A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Auckland vs. Edinburgh for Attractions, Backpackers, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Auckland or Edinburgh?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Auckland and Edinburgh can help you decide which place is right for you.

Auckland

Auckland is a adrenaline-filled, thrill-seeking, and cosmopolitan city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a vibrant, gothic, and ancient city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the museums, theater, and nightlife.

Auckland and Edinburgh: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Auckland or Edinburgh?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Edinburgh. Although Auckland and Edinburgh are about the same size, Edinburgh has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Edinburgh is better known for its museums, theatre productions, music, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Auckland is more popular for its food, beaches, hiking, and big city activities. Edinburgh is more touristy than Auckland and is known for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. Also, Edinburgh is famous for The Edinburgh Castle. Auckland is well known for its waterfront setting, diverse beaches, and active and adrenaline-filled environment.

How is Auckland different from Edinburgh?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Edinburgh and Auckland. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Auckland or Edinburgh?

Edinburgh is a must-visit destination for its museums and history. Also, Auckland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Edinburgh are world-renowned. The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland. There are also kid-friendly museums like Camera Obscura.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Auckland can be an interesting and educational experience. The waterfront is filled with sights for tourists, and many of the city's attractions are geared towards thrill seekers. The Sky Tower is a popular landmark with its Sky Walk and Sky Jump. There are also many thrilling experiences that you can have along the Harbour Bridge. For museums, head to the New Zealand Maritime Museum, the Auckland Art Gallery, or the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Is Auckland or Edinburgh Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is an excellent place to visit for its theatre productions. However, Auckland is not a theatre destination.

Edinburgh has a number of performance venues where you can see a variety of shows. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Auckland is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Auckland or Edinburgh? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Auckland is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Auckland has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city has a diverse selection of restaurants, but you'll also find many places that highlight local ingredients such as seafood and lamb. You'll often find the standard dishes such as fish and chips, oysters, and green-lipped mussels on the menus.

Edinburgh may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The city has some unique but famous dishes to try including haggis and black pudding. For slightly less intimidating options, check out the cullen skink, porridge, or smoked salmon. There are many fish and chips shops to choose from as well as a diversity of ethnic restaurants including Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian.

Is Auckland or Edinburgh Better for Nightlife?

Both Auckland and Edinburgh have superb vibes after the sun sets.

Auckland has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city has a cosmopolitan atmosphere and there are many bars and clubs that you can explore in the evening. Some of the best nightlife options are found in the vibrant Britomart precinct and around the trendy Ponsonby Road. Other popular areas include Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter.

The people in Edinburgh know how to have a good time. With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars and clubs to choose from as well as some of the country's oldest pubs. Tourists tend to frequent the Old Town area, but you'll find more locals if you head to the student and university areas.

Is Auckland or Edinburgh Better for Music?

Edinburgh is a must-visit destination for its live music scene. However, Auckland is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Edinburgh. In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

Auckland is not a live music destination.

Is Auckland or Edinburgh Better for Beaches?

Auckland is a very popular place for the beache. However, Edinburgh is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Auckland attract visitors from all over. You don't have to head too far from the city to find some impressive beaches that are diverse and beautiful. There are beaches that are secluded and private as well as more lively beaches with all of the amenities and activities that you might want.

Edinburgh is not a beach destination.

Is Auckland or Edinburgh Better for its Old Town?

Edinburgh is a must-visit destination for its old town. However, Auckland does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Edinburgh can be explored in its historical center. The city's Old Town attracts international visitors who come to see the Edinburgh Castle, the quaint streets, and the many shops and cafes. The Royal Mile is a popular area with pubs and souvenir shops. It connects the castle to the Scottish Parliament.

Auckland does not have a historic old town.

Is Auckland or Edinburgh Better for Hiking?

Auckland is a city with good options for its hiking trails. However, Edinburgh is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Auckland. Locals love to get outdoors, and you'll find many local hikes in the area. There are easy paths that are family-friendly and perfect for a stroll, as well as longer stretches that present more of a challenge.

Edinburgh is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Auckland or Edinburgh?

Shoppers can find a variety of superb stores in both Auckland and Edinburgh.

Auckland is well-known for its shopping. The city centre is cosmopolitan and full of diverse shopping venues that sell international brands as well as local designers. Some of the most popular shopping areas are Britomart, High Street, and Queen Street.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Edinburgh. Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds. In the Old Town, Victoria Street is filled with Harry Potter shops and tourist stores where you can pick up a kilt or Edinburgh sweatshirt.

Is Auckland or Edinburgh Better for Families?

You'll find superb kid-friendly activities in either Auckland or Edinburgh.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Auckland is very family-friendly. There's a big focus on getting kids outside in the city, so you'll find many outdoor parks and play spaces. Popular activities for families include visiting the Huia Lodge Discovery Centre, going to the Museum of Transport and Technology, and wandering through the botanical garden.

Edinburgh is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy wandering down Victoria Street and popping in the Harry Potter shops. There are also a number of fascinating Harry Potter tours that take you through notable landmarks where J.K. Rowling was inspired to write these popular stories. You'll even visit Tom Riddle's gravesite. Other highlights that families will enjoy include Edinburgh Castle and the Edinburgh Dungeon, which is best for older kids or kids that enjoy a good scare. Younger kids will enjoy a trip the illusions museum, Camera Obscura, which also offers one of the best views of the city.

