Edinburgh
London
Many travelers compare Edinburgh and London because both offer history in English, direct flights from Italy in 2–3 hours, and a mix of museums, pubs, and parks.The two cities are 534 km apart as the crow flies and are connected by a high-speed train in 4h20.All figures are in €, converted from £ at an average rate of €1=£0.85 (Apr 2026).Edinburgh is more compact: from the Castle to Arthur’s Seat is 2.5 km, while in London going from Notting Hill to Greenwich takes 45–60 min by Tube/DLR.Average daily costs are lower in Edinburgh by about €40–80 compared to London, but the capital offers more free museums and extended nightlife.In this guide you’ll find comparisons with prices, times, distances, and neighborhoods.We analyze budget; attractions with tickets and duration; food with real restaurants; transport to/from the airports; weather by season; ideas for families, nature, and shopping.We wrap up with sample itineraries and how to combine the two cities in 4–7 days.
Edinburgh vs London
| Feature | Edinburgh | London |
|---|---|---|
| Daily budget | In Edinburgh a hostel bed costs €25–40 (e.g., Kick Ass Hostel), a central 3-star €100–160 (e.g., ibis Styles St Andrew Square), a 4-star €160–240 (e.g., Apex Grassmarket).Meals: pub mains €12–18 (e.g., The Royal Mile Tavern), mid-range dinner €25–35 per person, pint €6–7.Transport: day bus ticket €5.9, airport tram €8.8.Daily budget: €80–110 (budget), €140–200 (mid), €280–450 (luxury with private driver and whisky tasting).✓ Better | In London a hostel costs €30–60 (e.g., YHA St Pancras), a 3-star €160–260 (e.g., Z Hotel Holborn), a 4-star €240–380 (e.g., Park Plaza Westminster Bridge).Meals: street food lunch at Borough Market €10–15, mid-range dinner €30–45, cocktails €14–19.Transport: daily cap €9.5–11.5 (zones 1–2/1–4), Heathrow Express €19–29.Budget: €110–150 (budget), €220–320 (mid), €400–700 (luxury with a show and chauffeur). |
| Top attractions | The Edinburgh Castle costs about €23 (online) and takes 2–3 hours.The National Museum of Scotland is free (1.5–2.5 hours).The Royal Yacht Britannia costs €23 (2 hours) in Leith (4.5 km).The Palace of Holyroodhouse costs €23 (1.5–2 hours).Climbing Arthur’s Seat is free (45–60 min), 2.5 km from the center (Royal Mile).All attractions are within 5 km, minimizing transfers. | The British Museum is free (2–3 hours).The Tower of London costs about €41 (2–3 hours).The London Eye from €42 (30 min + 30 min queue).Westminster Abbey around €31 (1.5–2 hours).The National Gallery is free (1–2 hours).Attractions are between Westminster, South Bank, and the City, with 10–25 min transfers by Tube.Book online for time slots and to save €2–6.✓ Better |
| Food and restaurants | Typical dishes: haggis with neeps & tatties, cullen skink, Scottish salmon.Pubs like The Scran & Scallie (mains €18–28), fine dining at The Witchery (menu €65–95), street food from Oink (sandwich €9–10).Whisky tasting at the Scotch Whisky Experience from €25.Markets: Stockbridge Market (Sun, 10:00–17:00).Average dinner with dessert: €30–40 per person, beer €6.5.Several vegetarian options in the Old Town and New Town. | Classics: fish & chips, full English, curry on Brick Lane.Examples: Dishoom (Bacon Naan €9.3, curries €15–19), Flat Iron (steak €15), Rosa’s Thai (pad thai €13), Borough Market (street food €10–15).Afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason €88.Pub pint €7.6–8.8.Mid-range dinner with a drink: €35–50.Wide choice in Soho, Shoreditch, Covent Garden until 23:00.✓ Better |
| Weather and best time to visit | In Edinburgh averages: Jan 1–7°C, Apr 5–12°C, Jul 12–19°C, Oct 7–13°C.Annual rainfall ~700 mm, rainy days ~190.Daylight hours: 17 h in June, 7 h in December.Best period: May–September for festivals (Edinburgh Fringe in August) and hiking on Arthur’s Seat.Average wind 20–30 km/h in winter.Bring a waterproof jacket and non-slip shoes. | In London averages: Jan 2–8°C, Apr 7–14°C, Jul 15–23°C, Oct 9–15°C.Annual rainfall ~600 mm, rainy days ~160.Summer spikes can reach 30–35°C for 1–3 days.Best period: May–June and September for parks (Hyde Park, Regent’s Park) and shorter queues.Winter: Winter Wonderland markets (Nov–Dec).Average humidity 70–80%.✓ Better |
| Transport and how to get there | Edinburgh (EDI) Airport is 13 km from the center.Tram: €8.8 (35 min) to St Andrew Square.Airlink 100 bus: €6.5 (30–35 min).Taxi: €29–41 for 25–35 min.In town: Lothian buses every 5–10 min, day ticket €5.9.On foot: from the Castle to Holyrood 1.6 km (20 min).Trains to Glasgow every 15 min (50 min, €16–22). | London has 6 airports: Heathrow (24 km), Gatwick (45 km), Stansted (64 km).Heathrow: Tube €6.6 (55 min), Elizabeth Line €15.6 (35 min), Heathrow Express €19–29 (15 min).Taxi Heathrow–center: €64–94 for 45–70 min.Oyster cap zones 1–2 €9.5.Night: Night Tube (Fri–Sat) and N buses 24/7.Distances: 10–15 km between attractions, the Tube is essential.✓ Better |
| Nightlife | Areas: Grassmarket, Cowgate, George Street.Pubs close at 00:00–01:00, clubs until 03:00 (e.g., The Liquid Room, Why Not).Club entry €6–12, cocktails €9–12, pint €6–7.Live music at Whistle Binkies (free or €6).Walking distances within 1–2 km.Safe at night with local Black Cabs bookable via app. | Areas: Soho, Shoreditch, Camden.Clubs until 04:00–06:00 (e.g., Fabric, Ministry of Sound).Entry €18–29, cocktails €14–19, pint €7.6–8.8.West End theaters: tickets €25–120 (19:30).Night transport: Night Tube and 24h buses.Dress codes often required after 22:00.Book guest lists online to save €5–8.✓ Better |
| For families with children | The Old Town is compact but with cobbles: strollers are fine with large wheels.Attractions: Camera Obscura €23.5 (2 hours), Dynamic Earth €24 (2–3 hours), Edinburgh Zoo €27 (3–4 hours, 5 km).National Museum free with an interactive area.Short distances: 1–2 km between key sights.Buses free for under 5s.Parks: Princes Street Gardens with a playground.✓ Better | In London family-friendly museums: the Natural History Museum and Science Museum are free (2–3 hours each).London Transport Museum €28 adults (kids free).Gardens: Diana Memorial Playground (free) in Kensington.Thames Clippers from €8 for a boat ride.Elevators are marked in stations, but some Tube stops have only stairs.Longer distances: 3–8 km between sights, plan breaks. |
| Beaches and nature | Portobello Beach at 5 km (bus 25 min) for walks.Arthur’s Seat at 2.5 km with an elevation gain of 251 m (45–60 min).Calton Hill at 1 km for sunset (20 min).Pentland Hills at 10–15 km (bus 44, 30–40 min) for trekking.Central parks: Princes Street Gardens and The Meadows.All accessible without a car.✓ Better | Large parks: Hyde Park (1.4 km²), Regent’s Park (1.6 km²), Richmond Park (23 km to the SW, deer).Hampstead Heath 6 km from the West End with natural swimming ponds (€5–7).Nearby beaches: Brighton 86 km away (train 1h, €20–29), Southend-on-Sea 64 km (55 min, €14–22).Great nature but requires more transfers. |
| Shopping | Areas: Royal Mile (tartan, cashmere), Princes Street (chains), St James Quarter (fashion).Vintage in Grassmarket.Stockbridge Market for crafts (Sun).Prices: cashmere scarf €47–105, 10-year single malt €41–53 at the Whisky Experience Shop.Tax: no tax-free for the EU in the United Kingdom.All within 2 km on foot. | In London: Oxford Street, Regent Street, Covent Garden, Harrods.Markets: Camden Market, Portobello Road, Old Spitalfields.Vinyl at Rough Trade East.Prices: mainstream sneakers €80–150, vintage on Brick Lane €25–70.Since 2021 no VAT-free for non-EU tourists.Hours: shops until 20:00 (Thu–Fri often 21:00).✓ Better |
| Safety and practical tips | Edinburgh is generally very safe.Avoid dark alleys in Cowgate after 00:00 and watch for pickpockets on the Royal Mile during the Fringe.In Leith stick to main streets at night.Official Black Cabs or apps (Bolt/Uber).Emergency numbers: 999/112.Changeable weather: bring layers and a backpack cover.ATMs are widespread within 300 m in the center.✓ Better | In London be alert for pickpockets at Oxford Circus, Leicester Square, and on the Piccadilly Line.Avoid unauthorized minicabs: use Black Cabs or apps.Scams: street games on Westminster Bridge and fake charity collectors.Smartphone snatching by scooter.Emergencies 999/112.Crowded transport 17:00–19:00; travel off-peak to save €1–2 per ride. |
| How many days do you need | Minimum 2 days for the Castle, Royal Mile, National Museum, and sunset at Calton Hill.Ideal 3–4 days including Arthur’s Seat, Palace of Holyroodhouse, and Leith/Britannia.With 4 days, plan a trip to Stirling (56 km, 50 min, €16–22).Short distances reduce dead time to 15–25 min between stops.✓ Better | Minimum 3 days for Westminster, the British Museum, the Tower, and the South Bank.Ideal 5–7 days for Greenwich, Camden, Notting Hill, and a musical in the West End.With 6–7 days include Windsor (38 km, train 35 min, €13–18) or Brighton (86 km, 1h, €20–29).Average transfers 25–40 min between neighborhoods. |
| How to combine the two cities | LNER train from Edinburgh Waverley to London King’s Cross: 4h20–4h45, advance €41–140.Plane: flight 1h10 (+ 60–90 min transfers), fare €47–140.Bus 9–10 h at €18–41.Road distance 650 km.Choose the train for comfort and center-to-center.Book a window on the east side for views of the Northumberland coast. | Starting from London, the same LNER train from King’s Cross to Waverley in 4h20.Alternatives: Lumo (no-frills) often €29–65.Flight from Gatwick/Stansted 1h10; factor in €15–29 and 35–60 min to reach the airport.If driving, urban tolls €17–19 (Congestion Charge) in London.Train wins for time and CO₂. |
The Verdict
Choose Edinburgh
Choose Edinburgh if you want a 3–4 day city break between history and nature, with an average budget of €140–200 per day.Ideal period: May–June or September for average 19°C and less crowding than the Fringe.Itinerary: day 1 Castle (2–3 h), Royal Mile, and sunset at Calton Hill; day 2 National Museum (2 h), Holyroodhouse (2 h), and a hike up Arthur’s Seat (1 h); day 3 Leith and Royal Yacht Britannia (2 h), whisky tasting €25.Walk between sights within 2 km, with a bus day ticket €5.9 for the outskirts.
Choose London
Choose London if you’re looking for a 5–7 day metropolis with free museums, West End shows, and iconic neighborhoods.Average budget €220–320 per day.Ideal period: May or September (15–21°C) to enjoy Hyde Park and the South Bank without August peaks.Itinerary: day 1 Westminster and South Bank; day 2 British Museum (2–3 h) and Covent Garden; day 3 Tower (2 h) and the City; day 4 Greenwich with the DLR; day 5 Camden and Regent’s Park; evening musical €40–90.Use an Oyster with a cap of €9.5.