Cheap 5-Day Scotland Road Trip from Edinburgh to Glasgow

Your exciting road trip through Scotland starts when you reach the incredible city of Edinburgh, where you'll stay for 2 nights. You'll pick up your rental car in Edinburgh and begin your adventure in Scotland.

Edinburgh is a popular cheap holiday destination in Scotland with something to offer every traveler. When you're ready to explore the city, stop at some of the best places to visit in Edinburgh and get this road trip adventure rolling.

A trip to the amazing Royal Mile will make your cheap holiday in Scotland truly special. This attraction is a fascinating top-tier point of interest that has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 14,405 visitors.

When you're done sightseeing for the day, you'll check in at one of the best budget-friendly hotels or places to stay in the city.

When you're hungry and ready to take a break from your adventure, treat yourself to a delicious meal at one of the best restaurants in Edinburgh. An excellent example is the popular The Edinburgh Larder. Serving a menu of mouthwatering dishes, this restaurant is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,804 customers.

Another restaurant you should check out during your cheap vacation in Scotland is The Kitchin. Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars by 1,577 customers, this famous restaurant is one of the city's most recommended places to eat.

If you wish to dine at a restaurant locals love, go to the wonderful Bramble Bar & Lounge. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 743 customers, and is an awesome place to satisfy your craving for good food and service.

Makars Gourmet Mash Bar (Edinburgh) is a great bar to relax after a busy day. About 2,814 customers have given this spot an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, making it one of the most popular bars in the area.

Another bar in Edinburgh we recommend is Panda & Sons, an excellent place to meet new friends. This bar offers customers plenty of snack and drink options and is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,617 customers.

The Dome is also one of the best places to go to unwind and chat with locals. Over 6,433 bar-goers have rated it an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars.

Enjoy toasting the start of a terrific road trip vacation and cheap holiday experience in Scotland!

On day 2 of your road trip through popular and cheap vacation spots across Scotland, you’ll experience two places in one day. You’ll start your day in Edinburgh and end your day in the city of Glasgow, where you'll stay for 2 nights. How much time you’ll spend in each location is up to you.

One of the best places to visit in Edinburgh is the amazing Edinburgh Castle. This travel destination is a castle that has been rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 90,949 visitors.

This day is also your chance to stop at the incredible National Museum of Scotland. Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars by 45,476 travelers, a visit to this well-known national museum and sightseeing spot in Edinburgh is likely to make your vacation in Scotland even more memorable.

Another unforgettable sight in Edinburgh is the outstanding Holyrood Park. This archaeological site has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 12,119 visitors.

To make the most of your day in this cheap holiday destination in Scotland, drop by the popular Holyrood Palace. This attraction, an amazing official residence, has been rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 17,746 travelers.

If you’re keen to explore more, you’ll enjoy the fantastic Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. This botanical garden is a popular attraction rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 20,765 visitors from all over the globe.

Cheap, budget vacations are nothing but incredible, especially when you’re in Scotland. To have the best affordable travel experience in Scotland, make time for some unique, challenging, or inspiring activities. Adding a tour to your travel plan promises a one-of-a kind adventure that will make your cheap vacation in Scotland unforgettable. Fortunately, you'll find plenty of budget-friendly tours and cheap holiday deals in Scotland.

At the end of the day, you will drive to the city of Glasgow. Glasgow is another cheap travel destination in Scotland where you have access to hotels, restaurants, bars, and other conveniences.

After a long day of driving and exploring some of the best attractions a budget vacation in Scotland can afford, treat yourself to a hearty meal. You’ll find many great restaurants in Glasgow that offer delicious food to help keep you going.

One restaurant we recommend you try in Glasgow is Paesano Pizza. This restaurant provides good food and service and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 5,948 customers.

When talking about the best restaurants in Glasgow, The Willow Tea Rooms is a name locals often mention. This local favorite offers a variety of options, helping it earn an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 2,255 diners.

Another restaurant worth trying is Mono. Many locals and cheap holiday goers in Glasgow enjoy dining at this restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 1,446 customers.

