Is Edinburgh expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Edinburgh is expensive by European standards and one of the priciest UK cities outside London, mostly because of accommodation; in August, during the festivals, it is among the most expensive cities in Europe to sleep in. A careful traveller needs about £110 a day, a mid-range trip about £210, and food and transport are moderate compared with the bed.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | £60 | £110 | £250 |
| Food & drink | £30 | £55 | £110 |
| Sights & tickets | £15 | £40 | £80 |
| Local transport | £4 | £6 | £20 |
| Per person, per day | £109 | £211 | £460 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Edinburgh day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Coffee (flat white) in a café | £3–4 |
| Pint of beer in a pub | £5.50–7 |
| Haggis roll or Scotch pie | £2–6 |
| Takeaway fish supper | £10–14 |
| Lothian bus single | about £2 (daily cap with contactless) |
| Edinburgh Castle | about £20–25 |
| Dram of a common single malt | £5–9 |
| Taxi from the airport to the centre | roughly £25–35 |
| Mid-range dinner for two with wine | £70–100 |
| 3★ double room, high season | £150–250 (much more in August) |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation takes the largest share: about £60 a night per person sharing a budget double and £110 mid-range, with prices in the Old Town and New Town rising steeply from June to August and often doubling or more during the August festivals and Hogmanay. Food and drink are about £30 a day on a budget and £55 mid-range. The big paid sights (the Castle, Holyroodhouse, the Royal Yacht Britannia, Mary King's Close) cost about £20–25 each, but the national museums and galleries are free, and buses and trams are inexpensive. Edinburgh has also introduced a visitor levy on overnight stays from summer 2026, which adds a percentage to accommodation bills; check the current rate when you book.
When it is cheaper
Rooms are cheapest from November to March (except Christmas and Hogmanay), often roughly 30–50% below summer prices, and far below August rates. Sight and transport prices stay the same all year.
How to spend less
- Book accommodation months ahead for summer, and avoid August and New Year unless you are coming for the festivals.
- Use the free National Museum of Scotland, the Scottish National Gallery and the Portrait Gallery to fill rainy hours.
- Pay bus fares contactless: daily caps mean you never pay more than a day ticket, whatever you ride.
- Book the Castle online for a timed slot; the first slot of the day is quieter.
- Eat a few minutes off the Royal Mile (Cockburn Street, the Grassmarket side streets, the Southside or Stockbridge), where prices are lower and food better.
- Buy whisky at specialist shops or distillery visits rather than in Royal Mile shops selling ordinary bottles as rare or 'exclusive'.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Common questions
How much money do I need per day in Edinburgh?
About £110 per person on a budget (sharing a budget double), about £210 mid-range and about £460 for comfort. August costs much more because of accommodation.
Why is Edinburgh so expensive in August?
The Fringe, the International Festival and the Tattoo bring hundreds of thousands of visitors, and room prices often double or triple. Book many months ahead.
Is there a tourist tax in Edinburgh?
Yes. Edinburgh's visitor levy, a percentage added to overnight accommodation, applies to stays from summer 2026. Check the current rate and rules with your hotel.