Dublin
Edinburgh
Many travelers compare Dublin and Edinburgh because they offer walkable history, direct flights under 2 hours from many European cities, and a mix of pubs, museums, and coastal scenery just a few kilometers from the center.Both are compact capitals: from the city center you can reach major attractions in 10–25 minutes on foot or by tram/bus.Key differences: Dublin has a soul of traditional pubs, the River Liffey and the Temple Bar district; it’s livelier at night and slightly more expensive for central hotels.Edinburgh offers a dramatic skyline between Edinburgh Castle and Arthur’s Seat, more efficient urban transport (tram to the airport) and summer festivals like the Fringe that send prices soaring in August.In this comparative guide you’ll find prices in € for hotels, meals and transport, visit times (hours/minutes), distances in km, and the exact names of attractions, neighborhoods and restaurants.Exchange note for Edinburgh: values converted from £ to € with an indicative rate of £1=€1.17 (check at the time of booking).
Dublin vs Edinburgh
| Feature | Dublin | Edinburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Daily budget | Dublin costs more for central lodging: dorm bed in a hostel €30-55, 3* hotel in Temple Bar/Grafton Street area €140-220, 4* €200-320.Meals: pub lunch €12-18, two-course dinner €25-35 at The Boxty House; pint €6,50-8.Transport: Luas/bus single ride €2-3, downtown taxi €10-15 (4-6 km, 10-15 min).Daily budget: backpacker €70-110, mid-range €150-220, comfort €280-450.Pass: Go City Dublin 1 day from €79 if you visit 2-3 paid attractions. | Edinburgh is more affordable: hostel €22-40, 3* hotel €110-180 in the Old Town/New Town, 4* €180-260.Meals: early evening menu at Howies €24-30 (2 courses), mains at The Scran & Scallie €19-29; pint €6,40-7,60.Transport: Lothian Buses day ticket €6,40 (from £5.50), downtown taxi €9-14 (3-5 km).Budget: backpacker €60-100, mid-range €130-200, comfort €260-420.In August (Fringe) hotels +40-80%: book 8-12 weeks in advance.✓ Better |
| Main attractions | Guinness Storehouse €22-30, 1.5-2 hours with a pint at the Gravity Bar.Book of Kells at Trinity College €18-28, 45-60 min (book a time slot).Kilmainham Gaol €8-12, guided visit 1.5 hours; bus 13/40 from center 20 min.EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum €21, 1.5 hours in the Docklands.State museums free (Archaeology and Decorative Arts): 1-2 hours each.Distances: Trinity–Guinness 2.2 km (28 min on foot). | Edinburgh Castle €23-26 (from £19.50), 2-3 hours; view over the Royal Mile.Holyroodhouse €23 (from £19.50), 1.5-2 hours; combine with the Parliament (free).Royal Yacht Britannia €23-26, 2 hours in Leith (tram 25-30 min).National Museum of Scotland free, 2 hours.Arthur’s Seat ascent 45-60 min, cost €0.Distances: Castle–Holyrood 1.6 km (20 min along the Royal Mile). |
| Food and restaurants | Typical dishes: Irish stew, Dublin coddle, boxty, Carlingford oysters.Where: Gallagher’s Boxty House (mains €15-22), The Winding Stair (€24-32), fish & chips at Leo Burdock (€12-14).Whiskey/beer: The Palace Bar and The Long Hall; pint €6,50-8.Market: Temple Bar Food Market Saturday 09:00-16:30 (street food €8-12).Reserve for Friday 19:00-21:00 with 48 hours’ notice. | Typical dishes: haggis, neeps & tatties, Scotch pie, smoked salmon from the Highlands.Where: Howies (2 courses €24-30), Ondine seafood (mains €28-44), The Devil’s Advocate for whisky (dram from €5,30).Street food: Oink roast pork sandwich €6-8.Market: Edinburgh Farmers’ Market Saturday 09:00-14:00 on Castle Terrace.Book for 19:00-20:00, especially in August. |
| Weather and best time to go | Dublin has mild winters: averages 5-8°C (Dec–Feb), nights 1-3°C, rainfall 60-80 mm/month.Cool summers: 18-20°C (Jun–Aug), sunsets 21:45 in June.Rainy days per year ~128.Recommended months: May–June for less rain and stable prices; March 17 (St.Patrick’s) brings hotels +30-70%.Average wind 20-30 km/h along the Liffey, bring a light waterproof jacket. | Edinburgh is slightly drier: rainfall 50-70 mm/month, ~124 rainy days a year.Winter 4-7°C (Dec–Feb), night 0-2°C; summer 17-19°C (Jun–Aug).Best: May and September for clear skies and regular prices.August is festival season (Fringe, Military Tattoo): hotels +40-80%, book 2-3 months ahead.Sunsets 22:00 in June; wind on Calton Hill 25-35 km/h.✓ Better |
| Transport and how to get there | Dublin (DUB) Airport 10 km from O’Connell Street: Dublin Express bus €9-10 (25-30 min), Aircoach €9-11, taxi €25-35 (20-30 min).In the city: Luas trams (Red/Green), TFI buses, DART for the north/south coast; single ride €2-3.There is no metro.Trains from Heuston and Connolly.Distances: Temple Bar–Guinness 1.5 km.Tip: avoid taxis 17:00-19:00 (traffic on the Quays). | Edinburgh (EDI) Airport 13 km from Princes Street: tram €8,80 (from £7.50) 30 min, Airlink 100 bus €6,40 (from £5.50) 30-35 min, taxi €30-40 25-35 min.In the city: comprehensive Lothian Buses, tram to Leith/Newhaven (since 2023).Day ticket €6,40.Old Town–New Town 1 km on foot.Trains from Waverley to Glasgow every 15 min (50 min).✓ Better |
| Nightlife | The heart is in the pubs of Temple Bar, but better quality on Camden Street and South William St.Traditional live music at The Cobblestone (19:00-23:00), cocktails at Peruke & Periwig (€12-15).Pints €6,50-8, whiskey shot €5-9.Clubs: Dicey’s and The Academy, closing 02:30-03:00.Night taxi downtown 3-5 km €12-18.Friday/Saturday cover €5-10 after 22:30.✓ Better | Areas: Grassmarket, Cowgate, George Street.Whisky bars like The Bow Bar (over 400 labels, dram from €5,30), clubs Why Not and The Liquid Room (cover €6-12).Pints €6,40-7,60, cocktails €10-13.Hours: pubs 12:00–01:00, clubs until 03:00 Fri–Sat.Downtown taxi 3-5 km €9-14.In August, book tables by 18:30. |
| For families with children | Dublin Zoo in Phoenix Park €22 adult, 1.5-3 hours; bus 46A/37 20-25 min.Interactive EPIC Museum (kids 6-12), 1.5 hours.Imaginosity is often full on weekends; alternative: Dublinia €12, 60-90 min.Strollers ok on the Luas.Distances: St Stephen’s Green–Zoo 3.5 km (bus 25 min).Family-friendly restaurants: Milano (Dawson St), Elephant & Castle (high chairs). | Dynamic Earth €19 (from £16.50), 1.5-2 hours; immersive experiences.Edinburgh Zoo €27,50 (from £23.50), 2-3 hours; hilly site but internal shuttles.National Museum of Scotland free, science floor for kids 60-90 min.Strollers: cobblestones on the Royal Mile, a child carrier is better.Distances: Waverley–Holyrood Park 1.6 km (20 min).Restaurants: Dishoom (kids menu), Howies (high chairs). |
| Beaches and nature | Howth cliff walk 15 km away (DART 30 min, return ticket €6-8), loop 6-10 km 2-3 hours.Dollymount Strand on Bull Island 6 km from the center (bus 130, 20 min); wind 25-35 km/h, kite surfing.Sandycove/Seapoint 12 km (DART 20 min) for dips at the Forty Foot.Phoenix Park 707 ha, 2-3 hours by bike (rental €10-15/2h). | Arthur’s Seat ascent 45-60 min (251 m), view over the Old Town.Portobello Beach 5 km (bus 25 min), 2 km promenade; cafés on the Promenade.Cramond Island with tide: safe window ±90 min around low tide; check times.Pentland Hills 10 km (bus 44, 25 min), hikes 2-4 hours.Gear: windproof shell, shoes with good grip. |
| Shopping | Streets: Grafton Street (Brown Thomas), Henry Street (Jervis Centre), Powerscourt Centre for local designers.Souvenirs: Aran sweaters €70-120, tweed €90-200, ceramics €20-60.Covered market: George’s Street Arcade.Irish books and prints at Ulysses Rare Books (from €25).Tax-free for non-EU: above €175 on a single receipt. | Streets: Princes Street (high street), Multrees Walk (Harvey Nichols, luxury), Royal Mile for cashmere and tartan.Prices: 100% cashmere €140-235, kilt set €300-700.Whisky 70cl: blended €41-58, single malt €70-117.Shops: Johnstons of Elgin, The Scotch Whisky Experience shop.Sales: late December and late June.✓ Better |
| Safety and practical tips | Tourist areas are safe; watch your bags in Temple Bar after 23:00.Avoid dark alleys along the Liffey late at night.Emergencies 112/999.Payments: cards everywhere, tip 10% at the table.Official licensed taxis; use Free Now.Variable weather: bring layers and a waterproof.Documents: EU citizens with a valid ID card; check 6-month validity. | Edinburgh is very safe; crowding on the Royal Mile in August.Avoid Cowgate alleys at 02:00.Emergencies 999/112.Contactless payments; tip 10-12% in restaurants.Beware slippery cobblestones in the rain.Documents: Italians need a passport for the UK post-Brexit.Weather: wind on Calton Hill, hat with clip and windproof jacket.✓ Better |
| How many days you need | Minimum 2 days: Guinness, Trinity, center and a quick Howth trip.Ideal 3-4 days: add Kilmainham Gaol, EPIC, and a half day to Dalkey or Bray.Walking times: many routes 10-25 min; use the Luas to shorten.Extra day: excursion to Glendalough (50 km, bus 1h20). | Minimum 2 days: Castle, Royal Mile, Arthur’s Seat.Ideal 3-4 days: add Holyroodhouse, Britannia in Leith and free museums.Extra day: St Andrews (80 km, 1h20 train+bus) or Rosslyn Chapel (12 km, bus 37, 40 min).Everything within 10-30 min on foot or by bus/tram. |
| How to combine the two cities | Dublin–Edinburgh flight 1h10 with Ryanair/Aer Lingus; center to center 3-3.5 hours total (bus/tram + flight).Return fares often €50-140 when booking 2-6 weeks ahead.Alternative: Dublin–Holyhead ferry 3h15 + train 5h30-6h (total 9-10 hours), cost €80-150.Baggage: limit to 8-10 kg to save on low-cost airlines. | From Edinburgh to Dublin same timings: flight 1h10, airport–center 30 min by tram/bus.Daily departures 8-12; first flight ~06:30, last ~21:30.If you prefer land: Waverley–Holyhead train via Crewe 5h30-6h + ferry 3h15.Tip: fly early morning and have lunch on the Royal Mile or in Temple Bar by 13:30. |
The Verdict
Choose Dublin
Choose Dublin if you love pubs, live music and want to combine city and coast in a few days.Suggested period: May–June for 18-20°C and late sunsets.Average travel budget: €150-220/day (central 3* hotel, pub meals, 1-2 paid attractions).Quick 3-day itinerary: Day 1 Guinness Storehouse (2h) + Trinity (1h) and a stroll along Grafton Street.Day 2 Kilmainham Gaol (1.5h) + EPIC (1.5h) and evening on Camden Street.Day 3 trip to Howth (DART 30 min, cliff walk 2-3h) and dinner at The Winding Stair.
Choose Edinburgh
Choose Edinburgh if you’re after castles, urban panoramas and free museums with quick transfers.Suggested period: May or September (17-18°C, fewer crowds).Average budget: €130-200/day (3* hotel, 1 paid attraction/day, €6,40/day transport).3-day itinerary: Day 1 Edinburgh Castle (2-3h) + National Museum (2h).Day 2 Holyroodhouse (1.5-2h) + climb Arthur’s Seat (1.5-2h round trip).Day 3 Royal Yacht Britannia (2h) in Leith by tram (30 min) and whisky evening at The Bow Bar.