Which place is cheaper, Rome 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 Rome 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 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, Edinburgh attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include nightlife, live music, and shopping. See Edinburgh travel costs.
Rome is a ancient, archeological, and bustling city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Rome is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the nightlife, live music, and food. See Rome travel costs.
Travelers will usually find more to do in Rome than Edinburgh, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Rome is more popular for its food, nightlife, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Edinburgh is known for its theatre productions, historical sights, and quaint atmosphere. Edinburgh is popular for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. Rome is popular for its iconic archaeological sites such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, as well as its gelato, Italian cuisine, and strong religious roots. It is also home to The Colosseum.
The Colosseum
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Rome 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 Rome.
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 Rome on the map. The historical sights around the city are among the most impressive in the world. Almost anywhere you look you'll find a notable landmark but some of the most famous include the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican, and the Roman Forum.
Edinburgh is a great destination for its shows and theatre. However, Rome 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.
Rome is not a theatre destination.
Rome is terrific for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.
Many restaurants in Rome have been singled out for their culinary prowess. Homemade pasta, fresh sauces, and fine wine all make the food scene among the best. Also make sure you try the gelato.
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.
Rome is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.
Rome is a must-see party destination. You'll find a huge concentration of bars and clubs in the Testaccio area. There are late night clubs with salsa dancing, merengue, and live DJ's spinning every type of music.
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.
It can be fun to see live music in either Edinburgh and Rome.
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.
In Rome you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. Popular music venues include Live Alcazar, Atlantico Live, and Beba do Samba.
Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. However, Rome 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.
Rome does not have a historic old town.
Rome is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.
Known for shopping, Rome draws large crowds to its stores. For the biggest brand names, head to Via del Corso, which is near the Spanish Steps. Popular items to buy include Italian ceramics, shoes, leather goods, and jewelry.
Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.
Rome is terrific for its scenery and beauty. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its scenery and beauty.
Rome is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. With its many beautiful landmarks and impressive architecture, this city has a lot of attractive places to visit. Don't miss Villa Borghese Park, Trastevere, Palazzo Madama, the Appian Way, and Piazza Navona.
With stunning beauty, Edinburgh attracts visitors from all around. It has a long history and a lot of architectural beauty. The weather may be the most challenging part of a visit to Edinburgh.
Both Edinburgh and Rome are great 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.
Rome is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. What kid wouldn't be thrilled to be surrounded by pizza and spaghetti restaurants? In addition to kid-friendly food options, there are also a number of great activities that the whole family can enjoy including exploring the Colosseum, taking a gladiator class, and eating gelato.
Both Edinburgh and Rome are great 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 Rome frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. With many beautiful buildings, world class restaurants, and world renowned sights, this city makes a great romantic destination.
Edinburgh and Rome are both world-class 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.
Rome is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. Backpackers will find no shortage of hostels where they can stay, particularly near the main train station where accommodation is particularly cheap (but not always the best quality).
Rome is terrific for its student-friendly activities. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.
Rome is a very popular city for students. The city is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find plenty of international students here.
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.
Rome 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 Rome can take you anywhere. There's a metro system, trams, and a comprehensive bus system that goes around the city.
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.
Edinburgh and Rome are world-class 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 Rome on foot is easy. You'll find many of the most popular sights in a compact area that's easily explored on foot. Do watch out for traffic, which can be a bit chaotic at times.
For even more information, also check out Is Edinburgh Worth Visiting? and Is Rome Worth Visiting?.
Both Edinburgh and Rome have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Rome than in Edinburgh. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Edinburgh, and 3-7 days is enough time in Rome.
Couples should spend more time in Rome than Edinburgh. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Rome that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rome than Edinburgh 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 Rome.
Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Edinburgh. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.
People visit Rome because there is so much to do. 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 fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
People visit Rome because there is so much to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.
Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the gothic destination of Edinburgh. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.
People visit Rome because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.
The character-filled city of Edinburgh offers museums and theater. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.
Rome is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Rome, 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. 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 Rome is £178. 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 Rome in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Edinburgh or Rome? 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:
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rome:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rome:
Prices for flights to both Rome 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 Rome:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rome.
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 Rome for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Rome 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:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rome:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rome:
When comparing the travel costs between Edinburgh and Rome, we can see that Rome 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 Rome Expensive?.
Rome has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Edinburgh. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh and Rome, 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 Rome and Edinburgh during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rome this time of year.
In the summer, Edinburgh is much colder than Rome. Typically, the summer temperatures in Edinburgh in July average around 14°C (58°F), and Rome averages at about 25°C (77°F).
In Rome, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Rome. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 338 hours of full sun.
Edinburgh usually gets more rain in July than Rome. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Rome receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Rome. 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Rome for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Edinburgh is generally much colder than Rome. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 10°C (49°F), and Rome fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Rome during autumn. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 198 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Rome. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Rome receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Rome. Many travelers come to Edinburgh for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Rome 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 Rome in the winter. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Rome fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
In the winter, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Rome. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 127 hours of full sun.
Edinburgh usually gets less rain in January than Rome. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Rome receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Rome and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Edinburgh in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Rome for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Edinburgh is much colder than Rome. Typically, the spring temperatures in Edinburgh in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Rome averages at about 14°C (57°F).
It's quite sunny in Rome. Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Rome during spring. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Rome. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Rome receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Edinburgh | Rome | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
Feb | 3°C (38°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
Apr | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
May | 10°C (49°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 42 mm (1.6 in) |
Jun | 13°C (55°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
Jul | 14°C (58°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
Aug | 14°C (58°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
Oct | 10°C (49°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
Nov | 5°C (42°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |