A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Inverness vs. Bath for Attractions, Couples, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Inverness or Bath?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Inverness and Bath can help you decide which place is right for you.

Inverness

Inverness is a traditional, local, and historic city. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Bath

Bath is a historical, beautiful, and architectural spa town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Inverness and Bath: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Home to Loch Ness
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Scenic old town
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
  • Impressive beauty
  • Home to the Historic Roman Baths


Is there more to do in Inverness or Bath?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bath. Although Inverness and Bath are popular destinations, Bath has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bath is very popular for its museums, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Inverness attracts visitors for its food. Inverness is famous for its surrounding countryside, but also its regional heritage, local festivals and proximity to the famous Loch Ness. Bath is famous for its world-renowned Roman built baths as well as its historical architecture and many museums. It is also well known for The Historic Roman Baths.

The Historic Roman Baths
The Historic Roman Baths

How is Inverness different from Bath?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bath and Inverness. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Inverness or Bath?

Inverness
Bath

Bath is terrific for its sights and museums. Also, Inverness is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Bath are among the most recognizable in the world. The main draw to Bath is the rich history and most sights are focused on the area's spa city past. The Roman Baths are a highlight of a trip to the city, but other not to be missed places include Bath Abbey, the Royal Crescent, and Pulteney Bridge.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Inverness can be an interesting and educational experience. As a city rich in culture and heritage, you'll find a number of sights and museums in town. Check out the Highland House of Fraser, Culloden Moor, and Clava Cairns.


Is the Food Better in Inverness or Bath? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Inverness
Bath

Inverness is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Bath is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Inverness. The city makes a great spot to fill your belly after a few days exploring the Scottish Highlands. You'll find local restaurants that serve up regional specialties, and when the weather's nice, there are some spots with outdoor seating.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Bath. Sample afternoon tea or try some local fish and chips. There are a diversity of restaurants to choose from so it's easy to find local favorites, vegetarian options, or international cuisine.

Is Inverness or Bath Better for Nightlife?

Inverness
Bath

Both Inverness and Bath are nice when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Inverness. Nightlife isn't the first thing that comes to mind with this town, but there are actually lots of distilleries in the area and there's a surprising number of high quality bars and pubs that make for a fun evening.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Bath. Head to George Street, which is the liveliest part of the city at night. You'll find a mix of high end restaurants, pubs, and cocktail bars that keep the energy high. One of the most popular nightlife venues in Bath is Bath Komedia, which is a popular music and comedy club.

Is Inverness or Bath Better for its Old Town?

Inverness
Bath

Bath is a well-known place for its old town. However, Inverness does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Bath. The Roman old town has charming streets and a vibrant environment. On pleasant weekends you'll find tourists and locals alike filling the restaurants and town squares, giving the city an energy and lively atmosphere.

Inverness does not have a historic old town.


Is the Shopping Better in Inverness or Bath?

Inverness
Bath

Both Inverness and Bath are very good shopping destinations.

Inverness is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The town is at the cultural heart of the Scottish Highlands you'll find plenty of local shops where you can pick up local products. Make sure you check out the Inverness Victorian Market.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bath. Head to Stall Street and Union Street for the most popular shopping streets in town. Many visitors pick up jewelry, glass, and fudge or other sweets while exploring the area.

Is Inverness or Bath Better for Families?

Inverness
Bath

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Inverness or Bath.

Inverness is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has some parks and activities that are great for kids. Make sure you explore Inverness Castle and the Inverness Mystery Treasure Trail.

Bath is a family-friendly city. The city is all about history and architecture, so at times it can be challenging for the kids to stay entertained. For a change of pace, take a boat on the canal or explore one of the beautiful gardens.

Is Inverness or Bath Better for Couples?

Inverness
Bath

Bath is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Inverness is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

For those traveling as a couple, Bath has plenty to offer. With its beautiful architecture and fascinating history, this city is perfect for couples. Take a canal cruise or wander through the scenic areas to enjoy a romantic trip.

Inverness is a good city for couples to visit. Located in the Scottish Highlands, there ae many scenic spots and nice activities that couples can enjoy in the area.


Is Inverness or Bath Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Inverness
Bath

Bath is very good for backpackers. However, Inverness is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Bath is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. You'll find a surprising number of hostels around town so it's not hard to meet other backpackers while you're in the area.

Inverness is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There a some hostels and student hotels, but this isn't one of the major backpacker spots in the UK.

Is Inverness or Bath Better for Students?

Inverness
Bath

Bath is a well-known place for students. However, Inverness is not popular with students.

Bath is very popular with students. The University of Bath offers a number of different programs so this is a popular city for local and international students.

Inverness is not popular with students.

Is Inverness or Bath Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Inverness
Bath

Bath is very good for its public transit. However, Inverness is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Bath has a few public transit options. You likely won't need public transit because it's easy to walk most places, but there are buses around town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Inverness. There are local buses that pass through the town.


Is Inverness or Bath a more walkable city?

Inverness
Bath

Bath is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Inverness is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Bath on foot. It is a very walkable city with most sights and activities packed into a very compact area. There are also many pedestrian areas that are easy to explore on foot.

