Arnold Clark Car & Van Rental is one of the top van rental firms in Edinburgh. This is not a surprise, seeing that they’ve been in the business for 60 years.

They are also accredited members of the British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association (BVRLA). Thus, you can be sure that they adhere to the standards and codes of conduct that are set by this organisation.

We were impressed by the numerous service inclusions they offer with each van rental. For instance, you are given 250 miles free per day, and if you hire a van for four days or more, you will be given unlimited mileage!

Their rental packages also include roadside assistance and pick-up and drop-off service. You can even choose between manual and automatic vehicles, and your choice is guaranteed when booked.

We were actually pleasantly surprised that they have competitive rates on top of these inclusions. Their prices range from £70-£100 per day for small to extra-large vans.

We also appreciate their range of rental services which includes hourly, one-way, and business hires. Customers would be able to freely choose which services would be most suitable for them.

That said, like most things that seem too good to be true, this option has a catch. For this company, it seems to be subpar customer service.

Apparently, there were instances wherein the staff did not explain the company policies clearly, and they refused to explain the features in the vehicle.

We also heard reports of customers receiving vehicles with flaws such as tire damage. These customers had to take time out of their vacation to have their vehicles repaired, which we agree was highly inconvenient.

As the fourth-largest vehicle rental company in the UK, Practical Car & Van Rental also seems to be a strong choice for van rentals. In fact, they are also BVRLA-accredited, which is quite reassuring.

For customers who do not want to make a trip back to Edinburgh, you’d be happy to know that this company offers a one-way self-drive hire. This service can really save customers a lot of time and money.

Their vans are also available for short and long-term leasing periods. We think these options are suitable for private use and for commercial business purposes.

These leasing periods are also inclusive of delivery, breakdown cover, and road fund licence. These inclusions would certainly help give customers peace of mind.

You can also opt to hire vans using their daily rates, which we think is highly-competitive. For instance, a small van to an extra-large van would be around £52.50 – £92.50 only per day.

We also appreciate their unique ‘Meet and Greet’ and ‘Out of Hours’ services. ‘Meet and Greet’ is where the supplier delivers the van to a specific location, and ‘Out of Hours’ is when you can have your rental picked up at a time outside regular business hours. 

The downside is since they have cheaper daily rates, they do have fewer service inclusions compared to other companies

Another downside is that we heard reports of customers experiencing last-minute cancellations, which we feel would be quite distressing. 

Thrifty Car and Van Rental owned by Scot Group, which has a 50-year service history. Thus, we think they are already well-versed with the ins and outs of the van rental industry.

One thing that impressed us is that their heart for giving. In fact, a portion of their online sales  goes directly to two of their chosen charities.

Another thing we admire is that in case your desired vehicle is unavailable, they will be able to offer you a free upgrade. Meaning, they’ll be able to provide you with a van that has a greater rental value than what you booked.

A unique service they offer is their adapted vehicle hire service. For those who would like to rent wheelchair-accessible cars, vans, and minibuses, they certainly got you covered.

Speaking of coverage, they also have a Thrifty Assist service. In the event of an accident or incident, just call them up, and they’ll be able to help you.

One thing we noticed, however, is that their included mileage is lower than what other companies offer. While other companies offer unlimited mileage for four days and up, this company only offers 2,000 free miles for every 28-day period.

We also noticed their comparatively higher deposit rates. They charge a deposit fee of £750 for full-sized cars, MPVs, and vans, while other companies charge only £300 or lower.

Lastly, we heard reports of them having only a limited van inventory. Thus, some customers were given different vehicles than what they’ve chosen, and others experienced delays on their bookings due to lack of vehicles.

Having a notable 100 years of experience in vehicle rentals, SIXT Car & Van Hire is certainly a top go-to choice for van rentals. Unlike other companies, they are open all week, which we appreciate.

We also love their wide selection of quality, top-of-the-line vehicles. Some of these are the Ford Transit Custom, Ford Transit 3.5T Large, and VW Crafter, which are not only safe but also look great as well.

For van hires, you can choose from their hourly, daily, or long-term rental period offers. We especially like their affordable daily van rates, which start at £55.99.

On top of these comparative cheaper rates, they also offer various online discounts. In order to save more money, do check their website for special offers before making a booking.

A convenient service they also offer is their 24/7 returns. Since they have several locations across Edinburgh that are open 24/7, you don’t have to worry if you are arriving late.

We do feel that their one-off, one-time, sign-up fee of £249 – £499 (depending on the vehicle being hired) is a tad bothersome, especially since other companies do not charge this.

We also heard reports of some deposits that were not given back even though the vehicles were returned in pristine condition.

Lastly, we were disappointed to hear about their poor customer service skills. Customers reported erroneous charges added to their bill, and their staff took months to refund these charges.

Condor Car & Van Hire is another solid option for your van rental needs. That’s because they’ve been around for over 30 years.

Not only are they accredited with BVRLA, they are also members of the United Rental System. Both organisations help ensure that they are up-to-code and they follow regulations as well.

They also boast a fleet of over 1000 vehicles– from cars, vans, and tail-lift lutons– to 4x4s and minibuses! We think customers would highly-appreciate having a very wide variety of vehicles to choose from. 

Their reasonable daily rates are nothing to sneer at, either. They charge only £55-98 daily for small to extra-large vans.

For those interested in short and long-term leasing for vans, they provide both. This company actually specialises in short and long-term leasing for commercial purposes, which is great for business owners.

As a matter of fact, for long-term leases, they offer a unique vehicle livery service. They can arrange for your own logo to be put on their vans, and you have the option to decide which parts of the vehicle to place your logo on.

We also like their garage services which not all companies have. These services include puncture repair, tyre replacements, and even valeting.

Unfortunately, we spoke with some customers and were told that they experienced their staff members being rude. Apparently, they felt that they were not being addressed in a respectful manner.

We also heard reports of bookings being cancelled at the last minute. We hope they fix these issues in order to improve customer satisfaction.

Alba Campers is a family-run business based in Edinburgh, offering Campervan Hire services with a focus on providing cheap rental prices without hidden costs.

We like that the business places a strong emphasis on customer service, aiming to offer the best possible experience for customers exploring Scotland.

We’re thoroughly impressed with the completeness and organization of Alba Campers’ campervans. We like the ample space for belongings and the inclusion of essential items for a stress-free road trip.

The service delivered by the staff is also worth commending. They go above and beyond for their clients which we appreciate.

We like how they’re very flexible with both pick-up and drop-off times, allowing customers to make the most of their road trip without unnecessary constraints.

The inclusion of automatic transmission in all campervans is highlighted as a convenience, particularly for navigating the small winding roads in Scotland.

The great things about this company and their service is endless. We highly recommend!