Crafty visitors find a way of avoiding costly Edinburgh stays... by staying in their campervans

Published: 18:55, 10 August 2026 | Updated: 19:07, 10 August 2026 They are coming in masses, seeking to make most out of Edinburgh with the least amount of money. And now visitors in campervans are crowding out other motorists from on-street parking. Up to a dozen motorhomes have been parked in Fettes Avenue close to one of the main police stations and near the festival action. The spot has been chosen because a day’s parking there costs just £11 and is free overnight, meaning tourists can also skip the city’s tourist tax. Even if they are slapped with a parking fine, which is £50 if paid within a fortnight, the stay makes financial sense amid soaring accommodation fees. Fiona Campbell, chief executive of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, said: ‘It’s no coincidence that Edinburgh’s streets are filling up with a convoy of campervans just as the Festivals get underway.     Campers are parking in Fettes Avenue to avoid Edinburgh's tourist tax and expensive accommodation fees  Guests staying in the capital this year have to pay the new visitor levy of 5 per cent on overnight stays for the first five consecutive stays ‘This is an all too predictable consequence of draconian short-term let regulations squeezing supply and driving hotel prices sky high, and now the council’s new percentage rate visitor levy is pushing budget-conscious visitors to find their own creative solutions. ‘These motorhome visitors might be saving themselves a few pounds, but they certainly won’t be contributing a penny towards the visitor levy that everyone else staying in the city is now paying.’ The City of Edinburgh Council charges motorists on Fettes Avenue just £11.20 to park there on weekdays between the hours of 8.30am to 5.30pm. Outside these hours it is free. Guests staying in the capital this year have to pay the new visitor levy of 5 per cent on overnight stays for the first five consecutive stays on top of all the other expenses. The tax covers self-catering apartments, hotels and bed and breakfast accommodation while those staying at caravan and camping sites also have to pay it. But people in motorhomes parked on streets with no overnight charges are exempt.