A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Edinburgh vs. Boston for Attractions, Music, Old Town, and Families

Should you visit Edinburgh or Boston?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Edinburgh and Boston can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a charming, character-filled, and vibrant city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for live music, shopping, and museums.

Boston

Boston is a historic, traditional, and classic city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the live music, food, and shopping.

Edinburgh and Boston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edinburgh or Boston?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Edinburgh than Boston. While Boston is larger than Edinburgh, Edinburgh has more sights and attractions for tourists. Edinburgh is very popular for its music, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Boston attracts visitors for its food, beaches, christmas markets, and big city activities. Edinburgh is more touristy than Boston and is popular for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. It is also well known for The Edinburgh Castle. Boston is famous for its enthusiastic sports fans, influential history, beautiful parks, and world-class universities.

How is Edinburgh different from Boston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Edinburgh and Boston.

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.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Boston on the map. The city itself feels like a living museum. It is famous for Faneuil Hall, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum, the USS Constitution, as well as the many sites along the Freedom Trail. There are also many museums on the campuses of the world renowned universities in the city.

Is Edinburgh or Boston Better for Theater?

Visitors will find very good theaters and performances in Edinburgh and Boston.

Edinburgh attracts a wide-range of world-class performances. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Boston offers many theater and performance venues for visitors. The city has many historic, beautifully restored theaters where you can enjoy a show. Head to the theater district for some of the most famous venues.

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

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

Boston has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There are many local dishes that utilize fresh caught seafood and comfort food flavors. The cuisine also takes advantage of the city's Italian and Irish populations. Famous local foods include New England Clam Chowder, lobster rolls, and baked beans. You'll find hearty sandwiches and filling meals that warm your soul.

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 Edinburgh or Boston Better for Nightlife?

The very good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Edinburgh and Boston.

Edinburgh has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Boston is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city is known for its breweries, craft beer, and vibrant university neighborhoods. It also hosts regular outdoor movies and world class sporting events. The nightlife scene is varied, with some areas catering to the student population and other areas focused on the professional or sport-loving crowds.

Is Edinburgh or Boston Better for Music?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for live music. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its live music scene.

Edinburgh is a world class music destination. In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

The music scene in Boston is active and vibrant. Popular music venues include Lizard Lounge, Blue Hills Bank Pavilion, and The Middle East.

Is Edinburgh or Boston Better for Beaches?

Boston is a decent place to visit for the beache. However, Edinburgh is not a beach destination.

You can check out the beach in Boston. There are a few urban beaches in the greater Boston area that you can explore on a nice day.

Edinburgh is not a beach destination.

Is Edinburgh or Boston Better for its Old Town?

Both Edinburgh and Boston have fantastic historic old towns worth visiting.

Edinburgh has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. 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.

The old town of Boston is one of the most recognized in the world. Boston is famous for its Freedom Trail, which takes visitors around the city's rich history. The oldest parts of the city are known as Boston Proper and include the neighborhoods of Beacon Hill, Historic Downtown, the North End, and the West End.

Is the Shopping Better in Edinburgh or Boston?

Edinburgh is notable for shopping. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Boston. Head to Back Bay for some of the best high end shops. There are luxury brands and boutique venues that sell local art or crafts.

Is Edinburgh or Boston Better for Christmas?

Boston is a very popular place for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Edinburgh does not offer Christmas activities.

Since it has plenty to do, Boston is a very popular place to visit during Christmas. Christmas comes to life in the city with its Christmas Trees, holiday shows, and festivals.

Edinburgh does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Edinburgh or Boston Better for Christmas Markets?

Boston is a very popular place for visiting Christmas markets. However, Edinburgh does not offer Christmas markets.

Boston has plenty of Christmas markets during the holiday season. There are a number of European style Christmas markets that pop up during the holiday season around town.

Edinburgh does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Edinburgh or Boston Better for Families?

Boston is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Boston is an extremely popular city to visit for families. It's filled with history, but there are also many activities for kids who need a break from all of the historical stuff. Popular activities for all ages include the Museum of Science, the New England Aquarium, and exploring the waterfront, gardens, and parks around town.

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 Edinburgh or Boston Better for Couples?

Edinburgh is notable for romance. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Edinburgh is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Boston makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy history will enjoy exploring the city. Take a swan boat ride in the Public Garden and wander the unique route along the Freedom Trail. There are also many sporting and entertainment options around town.

Is Edinburgh or Boston Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Edinburgh is a mecca for backpackers and 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Boston. Like most larger American cities, the city has a handful of hostels to choose from.

Is Edinburgh or Boston Better for Students?

Boston is terrific for its student-friendly activities. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Boston is a very popular city for students. It is a city of students, with a number of world renowned universities located here including Harvard University, Boston College, and MIT. Many neighborhoods are filled with students and there are many student-centered activities around town including festivals and an active nightlife scene.

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

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

Boston is terrific for times when you don't have a car. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Boston can take you anywhere. There's the T, which is the subway, as well as a trolley, bus, and water transportation system.

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 Edinburgh or Boston a more walkable city?

Edinburgh and Boston are fantastic when it comes to walkability.

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

Getting around Boston on foot is easy. The many parks and compact neighborhoods are best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Boston or Edinburgh?

How long in Edinburgh or Boston?

In either Edinburgh or Boston, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Boston has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Boston than Edinburgh. In general, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Edinburgh, and 3-5 days is enough time in Boston.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Edinburgh than Boston 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 Edinburgh or Boston?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint destination of Edinburgh. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

People visit Boston because there is so much to do. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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.

A weekend in Edinburgh or Boston?

Edinburgh is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

People visit Boston because there is so much to do. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Edinburgh or Boston?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Edinburgh. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

People visit Boston because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the museums. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Edinburgh or Boston?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the gothic destination of Edinburgh. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Boston is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Edinburgh and Boston, we can see that Boston is more expensive. And not only is Edinburgh much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Edinburgh is in Europe and Boston is in North America, 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 Edinburgh would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Edinburgh 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 Boston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boston than you might in Edinburgh.

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

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Boston?

Boston has a larger population, and is about 35% larger than the population of Edinburgh. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh and Boston, 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 Edinburgh or Boston?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Boston in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Boston. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Boston for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Edinburgh is generally much colder than Boston. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 14°C (58°F), and Boston fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Boston. In the summer, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Boston. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 304 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in July than Boston. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Boston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Boston in the Autumn?

Both Boston and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Edinburgh for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Boston in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Edinburgh is cooler than Boston in the autumn. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 10°C (49°F) in October, and Boston fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Boston during autumn. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 194 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Boston. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Boston in the Winter?

Both Boston and Edinburgh during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Edinburgh in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Boston for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.

Boston can be very cold during winter. Edinburgh can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Edinburgh is much warmer than Boston. Typically, the winter temperatures in Edinburgh in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Boston averages at about 29°F (-2°C).

In the winter, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Boston. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 153 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in January than Boston. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Boston in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Boston. Most visitors come to Edinburgh for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Boston because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In April, Edinburgh is generally cooler than Boston. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 7°C (45°F), and Boston fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Boston this time of the year. Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Boston during spring. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Boston. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Boston and Edinburgh