Edinburgh - 2 nights in January

[Jader1973]

OH wants to spend a couple of nights in Edinburgh in Jan. I don’t want to because it will be cold, damp, dark and ste.

However, assuming I have zero choice, is there any argument for staying outside (say Edinburgh Park) other than easy parking?

I’m thinking of the ibis in St Andrews Square (or somewhere near there) which seems to use the Omni Centre for parking.

My Dad’s advice is “Edinburgh is a nightmare to drive in” etc etc but his knowledge is probably 20 years out of date!

[Pedro25]

Your Dad's right it is a nightmare to drive through the city, the week after Xmas the Xmas market and fair are still in full swing, consider getting the train in and walk around the city for 2 days, you'll see much more than driving to find parking spaces. Yes it will be cold and obviously dark early in the day but it's a great city to spend some time in and the food and bars are mostly top fayre.

[malks222]

Yes driving/ roads round edinburgh are rubbish, but it’s a really small city and best to get around on foot (or busses). edinburgh park would be good/ better for parking, but staying on st andrews square would be much much better!

as for parking, literally 5mins walk away from the hotel is a lovely neighbourhood/ area (the new town) and if you are coming over the weekend you can park on the street for free (permits/ pay and display/ single yellow lines only in force mon/ fri 8:30am-5:30pm) say you arrive 3pm you can pay for on street parking until 5:30pm and then leave the car all weekend. look up ‘abercromby place’ as a potential safe location to park up all weekend

edinburgh is a lovely city (i’m biased, I live here, in the new town) there’s lots to do/ see and loads of amazing places to eat/ drink. if you want some recommendations, feel free to tell me what sort of things you like- fancy/ fine dining/ michelin stars or local pub type food? drinks proper old man pubs or fancy cocktail bars?

[ruggedscotty]

edinburgh park.... and then tram it in and out.

can be a nice place to visit. what are you wanting to see, whats your interests...

[Jader1973]

Thanks for the advice.

Slight change of plan, now thinking 2 nights in Old Town (possibly the Radisson) and either train or park at the airport and use the tram. I can’t think of a reason why I couldn’t do that, unless there is a secure Park and Ride out that way?

Old Town because it is likely where the OH will want to go during the day anyway, possibly more choice for eating out, and Radisson because why not.

There are lower cost options but most of them seem to be tucked down crappy side streets that look a bit murdery. I thought about the Hilton or Scotsman as well.

The more expensive hotels class anyone 13 and over as an adult so they are full price - how very Edinburgh! (our son is coming too - my OH isn’t 13!)

Main reason for taking the car would be the ability to do things on the way there / back e.g. Kelpies and Britannia instead of just being tied to the train.

As for what we’ll do, I just book stuff, I don’t plan the days

[abzmike]

The Radisson on the High Street has its own underground car park if I recall correctly.
If you want to control costs the Village Hotel at Crewe Toll can be good value and has free parking, as does Mal in Leith. Either are east to reach the centre by foot, bus or Uber.

[Terzo123]

Yeah the Radisson Blu has its own parking. I stayed there last year. Decent enough hotel with its own pool and right in the heart of the city.

Generally you can get deals for the hotel through groupon, itison or the like.

[r159]

I used Q-Park Omni last year at the end of November (Christmas market time) it’s on Leith Street.

Dead easy.

We’re up there again in October but as it’s a different hotel so parking at the other end of Princess Street

It’s no worse traffic than any other similar sized city.

[Ntv]

r159 said:

I used Q-Park Omni last year at the end of November (Christmas market time) it’s on Leith Street.

Dead easy.

We’re up there again in October but as it’s a different hotel so parking at the other end of Princess Street

It’s no worse traffic than any other similar sized city.

The traffic in some parts of the city is way worse than similar sized cities due to the endless tramline construction. Trying getting from Leith to the Old Town and back regularly. It's a mult-year stshow.

Also, the condition of the roads is the worst I've come across in 30 years driving in the UK.

But it's a nice city all the same.

[Greedydog]

Ntv said:

The traffic in some parts of the city is way worse than similar sized cities due to the endless tramline construction. Trying getting from Leith to the Old Town and back regularly. It's a mult-year stshow.

Also, the condition of the roads is the worst I've come across in 30 years driving in the UK.

But it's a nice city all the same.

Agree, some of the roads here are absolutely disgraceful and, depending on where you want to go, the tram works can be a total pain in the arse, although less of an issue for visitors if they steer clear of the Leith area.