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

Should you visit Brisbane 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 Brisbane and Edinburgh can help you decide which place is right for you.

Brisbane

Brisbane is a active, relaxed, and diverse coastal city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and museums. See Brisbane travel costs.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a vibrant, gothic, and ancient city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, Edinburgh attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the museums, theater, and nightlife. See Edinburgh travel costs.

Brisbane and Edinburgh: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Brisbane or Edinburgh?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Edinburgh than Brisbane. While Brisbane is larger than Edinburgh, Edinburgh has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Edinburgh is more popular for its museums and attractions, theatre productions, music, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Brisbane is known for its food, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. Edinburgh is more touristy than Brisbane and is known for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. It is also home to The Edinburgh Castle. Brisbane is popular for its sports culture, beautiful weather, and outdoor areas.

How is Brisbane different from Edinburgh?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for its historical sights. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Edinburgh has many famous sights for visitors. 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 Brisbane can be an interesting and educational experience. The Cultural Centre is where you'll find many of the city's museums. It sits on the banks of the Brisbane River and is home to the State Library of Queensland, the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, and Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art. This is also where you'll find the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. Also popular is the Brisbane Botanic Gardens and the Wheel of Brisbane.

Is Brisbane or Edinburgh Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is great for its shows and theatre. However, Brisbane 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.

Brisbane is not a theatre destination.

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

Brisbane is a coastal city with good options for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Brisbane has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find all of the standard eateries around town, with casual cafes, family-friendly restaurants, and some fine dining experiences to choose from.

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 Brisbane or Edinburgh Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is superb in both Brisbane and Edinburgh.

Many people head to Brisbane for the nightlife scene. Fortitude Valley is the entertainment district in the city, and it really comes to life at night. There are also many venues that take advantage of the beautiful weather with outdoor and rooftop bars.

Edinburgh has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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 Brisbane or Edinburgh Better for Music?

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for its music scene. However, Brisbane is not a live music destination.

Edinburgh has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

Brisbane is not a live music destination.

Is Brisbane or Edinburgh Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Brisbane is a coastal city with good options for its diving and snorkeling. However, Edinburgh is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Brisbane. There are some good snorkeling and diving spots near the city. One of the best is the Tangalooma Wrecks off Moreton Island.

Edinburgh is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Brisbane or Edinburgh Better for Beaches?

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

The beaches at Brisbane attract visitors from all over. For the best beaches, you'll want to take a day trip out of town, but there are also some nice beaches right by the city. About 30 minutes from town is family-friend Suttons Beach, or you can stay in the city center and check out the man-made Streets Beach. Shorncliffe Beach is another option that's less than a half hour from town.

Edinburgh is not a beach destination.

Is Brisbane or Edinburgh Better for its Old Town?

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Brisbane does not have a historic old town.

Edinburgh offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. 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.

Brisbane does not have a historic old town.

Is Brisbane or Edinburgh Better for Hiking?

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

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Brisbane. There are a number of hikes outside of town that you can enjoy as a day trip. Check out the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, Keperra Bushland Reserve, or D'Aguilar National Park to the north of town. To the south is Toohey Forest Park, Springwood Conservation Park , and Venmans Bushland National Park.

Edinburgh is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Brisbane or Edinburgh?

If you're looking to go shopping, Brisbane and Edinburgh both offer plenty of superb spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Brisbane. It's one of the most popular cities for retail therapy in Queensland. Queen Street Mall is an open air shopping mall and James Street is a favorite shopping street in town.

Edinburgh is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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 Brisbane or Edinburgh More Beautiful?

Edinburgh is great for its scenery and beauty. However, Brisbane is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Edinburgh attracts visitors from all around. It has a long history and a lot of architectural beauty. The weather may be the most challenging part of a visit to Edinburgh.

Brisbane is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Brisbane or Edinburgh Better for Families?

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

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Brisbane. Kids will love a visit to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary or White Ridge Farm. And, of course, you should take a ride on the iconic Wheel of Brisbane. If you're willing to head out of town you can visit the fun Tangalooma Island Resort. Streets Beach is also fun to visit.

Edinburgh is 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 Brisbane or Edinburgh Better for Couples?

Edinburgh is great for couples. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for romance.

