Edinburgh
All travel Destination Guide

Things to Do in Edinburgh

Everything you need for an unforgettable Edinburgh trip — skip-the-line tickets, airport transfers, hotels, car hire and cheap flights, all in one place.

Edinburgh is one of the world's most rewarding destinations — and planning your trip is simple when tickets, transfers, stays and flights all live in one place. Below you'll find hand-picked Edinburgh experiences and travel deals from trusted booking partners, refreshed regularly so you always see live availability and fair prices.

Where to stay

Hotels in Edinburgh: see today's live prices

Browse every hotel in Edinburgh on Trip.com with today's real prices, guest reviews and free cancellation on most rooms.

See hotels on Trip.com

Best areas to stay in Edinburgh

Pick the neighbourhood that fits your trip, then compare live hotel prices.

Area photos: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)

Old Town, Edinburgh
1 Old Town$$$
First-timers and sightseeing

Historic, lively, central

Walk to Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, and Waverley Station, with easy access to major sights and tours.

Hotels in Old Town
New Town, Edinburgh
2 New Town$$$
Shopping and restaurants

Elegant, central, polished

Stay near Princes Street, George Street, and easy tram or bus links, with museums and galleries close by.

Hotels in New Town
West End, Edinburgh
3 West End$$
Couples and business travelers

Quiet, upscale, convenient

Well placed for Haymarket Station, the tram to the airport, and a calmer base near the city centre.

Hotels in West End
Stockbridge, Edinburgh
4 Stockbridge$$
Foodies and longer stays

Village-like, relaxed, local

Enjoy cafés, markets, and riverside walks, with easy buses into the centre and a more residential feel.

Hotels in Stockbridge
In season now · October

Halloween & ghost tours in Edinburgh

Spooky walks, haunted history and night tours. Book early, these sell out fast this time of year.

Before you fly

Your Edinburgh trip checklist

0/3 done
  • Book with Airalo
  • Book with Kiwitaxi
  • Book with Viator

How much does a Edinburgh trip cost?

Adjust your trip and the estimate updates instantly.

Nights

4

Travellers

2

Travel style

Currency

  • FlightsLive

    Live fare from $38 pp

    $76
  • HotelTypical

    4 nights × 1 room

    $1,040
  • Airport transfersTypical

    Return trip × 1 car

    $170
  • Tours & ticketsTypical

    4 days × 2 people

    $480
  • Food & drinksTypical

    4 days × 2 people

    $600
  • Local transportTypical

    4 days × 2 people

    $96

Estimated total

$1,231 per person

$2,462

Typical costs are researched estimates, refreshed monthly. "Live" prices come from current partner fares. Exchange rates update daily.

Things to Do in Edinburgh

Tours, tickets and attractions

Skip-the-Line Tickets in Edinburgh
ExperiencesSkip-the-line entry Edinburgh
Tiqets

Skip-the-Line Tickets in Edinburgh

Museums, landmarks and top attractions in Edinburgh — instant mobile tickets with Tiqets, skip the queue.

View Deal
Things to Do in Edinburgh
ExperiencesBest-price guarantee Edinburgh
Klook

Things to Do in Edinburgh

Book top tours, attractions and activities in Edinburgh with Klook — instant mobile tickets and a best-price guarantee.

View Deal
Loch Ness and the Scottish Highlands Day Tour from Edinburgh
ExperiencesFree cancellation Edinburgh
Viator

Loch Ness and the Scottish Highlands Day Tour from Edinburgh

4.8(1,924 reviews)· 12h

Explore the enchanting landscapes of Scotland’s Highlands with Gray Line Scotland’s 5-Star Loch Ness and Highlands Day Tour. Our 12-hour adventure, covering over 500 km, will take you through the stunning mountains, enchanted glens, and to Scotland’s most legendary loch, bringing the mystery and ma

from$61
View Deal
Underground Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh Old Town
ExperiencesFree cancellation Edinburgh
Viator

Underground Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh Old Town

4.7(9,570 reviews)· 1h

Journey along Edinburgh's Royal Mile hearing some of Edinburgh's darker history before visiting the infamous hidden and supposedly haunted vaults beneath the South Bridge in Edinburgh Old Town. Hear tales of how the poor and unfortunate lived in these former slums. Explore these dimly lit vaults by

from$33
View Deal
Edinburgh Castle and Royal Mile Walking Tour - Ticket Included
ExperiencesFree cancellation Edinburgh
Viator

Edinburgh Castle and Royal Mile Walking Tour - Ticket Included

4.9(2,900 reviews)· 2h 15m

Make the most of your time in Edinburgh with our guided walking tour that combines a walk on the historic Royal Mile and a guided visit inside Edinburgh Castle (entry included). The tour will begin on the Royal Mile, where your guide will lead you through cobbled streets, sharing fascinating storie

from$72
View Deal
Edinburgh Castle Guided Walking Tour - Entry Tickets Included
ExperiencesFree cancellation Edinburgh
Viator

Edinburgh Castle Guided Walking Tour - Entry Tickets Included

4.9(5,907 reviews)· 1h 30m

We pre-collect your tickets so that our Castle Tour gives you easy access into Scotland's most iconic fortification. The 1h30 long tour will cover the 3000 year history of Edinburgh Castle and the significant role it has played in shaping Scotland. Tour leaves from our start point at 192 High Stre

from$53
View Deal
Edinburgh Castle Guided Tour Tickets Included
ExperiencesFree cancellation Edinburgh
Viator

