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

Should you visit Edinburgh or Frankfurt?

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 Frankfurt 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 vibrant, gothic, and ancient city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it 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.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a modern, connected, and energetic city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Edinburgh and Frankfurt: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edinburgh or Frankfurt?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Edinburgh than Frankfurt. While Frankfurt is larger than Edinburgh, Edinburgh has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Edinburgh is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, music, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Frankfurt is known for its food and big city activities. Edinburgh is more touristy than Frankfurt 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. Frankfurt is popular for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife.

How is Edinburgh different from Frankfurt?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for its museums and history. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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 Frankfurt can be an interesting and educational experience. Many sights are concentrated in the old town center. Highlights include the Historical Museum and St. Nicholas Church. Elsewhere, make sure you check out Maintower, the Städel Museum, and the Museum District.

Is Edinburgh or Frankfurt Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is an excellent place to visit for its shows and theatre. However, Frankfurt 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.

Frankfurt is not a theatre destination.

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

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

Frankfurt has a huge number of terrific restaurants. In addition to a number of international restaurants, the city also has a strong regional cuisine. Some of the most interesting local dishes include Frankfurter Sausage, Rindwurst, Grüne Soße (an herb sauce), and Handkäse mit Musik (marinated sour milk cheese). Also make sure you sample the Apfelwein.

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 Frankfurt Better for Nightlife?

The superb nightlife scene is relatively similar in Edinburgh and Frankfurt.

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.

Frankfurt is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. It's a vibrant city with many trendy clubs, cocktail bars, music venues, and more. You can enjoy techno, hip hop, and almost any style of music. There are also festivals, beer halls, and classic pubs.

Is Edinburgh or Frankfurt Better for Music?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Frankfurt 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.

Frankfurt is not a live music destination.

Is Edinburgh or Frankfurt Better for its Old Town?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Edinburgh offers plenty to see. 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.

Many visitors go to Frankfurt to see the historical old town. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

Is the Shopping Better in Edinburgh or Frankfurt?

Shoppers can find a variety of superb stores in both Edinburgh and Frankfurt.

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 Frankfurt. It's a financial capital in Europe, and as such there are plenty of high end shopping opportunities. MyZeil is a major shopping mall in the city and Kleinmarkthalle is a more classic market. Popular shopping neighborhoods and streets include Goethestrasse, Sachsenhausen and Berger Strasse.

Is Edinburgh or Frankfurt Better for Families?

Both Edinburgh and Frankfurt are superb 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.

Frankfurt is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. In town there's a zoo, a children’s museum, a math and technology museum (EXPERIMINTA), and a number of parks, natural areas, and playgrounds. If you're willing to head out of town then you can visit Taunus Wunderland, which is an amusement park with about 50 rides and attractions.

Is Edinburgh or Frankfurt Better for Couples?

Edinburgh is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Frankfurt is a nice destination for couples. The iconic spot of romance in the city is the Iron Footbridge, which is a traditional spot to attach a "love lock" and take a selfie. The city also offers river cruises, winery tours, and beautiful parks and natural areas.

Is Edinburgh or Frankfurt Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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 Frankfurt. You'll find a number of hostels in town. The city is also a major transportation hub so many backpackers pass through the area at some point on their trip through Germany.

Is Edinburgh or Frankfurt Better for Students?

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

Frankfurt is a very popular city for students. The city offers prestigious universities and a world class education. The economy offers many internships and job opportunities and you'll find students from around the world studying here. Frankfurt is also well connected to the rest of Europe, so it's easy to explore the region.

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 Frankfurt Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt can take you anywhere. It is a huge transportation hub with a major international airport and a number of international train connections. Locally, the city has a subway, trams, commuter trains and buses.

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 Frankfurt a more walkable city?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

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

Frankfurt is very walkable. It has a compact city center that is generally pedestrian-friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Frankfurt or Edinburgh?

How long in Edinburgh or Frankfurt?

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

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

You'll find nightlife and live music around the quaint city of Edinburgh. 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.

People visit Frankfurt because there is so much to do. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Frankfurt has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Edinburgh or Frankfurt?

You'll find live music and shopping around the gothic destination of Edinburgh. 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.

People visit Frankfurt because there is so much to do. 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 Frankfurt?

You'll find shopping and museums around the gothic city of Edinburgh. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the modern city of Frankfurt. 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 Frankfurt?

Edinburgh 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.

Frankfurt 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 Coach Bus Tours in Germany, and The Best Adventure Tours to Germany.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Frankfurt?

Frankfurt has a larger population, and is about 49% larger than the population of Edinburgh. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh and Frankfurt, 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 Frankfurt?

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.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Frankfurt in the Summer?

Both Frankfurt and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Edinburgh in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Frankfurt for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Edinburgh is cooler than Frankfurt. Typically, the summer temperatures in Edinburgh in July average around 14°C (58°F), and Frankfurt averages at about 19°C (67°F).

It's quite sunny in Frankfurt. Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Frankfurt during summer. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 225 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Frankfurt. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Frankfurt in the Autumn?

Both Frankfurt and Edinburgh during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Frankfurt because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Edinburgh is generally cooler than Frankfurt. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 10°C (49°F), and Frankfurt fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Frankfurt. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 103 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets more rain in October than Frankfurt. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Frankfurt in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Frankfurt. The winter months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Frankfurt this time of year.

It's quite cold in Frankfurt in the winter. The weather in Edinburgh can be very cold. Edinburgh is much warmer than Frankfurt in the winter. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Frankfurt fluctuates around 1°C (34°F).

Edinburgh usually receives more sunshine than Frankfurt during winter. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies, while Frankfurt receives 41 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Edinburgh usually receives more rain than Frankfurt. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Frankfurt in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Frankfurt. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Frankfurt for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Edinburgh is cooler than Frankfurt. Typically, the spring temperatures in Edinburgh in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Frankfurt averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Frankfurt. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Frankfurt receives 163 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in April than Frankfurt. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Frankfurt receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Frankfurt and Edinburgh