A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Inverness vs. Dundee for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Inverness or Dundee?

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 Dundee can help you decide which place is right for you.

Inverness

Inverness is a cultural, traditional, and local city. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Dundee

Dundee is a cultural, historic, and coastal city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food, museums, and nightlife.

Inverness and Dundee: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Home to Loch Ness
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for shopping
  • Less popular with couples


Is there more to do in Inverness or Dundee?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dundee. Although Inverness and Dundee are popular destinations, Dundee has more sights and attractions for tourists. Dundee is very popular for its big city activities, while Inverness attracts visitors for its museums, food, shopping, and small town charm. Inverness is more touristy than Dundee and is known for its surrounding countryside, but also its regional heritage, local festivals and proximity to the famous Loch Ness. Dundee is famous for its maritime and manufacturing history as well as its focus on design. It is also well known for Discovery Point and RRS Discovery.

How is Inverness different from Dundee?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Inverness
Dundee

Inverness is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Dundee is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Inverness offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Dundee offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. On the waterfront you'll find a couple of nautical museums such as RRS Discovery, and HM Frigate Unicorn. Other museums and sights include V&A Dundee, Tay Rail Bridge, Camperdown Wildlife Centre, and Glamis Castle.


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

Inverness
Dundee

Inverness is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Dundee is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Inverness makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Dundee has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a few local dishes that the city is known for. These include Dundee Cake, Dundee marmalade, and Angus beef.

Is Inverness or Dundee Better for Nightlife?

Inverness
Dundee

Both Inverness and Dundee 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 Dundee. The vibrant student population heavily influences the city's nightlife. There are a number of clubs and bars where you can hang out late into the night.

Is the Shopping Better in Inverness or Dundee?

Inverness
Dundee

Inverness is a well-known place for shopping. However, Dundee is not a good city for its shopping opportunities.

Inverness is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Dundee has some nice offerings. There are shopping centers and a few independent shops that are worth checking out. Head to Overgate Shopping Centre for the standard brands or Dundee's Farmer's Market for some local produce.


Is Inverness or Dundee Better for Families?

Inverness
Dundee

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

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.

Dundee is a family-friendly city. Head to the Dundee Science Center or check out Discovery Point. There's also the Dundee Treasure Trail as well as climbing walls and other outdoor activities for when the weather's nice.

Is Inverness or Dundee Better for Couples?

Inverness
Dundee

Inverness is a popular place for romance. However, Dundee is not a good city for its romantic activities.

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

Most people don't think of Dundee as a couple's destination. The coastal city has some nice outdoor spaces and interesting restaurants that couples can enjoy.

Is Inverness or Dundee Better for Students?

Inverness
Dundee

Dundee is very good for students. However, Inverness is not popular with students.

Dundee is a good city to visit for students. Its affordability and authenticity make this a nice option for students. It's also a very safe city.

Inverness is not popular with students.


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

Inverness
Dundee

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

Dundee has a few public transit options. The city has a public bus system.

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

Is Inverness or Dundee a more walkable city?

Inverness
Dundee

Inverness is a well-known place for its walkability. Also, Dundee is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

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

Dundee is a somewhat walkable place. There are a number of walks through the town.

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

Should I spend more time in Dundee or Inverness?

How long in Inverness or Dundee?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Inverness or Dundee to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Inverness than Dundee because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Inverness, and 1-2 days is enough time in Dundee.

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

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

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


  • How many days in Inverness or Dundee? Ideal Length of Stay
    Inverness 1-3 
    Dundee 1-2

One day in Inverness or Dundee?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Inverness. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

You'll find food and museums around the city of Dundee. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Dundee has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.


A weekend in Inverness or Dundee?

Inverness is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the coastal destination of Dundee. 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 Inverness or Dundee?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Inverness. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic city of Dundee. 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 Inverness or Dundee?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the local destination of Inverness. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Dundee 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 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, Dundee 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 Dundee is £231. 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 Dundee in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Inverness £91
    Dundee £149
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Inverness £182
    Dundee £298
Compare Hotels in Inverness and Dundee

Looking for a hotel in Inverness or Dundee? 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 Dundee


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 Dundee Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Inverness £33
    Dundee £16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Inverness

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Inverness:

  • Inverness Airport (INV) to Lecht Ski Resort - Arrival Transfer: $33
  • Inverness Airport (INV) to Glenshee Ski Resort - Arrival Transfer: $66
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Inverness INV to Inverness City by luxury vehicle: $105
  • Transfers / Tour from , inverness, Edinburgh ,Glasgow ,Aberdeen : $184
  • Inverness Private Transfer to Aviemore: $229
  • Inverness to Fort William Direct transfer: $374
  • Inverness to Isle of Skye Direct transfer: $623
  • Inverness to Glasgow Direct transfer: $781
  • Inverness to Edinburgh Direct transfer: $781

Is it cheaper to fly into Inverness or Dundee?