Edinburgh Castle Guided Tour Tickets Included

4.9(2,336 reviews)· 1h 30m

Join us on an unforgettable journey through millennia as we explore the iconic Edinburgh Castle on a walking tour that will bring Scotland's rich history to life! As you explore, your knowledgeable guide will regale you with tales of battles won and lost, royalty and rebels, and the colourful chara

from$53
View Deal
Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe and The Highlands
ExperiencesFree cancellation Edinburgh
Viator

Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe and The Highlands

4.9(6,971 reviews)· 12h 30m

Mythical beasts, tall tales and dramatic scenery: explore the beauty of Scotland in a day on this one day coach tour. Leaving from Edinburgh, we head northwest passing famous landmarks such as Linlithgow Palace: birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, the mystical Kelpies, and the dramatically perched S

from$61
View Deal
Top attractions & tours in Edinburgh
Experiences Edinburgh
Trip.com

Top attractions & tours in Edinburgh

Skip-the-line tickets, day trips and tours in Edinburgh, with instant confirmation.

View Deal
Private Harry Potter, Glenfinnan Viaduct, Highland Edinburgh Tour
ExperiencesFree cancellation Edinburgh
Viator

Private Harry Potter, Glenfinnan Viaduct, Highland Edinburgh Tour

4.9(33 reviews)· 12h

Join us for a private tour as we embark on a truly magical Harry Potter themed pilgrimage through the heart of Scotland and into the Highlands. From a suitable vantage point, view the Hogwarts Express as it crosses the world-famous Glenfinnan Viaduct. Reflect at the poignant Commando Memorial. Mar

from$1,075
View Deal
The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour
ExperiencesFree cancellation Edinburgh
Viator

The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour

4.6(11,048 reviews)· 1h 15m

Experience the world's most haunted city on a ghost tour of Edinburgh and be spooked by one of the city's most infamous sons as they lead you around the dark side of the Old Town. Discover the hidden wynds (alleys) off the Royal Mile and hear some of Edinburgh’s horrifying secrets. Then, visit what

from$26
View Deal
Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket
ExperiencesFree cancellation Edinburgh
Viator

Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket

4.8(6,969 reviews)· 1h 30m

Scotland’s second-most-popular tourist attraction as you learn about the bloody history including stories of the kings and queens who lived in this castle. There is evidence of a fort here for almost 3000 years, and it has been a royal castle since at least King David I’s reign in the 12th century.

from$56
View Deal

Airport Transfers in Edinburgh

Get from the airport to your hotel, hassle-free

Airport Transfers in Edinburgh
TransferFixed price, no surge Edinburgh
Kiwitaxi

Airport Transfers in Edinburgh

Pre-book a private airport transfer in Edinburgh with Kiwitaxi — fixed price, flight tracking and no surge pricing.

View Deal

Where to Stay in Edinburgh

Hand-picked stays and live rates

Hotels in Edinburgh
HotelLive hotel prices Edinburgh
Trip.com

Hotels in Edinburgh

Browse every hotel in Edinburgh with today's real prices, guest reviews and free-cancellation options.

from$34
View Deal

Car Hire in Edinburgh

Compare rental cars at great prices

Car hire in Edinburgh: Fiat 500
Car Edinburgh
Europcar

Car hire in Edinburgh: Fiat 500

About US$140 in total for a 5-day rental (daily rate NZ$46.63 as quoted by Europcar). Converted to US$ at today's rate; tap for live availability and the final price.

US$28/day· US$140 for 5 days
View Deal
Car Hire in Edinburgh with GetRentacar
CarFree cancellation Edinburgh
GetRentacar

Car Hire in Edinburgh with GetRentacar

Compare rental cars from local and global suppliers in Edinburgh, with free cancellation on most bookings.

from$79/day
View Deal

Compare car & bike rentals for Edinburgh

2 trusted brands side by side. Check two or three to get the best deal.

GetRentacar

Best for: Flexible bookings

Cars · 10,000+ locations

from $79/day

Free cancellation

Localrent

Best for: Islands & local deals

Cars · Europe, Asia & islands

Local prices

Find the cheapest eSIM for Edinburgh

Real plan prices from each brand, cheapest first, for plans that last your whole trip.

Prices checked under 1h ago on each brand's site. Prices may change at checkout.

Edinburgh travel FAQ

What are the best things to do in Edinburgh?

The most popular Edinburgh experiences are skip-the-line attraction tickets, guided city tours and day trips. You can book them above with instant mobile tickets from trusted partners like Tiqets and Klook — no printing required.

How do I get from the airport to my hotel in Edinburgh?

A pre-booked private transfer is the easiest way to reach your Edinburgh hotel. You'll find fixed-price, meet-and-greet airport transfers in the section above, so there's no haggling with taxis when you land.

When is the best time to visit Edinburgh?

Edinburgh rewards visitors year-round, but the shoulder-season months usually offer the best mix of pleasant weather, thinner crowds and lower prices. Compare live hotel and flight prices above to find the cheapest dates for your trip.

Do I need a visa to visit Edinburgh?

Visa rules depend on your nationality and how long you stay, so always check your government's official travel advice before booking. Many travellers can enter visa-free or with a quick electronic authorisation.

How many days should I spend in Edinburgh?

Most travellers spend 3–5 days in Edinburgh to see the highlights without rushing. Booking your tours and transfers in advance helps you make the most of every day on the ground.

Explore more destinations

As featured on GKDeals