Is Edinburgh expensive to visit?
Edinburgh is a popular destination that is also moderately priced. It falls in the middle range of travel cost prices globaly with a daily average travel cost of $177. If we compare it to the rest of Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a moderately priced place to visit. It ranks in the top 50% of cities in Europe for its travel costs. Its travel costs are comparable with places such as Cologne and Bath.
Edinburgh
How expensive is Edinburgh?
Travelers spend an average of $177 per day when visiting Edinburgh (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations which come from the expenses of previous visitors. While this is an average cost, prices can vary by travel style, the length of your trip, and other factors. You can stay fairly close to this average if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and take public transportation when possible. See more travel costs for Edinburgh here.
How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Edinburgh?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a weekend trip to Edinburgh costs around $531 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $1,063.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Edinburgh?
Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one week trip to Edinburgh will cost around $1,240 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one week trip would cost $2,480.
Is it expensive to backpack in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh is a popular backpacker destination with more than 20 hostels. Dorm beds in hostels cost, on average, $25 per night. (See hostel prices in Edinburgh here.) You'll find quite a range in prices here, too. The most expensive beds are priced around $54 and the cheapest around $14 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Edinburgh.
- $24 for a dorm bed at Castle Rock Hostel
- $14 for a dorm bed at Edinburgh Backpackers
- $20 for a dorm bed at Kick Ass Greyfriars
Are hotels expensive in Edinburgh?
If you're considering hotel prices in Edinburgh, you'll find them to be fairly even and moderate in price compared to hotels in other cities. On average, a night in a hotel room here will set you back approximately $129. In Edinburgh, there are about 23 five-star hotels with an average nightly rate of $234. For a more affordable option, three-star hotels come in at an average of $116 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more economical choice at $93 per night.
Hotels by star rating in Edinburgh
| Rating | Number of Hotels | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|---|
| 5 stars | 23 | $234 |
| 4 stars | 125 | $165 |
| 3 stars | 138 | $116 |
| 2 stars | 37 | $93 |
| 1 star | 8 | $154 |
| No rating | 4 | $191 |
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Edinburgh?
In Edinburgh, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $25 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is more than the country's average of $0.
- Edinburgh Castle: Highlights Tour with Tickets, Map, and Guide: $44
- Small-Group Historic Coffee Tour in Edinburgh: $19
- Private Royal Mile walking tour - Discover the history of our most famous street: $108
- Edinburgh Whisky Walking Tour: $70
- Edinburgh City Walking Tour, Discover Old Town, Royal Mile with a Local Expert!: $61
- Edinburgh: Discover Edinburgh Walking Tour: $32
- Bespoke Itinerary Planning from an Experienced Tour Guide: $63
- Public guided tour of Edinburgh at a minimum price - in French: $38
Is food expensive in Edinburgh?
In Edinburgh, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $49 per day on food, which is more than the country's average of $46.
- 'Scotland meets Sardinia' - 8-course Dinner in Leith, Edinburgh: $110
- Edinburgh Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $120
- Edinburgh Food Tour with a Local Foodie Custom & Private: $167
- Edinburgh Holiday Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $90
- Edinburgh: 3-Hour Guided Secret Food Tour: $116
- Edinburgh: Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $31
Is transportation expensive in Edinburgh?
The prices of local transportation in Edinburgh can vary by the type of transit used. Other travelers have spent an average of $21 on local transportation per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $36. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
More for Edinburgh
If you're planning a trip to Edinburgh, UK, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
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.