Since July 2026, Edinburgh adds a 5% visitor levy to every hotel bill, and US visitors also pay for a UK ETA before they fly. Castle tickets, whisky tastings and a Highlands day tour are what most people forget.
Starts with a sample trip. Change any number to match yours.
Compare hotels in central Edinburgh →The sample is 2 travelers for 4 nights. Your plan ($3,570) covers the main costs most people budget for, the ones you enter on the left. Costs people forget ($976, about 27% more for this trip) are the fees, taxes, tips and extras listed in the calculator. Prices were last checked on October 17, 2026.
Share of the $4,546 real cost. Nights and travelers multiply most of these costs, so changing either one moves the total the most.
5 of this trip's numbers link to a published price or rate. The rest are our estimates, and each one says what it is based on. You can also read how we calculate every trip.
| Cost | Default | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Airfare per person | $950 per traveler | Our estimate of a typical round-trip economy fare to Edinburgh from a major US airport, often with one connection. Our estimate |
| Hotel per night | $230 a night | Our estimate for a mid-range double room in central Edinburgh. August festival rates are much higher. Our estimate |
| Food per person, per day | $75 per traveler, per day | Our estimate for cafe breakfasts, pub lunches and one restaurant dinner a day, at about $75 per person. Our estimate |
| Cost | Default | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Checked bag fees Off by default | $90 per traveler | Most economy fares to Europe include one checked bag, so this is off by default. Basic economy fares charge extra. Source |
| Passports Off by default | $165 per traveler | A new adult passport costs about $165 and can take weeks. Our estimate |
| UK ETA | $27 per traveler | The UK government says an ETA costs £20, about $27. Source |
| Airport transfers | $25 for the trip | The airport tram is £9.50 return per person, about $25 for two people. Source |
| Edinburgh visitor levy | 5% of the hotel | The city charges a 5% levy on accommodation for stays from July 24, 2026, capped at five nights. Source |
| Edinburgh Castle and attraction tickets | $65 per traveler | Edinburgh Castle is £23.50 online and £26 at the gate; we add one or two more paid attractions. Source |
| Whisky tasting | $40 per traveler | Our estimate of about $40 per person for a whisky tasting or distillery tour. Our estimate |
| Highlands day tours | $80 per traveler | Our estimate of about $80 per person for a coach day trip to Loch Ness or the Highlands. Our estimate |
| Buses and taxis | $10 a night | The Old Town is hilly, and taxis help late at night. Our estimate |
| Phone data | $30 per traveler | An international plan or eSIM. Our estimate |
| Card fees | 3% of your plan | Many credit and debit cards charge about 3% on foreign purchases; cards with no foreign transaction fee avoid it. Our estimate |
| Travel insurance | 6% of your plan | Squaremouth says a comprehensive plan averages about 6% of the trip cost, usually 4% to 10%. Source |
| Pre-trip shopping | $60 for the trip | Our estimate for travel-size toiletries, sunscreen and small things bought before a trip. Our estimate |
| Pet boarding or sitter | $50 a day, if you check Pets | Dogster puts regular kennel boarding at about $35 to $85 a night. Overnight sitters at home cost more. Source |
For 4 nights with flights, a hotel and food, plan on about $3,550. Once you add the costs most visitors forget, like the UK ETA, the visitor levy, castle tickets and a Highlands day tour, it's closer to $4,550. Use the calculator above to match your own trip.
It's a 5% charge on the cost of overnight stays from July 24, 2026, including stays booked after October 1, 2025. It applies to hotels, B&Bs, hostels and short-term rentals, and it's capped at five nights in a row. Source
Yes. Scotland is part of the UK, so US citizens need a UK ETA before they travel. It costs £20, about $27, per person, and every traveler needs their own. Source
The tram costs £7.90 one way or £9.50 for an open return. The Airlink 100 bus is cheaper, at £6 one way or £8.50 return. A taxi usually costs about £20 to £40. Source
Yes. Adult tickets are £23.50 online and £26 at the gate, and time slots can sell out in busy months. Arthur's Seat and the Royal Mile are free to explore. Source