Which place is cheaper, Edinburgh or Moscow?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see 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 dayMoscow $62Edinburgh $177
The average daily cost (per person) in Moscow is $62, while the average daily cost in Edinburgh is $177. 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 Moscow and Edinburgh in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMoscow $39Edinburgh $92
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMoscow $78Edinburgh $184
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: Edinburgh Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Moscow $6.06Edinburgh $21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Moscow
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Moscow are as follows:
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Two Metro Passes$1.45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Moscow
Also for Moscow, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Umban Sari to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $50
- Private Transfer from Tengkerang Barat to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $40
- Private Transfer from Tanjung Rhu to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $42
- Private Transfer from Tangkerang Labuai to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $40
- Private Transfer from Tanah Datar to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $42
- Private Transfer from Sri Meranti to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $64
- Private Transfer from Singkarak to Padang Airport (PDG): $167
- Private Transfer from Simpang Tiga to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $42
- Private Transfer from Sidomulyo Barat to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $40
- Private Transfer from Sei Selayur to Palembang Airport (PLM): $92
- Private Transfer from Pekanbaru City to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $42
- Private Transfer from Pekanbaru Airport (PKU) to Tengkerang Tengah: $40
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$4.48
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Edinburgh
Also for Edinburgh, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Edinburgh HTL-APT (EDI): $150
- Royal Highland Braemar Gathering, transfer from Edinburgh: $56
- Private Transfer from South Queensferry Port to Glasgow Hotels: $50
- Private Transfer from South Queensferry Port to Edinburgh hotels: $28
- Private Transfer from South Queensferry Port to Edinburgh Airport: $28
- Private Transfer from Newhaven Cruise Port to Edinburgh hotels: $28
- Private Transfer from Glasgow city or GLA Airport to Edinburgh city - Luxury Car: $214
- Private Transfer from Glasgow city or GLA Airport to Edinburgh by Luxury Van: $171
- Private Transfer from Glasgow city or GLA Airport to Edinburgh by Business Car: $157
- Private Transfer from Edinburgh to Gleneagles Hotel : $279
- Private Transfer from Edinburgh to Glasgow city or GLA Airport by Luxury Car: $216
- Private Transfer from Edinburgh Hotels to South Queensferry Port: $28
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
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Food Meals for one dayMoscow $14Edinburgh $49
Typical Food Prices in Moscow
For Moscow, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two$5.89
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Lunch in the Center Market$3.21
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Breakfast for 2$11
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$12
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Lunch for Two$19
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Sandwich$2.30
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Cheese & bread$9.01
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Thai Restaurant Dinner (for 2)$31
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2 Coffees and Scones$7.23
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Turkish Delight$1.74
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Soup at the Pub$7.35
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: $87
- Edinburgh Holiday Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $90
- 'Scotland meets Sardinia' - 8-course Dinner in Leith, Edinburgh: $110
- 3-Hour Guided Secret Food Tour: $114
- Edinburgh Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $120
- Edinburgh Food Tour for Families: $120
- The 10 Tastings of Edinburgh Private Food Tour: $148
- Edinburgh Food Tour with a Local Foodie Custom & Private: $167
- Private Edinburgh Food Tour of Old Town: $178
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Moscow $16Edinburgh $25
Typical Entertainment Prices in Moscow
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Moscow's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Theater Tickets$12
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Kremlin Entry (2)$11
Tours and Activities in Moscow
For Moscow, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Days Private Tour to See Bull Race and Raflesia Arnoldi Flower: $250
- Custom Private Tour in Palembang with English Speaking Driver: $85
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$7.47
Tours and Activities in Edinburgh
For Edinburgh, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1.5 hour Firth of Forth Sightseeing cruise: $23
- 2 Hour Holyrood Palace Private Walking Tour: $76
- 2-Day Highlands and Loch Ness Tour from Edinburgh: $260
- 2-Day Inverness and the Highlands Very Small Group Tour from Edinburgh: $227
- 2-Day Loch Lomond, West Highlands, Glencoe & Oban Tour: $164
- 3-Day Isle of Skye Inverness Highlands and Glenfinnan Viaduct Tour from Edinburgh: $233
- 3-Hour Private Edinburgh Castle Tour: $274
- 4 Hour Walking Tour Around Old Edinburgh's City Wall: $30
- Alnwick Castle and Scottish Borders Tour from Edinburgh: $71
- Alnwick Castle, Northumberland & Scottish Borders 1-Day Tour: $66
- Alnwick Castle, Northumberland and Borders Tour with Admission: $103
- Arthur's Seat In App Audio Tour: a Vertiginous Hike: $12
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMoscow $7.79Edinburgh $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$2.06
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
- Brewery Tour & Tasting: $18
- Edinburgh Bar Crawl: 5+ Venues, Free Shots, Free Club Entry: $19
- Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour with "Real-Actors": $25
- Guided Gin Tasting at 56 North Distillery: $28
- Lind & Lime Gin Distillery Tour & Tasting: $31
- Pickering's Gin Jolly Distillery Tasting Tour: $31
- Pub Crawl 7 Bars with 6 Shots: $31
- Pickering's Gin Jolly Distillery Tasting Tour: $32
- Visit a Working South Loch Gin Distillery: $32
- The Original Edinburgh Pub Crawl: $32
- 5 Hours Edinburgh Halloween Bar Crawl: $32
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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Moscow Expensive? and Is Edinburgh Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Moscow or Edinburgh?
Moscow has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Edinburgh. When comparing the sizes of Moscow 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 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 city activities, 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 average around 19°C (67°F), and Edinburgh averages at 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.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMoscow 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 city's sights and attractions, 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. Daily temperatures in Moscow average around 6°C (43°F), and Edinburgh fluctuates 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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMoscow 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 daily temperature in Moscow averages around -8°C (17°F) in January, and Edinburgh fluctuates 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.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMoscow -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 activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Moscow is around the same temperature as Edinburgh. Typically, the spring temperatures in Moscow in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Edinburgh averages at 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.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMoscow 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) |
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.