Money Saving Tips

Edinburgh can be an expensive city, but there are lots of easy ways to keep costs down without missing out on the experience.

🎟️ Tickets, castles & attractions

• Always buy entry tickets online in advance — it’s often cheaper than on the door and helps you skip queues

• If you plan to visit multiple historic sites, consider a Historic Scotland membership — it can quickly save you money on castles and monuments across Scotland

• Many attractions offer time-slot pricing, so earlier bookings are usually cheaper

👉 Extra tip: some attractions offer discounts for students, under 25s, or families — always check before booking

🗺️ Tours & activities

• Book tours online instead of on the day — prices are usually cheaper

• We use GetYourGuide for convenience and deals:
  GetYourGuide App

👉 Use code “TWOADVENTURESEEKERS5” for 5% off your first booking

💡 Extra saving tip: compare a few tours — many include similar routes but different prices (But also consider the tour size, some are in big coaches, some in small buses for trips outside of Edinburgh)

🏞️ Free & low-cost activities

One of the best ways to save money is to take advantage of how many things in Edinburgh are free:

• Most major museums are completely free, including world-class collections

• Many viewpoints (like hills, parks and old town walks) cost nothing but are just as memorable

• Walking the historic streets often feels like an attraction in itself

💡 Example: seeing the city from outside landmarks (like castles or viewpoints) can sometimes be just as impressive as paying to go inside

🏰 Edinburgh Castle tip

Edinburgh Castle is one of the most famous attractions, but also quite expensive.

• Entry inside can be costly and time-consuming

• If you’re on a budget, the best views are actually from outside viewpoints (like nearby streets, hills or the Royal Mile approaches)

• If you’re very interested in history, it can still be worth visiting inside — but it’s not essential for everyone

📱 SIM cards & mobile data (don’t overlook this)

One thing many travellers forget when visiting Edinburgh is that mobile data can get expensive if you rely on your home plan.

Since the UK is no longer part of the EU roaming zone, EU roaming usually does not apply here anymore, which means your normal data plan may charge extra fees.

👉 The easiest and cheapest solution is to use an eSIM.

We personally use and recommend Airalo - it’s quick to set up, works as soon as you land and you don’t need a physical SIM card.

• Easy online installation before your trip

• Instant data access when you arrive

• No roaming shock or surprise bills

You can download it here:
Airalo eSIM

And use our code “ADVENTURESEEKERS” to save some money!

💡 Extra tip: Download your maps (Google Maps offline mode) before arriving, so you’re never stuck without directions even if signal is weak in older parts of the city.

🏨 Accommodation

Accommodation is usually your largest cost, but there are smart ways to reduce it:

• Avoid peak times:

  • July

  • August (Festival season)

  • Christmas & New Year (Hogmanay)

  • Public holidays

• Stay slightly outside the city centre — public transport is excellent and affordable

• Look at nearby towns on train lines for cheaper stays, such as:

  • South Queensferry

  • Musselburgh

  • Falkirk

💡 Even a 10–20 minute train ride can cut accommodation costs significantly

🚍 Public transport savings

• Edinburgh’s bus system is one of the easiest in the UK

• You can simply tap your card on the bus and it automatically gives you the cheapest fare

  • If you use it multiple times a day, it automatically caps at a day ticket

👉 Download the Lothian Buses app to plan routes easily

💡 Extra tip: walking is often faster in the city centre than taking short bus rides, especially in Old Town

🍽️ Eating out smart

Food prices vary a lot depending on location:

• Avoid restaurants on Princes Street and the Royal Mile — these are the most expensive tourist areas

• Better value areas include:

  • Lothian Road

  • Nicolson Street

  • Leith (great food scene and often better prices)

💡 Extra tips:

• Lunch menus are often much cheaper than dinner menus

• Many pubs offer great-value traditional meals

• Supermarkets (like Tesco or Sainsbury’s) are great for budget breakfasts or snacks (Meal deal!!!)

💡 Bonus money-saving tips

• Book flights mid-week if possible (often cheaper)

• Travel in shoulder seasons (April–May or September) for lower prices and fewer crowds

• Use free walking tours (tip-based) to learn the city cheaply

• Combine attractions by area to avoid unnecessary transport costs