A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Edinburgh vs. Cardiff for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Edinburgh or Cardiff?

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 Cardiff 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 character-filled, vibrant, and gothic 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. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and theater.

Cardiff

Cardiff is a industrial, up-and-coming, and green city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Edinburgh and Cardiff: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edinburgh or Cardiff?

You'll generally find more things to do in Edinburgh than Cardiff. Edinburgh is bigger than Cardiff, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Edinburgh is more touristy than Cardiff and is popular for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. Also, Edinburgh is famous for The Edinburgh Castle. Cardiff is well known for having the most castles per square mile of any city in Europe.

How is Edinburgh different from Cardiff?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Cardiff 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 Cardiff?

Edinburgh is a must-visit destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Edinburgh are among the most recognizable in the world. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Cardiff. The most notable landmark of the city is the famous and well-preserved Cardiff Castle. Visitors also enjoy seeing the Victorian arcades, museums, and cathedrals around town.

Is Edinburgh or Cardiff Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is a great destination for its theatre productions. However, Cardiff is not a theatre destination.

While in town, many visitors enjoy seeing a show in Edinburgh. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Cardiff is not a theatre destination.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Edinburgh and Cardiff.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Edinburgh. 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.

Cardiff may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Welsh cuisine is known for its stews and hearty vegetable dishes. The national dish is cawl, which is a stew made with lamb and vegetables. Other local favorites include Welsh rarebit, which is a type of cheese toast, and Glamorgan Sausage, which is actually made with vegetables.

Is Edinburgh or Cardiff Better for Nightlife?

Edinburgh is a great destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

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.

If you're looking for night time activities Cardiff has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is all about fun and most of the activities are driven by the large and diverse student population.

Is Edinburgh or Cardiff Better for Music?

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

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Edinburgh In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

Cardiff is not a live music destination.

Is Edinburgh or Cardiff Better for its Old Town?

Edinburgh is a must-visit destination for its old town. However, Cardiff 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.

Cardiff does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Edinburgh or Cardiff?

Edinburgh is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Edinburgh is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Cardiff has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Shopping options include shopping malls and boutique lined streets. There is a nice mix of independent shops and major chains to choose between.

Is Edinburgh or Cardiff Better for Families?

Edinburgh is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Edinburgh is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Cardiff offers lots of family activities. The city has a number of climbing and play areas, museums, and playgrounds that can keep the little ones entertained. There are also plenty of outdoor parks and trails to wander around.

Is Edinburgh or Cardiff Better for Couples?

Edinburgh is a great destination for its romantic activities. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for couples.

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.

Cardiff is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The most romantic experiences involve a night out dining at nice restaurants, enjoying a cocktail at a classy bar, and strolling through neighborhoods and soaking up the atmosphere.

Is Edinburgh or Cardiff Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is a must-visit destination for backpackers. However, Cardiff is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Edinburgh. 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.

Cardiff is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Edinburgh or Cardiff Better for Students?

Edinburgh is a great destination for students. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Edinburgh is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

It's common for students to visit Cardiff. Most students come to study at Cardiff University, which is a leading university in Great Britain.

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

Edinburgh is a popular place for its public transit. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Cardiff. There is a bus system that you can use to get around.

Is Edinburgh or Cardiff a more walkable city?

Edinburgh is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Cardiff is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Edinburgh on foot is easy. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

Cardiff is a somewhat walkable city. There are pedestrianized areas and the waterfront is nice to walk around but there is still room for improvement when it comes to walkability.

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

Should I spend more time in Cardiff or Edinburgh?

How long in Edinburgh or Cardiff?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Edinburgh and Cardiff. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Edinburgh than in Cardiff. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Edinburgh, and 1-3 days is enough time in Cardiff.

Families should spend more time in Edinburgh than Cardiff. 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 Cardiff. 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 Cardiff 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 Cardiff?

In Edinburgh, you'll find museums and theater. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Cardiff. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Cardiff has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Edinburgh or Cardiff?

In Edinburgh, you'll find theater and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Edinburgh has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the green destination of Cardiff. 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.

Five days in Edinburgh or Cardiff?

Edinburgh is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Edinburgh has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the industrial city of Cardiff. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Edinburgh or Cardiff?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Edinburgh. Many people enjoy the live music and shopping when visiting Edinburgh. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Cardiff is a popular choice for travelers. 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 from Edinburgh, and The Best 2-Week Tours from London.

When comparing the travel costs between Edinburgh and Cardiff, we can see that Cardiff is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Cardiff?

Edinburgh has a larger population, and is about 44% larger than the population of Cardiff. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh and Cardiff, 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 Cardiff?

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 Cardiff in the Summer?

Both Cardiff and Edinburgh during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Edinburgh for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Cardiff in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Edinburgh is cooler than Cardiff in the summer. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 14°C (58°F) in July, and Cardiff fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Cardiff, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Cardiff. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cardiff receives 220 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in July than Cardiff. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Cardiff receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Cardiff in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Cardiff. Many visitors come to Edinburgh in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Cardiff for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Edinburgh is cooler than Cardiff. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Edinburgh in October average around 10°C (49°F), and Cardiff averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Edinburgh usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cardiff during autumn. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Cardiff receives 95 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Cardiff receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Cardiff. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Cardiff receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Cardiff in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Cardiff. Most visitors come to Edinburgh for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Cardiff because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Cardiff can be very cold. Edinburgh can be very cold during winter. In January, Edinburgh is generally around the same temperature as Cardiff. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 3°C (38°F), and Cardiff fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Cardiff. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cardiff receives 57 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in January than Cardiff. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Cardiff receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Cardiff in the Spring?

Both Cardiff and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Cardiff this time of year.

Edinburgh is cooler than Cardiff in the spring. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Cardiff fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Cardiff during spring. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies, while Cardiff receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Cardiff. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Cardiff receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Cardiff and Edinburgh