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

Should you visit Edinburgh or Toulouse?

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 Toulouse 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.

Toulouse

Toulouse is a historic, vibrant, and friendly city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Edinburgh and Toulouse: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edinburgh or Toulouse?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Edinburgh. Although Edinburgh and Toulouse are about the same size, Edinburgh has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Edinburgh is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, music, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Toulouse is known for its food. Edinburgh is more touristy than Toulouse 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. Toulouse is popular for its impressive old town, many museums, and delicious local cuisine.

How is Edinburgh different from Toulouse?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Edinburgh is a must-visit destination for its historical sights. Also, Toulouse 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.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Toulouse. There is a long running history with countless landmarks and museums. Highlights include Basilique Saint-Sernin, Place du Capitole, Muséum de Toulouse, and Fondation Bemberg.

Is Edinburgh or Toulouse Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is great for its shows and theatre. However, Toulouse 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.

Toulouse is not a theatre destination.

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

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

Many restaurants in Toulouse have been singled out for their culinary prowess. There are many unique regional recipes that make use of poultry, cold meats, and foie gras. Toulouse sausage, cassoulet, Poulet à la Toulousaine, and Foie gras d’oie are all popular local dishes.

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 Toulouse Better for Nightlife?

The great nightlife scene is relatively similar in Edinburgh and Toulouse.

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.

Toulouse is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. You'll find a large number of students in town so the nightlife scene is active and fun. For the most lively atmosphere head to Carmes, Saint-Cyprien, or Place Saint-Pierre.

Is Edinburgh or Toulouse Better for Music?

Edinburgh is a must-visit destination for its music scene. However, Toulouse 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.

Toulouse is not a live music destination.

Is Edinburgh or Toulouse Better for its Old Town?

Edinburgh is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its historic old town.

The rich history of Edinburgh can be explored in its historical center. 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.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Toulouse. The old town is filled with terra-cota buildings and pedestrian walkways. The area flows out around the Capitole and is crossed by the Garonne.

Is the Shopping Better in Edinburgh or Toulouse?

Shoppers can find a variety of great stores in both Edinburgh and Toulouse.

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 Toulouse. There are many great shopping districts around town including Place du Capitole, The Saint Georges district, and Rue Alsace Lorraine.

Is Edinburgh or Toulouse Better for Families?

Both Edinburgh and Toulouse 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.

Toulouse is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city's known for its space industry so the La Cite de l’Espace (Space Museum) is a favorite attraction for kids and adults alike. You can also visit Aeroscopia, the airplane museum. La Halle de la machine is a truly unique and impressive playground. The city also has many other museums and outdoor spaces to explore.

Is Edinburgh or Toulouse Better for Couples?

Both Edinburgh and Toulouse 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 Toulouse frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are many beautiful parks, gardens, and walking paths. Make sure you take a stroll along the Canal du Midi and visit Jardin Japonais Pierre Baudis. This is also a great city for visiting a spa.

Is Edinburgh or Toulouse Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Toulouse is not a good destination 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.

Toulouse is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a major stop off for many backpackers in Europe so you won't find as many hostels as you do in other cities.

Is Edinburgh or Toulouse Better for Students?

Edinburgh is great for its student-friendly activities. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Toulouse is a good city to visit for students. You'll find a diverse student population with many international students.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Edinburgh and Toulouse.

Edinburgh has some public transit options. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Toulouse, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are a large number of bus routes that travel both locally and regionally.

Is Edinburgh or Toulouse a more walkable city?

Edinburgh is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Toulouse is not as popular, but is still a nice 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

Toulouse is very walkable. Within the city center it is very walkable and easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Toulouse or Edinburgh?

How long in Edinburgh or Toulouse?

It's fun to spend time in either Edinburgh or Toulouse. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Edinburgh due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Edinburgh, and 2-4 days is enough time in Toulouse.

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

The beautiful city of Edinburgh offers theater and nightlife. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

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

A weekend in Edinburgh or Toulouse?

Edinburgh is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Edinburgh, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the friendly destination of Toulouse. 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.

Five days in Edinburgh or Toulouse?

Edinburgh is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Edinburgh, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the relaxed city of Toulouse. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Edinburgh or Toulouse?

Edinburgh is a great place to explore. 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. This city offers something for everyone.

Toulouse 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.

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 Historical Tours in France, and The Best 10-Day Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Toulouse?

Edinburgh has a larger population, and is about 1% larger than the population of Toulouse. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh and Toulouse, 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 Toulouse?

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 Toulouse in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Edinburgh is much colder than Toulouse. Typically, the summer temperatures in Edinburgh in July average around 14°C (58°F), and Toulouse averages at about 22°C (72°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toulouse this time of the year. Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Toulouse during summer. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Toulouse receives 275 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Edinburgh usually receives more rain than Toulouse. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Toulouse receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Toulouse in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Toulouse. 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. Also, many travelers come to Toulouse for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Edinburgh is generally much colder than Toulouse. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 10°C (49°F), and Toulouse fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Toulouse. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulouse receives 161 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets more rain in October than Toulouse. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Toulouse receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Toulouse in the Winter?

Both Toulouse 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 Toulouse 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 Toulouse in the winter. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Toulouse fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Toulouse during winter. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies, while Toulouse receives 88 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Edinburgh usually receives more rain than Toulouse. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Toulouse receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Toulouse in the Spring?

Both Toulouse 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Toulouse for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Edinburgh is much colder than Toulouse. Typically, the spring temperatures in Edinburgh in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Toulouse averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the spring, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Toulouse. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulouse receives 178 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in April than Toulouse. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Toulouse receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Toulouse and Edinburgh