Cheap 5-Day Scotland Road Trip from Glasgow traveling east to Edinburgh and Inverness

Your exciting road trip through Scotland starts when you reach the incredible city of Glasgow, where you'll stay for 2 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 20,066 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 Willow Tea Rooms. Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars by 2,255 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 Mono. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 1,446 customers, and is an awesome place to satisfy your craving for good food and service.

Òran Mór is a great bar to relax after a busy day. About 5,385 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.

Another bar in Glasgow we recommend is Stereo, an excellent place to meet new friends. This bar offers customers plenty of snack and drink options and is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,954 customers.

The Anchor Line is also one of the best places to go to unwind and chat with locals. Over 1,659 bar-goers have rated it an average of 4.5 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 Glasgow and end your day in the city of Edinburgh, 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 Pollok Country Park. This travel destination is a park that has been rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 7,112 visitors.

This day is also your chance to stop at the incredible Glasgow Botanic Gardens. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 12,594 travelers, a visit to this well-known botanical garden and sightseeing spot in Glasgow is likely to make your vacation in Scotland even more memorable.

Another unforgettable sight in Glasgow is the outstanding Riverside Museum. This museum has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 16,799 visitors.

To make the most of your day in this cheap holiday destination in Scotland, drop by the popular Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. This attraction, an amazing art museum, has been rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 19,580 travelers. As one of the top sights in Glasgow, there’s no wonder that the spectacular Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum attracts about 1,037,594 visitors annually.

If you’re keen to explore more, you’ll enjoy the fantastic Kelvingrove Park. This park is a popular attraction rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 13,336 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 Edinburgh. Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh that offer delicious food to help keep you going.

One restaurant we recommend you try in Edinburgh is The Edinburgh Larder. This restaurant provides good food and service and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 1,804 customers.

When talking about the best restaurants in Edinburgh, The Kitchin is a name locals often mention. This local favorite offers a variety of options, helping it earn an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 1,577 diners.

Another restaurant worth trying is Bramble Bar & Lounge. Many locals and cheap holiday goers in Edinburgh enjoy dining at this restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 743 customers.

As the day is coming to an end, stop at some of Edinburgh’s best bars to celebrate this day of your road trip vacation in Scotland. For example, you can visit Makars Gourmet Mash Bar (Edinburgh). Rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 2,814 customers, this bar is considered a favorite in the area.

Another great place to have a refreshing, celebratory drink is Panda & Sons. This popular bar in Edinburgh has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 1,617 bar-goers.

You can also go to The Dome as an alternative. More than a bar, the popular The Dome is also a place for fun or relaxation. Around 6,433 customers have given this city bar an average rating of 4.6 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 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 Inverness, 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 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 Palace. This official residence has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 17,746 visitors.

To make the most of your day in this cheap holiday destination in Scotland, drop by the popular Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. This attraction, an amazing botanical garden, has been rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 20,765 travelers.

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 Inverness. Inverness 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 Inverness that offer delicious food to help keep you going.

One restaurant we recommend you try in Inverness is River House. This restaurant provides good food and service and has an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 691 customers.

When talking about the best restaurants in Inverness, The Mustard Seed Restaurant is a name locals often mention. This local favorite offers a variety of options, helping it earn an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 2,671 diners.

Another restaurant worth trying is The Dores Inn. Many locals and cheap holiday goers in Inverness enjoy dining at this restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 2,195 customers.

As the day is coming to an end, stop at some of Inverness’s best bars to celebrate this day of your road trip vacation in Scotland. For example, you can visit Rocpool. Rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 934 customers, this bar is considered a favorite in the area.

Another great place to have a refreshing, celebratory drink is Johnny Foxes. This popular bar in Inverness has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 2,918 bar-goers.

You can also go to Black Isle Bar & Rooms as an alternative. More than a bar, the popular Black Isle Bar & Rooms is also a place for fun or relaxation. Around 1,982 customers have given this city bar an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.

Raise your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure and cheap holiday experience 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. You’ll start your day in the city of Stirling and end your day in the city of Cambuskenneth.

Today's agenda features plenty of popular stops and allows you to stay in Glasgow 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 Stirling Castle. The fantastic Stirling Castle is a popular castle and a sightseeing hotspot. This attraction boasts an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 26,632 travelers.

Once you’ve satisfied your wanderlust in Stirling, you’ll continue to your next road trip destination of the day, the city of Cambuskenneth.

Make Wallace Monument your first stop. This popular monument among locals and travelers alike has been rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 10,772 visitors.

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 Glasgow. So when it's time for a break from your adventures in Glasgow, 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 Elia Greek Restaurant, one of the best restaurants in Glasgow. This restaurant is a local favorite and has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 1,187 customers.

The Ivy Buchanan Street, Glasgow is yet another of the top places to eat in the city. The Ivy Buchanan Street, Glasgow is known for serving a variety of delectable dishes and is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,179 diners.

Locals and travelers enjoy dining at La Lanterna, another well-loved restaurant in Glasgow. Rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 1,068 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 Glasgow, Mono. 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 1,446 bar goers.

The Citizen Glasgow is a great place for anyone who is into classic bar drinks. This bar is considered one of the best drinking spots in Glasgow, with its average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 1,260 customers.

Alternatively, you can drop by The Piper Whisky Bar, where you can have drinks, let loose, and socialize. This bar is rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,323 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 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 10,762 visitors.

If you have an appetite for one last delicious meal in Glasgow, consider a top-rated restaurant like Chaophraya. This restaurant has a menu of appetizing and affordable meals and is rated at an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,386 customers.

Bothy Glasgow 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 4.6 out of 5 stars from 969 customers.

Another popular restaurant you could check out is Ardnamurchan Scottish Restaurant & Bar. Rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 868 customers, this restaurant is a great place to enjoy meals that will remind you of Scotland and your fun memories in Glasgow.

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!