How to visit Edinburgh on a budget

Planning a holiday can be tough. Choosing where to stay, what to do and where to eat can leave you firmly in need of a holiday! In the first of our three-part series, we provide a guide; how to visit Edinburgh on a budget.

Where to stay?

Edinburgh is easily walkable, matched by great transport links, allowing you to choose your accommodation anywhere within the city. Alongside the popular low-budget chain hotels and traditional B’n’Bs, there are Airbnbs throughout the city, located in wonderful historic buildings as well as new modern style apartments. 

Hostelling Scotland offer a great location in their Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel. Accredited by VisitScotland with a five-star rating, you can choose from shared rooms to private and premium, all with free WiFi and en-suites. Just a 10-minute walk from the city centre, the Hostel is ideally located to discover the sights of Edinburgh.

What to do?

A trip to Edinburgh would not be complete without a walk up Arthur’s Seat or Calton Hill to see stunning views across the city from the Old to New Town. 

The National Museum of Scotland is a great visit with free admission as well, as paid-for exhibitions. See if you weigh more than a chimpanzee in the Natural World galleries or explore how the lives of everyday Scots have changed through the centuries in the Scottish History and Archaeology galleries.

If you are visiting Edinburgh in August, then the Fringe Festival guide will become your new best friend. With hundreds of free shows of offer, from comedy to storytelling to musicals, you can see the star performers of the future.

Where to eat?

For delicious, authentic Thai street food, Ting Thai Caravan is a firm favourite with Edinburgh locals and students from nearby the Edinburgh University campus. Walk-ins only, this small restaurant was so popular during its run at the Edinburgh Festival in 2012, that the team have set up another restaurant on the same street, Saboteur, offering Vietnamese and South East Asian delights.

Bonnie Burrito offers a twist on traditional Mexican food with Scottish fillings including Irn-Bru pulled pork or haggis. You can find their store on South Clerk Street.

After visiting The Royal Yacht Britannia, Teuchters Landing in Leith, offers a wide menu with a selection of ½ or large pint mugs of delicious traditional Scottish dishes including Cullen Skink soup and haggis stovies.

Image copyright:
VisitScotland/Kenny Lam
Hostelling Scotland
National Museums Scotland
Bonnie Burrito