Edinburgh is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

Brisbane is a nice destination for couples. The waterfront setting and romantic restaurants offer a nice getaway for couples. There are many outdoor spaces that are fun to explore as well.

Is Brisbane or Edinburgh Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Edinburgh, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. 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.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Brisbane. Many backpackers breeze through Brisbane in favor of other nearby destinations, but there are actually a number of hostels in town and some interesting things to do.

Is Brisbane or Edinburgh Better for Students?

For students, both Brisbane and Edinburgh are superb places to visit.

Brisbane is very popular with students. Many students appreciate the local vibe, warm weather, and excellent education opportunities that the city offers.

Edinburgh is a great coastal 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 Brisbane or Edinburgh Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Brisbane and Edinburgh both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Brisbane offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses, trains, and ferries around town, but many people prefer to have their own vehicle. Ferries are the most fun and scenic way to get around.

Edinburgh has a few public transit options. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

Is Brisbane or Edinburgh a more walkable city?

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Brisbane is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its walkability.

Edinburgh is a very easy city to get around on foot. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

Brisbane is very walkable. There's a good network of paths that make parts of the city walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Edinburgh or Brisbane?

How long in Brisbane or Edinburgh?

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

Couples should spend more time in Edinburgh than Brisbane. 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 Brisbane 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 Brisbane or Edinburgh?

You'll find nightlife and food around the coastal city of Brisbane. 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 Brisbane or Edinburgh?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the active destination of Brisbane. 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 coastal city has to offer. This coastal 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 Brisbane or Edinburgh?

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the relaxed coastal city of Brisbane. 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 Brisbane or Edinburgh?

Brisbane 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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Australia, The Best Walking Tours in Australia, The Best Budget Tours to United Kingdom, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Brisbane and Edinburgh, we can see that Edinburgh is more expensive. And not only is Brisbane much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Brisbane 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 Brisbane would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Brisbane 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 Brisbane.

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

Which is Bigger, Brisbane or Edinburgh?

Brisbane has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Edinburgh. When comparing the sizes of Brisbane 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 Brisbane or Edinburgh?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Brisbane 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 Brisbane or Edinburgh in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Brisbane and Edinburgh. Many travelers come to Brisbane for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Edinburgh in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In January, Brisbane is generally much warmer than Edinburghin July. Daily temperatures in Brisbane average around 25°C (77°F), and Edinburgh fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

In Brisbane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Brisbane usually receives more sunshine than Edinburgh during summer. Brisbane gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Edinburgh receives 163 hours of full sun in the summer.

Brisbane gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Brisbane usually receives more rain than Edinburghin July. Brisbane gets 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Brisbane or Edinburgh in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Brisbane as well as Edinburgh. Many visitors come to Brisbane in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Additionally, 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.

Brisbane is much warmer than Edinburgh in the autumn. The daily temperature in Brisbane averages around 22°C (71°F) in April, and Edinburgh fluctuates around 10°C (49°F)in October.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Brisbane this time of the year. In the autumn, Brisbane often gets more sunshine than Edinburghin October. Brisbane gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Edinburgh receives 90 hours of full sun.

Brisbane receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Brisbane usually gets more rain in April than Edinburghin October. Brisbane gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Brisbane or Edinburgh in the Winter?

Both Edinburgh and Brisbane are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Brisbane for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, 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 the winter, Brisbane is much warmer than Edinburgh. Typically, the winter temperatures in Brisbane in July average around 15°C (59°F), and Edinburgh averages at about 3°C (38°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Brisbane. Brisbane usually receives more sunshine than Edinburgh during winter. Brisbane gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Edinburgh receives 48 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Brisbane usually receives around the same amount of rain as Edinburghin January. Brisbane gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Brisbane or Edinburgh in the Spring?

Both Edinburgh and Brisbane during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Brisbane because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year.

In October, Brisbane is generally much warmer than Edinburghin April. Daily temperatures in Brisbane average around 21°C (69°F), and Edinburgh fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

It's quite sunny in Brisbane. In the spring, Brisbane often gets more sunshine than Edinburghin April. Brisbane gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Edinburgh receives 132 hours of full sun.

Brisbane usually gets more rain in October than Edinburghin April. Brisbane gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Edinburgh and Brisbane