A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Isle of Skye vs. Inner Hebrides for Hiking, Food, Beaches, and Couples

Should you visit Isle of Skye or Inner Hebrides?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Isle of Skye and Inner Hebrides. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Isle of Skye

Isle of Skye is a dramatic, scenic, and picturesque island. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and hiking.

Inner Hebrides

Inner Hebrides is a natural, peaceful, and tranquil islands. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and hiking.

Isle of Skye and Inner Hebrides: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Isle of Skye or Inner Hebrides?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Isle of Skye. Although Isle of Skye and Inner Hebrides are both popular with visitors, Isle of Skye has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Isle of Skye is more touristy than Inner Hebrides and is known for its quaint fishing villages, scenic landscapes, and historic castles. It is also home to The Old Man of Storr. Inner Hebrides is popular for its rugged landscape, beautiful coastline, and local whisky.

How is Isle of Skye different from Inner Hebrides?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Inner Hebrides and Isle of Skye. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is the Food Better in Isle of Skye or Inner Hebrides? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Isle of Skye is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Inner Hebrides is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Isle of Skye. Foodies will appreciate the seasonal local ingredients that many restaurants use. Both the land and sea offer ingredients that inspire delicious dishes. You can choose from Michelin star restaurants, local cafes, and cozy inns. The food is fresh and well made.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Inner Hebrides. It wasn't long ago that there was a limited selection of restaurants on the islands, but these days you shouldn't have much trouble finding some Scottish classics. The area continues to grow its restaurant scene, which highlights regional ingredients and the local whisky distilleries.

Is Isle of Skye or Inner Hebrides Better for Beaches?

Isle of Skye and Inner Hebrides both offer superb beaches.

Many people visit Isle of Skye for it's beautiful beaches. Some of the best beaches in Scotland are found on the Isle of Skye. The rugged coastline feels pristine and undiscovered. Some of the best beaches include Coral Beach, Talisker Bay Beach, Rubha Shlèite Beach, and Camasunary Bay.

Inner Hebrides is considered a top beach destination. The islands offer a truly unexpected sight, with white sand beaches and blue waters. Some of the best beaches to visit include Calgary Beach on the Isle of Mull, Machir Bay on the Isle of Islay, and Coral Beach on the Isle of Skye.

Is Isle of Skye or Inner Hebrides Better for Hiking?

Isle of Skye is an unbeatable place for its hiking trails. Also, Inner Hebrides is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

People visit Isle of Skye specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. Hikes on the island range from family-friendly to some of the most challenging in Scotland. The setting is dramatic and beautiful and the hikes are a varied as the landscape. Some of the most popular hikes include the Fairy Pools, the Old Man of Storr, Neist Point Lighthouse, and the Quiraing.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Inner Hebrides. To fully experience the area's natural beauty, you really should go on a few hikes. The hikes are varied in landscape, length, and skill level. Some of the favorites include Beinn an Òir, Coire Dubh, and Ben More.

Is Isle of Skye or Inner Hebrides Better for Families?

Both Isle of Skye and Inner Hebrides are good family-friendly destinations.

Isle of Skye is a family-friendly island. Kids who love the outdoors will enjoy many of the kid-friendly hikes in the area. Favorites include the Old Man of Storr Hike and the Brother’s Point Hike. Other fun family-friendly places to visit include the Isle of Skye Fairy Glen, the Fairy Pools, and Slipway Beach.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Inner Hebrides. Beaches, wildlife spotting, and boat tours all make for a fun adventure for the whole family. These islands offer a unique and truly rewarding experience that is fun for everyone.

Is Isle of Skye or Inner Hebrides Better for Couples?

Isle of Skye and Inner Hebrides both superb destinations for a couple.

Isle of Skye makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With beautiful hikes and impressive castles, this island makes a stunning romantic getaway. There are beautiful viewpoints and coastal backdrops that make for a perfect couples getaway.

Couples visit Inner Hebrides frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples who want to move at a slower pace and soak up natural beauty will appreciate these islands. There are sandy beaches, welcoming communities, and spectacular views that offer both romance and a little adventure.

Is Isle of Skye or Inner Hebrides Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Isle of Skye is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Inner Hebrides is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Isle of Skye is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are many beautiful places to camp, so backpackers will enjoy hiking during the day and sleeping under the stars at night.

Inner Hebrides is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. The islands have some campsites that let you fully enjoy the area's stunning natural beauty.

Is Isle of Skye or Inner Hebrides Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Inner Hebrides is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Isle of Skye is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Inner Hebrides. Ferries and some local buses are available. It's also possible to find there-and-back day cruises to the islands.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Isle of Skye. There are local bus routes on the island that are operated by Stagecoach.

For even more information, also check out Is Isle of Skye Worth Visiting? and Is Inner Hebrides Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Inner Hebrides or Isle of Skye?

How long in Isle of Skye or Inner Hebrides?

In either Isle of Skye or Inner Hebrides, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Isle of Skye has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Isle of Skye than Inner Hebrides. In general, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Isle of Skye, and 3-5 days is enough time in Inner Hebrides.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Isle of Skye than Inner Hebrides 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 Isle of Skye.

One day in Isle of Skye or Inner Hebrides?

In Isle of Skye, you'll find food. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Inner Hebrides, many people enjoy the food that this peaceful islands offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Isle of Skye or Inner Hebrides?

Isle of Skye is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Inner Hebrides is a fun place to experience. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

Five days in Isle of Skye or Inner Hebrides?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Isle of Skye. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. It offers something for everyone. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Inner Hebrides, many people enjoy the food that this stunning destination offers. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A week in Isle of Skye or Inner Hebrides?

Travelers enjoy the food when visiting the island of Isle of Skye. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. 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.

Inner Hebrides is a popular place to visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 3-Day Tours from London, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from London.

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

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