Which place is cheaper, Florence or Edinburgh?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Edinburgh and Florence 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 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 theater, nightlife, and live music.
Florence is a historical, artistic, and iconic city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.
Tourists will generally find more to do in Edinburgh. Although Edinburgh and Florence are about the same size, Edinburgh has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Edinburgh is better known for its theatre productions, nightlife, music, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Florence is more popular for its food and impressive beauty. Edinburgh is well 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. Florence is well known for its iconic beauty, world-renowned Renaissance art and architecture, and beautifully maintained gardens.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Florence and Edinburgh. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Edinburgh and Florence.
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 Florence on the map. Because of it's important role in the Renaissance, the city has many world-renowned museums that you can visit. Famous sights and landmarks include the Uffizi Gallery, the Duomo, and the Academy Gallery.
Edinburgh is a great city for its theatre productions. However, Florence 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.
Florence is not a theatre destination.
Florence is terrific for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.
Many restaurants in Florence have been singled out for their culinary prowess. Once you've worked up an appetite exploring museums and churches, you'll find many amazing local restaurants around town. Local dishes incorporate a lot of hearty vegetables and meats. Famous dishes include a Florentine steak dish, rabbit, and a bean bed and cabbage soup.
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.
Edinburgh is a great city for nightlife and partying. Also, Florence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.
The nightlife in Edinburgh has something for everybody. 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.
There's a variety of activities in the evening in Florence. You'll find the most active nightlife in the Santa Croce neighborhood. The area attracts study abroad students as well as tourists who party late into the night.
Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for its live music scene. However, Florence 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.
Florence is not a live music destination.
Both Edinburgh and Florence have first-rate 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 Florence is one of the most recognized in the world. The historic center of the city is where you'll find many of the most beautiful buildings, art works, and quaint streets. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it was at the heart of the Renaissance period.
Shoppers can find a variety of high quality stores in both Edinburgh and Florence.
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 Florence. There are many shops in the tourist heart of the city. Most are geared specifically to tourists so you may have to search to find a more authentic shopping experience. Famous items available in the city include gold jewelry, ceramics, leather, and perfume.
Edinburgh is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Florence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.
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.
Florence is a family-friendly place to visit. Most famous for its art and history, the city also has a number of activities that kids will enjoy. There's a carousel and a park that are perfect to let the little ones run around. There are a few kid-friendly museums, as well as a historic city center that will mesmerize the old and young alike.
Florence is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.
Florence is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. Art and history lovers will enjoy a visit to this truly beautiful city. Couples who enjoy museums, historic buildings, and world-renowned art, will find plenty to do in this city.
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.
Edinburgh and Florence are both first-rate destinations 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.
Florence is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. The city is part of a popular route through Italy, and you'll find many backpackers and students in town. There are also many hostels, so you should have no trouble meeting other young travelers.
Florence is terrific for its student-friendly activities. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.
Florence is a very popular city for students. Many students visit this city as part of a short term study abroad program, or for the entire length of their studies. The city is beautiful, and whether your focus is art, history, or culture, this city will not disappoint.
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.
Visitors will find notable public transit in both Edinburgh and Florence.
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 Florence, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a comprehensive bus system.
Edinburgh and Florence 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 Florence on foot is easy. Most people explore the city on foot.
For even more information, also check out Is Edinburgh Worth Visiting? and Is Florence Worth Visiting?.
Both Edinburgh and Florence have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Florence than in Edinburgh. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Edinburgh, and 2-7 days is enough time in Florence.
Families should spend more time in Edinburgh than Florence. 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 Florence than Edinburgh. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Florence that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
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.
You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Florence. 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 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.
You'll find museums and nightlife around the historical destination of Florence. 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.
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.
You'll find nightlife and food around the alluring city of Florence. 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. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.
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.
Florence is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Florence, one week is sufficent for most. 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 Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Edinburgh is £142, while the average daily cost in Florence is £132. 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 Florence in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Edinburgh or Florence? 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 Florence:
Also for Florence, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Florence 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:
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Florence:
For Florence, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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:
For Florence, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Florence.
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:
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Florence from other travelers:
Also in Florence, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When comparing the travel costs between Edinburgh and Florence, 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 Florence Expensive?.
Edinburgh has a larger population, and is about 17% larger than the population of Florence. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh and Florence, 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 destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Florence. 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 Florence because of the family-friendly experiences.
Edinburgh is much colder than Florence in the summer. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 14°C (58°F) in July, and Florence fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Florence this time of the year. Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Florence during summer. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Florence receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Edinburgh usually receives more rain than Florence. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Florence receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Florence. 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. Additionally, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Florence this time of year.
In the autumn, Edinburgh is much colder than Florence. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Edinburgh in October average around 10°C (49°F), and Florence averages at about 16°C (61°F).
In the autumn, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Florence. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Florence receives 177 hours of full sun.
Edinburgh usually gets less rain in October than Florence. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Florence receives 96 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Florence and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Florence 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 Florence. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 3°C (38°F), and Florence fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Florence during winter. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies, while Florence receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Edinburgh usually receives around the same amount of rain as Florence. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Florence receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Florence and Edinburgh during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Edinburgh for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Florence in the spring for the natural beauty.
Edinburgh is much colder than Florence in the spring. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Florence fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
In the spring, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Florence. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Florence receives 192 hours of full sun.
Edinburgh usually gets less rain in April than Florence. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Florence receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
Edinburgh | Florence | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
Feb | 3°C (38°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
Apr | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
May | 10°C (49°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
Jun | 13°C (55°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
Jul | 14°C (58°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
Aug | 14°C (58°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
Oct | 10°C (49°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
Nov | 5°C (42°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |