Cheap 5-Day Scotland Road Trip Vacation from Glasgow to Edinburgh

Your exciting road trip through Scotland starts when you reach the incredible city of Glasgow, where you'll stay for 3 nights. You'll pick up your rental car in Glasgow and begin your adventure in Scotland.

Glasgow 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 Glasgow and get this road trip adventure rolling.

A trip to the amazing George Square will make your cheap holiday in Scotland truly special. This attraction is a fascinating square that has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 19,433 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 Glasgow. An excellent example is the popular Paesano Pizza. Serving a menu of mouthwatering dishes, this restaurant is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 5,948 customers.

Another restaurant you should check out during your cheap vacation in Scotland is The Anchor Line. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,659 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 The Citizen Glasgow. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 1,260 customers, and is an awesome place to satisfy your craving for good food and service.

The Piper Whisky Bar is a great bar to relax after a busy day. About 1,323 customers have given this spot an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars, making it one of the most popular bars in the area.

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

Day 2’s road trip itinerary introduces you to many popular attractions and activities in Glasgow, proving that cheap holidays in Scotland can be extraordinary.

You'll begin sightseeing at the extraordinary Glasgow Botanic Gardens. This attraction is a botanical garden that has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 12,344 travelers.

Another of the best travel destinations you can explore in this fun and cheap holiday destination is the spectacular Kelvingrove Park. This popular place of interest is a stunning park that boasts an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 13,177 visitors.

To make your trip to Glasgow more memorable, spend time at the fascinating Pollok Country Park. With an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars in 6,957 traveler reviews, it’s not surprising that the fantastic Pollok Country Park is often mentioned in Scotland road trip itineraries.

Your discovery of Glasgow does not have to stop there. You can add a budget-friendly activity on your itinerary and get to know more about Glasgow on a personal level. Check out the fantastic selection of affordable tours and tickets offered on this leg of your journey across this top cheap holiday destination in Europe, Scotland.

After exploring some of the most remarkable sights in Scotland, you also have the chance to experience the country’s food culture. Eat at The Piper Whisky Bar, one of the best restaurants in Glasgow. This place is a local favorite and has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 1,323 reviews.

You can also check out Elia Greek Restaurant. Offering appetizing foods and refreshing beverages at reasonable prices, this restaurant is an excellent choice for budget travelers in the city. This restaurant is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,187 diners.

Another great restaurant we recommend you go to after your road trip activities is The Ivy Buchanan Street, Glasgow. With an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 1,179 customers, this restaurant is sure to provide you a memorable dining experience in Glasgow.

When you’ve finished your meal, head to some of the most popular bars in Glasgow for an after-dinner drink. Cap off your night in this cheap holiday destination at Chaophraya and try some of its cocktails and snacks. This bar has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 1,386 customers.

Santa Lucia Merchant City Glasgow is another great place to hang out in and relax after a busy day in the city. This bar offers various drinks at affordable prices and is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,038 customers.

Savor the rest of the night and celebrate another incredible road trip adventure in the magical Glasgow!

Day 3 of your road trip across Scotland offers you the chance to visit the wonderful Glasgow and the enchanting Falkirk, two of the most popular cheap holiday destinations in the country. You'll begin sightseeing in Glasgow and end the day in Falkirk, where you'll stay for 1 night.

Buckle up because day 3 of your affordable vacation in Scotland will take you to some of locals’ and travelers’ most recommended travel spots!

One place travelers keep coming back to in Glasgow is the magnificent Wallace Monument. Around 10,541 visitors have rated this excellent monument and travel destination an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars.

We also recommend you explore the amazing Stirling Castle on this leg of your self-drive tour in Scotland. This attraction is a well-known castle that has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from around 26,015 travelers.

The remarkable Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park is known to be one of the best places to visit in this cheap vacation spot in Scotland. This attraction, an amazing zoo, is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 7,872 travelers.

Start your sightseeing in this cheap holiday destination with a visit to the unforgettable Falkirk Wheel. This popular site is a valued boat lift in Falkirk and is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 15,778 visitors.

Another must-visit in Falkirk is the spectacular The Kelpies. This outstanding sculpture and sightseeing destination has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from more than 27,191 travelers.

Exploring one unique site after another provides you the much-needed variety during your self-drive tour across Scotland. But to satisfy your curiosity or need for adventure, we recommend you add excursions in today’s agenda. You have a great selection of popular and low-cost activities to choose from in Scotland. Make your cheap holiday experience in Scotland more memorable by doing something new, bold, or inspiring.

Edinburgh offers many top-rated accommodations suitable for travelers on a budget vacation in Scotland. So anytime you need a break from your activities, you’re guaranteed a comfortable and affordable place to rest and stay in the city.

As this adventurous day progresses, satisfy your hunger at one of the best restaurants in the city. Many restaurants in Edinburgh offer good food at even better prices, the perfect combination for travelers on affordable vacations in Scotland.

Makars Gourmet Mash Bar (Edinburgh) is a must try. This restaurant serves a mouthwatering selection of meals and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 2,814 diners.

Another popular eating spot in Edinburgh is The Edinburgh Larder, a local favorite. Serving diners fresh, delicious, and affordable meals, this restaurant has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,804 customers.

The Kitchin offers customers flavorful food and good ambiance, making it one of the best places to eat in Edinburgh. With an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 1,577 customers, this restaurant can get packed very quickly. Make sure you get to the restaurant early to save yourself a seat.

When night has fallen and you feel like enjoying a drink, head to some of Edinburgh’s best bars. There are plenty of bars in the city where you can order a few drinks without compromising your budget.

Panda & Sons is an excellent example of a great bar in Edinburgh offering drinks at reasonable prices. This popular bar is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,617 customers.

You can also hang out and have a drink at Bramble Bar & Lounge, another of locals’ go-to bars in Edinburgh. Bramble Bar & Lounge is among the best city bars offering various beverages at different price points, with around 743 customers having rated it an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

Celebrate another day of your adventure-filled road trip through Scotland with a toast. Cheers to a memorable cheap vacation experience in Scotland!

On day 4 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 Glasgow and end your day in the city of Glasgow, where you'll stay for 1 night. How much time you’ll spend in each location is up to you.

One of the best places to visit in Glasgow is the amazing Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. This travel destination is a botanical garden that has been rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 20,341 visitors.

This day is also your chance to stop at the incredible Holyrood Palace. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 17,156 travelers, a visit to this well-known official residence and sightseeing spot in Glasgow is likely to make your vacation in Scotland even more memorable.

Another unforgettable sight in Glasgow is the outstanding Royal Mile. This must-see tourist destination has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 13,359 visitors.

To make the most of your day in this cheap holiday destination in Scotland, drop by the popular National Museum of Scotland. This attraction, an amazing national museum, has been rated 4.8 out of 5 stars by 43,662 travelers.

If you’re keen to explore more, you’ll enjoy the fantastic Edinburgh Castle. This castle is a popular attraction rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 88,569 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 La Lanterna. This restaurant provides good food and service and has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 1,068 customers.

When talking about the best restaurants in Glasgow, Chaophraya 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 1,386 diners.

Another restaurant worth trying is Santa Lucia Merchant City Glasgow. Many locals and cheap holiday goers in Glasgow enjoy dining at this restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 1,038 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 Alston Bar & Beef. Rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 785 customers, this bar is considered a favorite in the area.

Another great place to have a refreshing, celebratory drink is The Spiritualist Glasgow. This popular bar in Glasgow has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 935 bar-goers.

You can also go to Max's Bar & Grill as an alternative. More than a bar, the popular Max's Bar & Grill is also a place for fun or relaxation. Around 831 customers have given this city bar an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars.

Raise your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure and cheap holiday experience 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 Glasgow.

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 Glasgow is the remarkable Glasgow Green. This stadium and popular place of interest has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 10,666 visitors.

If you have an appetite for one last delicious meal in Glasgow, consider a top-rated restaurant like Ardnamurchan Scottish Restaurant & Bar. This restaurant has a menu of appetizing and affordable meals and is rated at an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 868 customers.

The Italian Kitchen 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 860 customers.

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