Edinburgh travel budget

Edinburgh: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to Edinburgh

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

Low budget
(backpacker)

Daily budget:

  • $ 164 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 17 per person
  • $ 12 per person
  • Free activities

Total budget:

$ 3055* (2268 £)

Average budget
(traveller)

Daily budget:

  • $ 249 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 52 per person
  • $ 25 per person
  • $ 17 per person

Total budget:

$ 6076* (4494 £)

High budget
(tourist)

Daily budget:

  • $ 268 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 97 per person
  • $ 48 per person
  • $ 34 per person

Total budget:

$ 8729* (6454 £)

* estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks (excluding plane tickets).



Cost of living in Edinburgh compared to United States in 2025

Compare with the average cost of living in:

On average, the cost of living in Edinburgh in 2025 is 19% higher than the average cost of living in the United States (USA).

See the graphic below for the price variation percentage by type of expense in Edinburgh in 2025 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Created with Highcharts 8.2.2%-3%-3%+28%+28%-23%-23%+26%+26%+11%+11%+77%+77%Price variation between Edinburgh and United States (countrywide average) in 2025RestaurantHotelFoodTransportLeisure activitiesShopping-50-250255075100



Local prices in Edinburgh by expense type

Restaurant budget in Edinburgh

On average, budget for eating in a restaurant in Edinburgh is 3% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Restaurant: sample prices in Edinburgh (compared to United States)2222424213136.66.6242455559.99.977United StatesEdinburghLunch3 course dinnerMcDonald's mealLocal beer0246810121416182022242628303234363840424446485052545658
Lunch
Lunch
$ 24/person
($ 16 to $ 37)

3% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 22
3 course dinner
3 course dinner
$ 55/person
($ 44 to $ 65)

29% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 42
McDonald's meal
McDonald's meal
$ 9.9/person
($ 9.4 to $ 12)

18% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13
Local beer
Local beer
$ 7 for 500ml
($ 5.6 to $ 9.2)

8% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6.6
Imported beer
Imported beer
$ 3.2 for 330ml
($ 2 to $ 5.6)

18% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9
Cappuccino
Cappuccino
$ 5/cup
($ 4.2 to $ 7)

11% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.7
Fizzy drink
Fizzy drink
$ 2.7/can
($ 1.4 to $ 4.2)

4% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.8
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 1.9/bottle
($ 1.4 to $ 4.2)

17% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.3

Hotel and accommodation budget in Edinburgh

On average, hotel and accommodation budget in Edinburgh is 28% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Hotel: sample prices in Edinburgh (compared to United States)168168248248349349179179256256269269229229307307228228242242United StatesEdinburgh2-star hotel3-star hotel4-star hotelHostel/Youth HostelCottage or guest house0100200300255075125150175225250275325350375
1-star hotel
1-star hotel
$ 272/night
($ 66 to $ 1055)

54% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 177
2-star hotel
2-star hotel
$ 269/night
($ 58 to $ 719)

61% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 168
3-star hotel
3-star hotel
$ 229/night
($ 78 to $ 948)

7% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 248
4-star hotel
4-star hotel
$ 307/night
($ 97 to $ 1080)

12% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 349
5-star hotel
5-star hotel
$ 470/night
($ 174 to $ 847)

17% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 570
Hostel/Youth Hostel
Hostel/Youth Hostel
$ 228/month
($ 103 to $ 604)

28% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 179
Room with kitchen
Room with kitchen
$ 382/month
($ 58 to $ 1058)

44% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 266
Hotel with swimming pool
Hotel with swimming pool
$ 312/month
($ 118 to $ 800)

39% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 226
Cottage or guest house
Cottage or guest house
$ 242/month
($ 103 to $ 646)

5% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 256
Family room
Family room
$ 427/month
($ 120 to $ 1427)

95% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 220

Supermarket food budget in Edinburgh

On average, the price of supermarket food in Edinburgh is 23% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Food: sample prices in Edinburgh (compared to United States)4.14.114145.45.43.23.24.24.210.210.24.84.81.91.9United StatesEdinburghEggsChickenTomatoesPotatoes0123456789101112131415
Milk
Milk
$ 1.8/litre
($ 1.3 to $ 2.6)

52% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.2
Bread
Bread
$ 1.9/500g
($ 0.7 to $ 2.8)

52% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9
Rice
Rice
$ 2.2/kg
($ 0.9 to $ 2.8)

55% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5
Eggs
Eggs
$ 4.2/12 eggs
($ 2.5 to $ 6.6)

6% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.1
Chicken
Chicken
$ 10.2/kg
($ 4.6 to $ 15)

21% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14
Apples
Apples
$ 3.1/kg
($ 1.4 to $ 4.9)

47% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.8
Tomatoes
Tomatoes
$ 4.8/kg
($ 2.5 to $ 8.5)

10% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.4
Potatoes
Potatoes
$ 1.9/kg
($ 0.9 to $ 2.8)

43% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.2
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 1.5
($ 0.8 to $ 2.8)

39% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.4

Public and private transport budget in Edinburgh

On average, the price of transport in Edinburgh is 26% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Transport: sample prices in Edinburgh (compared to United States)2.72.71.91.91182822.82.82.62.62.12.14040United StatesEdinburghBus ticketTaxi (per km)PetrolCar hire051015202530354045505560657075808590
Bus ticket
Bus ticket
$ 2.8/ticket
($ 2.8 to $ 2.8)

4% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.7
Taxi (per km)
Taxi (per km)
$ 2.6/km
($ 1.9 to $ 5.8)

39% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.9
Petrol
Petrol
$ 2.1/litre
($ 1.9 to $ 2.2)

97% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
$ 5.6
($ 4.9 to $ 7)

40% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4
Car hire
Car hire
$ 40/24hrs
($ 24 to $ 79)

50% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 82

Leisure activity budget in Edinburgh

On average, budget for leisure activities in Edinburgh is 11% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Cinema
Cinema
$ 17/ticket
($ 12 to $ 23)

11% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 16
Tennis
Tennis
$ 26/hr
($ 13 to $ 37)

11% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 24

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Edinburgh

On average, shopping budget in Edinburgh is 77% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Cigarettes
Cigarettes
$ 23/pack
($ 17 to $ 24)

94% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11
Levi's jeans
Levi's jeans
$ 124
($ 100 to $ 171)

113% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 58
Summer dress
Summer dress
$ 59
($ 51 to $ 100)

25% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 47

Plane ticket budget

London → Edinburgh
London → Edinburgh
London → Edinburgh
$ 80
(fair price: $ 71)
Dublin → Edinburgh
Dublin → Edinburgh
Dublin → Edinburgh
$ 91
(fair price: $ 79)
New York City → Edinburgh
New York City → Edinburgh
New York City → Edinburgh
$ 1067
(fair price: $ 766)
Melbourne → Edinburgh
Melbourne → Edinburgh
Melbourne → Edinburgh
$ 1716
(fair price: $ 1431)
Montreal → Edinburgh
Montreal → Edinburgh
Montreal → Edinburgh
$ 845
(fair price: $ 784)
Los Angeles → Edinburgh
Los Angeles  → Edinburgh
Los Angeles  → Edinburgh
$ 949
(fair price: $ 778)

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About this information on the cost of living in Edinburgh

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

The information about the cost of living in Edinburgh was updated on 28-02-2025.

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