A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Edinburgh vs. San Francisco for Attractions, Food, Music, and Families

Should you visit Edinburgh or San Francisco?

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 San Francisco 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 gothic, ancient, and charming 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 theater, nightlife, and live music.

San Francisco

San Francisco is a eccentric, one-of-a-kind, and scenic coastal city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the live music, food, and beaches.

Edinburgh and San Francisco: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edinburgh or San Francisco?

Travelers will usually find more to do in San Francisco than Edinburgh, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. San Francisco is more popular for its food, beaches, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Edinburgh is known for its theatre productions, nightlife, music, historical sights, and quaint atmosphere. Edinburgh is popular for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. San Francisco is popular for its striking bayfront setting, stunning urban hikes, quirky personality, and reputation within the tech industry. It is also home to The Golden Gate Bridge.

How is Edinburgh different from San Francisco?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Edinburgh and San Francisco.

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 San Francisco on the map. The city's landmarks are as diverse as the people who live there. The most recognizable landmark is the famous Golden Gate Bridge, but visitors also enjoy seeing Alcatraz Island, the Legion of Honor, the Palace of Fine Arts, as well as the small but fascinating Cable Car Museum.

Is Edinburgh or San Francisco Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is a great city for its shows and theatre. Also, San Francisco is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for theatre.

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.

San Francisco offers a number of shows and performances. The city has around a dozen theaters where you can enjoy musicals or plays.

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

San Francisco is terrific for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Many restaurants in San Francisco have been singled out for their culinary prowess. There are local dives as well as five star restaurants, with everything in between. Popular local dining experiences include sourdough bread bowls and Dungeness crab at Fisherman's Wharf, and dim sum in Chinatown. Head away from the touristy neighborhoods if you want to sample some of the more local restaurants around town.

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 San Francisco Better for Nightlife?

Edinburgh is a great city for its evening party scene. Also, San Francisco is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal 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 San Francisco. It has a great nightlife with many local bars and trendy clubs. For the best nightlife away from the tourists, head to Valencia Street or Polk Street. If you want to be in a more touristy area, check out Union Square. Popular clubs in the city include Temple San Francisco, Monarch, and Audio Nightclub.

Is Edinburgh or San Francisco Better for Music?

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for its music scene. Also, San Francisco is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for live music.

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.

You'll find some good live music in San Francisco. Well known music venues include the Great American Music Hall, Slim's, and The Chapel.

Is Edinburgh or San Francisco Better for Beaches?

San Francisco is a very popular place for the beache. However, Edinburgh is not a beach destination.

The beaches at San Francisco attract visitors from all over. Whether you're interested in surfing or simply taking in the dramatic views, the beaches of San Francisco will take your breath away. Some of the best beaches include Ocean Beach, Baker Beach, and Muir Beach.

Edinburgh is not a beach destination.

Is Edinburgh or San Francisco Better for its Old Town?

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. However, San Francisco does not have a historic old town.

Edinburgh offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. 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.

San Francisco does not have a historic old town.

Is Edinburgh or San Francisco Better for Hiking?

San Francisco is terrific for its hiking trails. However, Edinburgh is not a hiking destination.

Around San Francisco visitors will find world-class hiking trails. The city's hikes take in the dramatic views of the bay and city. Just outside of town there are also countless hikes through the Redwoods and along the coastline. Popular hikes in the area include Lands End, Tomales Point Trail at Point Reyes National Seashore, and Muir Woods.

Edinburgh is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Edinburgh or San Francisco?

San Francisco is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, San Francisco draws large crowds to its stores. The city has excellent shopping from local vendors to recognizable brands. Union Square, Embarcadero, Fillmore Street and Haight Street are some of the best neighborhoods for shopping.

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.

Is Edinburgh or San Francisco Better for Families?

San Francisco is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

San Francisco is an extremely popular coastal city to visit for families. With its many outdoor parks, hiking trails, beaches, and kid-friendly museums, this city makes a great family-friendly destination. There are also many amazing playgrounds with stunning views of the bay and city. Head to Chinatown for some unique and kid-friendly food, or down to Pier 39 for fun activities that the whole family can enjoy.

Edinburgh is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Edinburgh or San Francisco Better for Couples?

Both Edinburgh and San Francisco are high quality 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 San Francisco frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples enjoy the romantic backdrop of this beautiful city. There are world-class restaurants and plenty of spas that couples can enjoy during a honeymoon or romantic getaway. There are also many scenic walks and breathtaking views that couples can appreciate.

Is Edinburgh or San Francisco Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, San Francisco is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city 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 San Francisco. The city is one of the more backpacker friendly cities in the United States. There are a handful of hostels throughout, many concentrated in the popular Union Square and Downtown neighborhoods of the city.

Is Edinburgh or San Francisco Better for Students?

Both Edinburgh and San Francisco are high quality destinations for 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.

Many students visit San Francisco. As a large and dynamic city, the area is popular with international students who want to experience this unique side of the United States. Major universities in the area include University of San Francisco, San Francisco State University, and nearby, the University of California, Berkeley.

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

San Francisco 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 San Francisco can take you anywhere. The transit network includes a subway (the BART), trams, cable cars, ferries, 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 San Francisco a more walkable city?

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, San Francisco is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its walkability.

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

San Francisco is very walkable. It is compact enough to explore on foot, but given the large hills, it's a bit of a challenge, even for the most fit among us.

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

Should I spend more time in San Francisco or Edinburgh?

How long in Edinburgh or San Francisco?

Both Edinburgh and San Francisco have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in San Francisco than in Edinburgh. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Edinburgh, and 3-7 days is enough time in San Francisco.

Families should spend more time in San Francisco than Edinburgh. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in San Francisco, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Edinburgh than San Francisco 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 San Francisco?

Many travelers enjoy the theater and nightlife when visiting the charming destination of Edinburgh. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

People visit San Francisco because there is so much to do. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

A weekend in Edinburgh or San Francisco?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Edinburgh. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

People visit San Francisco because there is so much to do. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Edinburgh or San Francisco?

Many travelers enjoy the live music and shopping when visiting the charming destination of Edinburgh. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

People visit San Francisco because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this coastal city makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal city has to offer.

A week in Edinburgh or San Francisco?

You'll find shopping and museums around the beautiful city of Edinburgh. 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. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

San Francisco is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in San Francisco, 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 Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Edinburgh and San Francisco, we can see that San Francisco 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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Francisco 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 San Francisco Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a larger population, and is about 68% larger than the population of Edinburgh. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh and San Francisco, 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 San Francisco?

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 San Francisco in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and San Francisco. 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 San Francisco because of the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Edinburgh is cooler than San Francisco. Typically, the summer temperatures in Edinburgh in July average around 14°C (58°F), and San Francisco averages at about 63°F (17°C).

In July, Edinburgh usually receives more rain than San Francisco. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Edinburgh or San Francisco in the Autumn?

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

In October, Edinburgh is generally much colder than San Francisco. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 10°C (49°F), and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Edinburgh usually gets more rain in October than San Francisco. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or San Francisco in the Winter?

Both San Francisco 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 San Francisco for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Edinburgh in the winter. Edinburgh is much colder than San Francisco in the winter. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and San Francisco fluctuates around 50°F (10°C).

In January, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than San Francisco. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Edinburgh or San Francisco in the Spring?

Both San Francisco 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 San Francisco in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Edinburgh is much colder than San Francisco. Typically, the spring temperatures in Edinburgh in April average around 7°C (45°F), and San Francisco averages at about 58°F (14°C).

Edinburgh usually gets more rain in April than San Francisco. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for San Francisco and Edinburgh