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Edinburgh or London? An honest comparison
The short answer
Pick London if this is your first UK trip, you are travelling with children or you want the big free museums, theatre and the widest food scene. Pick Edinburgh for a compact, dramatic city of three or four days with castle, Old Town and hills you can walk up. On our mid-range numbers Edinburgh is slightly cheaper, but not by much.
Edinburgh: suits couples, solo travellers and photographers who want a walkable historic city with great views and whisky in a short break.
London: suits first-timers and families who want world-class museums, theatre, shopping and food from every corner of the world.
Side by side
| Edinburgh | London | |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-range day* | €248 £211 local | €257 £219 local |
| Budget day* | €128 | €133 |
| Value for money | ●●●●●Mid-range about £211 (€247) per day; August prices jump | ●●●●●Mid-range about £219 (€256) per day, offset by free museums |
| Crowds (5 = calm) | ●●●●●Royal Mile is packed, and August festival season is extreme | ●●●●●Major sights and the Tube are busy almost all year |
| Food | ●●●●●Good Scottish produce, seafood in Leith and a strong restaurant scene | ●●●●●Huge range of world cuisines, markets and every price level |
| Nightlife | ●●●●●Friendly pubs, whisky bars and live music in a small area | ●●●●●Endless choice of bars, clubs, gigs and West End theatre |
| Family-friendly | ●●●●●Castle and Arthur's Seat appeal; steep streets and weather can tire kids | ●●●●●Many free museums, parks and attractions designed for children |
| Getting around | ●●●●●Compact centre, easy to walk, plus trams and buses | ●●●●●Tube and buses reach everywhere, but distances are large |
| Best months | year-round, see below | Aug |
| Warmest / coolest | Jul 19°C / Jan 6°C | Jul 23°C / Jan 7°C |
| Known for | Castle on volcanic rock, Royal Mile, whisky tastings, and Arthur's Seat views. | Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, free world-class museums, West End theatre |
* Per person per day with two sharing a room: bed, food, sights and local transport, from our Edinburgh and London day-cost tables (approximate 2026 prices; other currencies converted at recent rates). Ratings are our editorial judgement.
Which one should you pick?
Pick Edinburgh if…
- you have three or four days and want to walk everywhere
- you want castle, Old Town and hill views in one compact city
- you want to add a Highlands day trip
- Whisky, pubs and live folk music appeal more than big-city clubs
Pick London if…
- It is your first time in the UK
- you are travelling with children and want free museums
- you want theatre, shopping and a huge food choice
- you plan day trips to Oxford, Windsor or Bath
Weather month by month
| Month | Edinburgh high / rainy days | London high / rainy days |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 6°C · 13 | 7°C · 12 |
| Feb | 8°C · 13 | 10°C · 9 |
| Mar | 9°C · 15 | 11°C · 14 |
| Apr | 10°C · 12 | 13°C · 8 |
| May | 14°C · 16 | 17°C · 13 |
| Jun | 18°C · 10 | 22°C · 10 |
| Jul | 19°C · 17 | 23°C · 12 |
| Aug | 18°C · 13 | 22°C · 7 |
| Sep | 17°C · 13 | 21°C · 10 |
| Oct | 13°C · 19 | 17°C · 14 |
| Nov | 10°C · 14 | 11°C · 12 |
| Dec | 7°C · 16 | 9°C · 12 |
Average daily high and number of rainy days. Copernicus ERA5, 2021–2023.
What you will eat
Edinburgh
Haggis, neeps and tatties · Cullen skink · Fish supper · Full Scottish breakfast · Mussels · Scotch pie
Where: Edinburgh Farmers' Market (Castle Terrace), Stockbridge Market, Leith (The Shore and Leith Walk), Grassmarket and Victoria Street
London
Fish and chips · Salt beef bagel · Pie and mash · Full English breakfast · Sunday roast · Curry
Where: Borough Market (Southwark), Brick Lane and Whitechapel, Old Spitalfields Market, Maltby Street Market (Bermondsey)
Doing both in one trip
7 days: 4 in London + 3 in Edinburgh
Start in London, where most international flights land, and finish in Edinburgh; you can fly home from Edinburgh airport and avoid backtracking.
Getting between them: Direct trains from London King's Cross to Edinburgh Waverley take about 4 h 20 to 4 h 40 and go city centre to city centre. The Caledonian Sleeper runs overnight from London Euston. Flights take about 1 h 20 plus airport transfers, so the train is usually as quick door to door. Book train tickets early for the lowest fares. Distance about 534 km as the crow flies. Check current timetables.
- Day 1–4: London — Westminster, Tower of London, British Museum, South Bank, a West End show
- Day 5: Morning train to Edinburgh, Old Town and the Royal Mile in the afternoon
- Day 6: Edinburgh Castle, Arthur's Seat, Stockbridge or Leith
- Day 7: Day trip towards the Highlands or Fife, fly home from Edinburgh
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Common questions
Is Edinburgh or London cheaper?
On our mid-range numbers Edinburgh is a little cheaper, at about £211 (€247) per person per day against about £219 (€256) for London. The gap is small and flips in August, when Edinburgh's festival season pushes hotel prices far above normal. In London, the free national museums and galleries help bring the daily cost down if you plan around them.
How long does it take to get from London to Edinburgh?
Direct trains from King's Cross take roughly 4 h 20 to 4 h 40 to Edinburgh Waverley, right in the centre. Flying takes about 1 h 20 in the air but adds airport transfers and security, so total time is similar. The Caledonian Sleeper from Euston is an overnight alternative that saves a hotel night. Book early for cheaper advance fares.
Is Edinburgh worth visiting in August?
Only if you want the festivals. In August the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the International Festival and the Military Tattoo fill the city with performances, which is exciting but means crowds and very high accommodation prices booked months ahead. For a calmer visit with longer daylight, May, June and September are better, though the weather is never guaranteed.
How many days do I need in each city?
Edinburgh works well in two to three full days, plus one more if you want a Highlands or coastal day trip. London needs at least four days for the main sights and museums, and a week does not feel long. For a first UK trip of a week, four days in London and three in Edinburgh is a balanced split.