Which place is cheaper, Edinburgh or Islamabad?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Islamabad or Edinburgh?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Islamabad and Edinburgh 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.
Where Should I go: Islamabad or Edinburgh?
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the moderately sized capital of Scotland. It is a medieval city that has managed to perfect the combination of Georgian architecture and medieval relics with a cosmopolitan population and avant-garde atmosphere. The city's population is quite young, in large part because of the University of Edinburgh. This youthful vibe gives this city a lot of vitality. There's a thriving nightlife, many restaurants, theatres, galleries and museums.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best 10-Day Tours from London.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIslamabad $42Edinburgh $178
The average daily cost (per person) in Islamabad is $42, while the average daily cost in Edinburgh 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 Islamabad and Edinburgh in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIslamabad $20Edinburgh $93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIslamabad $40Edinburgh $186
Compare Hotels in Islamabad and Edinburgh
Looking for a hotel in Islamabad or Edinburgh? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Islamabad Hotel Prices and Edinburgh Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Islamabad $7.67Edinburgh $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad
Also for Islamabad, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transit Trip: Islamabad City Exploration Day Tour & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $110
- Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
- Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfers.: $170
- Islamabad Round Trip Airport Transfer & Customizable Day Trip: $95
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer: $35
- Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer : $55
- Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Edinburgh
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Edinburgh:
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Local Bus$4.52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Edinburgh
Also for Edinburgh, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Edinburgh to Inverness Direct transfer: $784
- From Loch Ness Private Day Tour with Transfers: $753
- Private Tour with transfer from Newhaven Cruise Port to Glasgow.: $298
- Edinburgh To The Gleneagles Hotel | Executive Transfer: $291
- Private Transfer from Edinburgh to Gleneagles Hotel : $280
- Private Luxury Transfer Edinburgh (One Way - 7 Passengers): $257
- Central Edinburgh Hotels to Edinburgh Airport Transfers 1-3: $256
- Edinburgh to Stirling | Executive Transfer: $254
- Edinburgh Train Station to Edinburgh Hotel Transfers 1-3 Pax: $251
- Edinburgh to Gleneagles Luxury Taxi Transfer: $242
- Edinburgh to Glasgow Luxury Car Transfer: $242
- Glasgow to Edinburgh Luxury Car Transfer: $232
Is it cheaper to fly into Islamabad or Edinburgh?
Prices for flights to both Edinburgh and Islamabad 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
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Food Meals for one dayIslamabad $15Edinburgh $49
Typical Food Prices in Edinburgh
For Edinburgh, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Breakfast$11
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Dinner at Filling Station$13
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Lunch for Two$19
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Sandwich$2.32
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Cheese & bread$9.07
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Thai Restaurant Dinner (for 2)$31
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2 Coffees and Scones$7.28
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Turkish Delight$1.76
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Soup at the Pub$7.40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Edinburgh
For Edinburgh, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $31
- Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $33
- Scottish Dinner and Folk Music Experience: $88
- Edinburgh Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $90
- Edinburgh Holiday Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $90
- Edinburgh Food Tour: $100
- 'Scotland meets Sardinia' - 8-course Dinner in Leith, Edinburgh: $110
- 3-Hour Guided Secret Food Tour: $116
- Edinburgh Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $121
- The 10 Tastings of Edinburgh With Locals: Private Food Tour: $162
- Edinburgh Food Tour with a Local Foodie Custom & Private: $188
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Islamabad $9.48Edinburgh $25
Tours and Activities in Islamabad
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.
- Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour With Meal At Monal Restaurant (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
- From 15 Day Trekking Tour of Thalay and Nangma: $3,070
- From 9-Day Colors of Hunza Valley Cultural Tour: $2,065
- From Full Day Guided Taxila Ruins Exploration Tour: $150
- From Full Day Historical Peshawar Guided City Tour: $160
- From Skardu and Baltistan Cultural Tour with Food: $2,339
- Full Day Private City Tour Of Islamabad: $99
- Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Of Islamabad: $80
- Full-day Essential Islamabad Tour: $150
- Islamabad In & Around Full Day Customized City Tour: $80
- Islamabad Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $95
- City Tour with Faisal Mosque and Lake View Park: $95
Typical Entertainment Prices in Edinburgh
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Edinburgh's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Show Tickets$40
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Movie Tickets for Two$15
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Donation for Storytellers$7.53
Tours and Activities in Edinburgh
For Edinburgh, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Edinburgh's Landscapes Tours with a Local Guide: Private & Personalized: $153
- 1-Day Castles, West Highlands and Loch Lomond Tour from Edinburgh: $79
- 1.5 hour Firth of Forth Sightseeing cruise: $23
- 2-Day Highlands and Loch Ness Tour from Edinburgh: $261
- 2-Day Loch Lomond, West Highlands, Glencoe & Oban Tour: $183
- 3 Hours Edinburgh City Highlights Private Walking Tour: $273
- 3-Day Isle of Skye Inverness Highlands and Glenfinnan Viaduct Tour from Edinburgh: $234
- 3-Hour Private Edinburgh Castle Tour: $275
- Afternoon Old Town and Underground Ghost Tour 1:15, 3:15, 5:15: $19
- Alnwick Castle and Scottish Borders Tour from Edinburgh: $72
- Alnwick Castle, Northumberland & Scottish Borders 1-Day Tour: $74
- Alnwick Castle, Northumberland and Borders Tour with Admission: $103
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIslamabad $2.88Edinburgh $19
Typical Alcohol Prices in Edinburgh
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Edinburgh from other travelers:
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Beer & Wine$18
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Half Pint at Tollbooth Tavern$2.07
Sample the Local Flavors in Edinburgh
Also in Edinburgh, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl with Free Shots & Discounts: $11
- Edinburgh Bar Crawl: 5+ Venues, Free Shots, Free Club Entry: $19
- Pub Crawl in Edinburgh: $19
- Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour with "Real-Actors": $25
- East Lothian: Glenkinchie Whisky Distillery Tour & Tasting: $26
- Guided Gin Tasting at 56 North Distillery: $28
- Pub Crawl 7 Bars with 6 Shots: $31
- Whisky Tasting and Tales at Summerhall Distillery: $31
- Lind & Lime Gin Distillery Tour & Tasting: $31
- Pickering's Gin Jolly Distillery Tasting Tour: $31
- Visit a Working South Loch Gin Distillery: $32
- The Original Edinburgh Pub Crawl: $32
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Islamabad and Edinburgh, we can see that Edinburgh is more expensive. And not only is Islamabad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Islamabad is in Asia and Edinburgh is in Europe, 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 Islamabad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Islamabad 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 Islamabad.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Islamabad Expensive? and Is Edinburgh Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Islamabad or Edinburgh?
Islamabad has a larger population, and is about 38% larger than the population of Edinburgh. When comparing the sizes of Islamabad and Edinburgh, 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 Islamabad or Edinburgh?
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 Islamabad or Edinburgh in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Islamabad and Edinburgh. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year.
The heat can be very extreme in Islamabad. In the summer, Islamabad is much warmer than Edinburgh. Typically, the summer temperatures in Islamabad in July average around 32°C (90°F), and Edinburgh averages at about 14°C (58°F).
In Islamabad, it's very sunny this time of the year. Islamabad usually receives more sunshine than Edinburgh during summer. Islamabad gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Edinburgh receives 163 hours of full sun in the summer.
Islamabad gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Islamabad usually receives more rain than Edinburgh. Islamabad gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyIslamabad 32°C (90°F)Edinburgh 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Edinburgh in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Islamabad as well as Edinburgh. Also, many travelers come to Edinburgh for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Islamabad is generally much warmer than Edinburgh. Daily temperatures in Islamabad average around 26°C (80°F), and Edinburgh fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Islamabad this time of the year. In the autumn, Islamabad often gets more sunshine than Edinburgh. Islamabad gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Edinburgh receives 90 hours of full sun.
Islamabad usually gets less rain in October than Edinburgh. Islamabad gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberIslamabad 26°C (80°F)Edinburgh 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Edinburgh in the Winter?
Both Edinburgh and Islamabad are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Edinburgh in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Edinburgh can get quite cold in the winter. Islamabad is much warmer than Edinburgh in the winter. The daily temperature in Islamabad averages around 14°C (57°F) in January, and Edinburgh fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Islamabad. Islamabad usually receives more sunshine than Edinburgh during winter. Islamabad gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Edinburgh receives 48 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Islamabad usually receives less rain than Edinburgh. Islamabad gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryIslamabad 14°C (57°F)Edinburgh 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Islamabad or Edinburgh in the Spring?
Both Edinburgh and Islamabad during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Edinburgh for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Islamabad is much warmer than Edinburgh. Typically, the spring temperatures in Islamabad in April average around 27°C (80°F), and Edinburgh averages at about 7°C (45°F).
It's quite sunny in Islamabad. In the spring, Islamabad often gets more sunshine than Edinburgh. Islamabad gets 258 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Edinburgh receives 132 hours of full sun.
Islamabad usually gets less rain in April than Edinburgh. Islamabad gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilIslamabad 27°C (80°F)Edinburgh 7°C (45°F)
Typical Weather for Edinburgh and Islamabad
| Islamabad | Edinburgh | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 14°C (57°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 16°C (61°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 32°C (89°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Jun | 35°C (94°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 32°C (90°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Aug | 31°C (89°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Sep | 31°C (87°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (80°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 15°C (59°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.