How much to budget for a road trip on the NC500?

A quick breakdown on what to budget per day!

Mr and Mrs D Adventures  :  Liz & Leon

Mr and Mrs D Adventures : Liz & Leon

Scotland, United Kingdom

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A quick break down on what to 'roughly' budget for an NC500 road trip.

Accommodation

  • Wild camping or budget campsites: £10–£20 per person, per night

  • Hostels: £25–£40 per person, per night

  • Mid-range hotels, B&Bs, inns or guesthouses: £70–£200 per room

  • High-end boutique & luxury hotels: £200–£350 per room

Food & Drink

  • Budget (supermarket food, self-catering): £15–£30 per day

  • Moderate (café lunches, pub dinners): £25–£50 per day

  • High-end (sit-down restaurants or local tasting menus): £60+ per day

Fuel

Fuel costs will vary depending on your vehicle type, engine efficiency, how heavily you're loaded, how much exploring you do, road conditions and fluctuating fuel prices! Always build in a buffer when budgeting.

  • Car: Estimated rough cost: £130–£200 for the whole route

  • Campervan: Estimated rough cost: £180–£300 for the whole route

  • Motorhome: Estimated rough cost £250–£350 for the whole route

Activities and Attractions

  • Most nature spots, beaches and hikes: Free (sometimes with a small parking fee)

  • Castle entry fees or gardens: £5–£25 per ticket

  • Wildlife boat trips, guided walks, etc: £30–£90 per ticket

  • Museums or heritage centres: £10 - £20 per ticket

Want to see more?

I have created curated maps, itineraries and more for travellers that want to travel like me.

Looking for things to do?

Go check out my guide for the best free things to do as well as itineraries and travel tips to make your trip unforgettable.

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