Inverness is a very walkable destination. It's compact enough that you can explore much of the town on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Inverness Worth Visiting? and Is Bath Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bath or Inverness?

How long in Inverness or Bath?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Inverness and Bath. In our opinion, Bath has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Bath than Inverness. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Bath than Inverness. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Bath that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bath than Inverness 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 Bath.


  • How many days in Inverness or Bath? Ideal Length of Stay
    Inverness 1-3 
    Bath 1-3

One day in Inverness or Bath?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Inverness. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

You'll find shopping and museums around the spa town of Bath. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bath has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Inverness or Bath?

Inverness is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the architectural destination of Bath. 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 spa town has to offer. This spa town offers a variety of activities to choose from.


Five days in Inverness or Bath?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the local destination of Inverness. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the charming spa town of Bath. 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 museums. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Inverness or Bath?

The cultural city of Inverness offers nightlife and food. 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.

Bath 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 London, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Edinburgh.


Which place is cheaper, Bath or Inverness?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Inverness is £168, while the average daily cost in Bath is £141. 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 Inverness and Bath in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Inverness £91
    Bath £79
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Inverness £182
    Bath £158
Compare Hotels in Inverness and Bath

Looking for a hotel in Inverness or Bath? 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 Inverness


Hotels in Bath


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: Inverness Hotel Prices and Bath Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Inverness £33
    Bath £26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Inverness

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Inverness:

  • Private Transfer from Inverness City to Inverness Airport INV by luxury vehicle: $105
  • Private Inverness Departure Transfer- Hotel / Accommodation to Airport: $56
  • Private Inverness Arrival Transfer- Airport to Hotel / Accommodation: $56
  • Inverness to Isle of Skye Direct transfer: $617
  • Inverness to Glasgow Direct transfer: $773
  • Inverness to Fort William Direct transfer: $370
  • Inverness to Edinburgh Direct transfer: $773
  • Inverness Private Transfer to Aviemore: $228
  • Inverness Airport to Glenshee Ski Resort - Round-Trip Transfer: $130
  • Inverness Airport and Hotels Private Transfers: $95
  • Inverness Airport (INV) to Lecht Ski Resort - Round-Trip Transfer: $65
  • Inverness Airport (INV) to Lecht Ski Resort - Arrival Transfer: $33

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bath

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

  • Bus Transfer to/from Bristol Airport: $21
  • "Private Transfer: London Heathrow Airport to Bath".: $160
  • Bath to Heathrow Airport private airport transfer: $288

Is it cheaper to fly into Inverness or Bath?

Prices for flights to both Bath and Inverness 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
    Inverness £49
    Bath £43

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Inverness £44
    Bath £17

Tours and Activities in Inverness

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Inverness are as follows:

  • DAY TOUR; loch Ness, Coo's,Drams,Battles &Stones,from INVERNESS : $163
  • Inverness Tour-Cawdor Castle,Culloden Battlefield,Clava Cairns : $139
  • 1-Day Moray Coast Tour with Speyside Whisky from Inverness: $96
  • 2 Hour Private Walking Tour in Inverness City Centre with a Guide: $190
  • 2-Day Tour to Isle of Skye, The Fairy Pools & Highland Castles: $190
  • 2-Hour Private Celtic Handfasting Ceremony Experience: $108
  • 25 Shot Clay Pigeon Shooting Experience: $63
  • Applecross, Loch Carron & Wild Highlands Tour from Inverness: $68
  • Cawdor Castle, Inverness, Culloden, Outlander and Loch Ness Tour: $164
  • Chauffeur driven sightseeing Edinburgh to & from Inverness: $990
  • Clan Tour - Castle ,Whisky and History Tour: $172
  • Clan Tour - OUTLANDER series and Loch Ness: $165

Typical Entertainment Prices in Bath

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


  • Thermal Bath Spa
    £35

Tours and Activities in Bath

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

  • Bath : 2 Hour Historic Walking Tour With An App: $8.99
  • Bridgeton Walking Tour with an APP: $8.99
  • 2 Hour Historic Walking Tour in Bath with An App: $9.99
  • Bath Self-Guided Private Tour: $11
  • Self-Guided City Sightseeing Treasure Hunt: $12
  • Bath Private Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $13
  • Jane Austen Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour in Bath: $13
  • Bath & Stonehenge City Break from London - Self-Guided Tours: $13
  • Bath Abbey Entry Ticket and Guided Tower Tour: $19
  • The Soul Spa: TRIPP Spa Virtual Reality Experience: $19
  • Mystery Urban Adventure City Exploration Game: $19
  • Self-Guided Tour App and Big Britain Quiz: $19

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Inverness £23
    Bath £14

Sample the Local Flavors in Inverness

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

  • Legendary Glenmorangie Distillery Visit: $165
  • From Invergordon Port Dunrobin Castle, Clynelish Distillery Tour : $203
  • Speyside Distillery Tour From Inverness: $1,113

Sample the Local Flavors in Bath

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bath:

  • Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $47


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

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


Which is Bigger, Inverness or Bath?

Bath has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Inverness. When comparing the sizes of Inverness and Bath, 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.