A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Edinburgh vs. Havana for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Edinburgh or Havana?

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 Havana 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.

Where Should I go: Edinburgh or Havana?

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is the moderately sized capital of Scotland. It is a medieval city that has managed to perfect the combination of Georgian architecture and medieval relics with a cosmopolitan population and avant-garde atmosphere. The city's population is quite young, in large part because of the University of Edinburgh. This youthful vibe gives this city a lot of vitality. There's a thriving nightlife, many restaurants, theatres, galleries and museums.

Havana

The city of Havana is at the top of most peoples' bucket list - mostly because of the allure of a forbidden land. Before the Communist revolution, Cuba was a popular tourist destination. Since it has reopened in the 1990s, it has drawn tourists from all over the world (except the US).

This capital city is a land trapped in the past. With 50 years of neglect, when you step off the plane, prepare to step back in time. A trip to Havana is meant for those with truly open minds - and when they arrive they'll be swept away.

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


Which place is cheaper, Havana or Edinburgh?

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 Havana is £52. 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 Havana in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Edinburgh £74
    Havana £32
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Edinburgh £148
    Havana £64
Compare Hotels in Edinburgh and Havana

Looking for a hotel in Edinburgh or Havana? 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.

Hotels in Edinburgh


Hotels in Havana


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.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Edinburgh Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Edinburgh £17
    Havana £15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Edinburgh

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Edinburgh:


  • Local Bus
    £3.60

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Edinburgh

Also for Edinburgh, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport Transfer to/from Edinburgh City, St'Andrews etc.: $113
  • Airport Transfer: Airport EDI to Edinburgh by Business Car: $135
  • Airport Transfer: Airport EDI to Edinburgh by Luxury Car: $163
  • Airport Transfer: Airport EDI to Edinburgh by Luxury Van: $163
  • Airport Transfer: Edinburgh to Airport EDI by Business Car: $135
  • Airport Transfer: Edinburgh to Airport EDI by Luxury Van: $163
  • Arrival Transfer Edinburgh Airport EDI to Edinburgh by Minivan: $96
  • Central Edinburgh Hotels to Edinburgh Airport Transfers 1-3: $256
  • Edinburgh Airport (EDI) to Glasgow - Arrival Private Transfer: $60
  • Edinburgh Airport (EDI) to Kinbuck - Arrival Private Transfer: $103
  • Edinburgh Airport (EDI) to Kinbuck - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $206
  • Edinburgh Airport (EDI) to Lecht Ski Resort - Arrival Transfer: $76

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Havana

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Havana:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    £0.54

Is it cheaper to fly into Edinburgh or Havana?

Prices for flights to both Havana 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Edinburgh £39
    Havana £8.19
Typical Food Prices in Edinburgh

For Edinburgh, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Breakfast
    £8.50
  • Dinner at Filling Station
    £10
  • Lunch for Two
    £15
  • Sandwich
    £1.85
  • Cheese & bread
    £7.23
  • Thai Restaurant Dinner (for 2)
    £25
  • 2 Coffees and Scones
    £5.80
  • Turkish Delight
    £1.40
  • Soup at the Pub
    £5.90

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Edinburgh

For Edinburgh, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $31
  • Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $33
  • Scottish Dinner and Folk Music Experience: $88
  • Edinburgh Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $90
  • Edinburgh Holiday Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $90
  • Edinburgh Food Tour: $100
  • 'Scotland meets Sardinia' - 8-course Dinner in Leith, Edinburgh: $110
  • 3-Hour Guided Secret Food Tour: $116
  • Edinburgh Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $121
  • The 10 Tastings of Edinburgh With Locals: Private Food Tour: $162
  • Edinburgh Food Tour with a Local Foodie Custom & Private: $188

Typical Food Prices in Havana

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:


  • Pizza
    £0.03

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Edinburgh £20
    Havana £8.98
Typical Entertainment Prices in Edinburgh

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Edinburgh's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Show Tickets
    £32
  • Movie Tickets for Two
    £12
  • Donation for Storytellers
    £6.00

Tours and Activities in Edinburgh

For Edinburgh, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
  • Escape Game and Tour: $3.77
  • Edinburgh Stand Up Comedy Ticket Show in Scotland: $5.08
  • Audio Tour Royal Mile: del Castillo hasta "The Tron Kirk": $5.37
  • Edinbourgh, Royal mile: walking tour with audio guide: $5.38
  • Edinburgh Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & City Tour: $5.60
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.45
  • Audio Tour through History of Crime: $7.00
  • Edinburgh Royal mile: Self-guided walking tour: $7.20
  • Must-See In App Audio Tour: $7.61
  • Harry Potter’s A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Edinburgh Royal Mile (New Self Guided Tour) : $8.02

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Edinburgh £15
    Havana £4.62
Typical Alcohol Prices in Edinburgh

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Edinburgh from other travelers:


  • Beer & Wine
    £14
  • Half Pint at Tollbooth Tavern
    £1.65

Sample the Local Flavors in Edinburgh

Also in Edinburgh, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Pub Crawl with Free Shots & Discounts: $11
  • Edinburgh Bar Crawl: 5+ Venues, Free Shots, Free Club Entry: $19
  • Pub Crawl in Edinburgh: $19
  • Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour with "Real-Actors": $25
  • East Lothian: Glenkinchie Whisky Distillery Tour & Tasting: $26
  • Guided Gin Tasting at 56 North Distillery: $28
  • Pub Crawl 7 Bars with 6 Shots: $31
  • Whisky Tasting and Tales at Summerhall Distillery: $31
  • Lind & Lime Gin Distillery Tour & Tasting: $31
  • Pickering's Gin Jolly Distillery Tasting Tour: $31
  • Visit a Working South Loch Gin Distillery: $32
  • The Original Edinburgh Pub Crawl: $32

Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Havana:


  • Mojito
    £0.12


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

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


Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Havana?

Havana has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Edinburgh. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh and Havana, 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 Havana?

Edinburgh has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Havana experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Havana in the Summer?

Both Havana and Edinburgh during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Edinburgh in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round.

In the summer, Edinburgh is much colder than Havana. Typically, the summer temperatures in Edinburgh in July average around 14°C (58°F), and Havana averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Edinburgh usually gets more rain in July than Havana. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Havana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Edinburgh 14°C (58°F) 
    Havana 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Edinburgh or Havana in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Havana. 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. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In October, Edinburgh is generally much colder than Havana. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 10°C (49°F), and Havana fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In October, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Havana. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Havana receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Edinburgh 10°C (49°F) 
    Havana 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Edinburgh or Havana in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Havana. The winter months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year.

The weather in Edinburgh can be very cold. Edinburgh is much colder than Havana in the winter. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Havana fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

Edinburgh usually gets more rain in January than Havana. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Havana receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Edinburgh 3°C (38°F) 
    Havana 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Edinburgh or Havana in the Spring?

Both Havana and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the spring, Edinburgh is much colder than Havana. Typically, the spring temperatures in Edinburgh in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Havana averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In April, Edinburgh usually receives more rain than Havana. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Havana receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Edinburgh 7°C (45°F) 
    Havana 24°C (75°F)

Typical Weather for Havana and Edinburgh

Edinburgh Havana
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (38°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 21°C (70°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Feb 3°C (38°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Apr 7°C (45°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
May 10°C (49°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jun 13°C (55°F) 50 mm (2 in) 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 14°C (58°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 14°C (58°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Oct 10°C (49°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 25°C (77°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 5°C (42°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 22°C (72°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)