Is Auckland or Edinburgh Better for Couples?

Both Auckland and Edinburgh are superb destinations to visit as a couple.

Auckland makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many romantic restaurants in the city, as well as spas, cocktail bars, and evening venues. Couples will also enjoy one of the many thrill-seeking activities that New Zealand is famous for.

Couples visit Edinburgh frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. With its castle and the Royal Mile, there are many romantic places to explore as a couple. There are also good restaurants and some nice hotels. Whether you're interested in history, food, or fun, this city makes for a great couples trip.

Is Auckland or Edinburgh Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Auckland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Edinburgh is extremely popular for backpackers. The city has some good hostels and an active nightlife, so it's not hard to find other travelers to hang out with. It's a well visited city with many areas that attracted younger travelers or students.

Auckland is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. Auckland is high on many backpackers' wish list, and usually they pass through the city at some point during their trip. You'll find a number of hostels in the city that are perfect for socializing and saving money.

Is Auckland or Edinburgh Better for Students?

Both Auckland and Edinburgh are superb destinations for students.

Auckland is very popular with students. Some of the country's best universities are found in the city, many of which are popular with international students.

Edinburgh is a great city to visit as a student. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

Is Auckland or Edinburgh Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Auckland and Edinburgh.

Auckland has some public transit options. There's a mishmash of different public transit options, and trips often include a variety of modes of transport. In the city you'll find ferries, trains, and buses to help you get around.

You'll find some public transit in Edinburgh, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

Is Auckland or Edinburgh a more walkable city?

Edinburgh is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. However, Auckland is lacking in options for its ease of walking around.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Edinburgh. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

Auckland is generally not very walkable. It is a very car-centric city and it can be challenging to explore on foot alone.

For even more information, also check out Is Auckland Worth Visiting? and Is Edinburgh Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Edinburgh or Auckland?

How long in Auckland or Edinburgh?

In either Auckland or Edinburgh, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Edinburgh than Auckland because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Auckland, and 2-5 days is enough time in Edinburgh.

Families should spend more time in Edinburgh than Auckland. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Edinburgh, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Edinburgh than Auckland. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Edinburgh that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Edinburgh than Auckland if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Edinburgh.

One day in Auckland or Edinburgh?

People visit Auckland because there is so much to do. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The beautiful city of Edinburgh offers theater and nightlife. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Auckland or Edinburgh?

People visit Auckland because there is so much to do. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Edinburgh is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Edinburgh, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Auckland or Edinburgh?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the adrenaline-filled city of Auckland. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Edinburgh is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Edinburgh, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Auckland or Edinburgh?

Auckland is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Edinburgh is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best 10-Day Tours from London.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Auckland and Edinburgh, we can see that Edinburgh is more expensive. And not only is Auckland much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Auckland is in Pacific and Edinburgh is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Auckland would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Auckland and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Edinburgh would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Edinburgh than you might in Auckland.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Auckland Expensive? and Is Edinburgh Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Auckland or Edinburgh?

Edinburgh has a larger population, and is about 4% larger than the population of Auckland. When comparing the sizes of Auckland and Edinburgh, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Auckland or Edinburgh?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Auckland is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Edinburgh has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Auckland or Edinburgh in the Summer?

Both Edinburgh and Auckland are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Auckland for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Edinburgh in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Auckland is a little warmer than Edinburgh in the summer. The daily temperature in Auckland averages around 20°C (68°F) in January, and Edinburgh fluctuates around 14°C (58°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Auckland. Auckland usually receives more sunshine than Edinburgh during summer. Auckland gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Edinburgh receives 163 hours of full sun in the summer.

In January, Auckland usually receives more rain than Edinburghin July. Auckland gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Auckland or Edinburgh in the Autumn?

Both Edinburgh and Auckland during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Auckland in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Edinburgh for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Auckland is much warmer than Edinburgh. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Auckland in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Edinburgh averages at about 10°C (49°F)in October.

In the autumn, Auckland often gets more sunshine than Edinburghin October. Auckland gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Edinburgh receives 90 hours of full sun.

Auckland usually gets more rain in April than Edinburghin October. Auckland gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Auckland or Edinburgh in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Auckland and Edinburgh. Most visitors come to Auckland for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

The weather in Edinburgh can be very cold. In July, Auckland is generally much warmer than Edinburghin January. Daily temperatures in Auckland average around 11°C (52°F), and Edinburgh fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Auckland usually receives more sunshine than Edinburgh during winter. Auckland gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Edinburgh receives 48 hours of full sun in the winter.

Auckland gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Auckland usually receives more rain than Edinburghin January. Auckland gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Auckland or Edinburgh in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Auckland as well as Edinburgh. The spring months attract visitors to Auckland because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Additionally, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year.

Auckland is much warmer than Edinburgh in the spring. The daily temperature in Auckland averages around 14°C (58°F) in October, and Edinburgh fluctuates around 7°C (45°F)in April.

In the spring, Auckland often gets more sunshine than Edinburghin April. Auckland gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Edinburgh receives 132 hours of full sun.

Auckland usually gets more rain in October than Edinburghin April. Auckland gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Edinburgh and Auckland