Travel tips · Edinburgh · United Kingdom
Edinburgh travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Andrew Colin, CC BY 2.0
Quick answer
Edinburgh is Scotland's capital and the seat of the Scottish Parliament, and its people are proud of a distinct Scottish identity, legal system and education. Scots words are common in everyday speech, and Gaelic appears on some signs. The city has long been a centre of learning and literature, from the Scottish Enlightenment to Robert Louis Stevenson, Arthur Conan Doyle and J. K. Rowling.
Key facts
- Language
- English
- Currency
- GBP
- Plugs
- Type G three-pin sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink and notably soft.
- Emergency
- 999 or 112
Things to know
- Call people Scottish or Scots, not English, and do not refer to the whole of the UK as England.
- Stand on the right on escalators, and let passengers off buses and trams before boarding.
- Traffic drives on the left; look right first when crossing.
- In pubs, order at the bar, and take your turn buying rounds if drinking with a group.
- Keep to the paths on Arthur's Seat and in the Old Town graveyards, and take litter home.
- Book Edinburgh Castle ahead: Timed tickets sell out in summer and especially in August; book on the official Edinburgh Castle site.
- Book The Real Mary King's Close ahead: Tours have limited places and sell out in summer; book a time slot online.
- The National Museum of Scotland, the Scottish National Gallery, the Gallery of Modern Art and St Giles' Cathedral are all free.
Tipping
Tip about 10–12.5% in restaurants if a service charge is not already added. Tipping in pubs is not expected, and taxi fares are usually rounded up.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Aye | Yes |
| Wee | Small |
| Bonnie | Pretty |
| Dreich | Dull, grey and wet (weather) |
| Haar | Cold sea fog off the Firth of Forth |
| Slàinte mhath | Cheers (Gaelic) |
What to wear
Bring layers, a waterproof jacket and shoes with grip for the cobbles and hills; the wind can make it feel much colder than the thermometer suggests.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type G three-pin sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is safe to drink and notably soft.
- Emergency number
- 999 or 112
- Phone and internet
- UK mobile networks are fast; non-UK visitors can buy a local SIM or use an eSIM, and EU roaming terms depend on your provider.
- Time zone
- Europe/London
Edinburgh is generally safe for visitors. Pickpockets work the festival crowds and the Royal Mile in summer, and the steep closes, stairs and cobbles are slippery in rain. On Arthur's Seat, stay on the paths and avoid the crags in wind or poor visibility.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check United Kingdom's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Edinburgh?
Tip about 10–12.5% in restaurants if a service charge is not already added. Tipping in pubs is not expected, and taxi fares are usually rounded up.
+Can you drink the tap water in Edinburgh?
Tap water is safe to drink and notably soft.
+What plugs are used in Edinburgh?
Type G three-pin sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Edinburgh?
English.