As the day is coming to an end, stop at some of Glasgow’s best bars to celebrate this day of your road trip vacation in Scotland. For example, you can visit Òran Mór. Rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 5,385 customers, this bar is considered a favorite in the area.

Another great place to have a refreshing, celebratory drink is Stereo. This popular bar in Glasgow has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 1,954 bar-goers.

You can also go to The Anchor Line as an alternative. More than a bar, the popular The Anchor Line is also a place for fun or relaxation. Around 1,659 customers have given this city bar an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Raise your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure and cheap holiday experience in Scotland!

On day 3 of your road trip adventures in Scotland, you’ll go deep into Glasgow, where you'll stay for 1 night, and see some of the city’s unforgettable attractions. To learn more of the city's culture, you'll also dine at the most popular restaurants in Glasgow, and meet locals along the way!

Glasgow offers an incredible variety of budget hotels and places to stay you can choose from and spend the night in.

We recommend you stay at the charming Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel to ensure a pleasant and affordable vacation in Glasgow. This 5-star hotel offers guests comfort and convenience and is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars in 2,407 guest reviews.

Another budget-friendly stay option you can check into is the cozy 4-star YOTEL Glasgow. This cheap hotel provides a ton of handy amenities perfect for travelers in Glasgow. YOTEL Glasgow has an average rating of 4 out of 5 stars from 14,669 former guests.

Travelers looking forward to enjoying a cheap vacation in Glasgow should also consider Holiday Inn Express Glasgow - City Center Theatreland. This 3-star hotel offers great value-for-money and is one of the best budget accommodations in the city. Holiday Inn Express Glasgow - City Center Theatreland has been rated by 7,196 guests with an average of 4.2 out of 5 stars.

Popular hotels and places to stay in Glasgow offering low-cost accommodations get fully-booked fast. If any of these stay options are not available during your visit in the city, our flexible booking system will automatically provide you with the best budget alternatives.

One thing that makes Glasgow the perfect cheap holiday destination is that the city offers easy access to many popular attractions. For example, the outstanding botanical garden, Glasgow Botanic Gardens. This attraction has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 12,594 visitors.

The famous Riverside Museum is another remarkable sightseeing hotspot in the area. This incredible museum and travel destination has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 16,799 visitors.

Glasgow is also the home of the extraordinary Kelvingrove Park. Around 13,336 travelers have rated the spectacular Kelvingrove Park an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

Another place you’ll want to visit is the captivating George Square. With an impressive average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from a total of 20,066 reviews, a visit to this wonderful square and tourist destination is truly a great idea.

This fascinating attraction is a must-visit.

Come to Glasgow prepared by adding a tour to your budget vacation package to Scotland. If you’re up for a challenging, fun, or inspiring activity, check out the fantastic selection of tours and cheap holiday deals in Glasgow.

After a day of exploring, reward yourself by dining at one of the best restaurants in Glasgow, Elia Greek Restaurant. Locals enjoy eating at Elia Greek Restaurant for its good food and ambiance. This excellent restaurant has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 1,187 diners.

The Ivy Buchanan Street, Glasgow serves various affordable and delicious dishes perfect for cheap holiday goers. On top of that, this restaurant is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,179 food lovers.

If you want more options, La Lanterna is another great spot. Browse through its exciting menu and you'll see why La Lanterna has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars in 1,068 reviews.

Curious about the nightlife in Glasgow? Consider visiting some of the best bars in Glasgow after dinner. Locals recommend Mono, and it's a great spot to enjoy a refreshing drink after an active day. This bar is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,446 customers.

The Citizen Glasgow is another excellent place to relax and have a drink or two after a busy road trip in Scotland. The Citizen Glasgow has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 1,260 bar-goers, proving it's one of the most popular bars in Glasgow.

You might also want to cap the night off at The Piper Whisky Bar, a fascinating bar that 1,323 customers have rated 4.4 out of 5 stars in their reviews.

Raise a toast and enjoy celebrating this terrific day of your affordable vacation in Scotland!

