Everything You Need to Know About Planning a Trip to Scotland

My first visit to Scotland was in 2018 and I knew it was a country I’d need to visit again.  As fate would have it, I ended up traveling around Scotland for the second time in 2024 and fell even more in love with the country, people, culture, and wild animals on the sides of the roads.  Scotland is truly everything I want when I visit a foreign country – kind people, beautiful landscapes, fun pubs, and a healthy amount of local foods to try.  After traveling around Scotland for (a combined) 5 weeks, this is everything you need to know about planning a trip to Scotland!

 

If you’re traveling to Scotland, don’t miss…

• The Ultimate Scotland Packing List

 

Brief History of Scotland

Scotland’s history is as rich and dramatic as its landscapes.  The 1707 Act of Union linked Scotland with England to form Great Britain, yet it never dimmed the fiery spirit of the local Scots.  Today, Scotland retains its unique identity, celebrated through traditions like the sounds of bagpipes and men dressed in kilts.  Despite its compact size, Scotland’s influence and charm are undeniable, making it an endlessly fascinating corner of the globe for travelers seeking adventure, beauty, and remoteness.

 

Travel Insurance for Scotland

When traveling abroad, I believe that the most important thing you can do is purchase travel insurance for your trip.  Travel insurance can cover illness, hotel cancelation, emergency evacuation services, and more.  I used SafetyWing while traveling through Scotland and would highly recommend it.

 

Read more about why I recommend travel insurance…

• Why You Need Travel Insurance… From a Nurse’s Perspective

 

GET YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE HERE!

 

The Best Time to Visit Scotland

The best time to visit Scotland is during the late spring (May to June) and early autumn (September to October) when the weather is mild, and the tourist crowds are smaller.  This time of year provides comfortable temperatures, fewer midges, and breathtaking landscapes in full bloom or autumn colors.  Summer (July to August) is peak tourist season with warmer weather, longer daylight hours, and bustling festivals.  Winter (November to February) is cold and dark, but it does offer a unique charm with snow-covered landscapes and fewer tourists.

The two times I traveled to Scotland were in October and in June and both times the weather was pretty cold, rainy, and cloudy.  Overall, Scotland is known to have a lot of rainy days and this is more evident the further north you go.

 

How Many Days is Enough for Scotland?

If you have all the time in the world, I would say that 2-3 weeks in Scotland is a good starting point.  However, even if you only have 10 days, you can see a majority of the highlights including Edinburgh, Inverness, Isle of Skye, and more.  If you have less than 10 days, I would suggest focusing on a city like Edinburgh and Glasgow and its surrounding regions.  Or spending time on Isle of Skye.

 

Don’t miss…

• The Best 10 Day Scotland Itinerary

 

Cost of Visiting Scotland

If you’re wondering how much money do you need to travel to Scotland, unfortunately the answer is – a lot.  Scotland is one of the more expensive countries in Europe, on par with both England and the Scandinavian countries.  If you’re planning a trip to Scotland, I would say that you can expect to spend…

• Budget:  $70-$90/day
• Mid-range:  $150-$200/day
• Luxury:  $300+/day

Renting a car in Scotland is relatively affordable, while hotel stays, food, and drink will run up your bill the fastest.

 

Currency in Scotland

Scotland operates on the Pound sterling (GBP).  At time of writing in 2024, 1 USD = 0.78 GBP.

 

Cash vs Credit/Debit

Scotland is a card-friendly country and many places do not accept cash.  There was no time during my travels that I was required to have cash on me and I wouldn’t recommend taking money out of the ATM (due to fees) unless you need it.  If you do take money from the ATM, make sure to say “no” when the ATM asks if you want them to convert the money for you, in order to get a better conversion rate from your bank.

 

Tipping Practices

Tipping is not common or expected in Scotland.  I would say that it’s appropriate to tip (10% maximum) if you dine at a nice restaurant or if you hire a tour guide for a day.  However, if you plan to tip when eating out – make sure to check your bill first as some restaurants do include a small fee that goes towards the server.  If this is the case, it isn’t necessary to leave any additional money.

 

How to Get to Scotland

There are 5 international airports in Scotland, however if you’re traveling from somewhere outside of Europe, chances are the cheapest option will be to fly into Edinburgh.

If you’re visiting Scotland from elsewhere in Europe, the airports that accept international flights are located in Edinburgh, Glasgow (x 2), Aberdeen, and Inverness.

