A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Outer Hebrides vs. Glencoe for Hiking, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Outer Hebrides or Glencoe?

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 Outer Hebrides and Glencoe. 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.

Outer Hebrides

Outer Hebrides is a remote, stunning, and spectacular archipelago. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include hiking, food, and beaches.

Glencoe

Glencoe is a serene, beautiful, and picturesque village. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include food and hiking.

Outer Hebrides and Glencoe: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Outer Hebrides or Glencoe?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Outer Hebrides than Glencoe, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Outer Hebrides is better known for its food, beaches, and hiking, while Glencoe is more popular for its nightlife and impressive beauty. Glencoe is more touristy than Outer Hebrides and is popular for its mountaineering, hiking, and beautiful natural setting. Outer Hebrides is well known for its scenic beauty, fresh seafood, and distilleries. Also, Outer Hebrides is famous for Barra.

How is Outer Hebrides different from Glencoe?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is the Food Better in Outer Hebrides or Glencoe? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Outer Hebrides is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Glencoe is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Outer Hebrides is an experience not to be missed. You'll find plenty of seafood, smokehouses, distilleries and crofting produce in the area. Most islands have independent restaurants as well as pubs and other local eateries to choose from.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Glencoe. Local specialties include seafood and pub food. You'll also find plenty of whisky and local beer. There are a variety of dining options with local pubs alongside fine dining restaurants.

Is Outer Hebrides or Glencoe Better for Nightlife?

Glencoe is a decent place to visit for nightlife. However, Outer Hebrides is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Glencoe. There are a handful of bars where you can relax with local whisky or beer.

Outer Hebrides is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Outer Hebrides or Glencoe Better for Beaches?

Outer Hebrides is well known for the beach. However, Glencoe is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Outer Hebrides attract visitors from all over. From white sand beaches to hidden coves, you'll enjoy a completely serene beach experience on these islands. You can get lost in the nature and soak up the surprisingly blue waters at any of the remote beaches. Favorite beaches in the area include Vatersay Bay, Coilleag a’Phrionnsa, West Coast Beach, and Crabhadail.

Glencoe is not a beach destination.

Is Outer Hebrides or Glencoe Better for Hiking?

Outer Hebrides is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. Also, Glencoe is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

Around Outer Hebrides visitors will find world-class hiking trails. The islands offer some of the area's best hiking. You'll pass by stunning beaches, see unique wildlife, and enjoy a remote and tranquil setting. Follow the Hebridean Way, which covers the full length of the archipelago. It spans 156 miles and goes through 10 islands with 2 ferry trips.

Many visitors go to Glencoe for the hiking trails. The area has dramatic hikes and stunning landscapes. Some of the best walks through the countryside include Inchree Falls, Grey Mare's Tail & Mamore Lodge, and The Two Lairigs.

Is Outer Hebrides or Glencoe Better for Families?

Glencoe is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Outer Hebrides is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Glencoe is a very family-friendly destination. Take a steam train along the Harry Potter Line. You'll feel like you're aboard the Hogwarts Express. You can also visit the Natural History Center, hike around the Glencoe National Nature Center, or visit the Glencoe Folk Museum.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Outer Hebrides. The beautiful outdoor setting is great for kids and adults alike. There are beaches to explore as well as kid-friendly museums. You can also try your hand at digging for cockles or head out on the water to watch for dolphins.

Is Outer Hebrides or Glencoe Better for Couples?

Outer Hebrides and Glencoe both very good destinations for a couple.

Outer Hebrides makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Go island hopping and discover the countless beautiful beaches. You can take a boat trip or simply soak up the peaceful coastal setting.

Couples visit Glencoe frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples who enjoy nature, hiking, and stunning scenery will enjoy a visit to this beautiful area.

Is Outer Hebrides or Glencoe Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Outer Hebrides is a archipelago with good options for backpackers. However, Glencoe is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Outer Hebrides is a good archipelago to visit for backpackers. You'll need to take either a plane of ferry to reach the islands but once you're there you can camp and hike and soak up the tranquil setting.

Glencoe is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It can be challenging to reach without a car and the surrounding countryside also requires a vehicle. There is some great camping available in the area.

Is Outer Hebrides or Glencoe Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find respectable public transit in both Outer Hebrides and Glencoe.

Public transit is mostly limited in Outer Hebrides. There are buses that run doing the day between Monday and Saturday. In Stornoway you may be able to find some evening buses as well.

Public transit is generally limited in Glencoe. There are local buses, but it's much easier to make the most of your visit if you have a vehicle.

Is Outer Hebrides or Glencoe a more walkable city?

Glencoe is a decent place to visit for its walkability. However, Outer Hebrides is not a walkable destination.

Glencoe is generally not a very walkable village. It's easier to fully experience the area if you have your own vehicle.

Outer Hebrides is not a walkable destination.

For even more information, also check out Is Outer Hebrides Worth Visiting? and Is Glencoe Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Glencoe or Outer Hebrides?

How long in Outer Hebrides or Glencoe?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Outer Hebrides and Glencoe. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Outer Hebrides than in Glencoe. Usually, 4-10 days is a good amount of time for Outer Hebrides, and 1-3 days is enough time in Glencoe.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Outer Hebrides than Glencoe 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 Outer Hebrides.

One day in Outer Hebrides or Glencoe?

In Outer Hebrides, you'll find food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This archipelago offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Glencoe, you'll find food. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Outer Hebrides or Glencoe?

In Outer Hebrides, you'll find food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Glencoe is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Outer Hebrides or Glencoe?

Outer Hebrides is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Outer Hebrides has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Glencoe. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Outer Hebrides or Glencoe?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Outer Hebrides. In Outer Hebrides, you'll find food. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Travelers enjoy the food when visiting the village of Glencoe. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United Kingdom, The Best Luxury Tours to United Kingdom, and The Best Budget Tours to United Kingdom.

When comparing the travel costs between Outer Hebrides and Glencoe, we can see that Outer Hebrides is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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