32 Valuable Tips To Travel Scotland on a Budget

Last Updated on September 14, 2025

Many travelers believe that budget travel stops once you arrive in the United Kingdom or Europe, but I’m here to tell you it’s possible in either of these regions with the right mindset and attitude.

When I was budget traveling in Scotland, I made use of a lot of these tips to save myself money over the two weeks I spent there. And now I’m writing this guide to share them with you, so that you can save money like I did once you’re in Scotland.

With these tips, it’s possible to save a ton of money on transport, accommodation, food and drink, festivals, tours, and other activities all across the country. And best of all, many of them can be done so seamlessly that it won’t feel like you’re traveling Scotland on a budget.

At the end of this guide, I broke down the average cost of traveling in Scotland for a day. It includes the cost of coffee, petrol, specific tours, and other odds and ends, so you can get a better idea of what a day of spending will look like there.

If I could only give you two pieces of advice, it would be to give yourself some wiggle room and be open to what your trip can be. Those will get you far, but luckily, I have thirty more tips where that came from.

These are my 32 valuable tips for traveling in Scotland on a budget.

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Gorgeous morning light shining over Old and New Town in Edinburgh

Is Scotland a cheap country to visit?

Scotland can be an affordable destination to visit, depending on the time of year you’re traveling and your travel style.

Edinburgh is the second most-visited city in the United Kingdom, and is in the top twenty most-visited cities in Europe. While it’s not the budget safe-haven it once was due to dynamic pricing all across the country, there are ways to travel Scotland on a budget that’s still fun and memorable.

What is the cheapest month to go to Scotland?

The cheapest time to go to Scotland is November through mid-March, excluding holidays like Christmas and New Year’s.

The shoulder seasons in spring and fall can offer a bit of breathing room as far as pricing goes, and summer is by far the most expensive time to go to Scotland.

One way you can travel Scotland on a budget during the summer is by hiking and camping, which I will get into further in this blog post. Although if you’re not visiting Scotland to go on a rugged outdoor adventure, that won’t be very helpful.

If you’re serious about your budget, avoid the month of August entirely. This entire month is dedicated to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, one of the largest celebrations of arts and culture in the world. The price of everything is astronomically high, with the crowds to match.

How much should you budget for a trip to Scotland?

Budgeting your trip to Scotland will depend on your travel style, how long your trip is, and what you’re willing to spend.

£100 ($134) per day in Scotland is considered the bare minimum for a solo traveler who wants to be comfortable. If you’re willing to get uncomfortable, bringing that cost lower is possible, but you may have to sacrifice a lot to make that happen.

Everyone’s answer to this question will be different, but £100 is a good baseline to give yourself when considering your trip in the first place. Many different factors have to be taken into account, and when you know more about where you’re visiting and the experiences you want to have, you can build a better budget for your specific needs.

Expect to spend at least that much per day, and if you cannot afford that, you’ll need to pull strings or consider another travel destination. What’s considered budget travel in Scotland is not the same as visiting places in South America or Southeast Asia.

Getting out in nature is one of the best ways to save money while traveling in Scotland

Tips for Traveling in Scotland on a Budget

I go into more detailed budget travel tips throughout this blog, but these tips below are general budget travel advice for Scotland.

1. Book everything in advance

You should start booking hotels, car rentals, accommodations, and tours in Scotland at least 6 months before your anticipated trip dates— the further out the better.

People start booking their trips to Scotland as early as a year out, so if you wait, it will be more difficult to budget when you have limited choices. You can stretch your budget further when you have the luxury of choice.

So if you’re planning a trip to Scotland for June or July, set a goal to have the basics booked by or before January.

2. Plan city visits for mid-week

Try to plan your time in Edinburgh or Glasgow around mid-week dates. Weekends are the most popular for city breaks, and prices will be slightly inflated to reflect that.

Another positive to aiming for weekdays in cities is the potential for fewer crowds.

3. Grab cash at an ATM, not the airport

Those currency exchanges at the airport have some of the worst rates. Bring cash with you and exchange it when you get to the city, or use a card with no foreign transaction fees to get cash out of an ATM.

4. Avoid the months of August & December

Every year for the entire month of August, one of the largest art festivals in the world takes place in Edinburgh. People flock to the country and city to join in on this month-long celebration, and therefore, prices and crowds are at an all-time high.

Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2026 dates are from August 7-31, 2026. It’s best you avoid these dates if you’re trying to budget travel.

In December, due to the holidays and Hogmany (New Year’s), there are inflated crowds this time of year to celebrate the season.

5. Get flight deals to Scotland emailed to you

Going is a website that allows you to select your home airport, or the closest international airport to you, and every week, they send you flight deals from that airport. Using this platform, I’ve saved thousands of dollars on flights; passively!

I use the premium plan, which is $49 annually for deals around the continental U.S., other U.S. territories, and international destinations.

What I love most about the service is that you book these deals directly with the airline, so no third-party funny business. This is what I have in my inbox right now: RT to South Korea for $714, RT to Santiago, Chile for $619, and RT to London for $498.

For more advice on snagging cheap flights, read my Tips For Booking Cheap Flights Anywhere.

Train travel in Scotland is an affordable and scenic way to get around the country

Budget Transport Tips for Scotland

All the main tourism areas of Scotland are well connected through an excellent rail system, public buses, or planes. There are a lot of ways to get around, even if you don’t get a rental car.

6. Use public transit to get around

Car rentals and taxis are some of the most expensive transport options in Scotland. By taking the train around the country or the bus around cities, you can save a ton on transport costs. Especially if you’re a solo traveler.

7. Book train and bus tickets in advance

It can be cheaper and a lot less stressful when you purchase train or bus tickets in advance.

Good to know: As of September 1, 2025, anytime single and return tickets with ScotRail have been reduced to the equivalent off-peak prices. Which means while you used to be able to save money booking “off-peak” train tickets, you now pay the same price any time of the day you’re riding using those tickets.

In peak season, it’s best practice to book in advance. You don’t want to end up needing a car or an expensive Uber because your train or bus ticket was completely sold out for the day.

8. Look into bus passes and rail cards

If you plan to make use of the endless bus and train routes in Scotland, it’s worth looking into a rail pass from ScotRail or a full-day pass on a Lothian Bus to save money.

ScotRail is the go-to for train tickets, no matter where you need to go in Scotland. Tickets can be bought at stations, online, or using the ScotRail app. Routes from Edinburgh to Glasgow can be bought for as little as £10 ($13), one way.

It also has a bunch of different rail cards that will reduce your rail ticket prices by 33%. For anyone aged 16-25 or 26-30, you pay £35 for the year, and then you get access to the discount. If you plan to use the train a lot, this could be worth it for your trip.

The Lothian Bus fleet has over 50 unique routes around the country. A single ride on the bus costs £2.20 ($3), but for £5.50 ($7) you can get a full day pass, which includes unlimited rides around Edinburgh. Purchase tickets in advance online or using the app. If you want to purchase a fare when you get on the bus, you must have exact change. In Glasgow, you can get the same day pass with First Buses for £5 ($6.50).

When you don’t have public transit to rely on, both Edinburgh and Glasgow are highly walkable cities. You can get just about anywhere with the right attitude; just make sure you’re wearing comfortable shoes.

9. Rent a fuel-efficient vehicle

The price of petrol in Scotland averages around a whopping 134 pence per liter, which translates to around $7 per gallon of gas. Getting a gas-efficient car will be crucial for your wallet.

The roads in Scotland are generally in good repair for most main tourism areas, and so you don’t need any fancy 4×4 vehicle to get around.

You can also consider an electric car. There are charging locations plotted all over Scotland, so you’ll have no issue getting anywhere you need. Compare the cost of renting an electric vehicle and charging it vs. the price of a regular car using gas to see which is right for you.

10. Pick up and drop off your rental car at the same location

This is one of the easiest ways to bring down the cost of your car rental in Scotland.

11. Compare fuel costs

Back home, a few miles up the road can save you a ton on gas, and the same goes for countries abroad.

Apps like PetrolPrices and myRAC help you find the cheapest petrol prices around Scotland. The average petrol price is around 130 pence per liter, so use that as a baseline when you search to determine a better/worse deal.

Note that the further away you travel from a major city, the more expensive gas will be.

There are plenty of stunning, affordable hotels in Scotland for budget travelers

Budget-Friendly Accommodation in Scotland

After your flight and transportation, accommodation will be the next most expensive item in your budget. There are many different ways you can leverage where you’re staying to save in other areas.

These are my best tips:

12. Book self-catering accommodation

Self-catering accommodation is a hotel, Airbnb, or hostel that has kitchen facilities where you can cook your own meals. If you have that, you can plan to cook some meals yourself as opposed to eating out for every meal of the day.

It’s not glamorous, but it will save you money.

Alternatively, you can…

13. Book accommodation with free breakfast

There’s nothing like starting your day off with a free meal.

Platforms like Booking.com have a search feature that lets you filter out hotels or hostels that have breakfast included from the ones that don’t. Some places may not have a free breakfast, but they will offer it for a small additional price. That could be worth it depending on what you eat each morning for breakfast.

Also, I have a sneaky tip to save more money when you get the perk of free breakfast.

Most places include bread, jam, and peanut butter for their free breakfasts. I will use these ingredients from the free breakfast and pack myself a PB&J lunch for the day. It’s a little two-for-one special that can stretch your budget a bit further. Buy some chips and fruit from the store, and you have a complete meal.

14. Stay in a hostel

If you don’t mind bunking with some friendly strangers during your trip, hostels will always be the cheapest form of accommodation anywhere in the world.

Hostels in major cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh average around £25 ($33) per night. As you go further out, hostels can be more expensive due to high demand and limited availability, so book well in advance for the best selection.

Hostelworld is the unanimous choice for budget travelers. Hostelling Scotland is another great site with a local focus.

Start your trip off on the right foot and find all the best, affordable stays in my guide to the 7 Best Hostels in Edinburgh.

Hostels will always be the cheapest place to stay, no matter where you’re traveling to, but if you’re not interested in bunking with a bunch of backpackers, you can…

15. Find cheap hotels using Booking.com or Agoda

On average, you’ll spend around $130 per night on a hotel in Edinburgh with ample amenities and good reviews. If you’re finding cheaper priced hotels, make sure to check where they’re located so that you’re not spending extra money on transit.

When you are browsing Booking, make sure that you are logged into an account. When you do, they apply something called a “Genius discount” that brings the price down by 10% or more. You can also get free breakfast this way and other perks occasionally.

Also, it doesn’t hurt to use an incognito browser while you search.

16. and compare to booking the hotel directly

Oftentimes, booking sites will charge hotels a fee for using their platform. If you book directly, you can avoid this fee, and you may get additional perks by doing so. Always compare!

17. Extend your trip; longer stays are often discounted

In most cases, longer trips do mean you need a larger budget, but when it comes to accommodation, hosts want you to stay longer.

And the way they encourage you to do that is by offering discounts. Hotels will usually offer it for stays over four nights, and hostels typically offer discounts on a weekly or monthly basis.

While you’re browsing, see what you could save by adding a few extra days to your trip.

18. Go camping

Camping in Scotland is another foolproof way to travel on a budget.

There are established campsites all over Scotland that start around £10-20 ($14-27) per night. Search using Pitch Up or Campsites.co.uk to look at all your options and their affordability.

When you’re looking, be diligent and make sure the site allows tents. More and more camping areas are starting to ban tents all over Scotland, and so it can become difficult to find a spot to pitch.

Camping makes the most sense if you already have all the gear necessary to do so, but if you don’t, don’t think that you need to buy a bunch of fancy equipment to get outside. I purchase all my camping items from REI.

If you’re interested in the outdoors becoming a bigger part of your lifestyle, I encourage you to purchase the items you don’t have, but if not, there are a few places in Edinburgh that rent out camping gear, like Alba Outdoors.

Renting ends up being about the same as purchasing, so if you’re going to spend the money anyway, that’s something to keep in mind.

If you don’t want to spend that much money each night to pitch your tent, you can also wild camp.

19. Go wild camping

If you already own outdoor equipment, wild camping is a foolproof way to see Scotland on a dime.

Wild camping is any camping done outside of designated camp sites and often on public lands or in natural, underdeveloped areas.

The Land Reform Act of 2003, also known as the “Right To Roam Law”, gave locals and us travelers the right to outdoor recreation in almost all land and inland water sources in Scotland. This was to promote hiking, walking, camping, and other outdoor activities around the country.

In many other places, it’s illegal to wild camp, so this is a special privilege when you come to Scotland. If you’re choosing to camp this way in Scotland, make sure you abide by the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and leave the area exactly as you found it so the next person can enjoy it.

20. Sleep in a Scottish bothy

Bothies were basic, unlocked shelters that farm workers used to use while working in remote areas of the UK. Today, they’re used for similar purposes, except that instead of sheltering farmers, they shelter hikers.

