Should I Visit Moscow or Edinburgh for Vacation? Which is Better? Which is Cheaper? Which is More Expensive?

Should you visit Moscow or Edinburgh?

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 Moscow and Edinburgh. 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.

Where Should I go: Moscow or Edinburgh?

Moscow

Moscow is the capital of Russia and is notable for its important role in history. It's a very sprawling city with many museums and fascinating buildings. Ten percent of Russia's population lives in this capital city and it's a financial and political center for the country. The Moskva River weaves its way through the city and you will find most of the city's sights and attractions on the northern side of the river.

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.

Which city is cheaper, Edinburgh or Moscow?

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

Moscow Prices
Russia Prices

Edinburgh Prices
UK Prices
Average Daily Cost Per person, per day

Moscow $61

Edinburgh $140

The average daily cost (per person) in Moscow is $61, while the average daily cost in Edinburgh is $140. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Moscow and Edinburgh in more detail.

Accommodation

Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person

Moscow $38

Edinburgh $74
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room

Moscow $76

Edinburgh $148

Compare Hotels in Moscow and Edinburgh

Looking for a hotel in Moscow 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: Moscow Hotel Prices and Edinburgh Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation

Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.

Moscow $5.94

Edinburgh $16

Typical Local Transportation prices in Moscow

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Moscow are as follows:

Two Metro Passes

$1.77

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Moscow

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

Yellow Drive - Vnukovo - Moscow - Vnukovo Transfers: $157
Yellow Drive - Domodedovo Airport Transfers: $135
Yellow Drive - Airport Transfers: $93
Ultra - Moscow Private Airport Transfer City Centre to Sheremetyevo Airport SVO: $9.41
Ultra - Moscow Private Airport Transfer - City Center to Domodedovo Intl Airport: $8.71
Transfer from Moscow to the Golden Ring (Ideal for Backpackers On a Shoestring!): $167
The Kremlin & Cathedrals Private Tour (with roundtrip transfer): $299
Sergiev Posad private tour with transfer from Moscow: $143
Round Trip Vnukovo Airport (VKO) Transfer to Moscow City Center: $58
Round Trip Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO) Transfer to Moscow City Center: $58
Round Trip Domodedovo Airport (DME) Transfer to Moscow City Center: $58
Private transfer from the Moscow center hotel to Sheremetyevo Airport: $34

Typical Local Transportation prices in Edinburgh

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Edinburgh:

Local Bus

$4.33

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Edinburgh

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

VIP Airport Transfer: $103
Round Trip Edinburgh Airport (EDI) Transfer to Edinburgh City Center: $58
Private luxury transfer from Edinburgh to Edinburgh Airport: $28
Private luxury transfer from Edinburgh Airport to Edinburgh: $28
Private Transfer: Edinburgh to Edinburgh Airport (EDI): $75
Private Transfer: Edinburgh Airport (EDI) to Edinburgh: $75
Private One-Way Transfer From Edinburgh Airport to City Center: $116
Private Minibus Transfer - Edinburgh Airport to Edinburgh City: $241
Private Edinburgh city to Edinburgh Airport transfer - Or airport to city: $45
Private Edinburgh Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to Airport: $29
Private Edinburgh Arrival Transfer - Airport to Hotel / Accommodation: $47
Private Arrival Transfer: Edinburgh Airport to City Hotel: $52

Is it cheaper to fly into Moscow or Edinburgh?

Prices for flights to both Edinburgh and Moscow 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

Moscow $14

Edinburgh $38

Typical Food prices in Moscow

For Moscow, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:

Lunch for Two

$7.22
Lunch in the Center Market

$3.94
Breakfast for 2

$13

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Moscow

For Moscow, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

Virtual Home Cooking with Russian Family: $22
Moscow Food Tour: $67
An evening at the monastery with dinner: $80
An Evening at the Monastery with Dinner: $85
Traditional Russian Cooking Class and Meal in Moscow with a Friendly Local: $91
Private Market Tour and Traditional Russian Cooking Class in Moscow: $101
Food Tour: $102
Traditional Russian Cooking Class and Meal in a Local Home in Moscow: $117
Traditional French-Russian Dinner in a Local's Home: $118
Moscow Metro and Russian Dinner Private tour: $127
Moscow River Cruise with Dinner and Lively Firework with a Private Guide: $133
Private food tour: Russian culinary culture: $144

Typical Food prices in Edinburgh

For Edinburgh, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:

Breakfast

$10
Dinner at Filling Station

$12
Lunch for Two

$18
Sandwich

$2.23
Cheese & bread

$8.70
Thai Restaurant Dinner (for 2)

$30
2 Coffees and Scones

$6.98
Turkish Delight

$1.68
Soup at the Pub

$7.10

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Edinburgh

For Edinburgh, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

Scottish Classic Desserts private cooking class with professional chef: $66
Discover Royal Mile-Old Town & ENJOY Indian Dinner ~ Walking Tour!: $79
3-Hour Guided Secret Food Tour: $94
Vegetarian/Vegan Curry Cooking Class – pure comfort food for the soul!: $97
Curry Around The World Cooking Class: $97
Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Edinburgh: $106
Relaxing Handmade Pasta with meal and wine - Safe Cooking Class: $110
Vegetarian/Vegan Curry Private Cooking Class with professional chef: $116
"Curry Around The World" Private Cooking Class with professional chef: $116
Private Food Tour with a Local Expert including 10 Tastings in Edinburgh: $136
Handmade Pasta Cooking Class & Dinner with professional chef for private groups: $137
3-Hour Secret Food Tour in Edinburgh w/ Private Tour Option: $228

Entertainment

Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.

Moscow $15

Edinburgh $19

Typical Entertainment prices in Moscow

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

Theater Tickets

$15
Kremlin Entry (2)

$13

Tours and Activities in Moscow

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

"Moscow Versailles" Kuskovo estate Private Tour: $249
'Communist Moscow' walking tour: $240
1 Day City Tour in Moscow city: $300
1-Day Tour of Moscow: $367
1-day Moscow Tour (Top sights: Kremlin, Red Square, Arbat street, etc.): $357
1-day Tour to Saint-Petersburg from Moscow (Hermitage Museum and Peterhof): $709
1-day Tour to Saint-Petersburg from Moscow (Hermitage Museum and sights tour): $840
1-hour scenic Moscow River Cruise: $18
10-Day Climbing Tour to Elbrus Mountain the Highest in Europe: $1,649
12-Day River Cruise on a 3-Star Ship from Moscow: $2,373
14-Day River Cruise along the Volga from Moscow to Astrakhan: $3,029
15-Day Altai Mountains Horse Riding Tour from Moscow: $2,201

Typical Entertainment prices in Edinburgh

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

Show Tickets

$39
Movie Tickets for Two

$14
Donation for Storytellers

$7.22

Tours and Activities in Edinburgh

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

1 Day Malt Whisky, Craft Gin, & Craft Beer Tour: $116
1 day Outlander tour: $723
2 Day Loch Ness, Glencoe, Glenfinnan Viaduct & St Andrews Tour: $123
2 Days Private Custom Tour of Scotland from Edinburgh: $1,104
2 Hours Ghost Tour - English Tour Guide: $18
2-Day Highlands and Loch Ness Tour from Edinburgh: $228
2-Day Inverness and the Highlands Small Group Tour from Edinburgh: $112
2-Day Lake District Tour from Edinburgh: $344
2-Day Loch Ness and Inverness Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh: $237
2-Day Outlander Experience Small Group Tour from Edinburgh: $248
2-hour Whisky Tasting Tour of Edinburgh: $54
3 Day / 2 Night Scottish Highland Experience from Edinburgh: $446

Alcohol

Alcohol Drinks for one day

Moscow $7.63

Edinburgh $15

Sample the Local Flavors in Moscow

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Moscow:

Pub Crawl by Soviet Van: $76
Pub Crawl Moscow Guided Tour in Classic Soviet Van: $79
Private Wine Tour in Moscow with History, Architecture and Friendly Local Guide: $121

Typical Alcohol prices in Edinburgh

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Edinburgh from other travelers:

Beer & Wine

$17
Half Pint at Tollbooth Tavern

$1.99
Pint of Beer

$4.21

Sample the Local Flavors in Edinburgh

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

The Orange Pub Crawl - Edinburgh: $18
Edinburgh Brewery Tour: $22
Holyrood Distillery Gin and Whisky Guided Tour: $24
Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour: $24
Guided Gin Tasting at 56 North Distillery: $34
Pickering's Gin Distillery Tour with Gin Tastings: $34
Loch Lomond, Stirling, and Glengoyne Distillery Tour from Edinburgh: $52
Rosslyn Chapel, Scottish Borders & Glenkinchie Distillery from Edinburgh: $54
Loch Ness, Highlands and Whisky Distillery Day Tour from Edinburgh: $66
Bike, beers and brewery tour: $90
Edinburgh and Golf and Distillery Tour with Private Driver: $259
Whisky Distillery Tour from Edinburgh by Private Vehicle: $284

About these numbers

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

When is the best time to visit Moscow 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 Moscow or Edinburgh in the Summer?

Both Edinburgh and Moscow are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Moscow is a little warmer than Edinburgh. Typically, the summer temperatures in Moscow in July are around 19°C (67°F), and Edinburgh is about 14°C (58°F).

In July, Moscow usually receives more rain than Edinburgh. Moscow gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Summer Average Temperatures July

Moscow 19°C (67°F)

Edinburgh 14°C (58°F)

Should I visit Moscow or Edinburgh in the Autumn?

Both Edinburgh and Moscow during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year.

In October, Moscow is generally much colder than Edinburgh. Temperatures in Moscow average around 6°C (43°F), and Edinburgh stays around 10°C (49°F).

Moscow usually gets less rain in October than Edinburgh. Moscow gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Autumn Average Temperatures October

Moscow 6°C (43°F)

Edinburgh 10°C (49°F)

Should I visit Moscow or Edinburgh in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Moscow and Edinburgh. Furthermore, many travelers come to Edinburgh for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Edinburgh. It's quite cold in Moscow in the winter. Moscow is much colder than Edinburgh in the winter. The temperature in Moscow is usually -8°C (17°F) in January, and Edinburgh stays around 3°C (38°F).

In January, Moscow usually receives less rain than Edinburgh. Moscow gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Winter Average Temperatures January

Moscow -8°C (17°F)

Edinburgh 3°C (38°F)

Should I visit Moscow or Edinburgh in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Moscow as well as Edinburgh. Additionally, many visitors come to Edinburgh in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Moscow is around the same temperature as Edinburgh. Typically, the spring temperatures in Moscow in April are around 7°C (45°F), and Edinburgh is about 7°C (45°F).

Moscow usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Edinburgh. Moscow gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Spring Average Temperatures April

Moscow 7°C (45°F)

Edinburgh 7°C (45°F)

Typical Weather for Edinburgh and Moscow

	Moscow		Edinburgh
	Temp (°C)	Rain (mm)	Temp (°C)	Rain (mm)
Jan	-8°C (17°F)	45 mm (1.8 in)	3°C (38°F)	61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb	-7°C (20°F)	37 mm (1.5 in)	3°C (38°F)	41 mm (1.6 in)
Mar	-1°C (30°F)	34 mm (1.3 in)	5°C (41°F)	58 mm (2.3 in)
Apr	7°C (45°F)	40 mm (1.6 in)	7°C (45°F)	40 mm (1.6 in)
May	14°C (57°F)	58 mm (2.3 in)	10°C (49°F)	46 mm (1.8 in)
Jun	18°C (64°F)	76 mm (3 in)	13°C (55°F)	50 mm (2 in)
Jul	19°C (67°F)	92 mm (3.6 in)	14°C (58°F)	56 mm (2.2 in)
Aug	18°C (64°F)	74 mm (2.9 in)	14°C (58°F)	58 mm (2.3 in)
Sep	12°C (54°F)	64 mm (2.5 in)	12°C (54°F)	63 mm (2.5 in)
Oct	6°C (43°F)	58 mm (2.3 in)	10°C (49°F)	67 mm (2.6 in)
Nov	-0°C (32°F)	58 mm (2.3 in)	5°C (42°F)	54 mm (2.1 in)
Dec	-5°C (23°F)	52 mm (2 in)	4°C (39°F)	64 mm (2.5 in)

A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Moscow vs. Edinburgh for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons