Comparison · Edinburgh vs London · United Kingdom
Edinburgh vs London
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Andrew Colin, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
Choose Edinburgh for Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Mile, lower day-to-day costs and beaches; choose London for Big Ben and Parliament and British Museum. Edinburgh is generally less expensive, and the two are about 534 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 534 km
- Less expensive
- Edinburgh
- Best time for Edinburgh
- May–June and September
- Best time for London
- May–June and September
Side by side
| Edinburgh | London | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom | United Kingdom |
| Known for | Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Mile and Edinburgh Festival Fringe | Big Ben and Parliament, British Museum and Royal palaces |
| Best time to visit | May–June and September | May–June and September |
| Ideal stay | 3 days | 5 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $180–$320 | $260–$420 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Very expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 19°C (66°F) | July, 24°C (75°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 7°C (45°F) | January, 9°C (48°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 13 | 12 |
| Day trips in our guide | 8 | 8 |
| Beaches | Portobello Beach | — |
| Airports | EDI, GLA | LHR, LGW, STN, LTN, LCY |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Edinburgh for…
Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Mile, lower day-to-day costs and beaches. Edinburgh is built across volcanic hills between the Firth of Forth and the Pentland Hills, and its two UNESCO-listed halves sit side by side: the medieval Old Town strung along the Royal Mile from the Castle to Holyrood, and the Georgian grid of the New…
.jpeg){kind=link}
Choose London for…
Big Ben and Parliament and British Museum. London spreads across 32 boroughs, but most visitors spend their time in a central band running from Westminster and the West End to the City and the South Bank, linked by the Tube and a riverside walk along the Thames. The great national museums — the…
Top sights compared
| # | Edinburgh | London |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edinburgh Castle | British Museum |
| 2 | The Royal Mile | Tower of London |
| 3 | St Giles' Cathedral | Westminster Abbey |
| 4 | Palace of Holyroodhouse | Houses of Parliament and Big Ben |
| 5 | Arthur's Seat | Buckingham Palace and Changing the Guard |
Food compared
| Edinburgh | London |
|---|---|
| Haggis, neeps and tatties | Full English breakfast |
| Cullen skink | Fish and chips |
| Full Scottish breakfast | Sunday roast |
| Scotch whisky | Pie and mash |
Which is cheaper?
Edinburgh is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $180–$320 per person there, against $260–$420 in London (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Edinburgh on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Edinburgh and London are about 534 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 3 days in Edinburgh and 5 in London.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Edinburgh or London cheaper?
Edinburgh is usually less expensive: about $180–$320 a day mid-range against $260–$420 (estimates).
+Is Edinburgh or London better for a first trip?
Pick Edinburgh for Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Mile, lower day-to-day costs and beaches, or London for Big Ben and Parliament and British Museum.
+How far is Edinburgh from London?
About 534 km in a straight line.