Prices for flights to both Dundee 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
    Dundee £47

Typical Food Prices in Dundee

Some typical examples of dining costs in Dundee are as follows:


  • Moroccan Sandwich
    £2.70
  • Drinks and Scottish Shortbread at Discovery
    £4.70
  • Kebabs (for 2)
    £8.80

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Inverness £44
    Dundee £106

Tours and Activities in Inverness

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

  • City Discovery App-Based Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $15
  • Inverness City Daily Walking Tour (11:30am, 2pm & 5:30pm): $15
  • Guided Walking Tour with a Local: $17
  • SEA LIFE Loch Lomond General Admission Ticket: $20
  • Northern Highlights Sightseeing Pass: $25
  • Loch Ness 1-Hour Cruise with Urquhart Castle Views: $27
  • Loch Ness and Caledonian Canal 2-Hour Cruise from Dochgarroch: $38
  • Glenaladale Cruise - Great for wizard spotting!: $38
  • Inverness Bike Tour a 2 hours guided bike tour around the Waterways of Inverness: $39
  • Gaskan cruise - Golden Eagles!: $44
  • Puffin Tour: $57

Typical Entertainment Prices in Dundee

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Dundee are as follows:


  • Newspaper
    £0.85

Tours and Activities in Dundee

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

  • Skip-the-Line: Botanic Garden Entry Ticket: $6.29
  • Made in A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $6.99
  • Dundee Tour App, Hidden Gems Game and Big Britain Quiz (1 Day Pass) UK: $19
  • Boat Seafari Adventure: $34
  • Original Dundee Photoshoot Tour: $82

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Inverness £23
    Dundee £13

Sample the Local Flavors in Inverness

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

  • From Invergordon Port Dunrobin Castle, Clynelish Distillery Tour : $203
  • Speyside Distillery Tour From Inverness: $1,124


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

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


Which is Bigger, Inverness or Dundee?

Dundee has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Inverness. When comparing the sizes of Inverness and Dundee, 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 Inverness or Dundee?

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 Inverness or Dundee in the Summer?

Both Dundee and Inverness are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Inverness for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Dundee because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Inverness is generally around the same temperature as Dundee. Daily temperatures in Inverness average around 14°C (58°F), and Dundee fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

Inverness usually receives less sunshine than Dundee during summer. Inverness gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Dundee receives 184 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Inverness usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dundee. Inverness gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Dundee receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Inverness 14°C (58°F) 
    Dundee 14°C (58°F)

Should I visit Inverness or Dundee in the Autumn?

Both Dundee and Inverness during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Inverness because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Dundee this time of year.

Inverness is around the same temperature as Dundee in the autumn. The daily temperature in Inverness averages around 9°C (49°F) in October, and Dundee fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In the autumn, Inverness often gets less sunshine than Dundee. Inverness gets 84 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dundee receives 100 hours of full sun.

Inverness usually gets less rain in October than Dundee. Inverness gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Dundee receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Inverness 9°C (49°F) 
    Dundee 10°C (49°F)

Should I visit Inverness or Dundee in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Inverness and Dundee. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Inverness this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Dundee for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Dundee. It's quite cold in Inverness in the winter. In the winter, Inverness is around the same temperature as Dundee. Typically, the winter temperatures in Inverness in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Dundee averages at about 3°C (38°F).

Inverness usually receives less sunshine than Dundee during winter. Inverness gets 42 hours of sunny skies, while Dundee receives 58 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Inverness usually receives less rain than Dundee. Inverness gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Dundee receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Inverness 3°C (38°F) 
    Dundee 3°C (38°F)

Should I visit Inverness or Dundee in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Inverness as well as Dundee. Many travelers come to Inverness for the small town charm. Also, many visitors come to Dundee in the spring for the activities around the city.

In April, Inverness is generally around the same temperature as Dundee. Daily temperatures in Inverness average around 7°C (44°F), and Dundee fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the spring, Inverness often gets less sunshine than Dundee. Inverness gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dundee receives 155 hours of full sun.

Inverness usually gets less rain in April than Dundee. Inverness gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Dundee receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Inverness 7°C (44°F) 
    Dundee 7°C (45°F)

Typical Weather for Dundee and Inverness

Inverness Dundee
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (38°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 3°C (38°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Feb 3°C (38°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 3°C (38°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 5°C (41°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 7°C (44°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 7°C (45°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
May 10°C (50°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 10°C (49°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Jun 13°C (55°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 13°C (55°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jul 14°C (58°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 14°C (58°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Aug 14°C (57°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 14°C (58°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 12°C (54°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 9°C (49°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 10°C (49°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Nov 5°C (42°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 5°C (42°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 52 mm (2 in) 4°C (39°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)