A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom York vs. Isle of Skye for Food, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit York or Isle of Skye?

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

Should I visit York or Isle of Skye? 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.

York

York is a historic, medieval, and fanciful city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Isle of Skye

Isle of Skye is a dramatic, scenic, and picturesque island. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for food, beaches, and hiking.

York and Isle of Skye: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in York or Isle of Skye?

Tourists will generally find more to do in York. Although York and Isle of Skye are both popular with visitors, York has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. York is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Isle of Skye is known for its beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. York is popular for its markets, old town, and its many ghost tours. It is also home to The Shambles. Isle of Skye is popular for its quaint fishing villages, scenic landscapes, and historic castles.

How is York different from Isle of Skye?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in York or Isle of Skye?

York is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Isle of Skye does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around York. Popular museums include the York Castle Museum, the National Railway Museum, Castle Howard, and JORVIK Viking Centre.

Isle of Skye does not have museums and landmarks.

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

York is terrific for its restaurants. Also, Isle of Skye is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Eat your way through York, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Meat pies, fudge, and fish and chips are just some of the culinary experiences you'll find here. The Shambles Market has vendors that sell a wide variety of cuisines. There are also food trucks throughout town that offer affordable and delicious meal options.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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.

Is York or Isle of Skye Better for Nightlife?

York is a very popular place for nightlife. However, Isle of Skye is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

York has a large number of nightlife venues. The young population and thriving tourist scene means there's no shortage of nightlife around town. Check out a pub or music venue to experience everything that city has to offer.

Isle of Skye is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is York or Isle of Skye Better for Beaches?

Isle of Skye is a well-known place for its beaches. However, York is not a beach destination.

Isle of Skye is considered a top beach destination. 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.

York is not a beach destination.

Is York or Isle of Skye Better for its Old Town?

York is terrific for its historic old town. However, Isle of Skye does not have a historic old town.

York has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The charming old town is filled with shops and restaurants. There are street performers, fudge shops, and all of the Harry Potter merchandise that a person could need.

Isle of Skye does not have a historic old town.

Is York or Isle of Skye Better for Hiking?

Isle of Skye is a world-class destination for the nearby hiking options. However, York is not a hiking destination.

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.

York is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in York or Isle of Skye?

York is a good destination for shopping. However, Isle of Skye is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in York. The old town has many great candy stores that sell fudge and other local specialties. There are also Harry Potter stores that sell potions, t-shirts, games, and more.

Isle of Skye is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is York or Isle of Skye Better for Families?

York is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Isle of Skye is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, York is very family-friendly. The city does an amazing job bringing history to life in a way that kids will enjoy. The JORVIK Viking Centre transports visitors back in time and introduces them to a fully immersive viking experience. The York Dungeon is great for older kids as long as they don't scare easily. Actors and special effects offer a terrifying and entertaining visit through a York dungeon. Harry Potter fans will enjoy exploring the potion shops and broomstick stores along the iconic Shambles, which is said to be an inspiration for J.K. Rowling's Diagon Alley.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Isle of Skye. 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.

Is York or Isle of Skye Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both York and Isle of Skye make for a superb place to visit.

York is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples can explore the history and entertainment venues that make York an enjoyable destination. There are museums, restaurants, and outdoor markets that make this a great weekend getaway.

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.

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

Both York and Isle of Skye are superb destinations for backpackers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit York. There are a few hostels around town as well as nightlife venues and entertainment spots that appeal to backpackers and younger travelers. For great and affordable food, grab a meal at one of the many food trucks around town.

Many backpackers visit Isle of Skye. There are many beautiful places to camp, so backpackers will enjoy hiking during the day and sleeping under the stars at night.

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

York is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Isle of Skye is lacking in good options for its public transit.

York has some public transit options. There is a reliable and efficient bus system around town.

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

Is York or Isle of Skye a more walkable city?

York is a good destination for its walkability. However, Isle of Skye is not a walkable destination.

York is somewhat walkable. The old town has many pedestrian streets that are easily explored on food.

Isle of Skye is not a walkable destination.

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

Should I spend more time in Isle of Skye or York?

How long in York or Isle of Skye?

In either York or Isle of Skye, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Isle of Skye than York because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for York, and 2-5 days is enough time in Isle of Skye.

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

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

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

One day in York or Isle of Skye?

In York, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this fanciful city offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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.

Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Isle of Skye. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in York or Isle of Skye?

York is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the food. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Isle of Skye is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the hiking. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in York or Isle of Skye?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of York. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the diverse destination of Isle of Skye. This island offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in York or Isle of Skye?

York is a popular place to visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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.

The diverse island of Isle of Skye offers food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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 10-Day Tours from London, The Best 10-Day Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 2-Week Tours from London, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh.

When comparing the travel costs between York and Isle of Skye, we can see that Isle of Skye 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 York Expensive? and Is Isle of Skye Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, York or Isle of Skye?

York has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Isle of Skye. When comparing the sizes of York and Isle of Skye, 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 York or Isle of Skye?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit York or Isle of Skye in the Summer?

Both Isle of Skye and York during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to York for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Isle of Skye because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

York is a little warmer than Isle of Skye in the summer. The daily temperature in York averages around 16°C (62°F) in July, and Isle of Skye fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the summer, York often gets more sunshine than Isle of Skye. York gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Isle of Skye receives 150 hours of full sun.

York usually gets less rain in July than Isle of Skye. York gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Isle of Skye receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit York or Isle of Skye in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both York and Isle of Skye. The autumn months attract visitors to York because of the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Isle of Skye this time of year.

In the autumn, York is a little warmer than Isle of Skye. Typically, the autumn temperatures in York in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Isle of Skye averages at about 9°C (49°F).

York usually receives more sunshine than Isle of Skye during autumn. York gets 112 hours of sunny skies, while Isle of Skye receives 82 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Isle of Skye receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, York usually receives less rain than Isle of Skye. York gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Isle of Skye receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit York or Isle of Skye in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to York as well as Isle of Skye. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to York this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Isle of Skye for the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Isle of Skye. It's quite cold in York in the winter. In January, York is generally cooler than Isle of Skye. Daily temperatures in York average around 4°C (39°F), and Isle of Skye fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, York often gets more sunshine than Isle of Skye. York gets 61 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Isle of Skye receives 41 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Isle of Skye. York usually gets less rain in January than Isle of Skye. York gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Isle of Skye receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit York or Isle of Skye in the Spring?

Both Isle of Skye and York are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Isle of Skye in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

York is a little warmer than Isle of Skye in the spring. The daily temperature in York averages around 8°C (46°F) in April, and Isle of Skye fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

York usually receives less sunshine than Isle of Skye during spring. York gets 151 hours of sunny skies, while Isle of Skye receives 168 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, York usually receives less rain than Isle of Skye. York gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Isle of Skye receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Isle of Skye and York