A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Edinburgh vs. Phoenix for Attractions, Backpackers, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Edinburgh or Phoenix?

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 Phoenix 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 ancient, charming, and character-filled 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 nightlife, live music, and shopping.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a desert, laid back, and sprawling city. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Edinburgh and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edinburgh or Phoenix?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Edinburgh than Phoenix. While Phoenix is larger than Edinburgh, Edinburgh has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Edinburgh is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Phoenix is known for its food and hiking. Edinburgh is more touristy than Phoenix 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. Phoenix is popular for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Edinburgh different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for its historical sights. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

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.

Phoenix is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

Is Edinburgh or Phoenix Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is a great city for its shows and theatre. However, Phoenix is not a theatre destination.

Edinburgh attracts a wide-range of world-class performances. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Phoenix is not a theatre destination.

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

Phoenix is a city with good options for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Phoenix has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

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 Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

Edinburgh is a great city for its evening party scene. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

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 Phoenix. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is Edinburgh or Phoenix Better for Music?

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

Phoenix is not a live music destination.

Is Edinburgh or Phoenix Better for its Old Town?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. However, Phoenix does not have a 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.

Phoenix does not have a historic old town.

Is Edinburgh or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

Phoenix is a city with good options for its hiking trails. However, Edinburgh is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Phoenix. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Edinburgh is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Edinburgh or Phoenix?

Edinburgh is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Edinburgh. 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.

Phoenix is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Is Edinburgh or Phoenix Better for Families?

Edinburgh is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Edinburgh. 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.

Phoenix is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Is Edinburgh or Phoenix Better for Couples?

Edinburgh is a great city for couples. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Edinburgh is a great city if you're traveling as 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.

Phoenix is a nice destination for couples. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

Is Edinburgh or Phoenix Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Phoenix is not known 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.

Phoenix is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel or two around town for budget travelers.

Is Edinburgh or Phoenix Better for Students?

Edinburgh is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Phoenix is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Edinburgh. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

Phoenix is not popular with students.

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

Edinburgh is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Phoenix is not known for its public transit.

While Edinburgh offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally limited in Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Is Edinburgh or Phoenix a more walkable city?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix is not known for its walkability.

Edinburgh is a very easy city to get around on foot. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

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

Should I spend more time in Phoenix or Edinburgh?

How long in Edinburgh or Phoenix?

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

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

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 Phoenix. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Phoenix has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Edinburgh or Phoenix?

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 laid back destination of Phoenix. 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 Phoenix?

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 food when visiting the sprawling city of Phoenix. 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 Phoenix?

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.

Phoenix 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 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Edinburgh and Phoenix, we can see that Phoenix is more expensive. And not only is Edinburgh much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Edinburgh is in Europe and Phoenix is in North America, 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 Edinburgh would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Edinburgh 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 Phoenix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phoenix than you might in Edinburgh.

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

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Edinburgh. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh and Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?

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 Phoenix in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Phoenix. The summer months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Phoenix this time of year.

Phoenix can become quite hot in the summer. In the summer, Edinburgh is much colder than Phoenix. Typically, the summer temperatures in Edinburgh in July average around 14°C (58°F), and Phoenix averages at about 98°F (36°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during summer. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Edinburgh usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Phoenix in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Phoenix. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Phoenix for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Edinburgh is generally much colder than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 10°C (49°F), and Phoenix fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. In the autumn, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets more rain in October than Phoenix. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Phoenix in the Winter?

Both Phoenix and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Edinburgh for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Phoenix in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Edinburgh. Edinburgh is much colder than Phoenix in the winter. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Phoenix fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during winter. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Edinburgh usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Phoenix in the Spring?

Both Phoenix and Edinburgh during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Edinburgh in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Edinburgh is much colder than Phoenix. Typically, the spring temperatures in Edinburgh in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Phoenix averages at about 74°F (23°C).

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets more rain in April than Phoenix. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Edinburgh