Edinburgh from Australia: what a trip really costs
What a day costs in Edinburgh, when to go, the visa for Australians and the sights not to miss. Every figure comes from Trip720's checked data, with its source. Updated 26 Oct 2026.
Plan my Edinburgh tripDay to day in Edinburgh, per person
| Style | Food | With transport |
|---|---|---|
| Street food and markets | A$53 | A$64 |
| A balanced mix | A$116 | A$127 |
| Mostly restaurants | A$169 | A$180 |
- Local transport: about A$11 a day. Taxi: A$7 to start, then A$3.67 a km.
- Cooking for yourself: about A$23 a day for food.
- Tipping: about 10% where service is good.
Your stay, flights and activities come on top: the planner prices them for your dates. Sources: budgetyourtrip.com, livingcost.org, visitscotland.org; in AUD at today's rate.
When to go
5°F
6°M
7°A
10°M
13°J
16°J
18°A
17°S
15°O
12°N
8°D
6°
The most pleasant months are June and September. April is the driest month (53 mm of rain) and August the wettest (100 mm).
Bars: rain each month; green: the most pleasant months. Numbers: average daytime high. Source: NASA POWER climatology.
Best time to visit United Kingdom, place by placeCompare: Ireland or United Kingdom · United Kingdom or France · United Kingdom or Italy · United States or United Kingdom
Visa for Australians
Electronic Travel Authorisation
Fee: £20 a person.
Allow at least 7 days before you fly.
Official source: smartraveller.gov.au, checked 2026-10-26. Rules change: your plan checks your own passport when you build it.
Not to miss in Edinburgh
National Museum of Scotlandmuseum · half a day- Royal Yacht Britanniamuseum · a couple of hours
Edinburgh Castle Esplanadecastle · a couple of hoursOpen August. The Tattoo's open-air arena; seating stands block the views during August
Royal Milestreet · a couple of hours
Arthur's Seatmountain · a couple of hours
Calton Hillviewpoint · a couple of hoursBest at sunset
- Palace of Holyroodhousepalace · a couple of hours
Open daily in July to September; closed when the King is in residence
Craigmillar Castlecastle · a couple of hours
Stirling Castlecastle · half a dayAbout an hour from Edinburgh by train
Linlithgow Palacepalace · a couple of hoursBirthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots
From our research of travel guides; ticket prices from Tiqets when we found them. Photos: Wikimedia Commons, free licences.
Questions travellers ask
How much does a day in Edinburgh cost?
Food and getting around come to about A$64 a person a day eating street food, A$127 with a balanced mix and A$180 eating mostly in restaurants, before your stay and activities.
When is the best time to visit Edinburgh?
The most pleasant months are June and September. April is the driest month (53 mm of rain) and August the wettest (100 mm); daytime highs run from 5 to 18 °C over the year.
Do Australians need a visa for United Kingdom?
Electronic Travel Authorisation, £20. Checked on smartraveller.gov.au on 2026-10-26; rules change, so check again before you book.
What should I not miss in Edinburgh?
National Museum of Scotland, Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh Castle Esplanade, Royal Mile, Arthur's Seat.
Your whole Edinburgh trip, priced from your door
Trip720 adds the flights from Australia, the stays, transfers, food, activities and the visa for your dates and budget, home to home.
Plan my Edinburgh trip