Which place is cheaper, Dublin or Edinburgh?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Edinburgh and Dublin 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 is a gothic, ancient, and charming city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of Edinburgh 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 theater, nightlife, and live music. See Edinburgh travel costs.
Dublin is a welcoming, fun, and laid-back city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the nightlife, live music, and food. See Dublin travel costs.
Travelers will generally find more things to do in Edinburgh than Dublin. While Dublin is larger than Edinburgh, Edinburgh has more sights and attractions for tourists. Edinburgh is better known for its museums and attractions, theatre productions, music, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Dublin is more popular for its food and nightlife. Edinburgh is more touristy than Dublin 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. Dublin is well known for its friendly and social nightlife, its local pubs, and its role as the birthplace of Guinness.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Dublin and Edinburgh. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Edinburgh is terrific for its museums and landmarks. Also, Dublin 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.
You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Dublin. There are a number of museums around town including the National Museum of Ireland, the Little Museum of Dublin, and the National Gallery of Ireland.
Edinburgh is a great destination for its theatre productions. However, Dublin is not a theatre destination.
Many visitors plan to see a show while visiting Edinburgh. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.
Dublin is not a theatre destination.
Dublin is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.
Dublin has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Seafood has become popular around town, but you can also try traditional favorites like stew, pancakes, or coddle.
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.
Dublin is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.
Dublin is a must-see party destination. Temple Bar is where you'll find the greatest concentration of pubs and nightlife. The city is among the friendliest and most welcoming, and this is seen even in the vibe around town at night.
Edinburgh is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.
Edinburgh is terrific for its live music scene. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its music scene.
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.
Dublin has a thriving music scene. The best places to hear live music around town are the back street pubs that feature local groups.
Edinburgh is terrific for its old town. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.
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.
Dublin is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. On the south side of the River Liffey are three different historic parts to the city. The Medieval Quarter is the oldest. To the east is Temple Bar, and further east is the Georgian Quarter.
Shoppers can find a variety of high quality stores in both Edinburgh and Dublin.
Edinburgh is well-known for its shopping. 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.
Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Dublin. Head to Grafton Street to see a number of brand name and local shops. It's a pedestrian street that is fun to wander around.
Edinburgh is a great destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Dublin is not a destination known for its beauty.
The beauty of Edinburgh is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It has a long history and a lot of architectural beauty. The weather may be the most challenging part of a visit to Edinburgh.
Dublin is not a destination known for its beauty.
Both Edinburgh and Dublin are high quality to visit with kids.
Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Edinburgh is very family-friendly. 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.
Dublin is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Explore the waterways with the viking splash, learn about the vikings at the museum Dublina, or visit any of the other kid-friendly museums around town, or see a show at The Gaiety.
Both Edinburgh and Dublin are high quality destinations for a couple's getaway.
Edinburgh makes for a fun place to visit for 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.
Couples visit Dublin frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's laid-back vibe and countless pubs make it a fun weekend getaway for couples.
Edinburgh is terrific for backpackers. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.
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.
Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Dublin. There are a number of popular backpacker hostels around town. The pub scene is also popular with the young crowd.
Edinburgh is a great destination for students. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.
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.
It's common for students to visit Dublin. While student accommodation can be a bit expensive in town, the nightlife and social aspect of living in the city center makes it well worth it.
Visitors will find notable public transit in both Edinburgh and Dublin.
Edinburgh has some public transit options. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.
You'll find some public transit in Dublin, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a comprehensive bus system around town.
Edinburgh and Dublin are first-rate 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 Dublin on foot is easy. Because it is so compact and flat, it is easy to explore the city center on foot.
For even more information, also check out Is Edinburgh Worth Visiting? and Is Dublin Worth Visiting?.
In either Edinburgh or Dublin, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Edinburgh has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Edinburgh than Dublin. However, 2-5 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.
Families should spend more time in Edinburgh than Dublin. 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 Dublin. 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 Dublin 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.
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.
You'll find nightlife and live music around the city of Dublin. 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.
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.
You'll find live music and food around the fun destination of Dublin. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.
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.
You'll find food and shopping around the fun city of Dublin. 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 nightlife. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.
Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the ancient 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.
Dublin 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 Walking Tours in Ireland, and The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Edinburgh is £171, while the average daily cost in Dublin is £150. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Edinburgh and Dublin in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Edinburgh or Dublin? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Edinburgh:
Also for Edinburgh, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Dublin:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dublin:
Prices for flights to both Dublin and Edinburgh change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
For Edinburgh, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Edinburgh, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Dublin:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dublin.
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Edinburgh's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Edinburgh, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Here are a few typical costs in Dublin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Dublin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Edinburgh from other travelers:
Also in Edinburgh, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Also in Dublin, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When comparing the travel costs between Edinburgh and Dublin, we can see that Edinburgh 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 Dublin Expensive?.
Dublin has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Edinburgh. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh and Dublin, 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.
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.
Both Dublin and Edinburgh during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Edinburgh for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Dublin because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Edinburgh is around the same temperature as Dublin in the summer. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 14°C (58°F) in July, and Dublin fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In the summer, Edinburgh often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dublin. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 166 hours of full sun.
Edinburgh usually gets more rain in July than Dublin. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Dublin. The autumn months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Dublin this time of year.
In the autumn, Edinburgh is cooler than Dublin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Edinburgh in October average around 10°C (49°F), and Dublin averages at about 11°C (52°F).
Edinburgh usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dublin during autumn. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 97 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Edinburgh usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dublin. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Dublin. The museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Dublin for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Edinburgh in the winter. In January, Edinburgh is generally much colder than Dublin. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 3°C (38°F), and Dublin fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).
In the winter, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Dublin. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 56 hours of full sun.
Edinburgh usually gets less rain in January than Dublin. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Dublin and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Edinburgh for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Dublin in the spring for the activities around the city.
Edinburgh is cooler than Dublin in the spring. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Dublin fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Dublin during spring. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 157 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Dublin. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Edinburgh | Dublin | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
Feb | 3°C (38°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
Apr | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
May | 10°C (49°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
Jun | 13°C (55°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
Jul | 14°C (58°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
Aug | 14°C (58°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
Oct | 10°C (49°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) |
Nov | 5°C (42°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 65 mm (2.5 in) |
Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |