Is parking free at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh?

Yes. Patient and visitor parking at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh has been free since March 2020, when the charges were scrapped. However, spaces are limited and the site is often congested, so arrive early.

Is there enough parking at the ERI?

Parking is limited and the car parks can fill early in the day, so leave plenty of time before your appointment and have a back-up plan such as a bus or Park and Ride. The site is known for congestion.

Can I drop someone off at the Royal Infirmary?

Yes. There is a monitored drop-off zone near the entrance for brief stops to set down or collect. It is kept moving by staff and CCTV, so you will be asked to move on if you wait.

Is there disabled parking at the Royal Infirmary?

Yes. There are clearly marked Blue Badge bays throughout the Little France site. They are in high demand, so arrive early.

How do I get to the Royal Infirmary without a car?

The hospital has good bus links from the city centre and the airport, and using a Park and Ride is encouraged because on-site parking is very limited. Cycle paths also serve the site.

Parking at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (ERI): Free but Limited

The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (the ERI) at Little France, in the south-east, is one of Scotland's biggest hospitals. The good news: patient and visitor parking is free. The catch: it's very limited and fills up, so leave plenty of time.

🏥 The short answerParking at the ERI is free for patients and visitors (charges were scrapped in 2020), but spaces are limited and the site gets congested — arrive early. There's a drop-off zone, Blue Badge bays across the site, and good bus links. Don't park on the council yellow lines on the surrounding roads — that's a council ticket.

Free, but limited

Hospital car parking charges at the ERI ended in March 2020, so it's free for patients and visitors. The car parks (managed by NCP) are busy and can fill early in the day, so leave plenty of time before an appointment and have a back-up plan.

Dropping someone off

There's a monitored drop-off zone near the entrance for setting down and collecting — but it's for brief stops only; staff and CCTV keep it moving, so you'll be asked to move on if you wait.

Blue Badge and accessibility

There are clearly marked Blue Badge bays throughout the site. They're popular, so as with everything here, come early.

⚠️ Don't risk the surrounding streetsThe roads around the ERI and BioQuarter are council-controlled. Parking on single or double yellow lines there will get you a Penalty Charge Notice from the council, separate from the hospital.

Getting there without driving

The hospital has good bus routes from the city centre and the airport, and a Park & Ride is encouraged given how tight parking is on site. The postcode for satnav is in the EH16 area (Little France Crescent).

Quick recap

Patient/visitor parking is free — but limited and busy.
Arrive early; have a back-up plan.
Drop-off zone for brief stops; Blue Badge bays across the site.
Don't park on council yellow lines nearby.

Parking on nearby streets?

If the site is full, check what the surrounding streets allow before you leave the car.

Check your street →

Parking at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh