A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Southampton vs. Edinburgh for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Southampton or Edinburgh?

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

Should I visit Southampton or Edinburgh? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Southampton

Southampton is a waterfront, dynamic, and up-and-coming port city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a character-filled, vibrant, and gothic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and theater.

Southampton and Edinburgh: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Southampton or Edinburgh?

You'll generally find more things to do in Edinburgh than Southampton. Edinburgh is bigger than Southampton, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Edinburgh is better known for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Southampton is more popular for its food. Edinburgh is more touristy than Southampton and is known for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. Also, Edinburgh is famous for The Edinburgh Castle. Southampton is well known for its popularity as a cruise ship port as well as its focus watersports.

How is Southampton different from Edinburgh?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Southampton or Edinburgh?

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for its historical sights. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Edinburgh are world-renowned. The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland. There are also kid-friendly museums like Camera Obscura.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Southampton. Museums are a favorite activity in town. There are a surprising number of options including SeaCity Museum, the Tudor House and Garden, and Southampton City Art Gallery.

Is Southampton or Edinburgh Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is a great city for its theatre productions. However, Southampton is not a theatre destination.

While in town, many visitors enjoy seeing a show in Edinburgh. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Southampton is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Southampton or Edinburgh? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Southampton is a port city with good options for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Southampton has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. While most people used to pass through Southampton on their way somewhere else, the city now offers a dynamic food scene with local restaurants mixed with international options and even fine dining.

Edinburgh may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The city has some unique but famous dishes to try including haggis and black pudding. For slightly less intimidating options, check out the cullen skink, porridge, or smoked salmon. There are many fish and chips shops to choose from as well as a diversity of ethnic restaurants including Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian.

Is Southampton or Edinburgh Better for Nightlife?

Edinburgh is a great city for nightlife and partying. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Edinburgh has something for everybody. With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars and clubs to choose from as well as some of the country's oldest pubs. Tourists tend to frequent the Old Town area, but you'll find more locals if you head to the student and university areas.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Southampton. The nightlife scene is filled with restaurants, pubs, and bars as well as a few nightclubs mixed in.

Is Southampton or Edinburgh Better for Music?

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for its live music scene. However, Southampton is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Edinburgh. In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

Southampton is not a live music destination.

Is Southampton or Edinburgh Better for its Old Town?

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for its old town. However, Southampton does not have a historic old town.

Edinburgh offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The city's Old Town attracts international visitors who come to see the Edinburgh Castle, the quaint streets, and the many shops and cafes. The Royal Mile is a popular area with pubs and souvenir shops. It connects the castle to the Scottish Parliament.

Southampton does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Southampton or Edinburgh?

Edinburgh is a great city for its shopping opportunities. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its shopping areas.

Edinburgh is well-known for its shopping. Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds. In the Old Town, Victoria Street is filled with Harry Potter shops and tourist stores where you can pick up a kilt or Edinburgh sweatshirt.

Many visitors go to Southampton to go shopping. The city has two indoor shopping centers, as well as a range of markets and several independent vendors.

Is Southampton or Edinburgh Better for Families?

Edinburgh is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Edinburgh is very family-friendly. Kids will enjoy wandering down Victoria Street and popping in the Harry Potter shops. There are also a number of fascinating Harry Potter tours that take you through notable landmarks where J.K. Rowling was inspired to write these popular stories. You'll even visit Tom Riddle's gravesite. Other highlights that families will enjoy include Edinburgh Castle and the Edinburgh Dungeon, which is best for older kids or kids that enjoy a good scare. Younger kids will enjoy a trip the illusions museum, Camera Obscura, which also offers one of the best views of the city.

Southampton is a family-friendly place to visit. This cruise port city offers a handful of fascinating activities for kids including learning about the Mayflower and the Titanic. There are also many parks and gardens as well as the Mayflower Theater, which regularly has kid-family productions.

Is Southampton or Edinburgh Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Southampton and Edinburgh make for a excellent place to visit.

Southampton is a great port city if you're traveling as a couple. Museums, parks, gardens, and chartered boats all offer a romantic experience for couples visiting the area.

Edinburgh is a very popular place to visit for couples. With its castle and the Royal Mile, there are many romantic places to explore as a couple. There are also good restaurants and some nice hotels. Whether you're interested in history, food, or fun, this city makes for a great couples trip.

Is Southampton or Edinburgh Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Southampton is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Edinburgh is extremely popular for backpackers. The city has some good hostels and an active nightlife, so it's not hard to find other travelers to hang out with. It's a well visited city with many areas that attracted younger travelers or students.

Southampton is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Southampton or Edinburgh Better for Students?

Edinburgh is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Southampton is not popular with students.

Edinburgh is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

Southampton is not popular with students.

Is Southampton or Edinburgh Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Edinburgh is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Southampton is not known for its public transit.

While Edinburgh offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally limited in Southampton. There are buses around town that make some areas accessible even without a car.

Is Southampton or Edinburgh a more walkable city?

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Southampton is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for its ease of walking around.

Edinburgh is a very easy city to get around on foot. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

Southampton is a somewhat walkable port city. It's possible to walk in parts of Southampton but in general it's easier to take a taxi.

For even more information, also check out Is Southampton Worth Visiting? and Is Edinburgh Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Edinburgh or Southampton?

How long in Southampton or Edinburgh?

In either Southampton or Edinburgh, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Edinburgh than Southampton because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Southampton, and 2-5 days is enough time in Edinburgh.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Edinburgh than Southampton 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 Edinburgh.

One day in Southampton or Edinburgh?

You'll find shopping and museums around the port city of Southampton. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Southampton has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the gothic city of Edinburgh. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Southampton or Edinburgh?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the up-and-coming destination of Southampton. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this port city has to offer. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Visitors enjoy the museums and theater when visiting the character-filled destination of Edinburgh. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Southampton or Edinburgh?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the up-and-coming port city of Southampton. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Visitors enjoy the theater and nightlife when visiting the character-filled city of Edinburgh. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Southampton or Edinburgh?

Southampton is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many people enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting Edinburgh. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, The Best 10-Day Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best 2-Week Tours from London.

When comparing the travel costs between Southampton and Edinburgh, we can see that Edinburgh 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 Southampton Expensive? and Is Edinburgh Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Southampton or Edinburgh?

Edinburgh has a larger population, and is about 77% larger than the population of Southampton. When comparing the sizes of Southampton 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 Southampton 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 Southampton or Edinburgh in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Southampton and Edinburgh. Many visitors come to Southampton in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Edinburgh for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Southampton is a little warmer than Edinburgh in the summer. The daily temperature in Southampton averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Edinburgh fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

Southampton usually receives more sunshine than Edinburgh during summer. Southampton gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Edinburgh receives 163 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Southampton usually receives less rain than Edinburgh. Southampton gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Southampton or Edinburgh in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Southampton as well as Edinburgh. Most visitors come to Southampton for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Southampton is a little warmer than Edinburgh. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Southampton in October average around 12°C (53°F), and Edinburgh averages at about 10°C (49°F).

In the autumn, Southampton often gets more sunshine than Edinburgh. Southampton gets 107 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Edinburgh receives 90 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Southampton or Edinburgh in the Winter?

Both Edinburgh and Southampton are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Southampton because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year.

It's quite cold in Edinburgh in the winter. The weather in Southampton can be very cold. In January, Southampton is generally a little warmer than Edinburgh. Daily temperatures in Southampton average around 4°C (40°F), and Edinburgh fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Southampton usually receives more sunshine than Edinburgh during winter. Southampton gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Edinburgh receives 48 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Southampton usually receives less rain than Edinburgh. Southampton gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Southampton or Edinburgh in the Spring?

Both Edinburgh and Southampton during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Southampton this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Edinburgh for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Southampton is a little warmer than Edinburgh in the spring. The daily temperature in Southampton averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Edinburgh fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the spring, Southampton often gets more sunshine than Edinburgh. Southampton gets 147 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Edinburgh receives 132 hours of full sun.

Southampton usually gets more rain in April than Edinburgh. Southampton gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Edinburgh receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Edinburgh and Southampton