Edinburgh car parking?

superstylin

@B0bbyEwing

It used to be that we walked all over as well, but we've got a toddler now who refuses to walk anywhere!

The only light up event we've done is the Castle which was amazing. The zoo has been done a few times but we tend to keep it til the end of the holiday and drive there before going home. I'm like a pig in poop around the Old Town though, I just love it. So atmospheric, I could wander the streets day and night and not get tired of it. My other half though prefers the New Town and the shopping of Princes St. Then of course there's the christmas markets which we both love. Bratwurst, mulled wine and a Nutella crepe and I'm happy. 

We've stayed in a few places, large chains like premier, jury's but also smaller boutique places an even an Airbnb when our boy was tiny (which came with its own parking space which was ideal because we brought everything but the kitchen sink!)

Unfortunately this year we don't have it planned. We normally go around my birthday at the end of this month but it's not entirely suited to a toddler so we're doing Centre Parks Winter Wonderland in the Lakes instead. While it'll be lovely I'll really miss Edinburgh (We even got the idea for the name of our son from Deacon Brodie's pub on the Royal Mile 😂)

baser999

Did you try Your Parking Space as suggested in your other thread?

Lorian

One option is ingliston park and ride and catch the tram to princes street. Bit of an uphill walk from there. Saves the city centre drive.

B0bbyEwing

superstylin said:

@B0bbyEwing

It used to be that we walked all over as well, but we've got a toddler now who refuses to walk anywhere!

The only light up event we've done is the Castle which was amazing. The zoo has been done a few times but we tend to keep it til the end of the holiday and drive there before going home. I'm like a pig in poop around the Old Town though, I just love it. So atmospheric, I could wander the streets day and night and not get tired of it. My other half though prefers the New Town and the shopping of Princes St. Then of course there's the christmas markets which we both love. Bratwurst, mulled wine and a Nutella crepe and I'm happy. 

We've stayed in a few places, large chains like premier, jury's but also smaller boutique places an even an Airbnb when our boy was tiny (which came with its own parking space which was ideal because we brought everything but the kitchen sink!)

Unfortunately this year we don't have it planned. We normally go around my birthday at the end of this month but it's not entirely suited to a toddler so we're doing Centre Parks Winter Wonderland in the Lakes instead. While it'll be lovely I'll really miss Edinburgh (We even got the idea for the name of our son from Deacon Brodie's pub on the Royal Mile 😂)

We didn't do the castle. We had intended to only go to one of them. We liked it so much we've already booked in for the gardens this time. Certainly get the steps in walking to there from the hotel! lol
My wife & I are like you though - we prefer the Old Town. Don't get me wrong, that's not to knock the New Town as we go all over but I know exactly what you mean. 

I'd been before  with family members but 2007 was the first time with my wife. Since then there hasn't been many years where we haven't been to Edinburgh. The odd couple years where we went to London (personally other than going to see a show, I don't rate it & isn't a patch on Edinburgh), a year or two where we did nothing plus the one where we had to cancel due to Covid but all the others we've gone.

Last year was the first time for my wife & I to go to the Christmas markets. I've got to say we were a little disappointed but then the week previous my sister had gone & she'd also been to it before too & said last year wasn't a patch on the previous time, so I wont be too judgemental. 

I find most people do things like the castle, the zoo, nightly tours etc but have you ever done the surgeon's museum? Many I've spoken too haven't even heard of it. If not then I thoroughly recommend it. If you don't know what it is then it's probably going to be in line with the images you have in your head. We find it very interesting.

baser999 said:

Did you try Your Parking Space as suggested in your other thread?

I did thank you.

Lorian said:

One option is ingliston park and ride and catch the tram to princes street. Bit of an uphill walk from there. Saves the city centre drive.

I'm going to have to have a look at various options this weekend. I don't want to be closed-minded so I'll entertain other options. If I do decide to go city multi storey then I'll need some backup plans so I don't start flapping should it go wrong.

superstylin

We have done the surgeons museum yes. I loved it. Brilliantly gruesome exhibits. That combined with the history and atmosphere in the Old Town just bring alive the story of Burke & Hare which intrigues me. We've done a couple of the tours as well, including the Burke and Hare one and a couple of ghost tours. And you have to do the Dungeons and the tour of the underground vaults as well. There really is so much to see and do there, it's why we go back and back. 

Your sister was right, last year's market wasn't a patch on pre COVID markets. It used to be much bigger, more rides, more food stalls and more varied stalls. It also expanded onto another open area behind Princes St. I'm hoping it finds its feet again in the future. 

alanrowell

Lorian said:

One option is ingliston park and ride and catch the tram to princes street. Bit of an uphill walk from there. Saves the city centre drive.

You can't park overnight at Ingleston to stop people using it as cheap airport parking. All the other P&Rs around Edinburgh do allow it but for a hotel on or near the Royal Mile, I would suggest Sheriffhall as the buses from there cross the Royal Mile

Ingliston Park and Ride – The City of Edinburgh Council
Sheriffhall Park and Ride – The City of Edinburgh Council
 

alanrowell

superstylin said:

Still any walk through Edinburgh is a nice walk! 

North Bridge isn't currently, and the corner with Princes Street by the Balmoral is one that Satan would dismiss as being too cruel for even the most heinous sin

B0bbyEwing

Are they ever going to finish work on the bridge around Waverly? Seems like they've been on it forever.

Anyway, in the end I opted for Waverly car park. Not as big as what I thought it would be. I'm glad I set off super early & got there for about 6:30am because downstairs had very few spaces, if any at all & upstairs in the open was also extremely busy. 

I prefer to park in end car park spaces because there's too many people who a) can't park properly and b) can't open their door with an ounce of care for anyone either side & luckily I got a spot.

All in all it was probably £20 cheaper than the train would've been and it was at times handy to have the car a few strides from the hotel but if I had the option then I'd pay the extra £20 and take the train. 

Even discounting weather & road conditions, I don't fancy travelling up & then down at silly o'clock again any time soon.