Day 4 of your self-drive vacation in Scotland gives you the opportunity to explore two popular cheap holiday destinations in one day.

Today's agenda features plenty of popular stops and allows you to stay in Edinburgh for 1 night. How much time you want to spend in each area or attraction is up to you. This way, you’ll have all the time you want to take in the unique atmosphere of each location and make the most of your affordable vacation in Scotland.

While you’re in Stirling, it’s a good idea to visit the amazing Wallace Monument. The fantastic Wallace Monument is a popular monument and a sightseeing hotspot. This attraction boasts an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 10,772 travelers.

Travelers usually have a splendid time at the incredible Stirling Castle, a well-known castle in the area. Currently, this spectacular destination enjoys a 4.6 out of a 5 star-rating from 26,632 travelers.

The top-rated Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park is another local feature you can check out today. This spectacular zoo and destination has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 7,922 travelers.

Make Falkirk Wheel your first stop. This popular boat lift among locals and travelers alike has been rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 15,951 visitors.

Another unforgettable travel destination in Falkirk is the outstanding The Kelpies. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 27,904 visitors, this remarkable sculpture and attraction deserves a spot on your Scotland travel bucket list.

Make the most of your time in the country by joining activities that let you discover more about Scotland. Check out all of the affordable tours you can join this day of your cheap holiday in Scotland and ensure the road trip experience of a lifetime.

You’ll also have your choice of the best budget accommodations in the city of Edinburgh. So when it's time for a break from your adventures in Edinburgh, relax and restore your energy at any of the following affordable places to stay.

After a long day of driving and exploring, we recommend you try Dishoom Edinburgh, one of the best restaurants in Edinburgh. This restaurant is a local favorite and has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 5,852 customers.

Miller & Carter Edinburgh City Centre is yet another of the top places to eat in the city. Miller & Carter Edinburgh City Centre is known for serving a variety of delectable dishes and is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 2,950 diners.

Locals and travelers enjoy dining at Cafe Andaluz, another well-loved restaurant in Edinburgh. Rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 3,019 guests, this restaurant is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a memorable dining experience in Scotland.

After dinner, visit one of the best bars in Edinburgh, Whiski Bar & Restaurant. This famous bar offers snacks and drinks at different price points and is a popular hangout spot among locals. In addition, this bar has been rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 2,669 bar goers.

Chaophraya Thai Restaurant is a great place for anyone who is into classic bar drinks. This bar is considered one of the best drinking spots in Edinburgh, with its average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 2,238 customers.

Alternatively, you can drop by The Ivy On The Square Edinburgh, where you can have drinks, let loose, and socialize. This bar is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 2,314 customers.

Cherish every minute of your road trip vacation across Scotland. Celebrate this opportunity to enjoy a cheap holiday in Scotland!

It’s soon time to say goodbye to Scotland as your road trip vacation is about to end. Day 5 is your departure day and your last chance to capture the beauty of Edinburgh.

Depending on how much time you have before your flight back home, we recommend doing some last-minute shopping or sightseeing to make the most of your cheap holiday experience in Scotland.

If you'd rather pass time visiting some attractions, this is your chance to go to places you may not have had the chance to explore yet.

One fantastic attraction you could visit on your last day in Edinburgh is the remarkable Dean Village. This village and popular place of interest has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 13,727 visitors.

If you have an appetite for one last delicious meal in Edinburgh, consider a top-rated restaurant like The Witchery by the Castle. This restaurant has a menu of appetizing and affordable meals and is rated at an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 2,766 customers.

Howies Restaurant is an excellent alternative if you feel like eating something else. This restaurant serves a variety of savory and budget-friendly dishes and has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 1,817 customers.

Another popular restaurant you could check out is Howies Restaurant. Rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,828 customers, this restaurant is a great place to enjoy meals that will remind you of Scotland and your fun memories in Edinburgh.

You’ll then say farewell to Edinburgh and begin your journey home. You’ll leave filled with unforgettable memories from your terrific and affordable travel experiences in Scotland!