To be a bothy, the structure has to be at least 100 meters or more from the nearest habitable building, so they’re all located in remote areas. If you’re already planning to be in those areas, though, they offer a potential reprieve from bad weather and an interesting, historic place to rest your head for the night.

What you need to know is that they’re free, but they’re not maintained, and usually have no running water or electricity. That’s why anyone can use them as they please. See a map of all the bothies in Scotland and plan your trip on the Mountain Bothies Association website. Do know, you still need to bring basic camping essentials with you in order to be comfortable.

Coffee and pastries at the Milkman are a cheap breakfast in Scotland

How to Eat in Scotland on a Budget

The best way to save money on food in Scotland is not to eat out for every meal.

When I’m on a trip, the last thing I want to do is play house and miss out on all the good food, so just once a day for any meal will do. Leave room for fun. Here’s how you can do that without breaking the bank:

21. Take advantage of meal deals

Tesco is a lunchtime staple across the U.K. for its cheap meal deals. You choose a main, a side, and a drink for only £3.85 (around $5).

They have over 30 different sandwiches, like chicken, bacon, and lettuce, chicken salad, and even a sausage, bacon, and egg if you’re stopping in closer to breakfast time.

Snacks include chips (crisps), sweets like Kinder chocolates, protein bars, and savory bites like pepperoni sticks and different kinds of chicken bites. For a drink, there are waters, coffees, sodas, energy drinks, and tons of other options.

There’s a whole culture of meal deals across the U.K. Many would argue that Sainsbury’s has better meal deals than Tesco, but that’s up for you to decide. It’s affordable, but it’s also a fun way to interact with the real local culture across the country.

22. Tip the appropriate amount (10%).

Americans will get a breath of fresh air with the tipping culture around the United Kingdom.

10% will do.

If you’re at a bar or taking a cab, you only need to tip about $1, or a pound or two.

23. Shop at affordable grocery stores

Aldi and Lidl are the most affordable supermarkets for ingredients, but they’re not always well-stocked. Try Morrisons and ASDA first.

Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Co-op are three different types of convenience stores you’ll for sure see in major cities, and then scattered across the country. Getting groceries and cooking some meals in your accommodation is one of the easiest ways to save money and travel Scotland on a budget.

24. Eat your biggest meal at lunch

Lunch is a foodie’s ideal pastime in Scotland for solid menus offered at reduced prices.

Many restaurants create smaller portions during lunchtime hours and discount them from what would be their typical cost later in the day. Some also set menus where you can get 2 or 3 courses for less than £30 ($40). If that’s over your budget, look to takeaway shops for cheap lunchtime meals.

This is a great way to get into Scotland’s culinary scene without spending a ton of money on food. Consider eating your biggest meal of the day during midday so that you’re not ordering a buffet when dinner rolls around.

25. Bring a reusable water bottle/drink from the tap

I’m American. You might be, too— which means we both know paying for water is a crime against humanity.

Scotland’s tap water is safe to drink, and that means you can stay hydrated for free. Luckily, after the Stanley Cup craze, you likely already have some form of reusable bottle, so bring whatever you’ve got.

If you’re on the market for one of the best travel water bottles, this one has made clean, drinkable water accessible to me all over the world.

26. Bring a reusable coffee cup for a discount

Many mainstream coffee chains in Scottish cities like Pret-A-Manger, Starbucks, and Cafe Nerro offer a discount if you bring your own reusable coffee cup.

Drinking bad coffee is not worth saving some cents on a cup, but luckily, a lot of the best coffee shops in Edinburgh offer this discount as well. Wherever you go, it doesn’t hurt to ask.

Good to know: The Scottish government is pushing for a “latte levy” where there will be a 25 British pence charge for disposable takeaway cups. As of mid-2025, it’s been pushed back, but it’s still in talks of happening.

Law or no law, before you go buying a random to-go cup, just know the only travel coffee mug worthy of your latte order is this one.

27. Choose local beers at pubs

It goes without saying that imported beers are going to be more expensive than what’s flowing in Scotland’s backyard.

See what pubs have on draft to save money and keep an eye out for these popular pours: Belhaven Brewery and Tennant’s Lager. The Central Bar in Leith is known for both its history and affordable pours.

Some of the best things to do in Edinburgh and Glasgow are free

How To Save Money on Tours, Activities, & Festivals

There are plenty of free things to see and do in Scotland, but paying for others, like Edinburgh Castle, is somewhat unavoidable. Use these tips to save the most money on events, tours, and celebrations around Scotland.

28. Take advantage of free things to do

Your time in Scotland’s major cities is what will take up a large portion of your budget for eating and sightseeing. Luckily, there are tons of places in both Edinburgh and Glasgow that you can visit for free.

Most of these places are the most popular things to see in each city, so you won’t miss out by adding these to your itinerary.

/ Free things to do in Edinburgh: Arthur’s Seat, Royal Botanic Gardens, Vennel Viewpoint, Writer’s Museum, National Museum of Scotland, Calton Hill, Water of Leith Walkway, Greyfriars Kirk, and the Royal Mile.

/ Free things to do in Glasgow: Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Riverside Museum, Glasgow Botanic Gardens, Glasgow Cathedral, The Necropolis, University of Glasgow, City Center Mural Trail, and the Barras Market.

29. Get an Explorer Pass

Historic Environment Scotland created the Explorer Pass so travelers can soak up over 5,000 years of Scottish history using one pass.

This pass, which costs £50 ($67)£50 gets you access to 70 sites and over 400 daytime events for 14 consecutive days (from April 1 to October 31). If you’re traveling from November 1st to March 31st, they offer the Explorer Pass at a discounted rate, £42 ($57). They also offer a deal for families if that applies to you.

Included sites are Edinburgh, Stirling and Urquhart Castles, Skara Brae, and Fort George, among many others. It doesn’t include access to properties in the care of The National Trust for Scotland, members of the Historic Houses Association, The Palace of Holyroodhouse and Holyrood Abbey, or properties under private trusts. View the entire list of places you can visit here.

This can have good value for you if you’re visiting enough sites on that list to make up for the cost of the pass, so compare the things you want to see and do to make sure it’s worth buying for your trip.

30. Get a National Trust for Scotland membership

Another way to save money on popular attractions in Edinburgh is to purchase a membership for the National Trust for Scotland.

A membership with the trust includes access to places owned and maintained by the trust like Culloden Battlefield, St. Kilda, Staffa, The Georgian House and many others.

These memberships are the cheapest if you pay monthly, but you have to have a U.K.-based bank account for that. So the way around that is to pay for your membership yearly. For one person, this costs £74.40 ($100) per year. Again, based on what you want to see and do, make sure this is worth it.

Your membership also includes free parking at all sites, magazines and member guides, and also gives you access to National Trust locations worldwide, like in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Italy, Canada, Australia and more.

31. Consider guided tours

For day trips and multi-day trips out of Edinburgh, browse Get Your Guide to find tours at an affordable price.

If you are more of a done-for-you kind of traveler, these tours are perfect. If not, it’s worth spending a little bit more money to create the tour yourself with a rental car and self-booked accommodation.

When I first started to travel, I went on a 3-day Isle of Skye Tour with MacBackpackers when I was in Scotland. Come to find out that, while I did enjoy it, these package tours aren’t for adventurous, independent travelers like myself.

Often, they list a lot of different sites in the itinerary, but you only see about a handful of them. Or, if there are many different sites on the itinerary for the day, you have to rush through your day to see them all and stay on schedule.

Also, all the different tour companies run on similar schedules in Skye, so you arrive at the main tourism sites at the same time as everyone else. The crowds are abysmal, and that’s not to be underestimated— avoiding that alone is worth the splurge.

32. Take advantage of discounted ticket offers

At most tourism sites, in addition to regular, full-priced admission tickets, they will offer student, senior, and family tickets at a discount.

Sometimes, they’ll even give you a discount just for being young (between the ages of 18-24), so always double-check when you’re booking to save a few pounds if any of these apply to you.

Neist Point is a free, beautiful overlook to visit while in the Isle of Skye

Average Cost of Traveling in Scotland

No matter the budget, traveling in Scotland will cost you at least £80-100 ($108-$135) per day. That includes accommodation, food, transport, and other small budget items.

Here’s what the basics cost on average (not including flights):

Accommodation

/ Hostels: £15-£37 ($20-$50) / per night

/ Mid-Range Hotels/B&Bs: £80 – 120 ($108-$160) / per night

/ High-End Hotels: £150+ ($200) / per night

/ Campsites: £30 ($40) / per night *on average

/ Wild Camping: Free

/ Bothies (Mountain Bothy Association): Free

Car rental: as low as £16 ($20) per day

Fuel: £1.25 ($1.50) / per liter *(there are 4 liters in a gallon btw)

Travel insurance: $100 per person *based on a 2-week trip for one person

Eating out