Finally, if you’re planning a trip to Scotland from England, you can also take a train.

 

Don’t miss…

• Taking a Train from London to Edinburgh

 

Tips for Getting to Scotland from the USA

If you’re planning a trip to Scotland from the USA, here are some tips to make your journey comfortable, and maybe even more affordable…

• If you live in a small city, buy a flight out of a bigger city to save money
  • For example, I live in Omaha, NE so I use points to fly to Chicago in the morning, then get a night flight out of Chicago to my destination
• If you’re flexible on travel dates, play around with dates when it comes to arriving/departing for the cheapest flight
• Look at flight prices/times if you fly from the East Coast vs the West Coast (flying from the East Coast will generally be a cheaper and quicker option)
• Open a travel credit card to earn points to potentially use for your flight
• Sign up for Going (there is a free version) for cheap flight notifications
• Compare flight prices on a big search engine (but book direct when possible)
• Purchase travel insurance (before traveling) in case anything goes wrong with your flight
• Bring a good eye mask on the airplane for a chance at some shut eye

 

BOOK YOUR FLIGHT TO SCOTLAND HERE!

 

How to Get Around Scotland

The two main ways to get around Scotland is either by train or by car.  However, if you want to travel extensively around the country, reach more remote destinations, and have more flexibility – a rental car is the way to go.

 

 

 

If you’re thinking about renting a car in Scotland, don’t miss…

• Everything You Need to Know About Renting a Car in Scotland

 

Scottish Food & Drink

In Scotland, the traditional foods and drinks are almost as dramatic as its landscapes.  Traditional Scottish cuisine is a hearty affair, deeply influenced by the natural resources from its rugged terrain.  Perhaps the most interesting of Scottish cuisine is haggis, a blend of sheep’s offal mixed with onions, oatmeal, and spices, encased in the animal’s stomach.  It’s a testament to Scotland’s knack for turning simple, locally sourced ingredients into something remarkably rich (and I promise it isn’t as bad as it sounds).  Whisky also plays a starring role, with its centuries-old distilling traditions that are practically woven into the social and cultural fabric of the country.  Today, chefs across Edinburgh and Glasgow are injecting contemporary flair into these traditional dishes, creating a dynamic culinary scene that respects its roots while boldly forging ahead.

 

Accommodation in Scotland

My preferred way to book accommodation in Scotland is using Booking.com.  Not only will you find a plethora of hotels but you’re also able to filter through options.  Before browsing accommodations, I always make sure that I have “free wifi”, “very good 8+ reviews”  and “A/C” toggled ON.  From there, I browse through accommodations and choose the best one for me.

 

If you’re looking for accommodation in Edinburgh, don’t miss…

• 8 Best Hotels in Edinburgh

 

BOOK YOUR HOTEL IN SCOTLAND HERE!

 

Best Things to Do in Scotland

There are some “quintessential Scottish” things I recommend when visiting Scotland.  Here are some things to add to your Scotland bucket list!…

• Whisky Tasting with History and Storytelling (in Edinburgh)
• Palace of Holyroodhouse Entry Ticket (in Edinburgh)
• Edinburgh Walking Food Tour
• Whisky Tour (in Edinburgh)
• Royal Mile Guided Walking Tour in Edinburgh
• St Andrews & the Fishing Villages of Fife (day trip from Edinburgh)
• Edinburgh Castle Guided Walking Tour
• Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour
• Loch Ness & Highlands Tour from Edinburgh
• Underground Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh

 

Don’t miss…

• 9 Places to Visit in Scotland (that aren’t Edinburgh)

 

Scotland Essentials – What You Need & Need to Know About Visiting Scotland

 

If you’re planning a trip to Scotland, I hope that you found this post helpful!  If you have any questions, let me know in a comment below.

 

For more on visiting Scotland, don’t miss…

• The Best 2 Day Isle of Skye Itinerary
• How to Spend 2 Days in Edinburgh
• The Best Things to Do in Oban in 48 Hours

 

---

For more information on things to see and do in Scotland, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reel by searching “#ppinscotland” or under my highlights for “Scotland”; alternatively, head to my TikTok and search for the saved “Scotland” highlight

---

 

Pin Me!

Disclosure:  This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to purchase through my link, at no cost to you.  Passports and Preemies is also a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees.