Travel budget and cost of living in Edinburgh (Scotland) how much does a trip cost?

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.

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

Cost of living in Edinburgh compared to United States in 2025

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):

Local prices in Edinburgh by expense type

Restaurant budget in Edinburgh

Lunch

$ 24/person
($ 16 to $ 37)

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3% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 22

3 course dinner

$ 55/person
($ 44 to $ 65)

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29% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 42

McDonald's meal

$ 9.9/person
($ 9.4 to $ 12)

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18% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13

Local beer

$ 7 for 500ml
($ 5.6 to $ 9.2)

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8% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6.6

Imported beer

$ 3.2 for 330ml
($ 2 to $ 5.6)

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18% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9

Cappuccino

$ 5/cup
($ 4.2 to $ 7)

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11% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.7

Fizzy drink

$ 2.7/can
($ 1.4 to $ 4.2)

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4% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.8

Water bottle

$ 1.9/bottle
($ 1.4 to $ 4.2)

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

Hotel and accommodation budget in Edinburgh

1-star hotel

$ 272/night
($ 66 to $ 1055)

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54% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 177

2-star hotel

$ 269/night
($ 58 to $ 719)

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61% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 168

3-star hotel

$ 229/night
($ 78 to $ 948)

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7% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 248

4-star hotel

$ 307/night
($ 97 to $ 1080)

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12% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 349

5-star hotel

$ 470/night
($ 174 to $ 847)

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17% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 570

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 228/month
($ 103 to $ 604)

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28% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 179

Room with kitchen

$ 382/month
($ 58 to $ 1058)

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44% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 266

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 312/month
($ 118 to $ 800)

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39% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 226

Cottage or guest house

$ 242/month
($ 103 to $ 646)

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5% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 256

Family room

$ 427/month
($ 120 to $ 1427)

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

Supermarket food budget in Edinburgh

Milk

$ 1.8/litre
($ 1.3 to $ 2.6)

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52% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.2

Bread

$ 1.9/500g
($ 0.7 to $ 2.8)

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52% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9

Rice

$ 2.2/kg
($ 0.9 to $ 2.8)

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55% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5

Eggs

$ 4.2/12 eggs
($ 2.5 to $ 6.6)

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6% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.1

Chicken

$ 10.2/kg
($ 4.6 to $ 15)

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21% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14

Apples

$ 3.1/kg
($ 1.4 to $ 4.9)

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47% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.8

Tomatoes

$ 4.8/kg
($ 2.5 to $ 8.5)

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10% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.4

Potatoes

$ 1.9/kg
($ 0.9 to $ 2.8)

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43% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.2

Water bottle

$ 1.5
($ 0.8 to $ 2.8)

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

Public and private transport budget in Edinburgh

Bus ticket

$ 2.8/ticket
($ 2.8 to $ 2.8)

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4% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.7

Taxi (per km)

$ 2.6/km
($ 1.9 to $ 5.8)

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39% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.9

Petrol

$ 2.1/litre
($ 1.9 to $ 2.2)

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97% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 5.6
($ 4.9 to $ 7)

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40% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4

Car hire

$ 40/24hrs
($ 24 to $ 79)

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

Leisure activity budget in Edinburgh

Cinema

$ 17/ticket
($ 12 to $ 23)

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11% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 16

Tennis

$ 26/hr
($ 13 to $ 37)

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

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Edinburgh

Cigarettes

$ 23/pack
($ 17 to $ 24)

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94% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11

Levi's jeans

$ 124
($ 100 to $ 171)

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113% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 58

Summer dress

$ 59
($ 51 to $ 100)

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

Plane ticket budget

London → Edinburgh

$ 80
(fair price: $ 71)

Dublin → Edinburgh

$ 91
(fair price: $ 79)

New York City → Edinburgh

$ 1067
(fair price: $ 766)

Melbourne → Edinburgh

$ 1716
(fair price: $ 1431)

Montreal → Edinburgh

$ 845
(fair price: $ 784)

Los Angeles → Edinburgh

$ 949
(fair price: $ 778)

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