advice on somewhere secure and not too expensive to leave car from Tuesday morning to Wednesday evening?

Many thanks in advance. Also MSE suggestions on things to do in Edinburgh for almost 2 days with four children would be appreciated!! Thank you.

gibson123

Here's a useful link

http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/48/park_and_ride_schemes/1170/park_and_ride/1

You will be in Edinburgh during the Festival so just wandering the streets you will see lots of entertainment and buzz going on. The restaurants will be packed so its easier just to "graze". if he weather is good go to Princes Street and walk up beside Jenners until you get to Sainsburys and buy some picnic things, then have a picnic in the gardens.

Here's a good guide to free stuff to do in Edinburgh and it includes the festival fringe free shows.

http://www.edinburgh.org/see-do/free-attractions/

Finally the local bus service is excellent and cheap, buy a day ticket to get around the city, the bus shelters have good maps and real time information,

http://lothianbuses.com/

timbotambo

Thats really trippy, I had the exact same question so emailed the council. The reply is below. The buses are frequent and cheap but also are public buses so are a bit slow and take a while. Not great with luggae either. Suggest if luggage / family and staying central then drop then off first. We used the Sherriffhall one. Hope this helps!

Thank you for your email.

Thank you for your Park & Ride enquiry.

Most of our Park & Ride sites permit overnight parking, and all our sites are Park Mark Accredited which is a safer parking scheme initiative of the Associations of Chief Police Officers aimed at reducing both crime and the fear of crime in parking facilities. Also all of our sites are covered by round the clock CCTV which is monitored live by our CCTV teams.

The most convenient sites for you to use on the South of the city are detailed below which I thought you may find helpful;

1. Straiton P&R is also bus based and located in the south of the city. The site is not strictly a 24hr facility but we do allow for overnight parking if requested in advance. Straiton is bus based and fares cost £1.40 for a single trip into the city centre. For more information visit; [URL="blocked::http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/48/park_and_ride_schemes/1170/park_and_ride/7"]http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/48/park_and_ride_schemes/1170/park_and_ride/7[/URL]

2. Sheriffhall P&R is located to the South East of Edinburgh and is also bus based. Overnight parking is permitted here and the maximum length of stay is approximately 7 days. Bus fares cost £1.40 for a single trip into the city centre. For more information visit [URL="blocked::http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/48/park_and_ride_schemes/1170/park_and_ride/6"]http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/48/park_and_ride_schemes/1170/park_and_ride/6[/URL]

Shelanne

Many thanks, both of you. Thinking we might try Sherrifhall. Will have to check we can drop off luggage.

Good to know there will be lots going on, so just fingers crossed for picnic weather!!