Ready to plan your Scotland trip?
Start with our Planning Hub â itineraries, budgets, accommodation, and everything you need. Subscribe for weekly Scotland travel guides delivered free.
Where Americans Overspend and Underspend in Scotland
Most American visitors to Scotland budget for hotels and tours but forget about the costs that actually add up: parking, dining, and whisky distillery tours. Meanwhile, they overpay for things that should be free. For a taste of what makes Scotland unforgettable, read about stories behind Scotland’s most beloved symbols.
- Skip the paid walking tours. Edinburgh and Glasgow both have free walking tours (tip-based) that are run by locals who actually know the city. The ÂŁ25-per-person paid tours rarely offer more â and they attract larger groups.
- Budget ÂŁ15-20 per distillery visit. Most distillery tours cost ÂŁ12-18 and include a dram. The âpremiumâ tours at ÂŁ40+ are rarely worth it unless youâre a serious whisky collector. Two standard tours give you more variety than one expensive one.
- Car hire outside Edinburgh is cheaper than youâd think. Enterprise and Arnold Clark in Glasgow or Inverness are often 30-40% cheaper than Edinburgh Airport rentals. Take the train to Glasgow (50 minutes, ÂŁ14), pick up the car there, and save ÂŁ100+ on a weekâs rental.
- Eat pub lunches, not pub dinners. The same pub that charges ÂŁ18 for fish and chips at dinner often has a lunch menu at ÂŁ10-12 for the same portion. Scottish pubs serve food from noon â eat your main meal then and have something light in the evening.
Want more honest Scotland travel advice? Join 43,000+ readers in our free Scotland newsletter.
