Travel budget in Scotland

Scotland: calculate your travel budget

Scotland: sample budgets by traveller type

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Scotland for 2 people.

Low budget
(backpacker)

Daily budget:

  • $ 90 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 15 per person
  • $ 11 per person
  • Free activities

Total budget:

$ 1947* (1554 £)

Average budget
(traveller)

Daily budget:

  • $ 169 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 43 per person
  • $ 18 per person
  • $ 13 per person

Total budget:

$ 4405* (3514 £)

High budget
(tourist)

Daily budget:

  • $ 182 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 78 per person
  • $ 31 per person
  • $ 26 per person

Total budget:

$ 6261* (4984 £)

* Estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks. This represents an average across the country (budget may vary depending on the city or region visited).



Cost of living in Scotland in 2024

Cost of living: Scotland VS United States

Compare with the average cost of living in:

On average, the cost of living in Scotland in 2024 is essentially the same as in the United States (USA)

The graphic below shows the percentage of variation between prices United States in in the United States (USA) and United States by types of expenses:

Cost of living in Scotland by city

See the table below for the variation in the cost of living in different cities in Scotland compared to the national average.

Cities /Scotland View Details
Edinburgh 21% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Edinburgh
Glasgow 9% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Glasgow
Dunfermline 4% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Dunfermline



Local prices in Scotland by expense type

Scotland: Restaurant budget

On average, budget for eating in a restaurant in Scotland costs 8% less than in the United States (USA).
Lunch
Lunch
$ 20/person
($ 13 to $ 39)

3% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 20
3 course dinner
3 course dinner
$ 41/person
($ 30 to $ 64)

10% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 37
McDonald's meal
McDonald's meal
$ 9/person
($ 8.1 to $ 11)

15% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11
Local beer
Local beer
$ 6 for 500ml
($ 3.8 to $ 8.2)

3% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.9
Imported beer
Imported beer
$ 3 for 330ml
($ 1.5 to $ 5)

10% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5
Cappuccino
Cappuccino
$ 4.2/cup
($ 2.5 to $ 5.6)

18% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1
Fizzy drink
Fizzy drink
$ 2.2/can
($ 1.4 to $ 3.8)

11% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 1.6/bottle
($ 1.3 to $ 2.5)

21% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2

Scotland: Hotel and accommodation budget

On average, hotel and accommodation budget in Scotland costs 9% less than in the United States (USA).
1-star hotel
1-star hotel
$ 136/night
($ 43 to $ 613)

18% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 167
2-star hotel
2-star hotel
$ 173/night
($ 74 to $ 509)

15% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 151
3-star hotel
3-star hotel
$ 165/night
($ 70 to $ 603)

25% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 222
4-star hotel
4-star hotel
$ 199/night
($ 90 to $ 570)

34% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 303
5-star hotel
5-star hotel
$ 288/night
($ 150 to $ 617)

33% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 434
Hostel/Youth Hostel
Hostel/Youth Hostel
$ 149/month
($ 59 to $ 560)

7% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 162
Room with kitchen
Room with kitchen
$ 245/month
($ 86 to $ 661)

5% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 235
Hotel with swimming pool
Hotel with swimming pool
$ 198/month
($ 90 to $ 544)

2% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 202
Cottage or guest house
Cottage or guest house
$ 163/month
($ 83 to $ 451)

25% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 219
Family room
Family room
$ 267/month
($ 109 to $ 820)

34% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 200

Scotland: Supermarket food budget

On average, the price of supermarket food in Scotland costs 27% less than in the United States (USA).
Milk
Milk
$ 1.6/litre
($ 1 to $ 2.3)

54% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1
Bread
Bread
$ 1.6/500g
($ 0.9 to $ 2.6)

55% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5
Rice
Rice
$ 2.1/kg
($ 1.2 to $ 3.8)

54% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.5
Eggs
Eggs
$ 3.8/12 eggs
($ 2 to $ 5.3)

3% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6
Chicken
Chicken
$ 8.4/kg
($ 3.9 to $ 13)

28% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12
Apples
Apples
$ 2.7/kg
($ 1.3 to $ 5)

47% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1
Tomatoes
Tomatoes
$ 3.3/kg
($ 1.3 to $ 6.3)

30% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.8
Potatoes
Potatoes
$ 1.5/kg
($ 0.6 to $ 2.5)

49% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.9
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 1.4
($ 0.6 to $ 2.5)

35% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.1

Scotland: Public and private transport budget

On average, the price of transport in Scotland is 11% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Bus ticket
Bus ticket
$ 2.6/ticket
($ 2.5 to $ 5)

9% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.4
Taxi (per km)
Taxi (per km)
$ 1.6/km
($ 0.9 to $ 3.3)

7% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7
Petrol
Petrol
$ 1.9/litre
($ 1.8 to $ 2.1)

99% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.9
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
$ 3.8
($ 2.3 to $ 6.3)

6% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6
Car hire
Car hire
$ 33/24hrs
($ 14 to $ 86)

53% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 71

Scotland: Leisure activity budget

On average, budget for leisure activities in Scotland costs 18% less than in the United States (USA).
Cinema
Cinema
$ 13/ticket
($ 10 to $ 20)

7% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14
Tennis
Tennis
$ 15/hr
($ 7.5 to $ 22)

29% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21

Scotland: Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes

On average, shopping budget in Scotland is 45% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Cigarettes
Cigarettes
$ 18/pack
($ 16 to $ 22)

81% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 10
Levi's jeans
Levi's jeans
$ 82
($ 35 to $ 127)

58% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 52
Summer dress
Summer dress
$ 41
($ 24 to $ 64)

3% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 42

Plane ticket budget

New York City → Edinburgh
New York City → Edinburgh
New York City → Edinburgh
$ 1002
(fair price: $ 703)
Toronto → Glasgow
Toronto → Glasgow
Toronto → Glasgow
$ 733
(fair price: $ 632)
Manchester → Edinburgh
Manchester → Edinburgh
Manchester → Edinburgh
$ 115
(fair price: $ 92)
London → Glasgow
London → Glasgow
London → Glasgow
$ 84
(fair price: $ 72)
London → Edinburgh
London → Edinburgh
London → Edinburgh
$ 66
(fair price: $ 58)
Dublin → Aberdeen
Dublin → Aberdeen
Dublin → Aberdeen
$ 162
(fair price: $ 144)

Book a flight Flight prices to Scotland




About the information on the cost of living in Scotland

The information about the cost of living in Scotland shown on this page comes from multiple sources, including : Numbeo, Skyscanner and Hotels.com.

Information about cost of living in Scotland updated on 08-11-2024.

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