Cheap 5-Day Scotland Road Trip from Edinburgh to Aberdeen and Glasgow and surrounding area

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 must-see tourist destination 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 Makars Gourmet Mash Bar (Edinburgh). Serving a menu of mouthwatering dishes, this restaurant is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 2,814 customers.

Another restaurant you should check out during your cheap vacation in Scotland is The Edinburgh Larder. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,804 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.

Panda & Sons is a great bar to relax after a busy day. About 1,617 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 The Dome, an excellent place to meet new friends. This bar offers customers plenty of snack and drink options and is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 6,433 customers.

Whiski Bar & Restaurant is also one of the best places to go to unwind and chat with locals. Over 2,669 bar-goers have rated it an average of 4.4 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 Aberdeen, 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 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 Aberdeen. Aberdeen 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 Aberdeen that offer delicious food to help keep you going.

One restaurant we recommend you try in Aberdeen is Maggie's Grill. This restaurant provides good food and service and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 587 customers.

When talking about the best restaurants in Aberdeen, Miller & Carter Aberdeen is a name locals often mention. This local favorite offers a variety of options, helping it earn an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 2,026 diners.

Another restaurant worth trying is COSMO All You Can Eat World Buffet Restaurant | Aberdeen. Many locals and cheap holiday goers in Aberdeen enjoy dining at this restaurant. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 1,555 customers.

As the day is coming to an end, stop at some of Aberdeen’s best bars to celebrate this day of your road trip vacation in Scotland. For example, you can visit Prince Of Wales. Rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,166 customers, this bar is considered a favorite in the area.

Another great place to have a refreshing, celebratory drink is The Grill. This popular bar in Aberdeen has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 881 bar-goers.

You can also go to BrewDog Aberdeen as an alternative. More than a bar, the popular BrewDog Aberdeen is also a place for fun or relaxation. Around 870 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!

Day 3 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 Stonehaven and end your day in the city of Stirling.

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 Stonehaven, it’s a good idea to visit the amazing Dunnottar Castle. The fantastic Dunnottar Castle is a popular rock castle and a sightseeing hotspot. This attraction boasts an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 10,220 travelers.

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

Make Stirling Castle your first stop. This popular castle among locals and travelers alike has been rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 26,632 visitors.

Another unforgettable travel destination in Stirling is the outstanding Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 7,922 visitors, this remarkable zoo 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 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 Paesano Pizza, one of the best restaurants in Glasgow. This restaurant is a local favorite and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from 5,948 customers.

The Willow Tea Rooms is yet another of the top places to eat in the city. The Willow Tea Rooms is known for serving a variety of delectable dishes and is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 2,255 diners.

Locals and travelers enjoy dining at Stereo, another well-loved restaurant in Glasgow. Rated an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,954 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, The Anchor Line. 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 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,659 bar goers.

Mono 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 4.4 out of 5 stars from 1,446 customers.

Alternatively, you can drop by The Citizen Glasgow, where you can have drinks, let loose, and socialize. This bar is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,260 customers.

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

Day 4 of your road trip across Scotland offers you the chance to visit the wonderful Glasgow and the enchanting Skinflats, two of the most popular cheap holiday destinations in the country. You'll begin sightseeing in Glasgow and end the day in Skinflats, where you'll stay for 1 night.

Buckle up because day 4 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 George Square. Around 20,066 visitors have rated this excellent square and travel destination an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars.

We also recommend you explore the amazing Kelvingrove Park on this leg of your self-drive tour in Scotland. This attraction is a well-known park that has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from around 13,336 travelers.

The remarkable Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is known to be one of the best places to visit in this cheap vacation spot in Scotland. Attracting more than 1,037,594 visitors in a single year, it's clear that the wonderful Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is a perfect add-on to your itinerary. This attraction, an amazing art museum, is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 19,580 travelers.

Beyond the above-mentioned sites, you also have the opportunity to visit the fascinating Riverside Museum. This museum and well-loved attraction in Glasgow is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 16,799 visitors.

After capturing the beauty and rich culture of Glasgow, you’ll get back behind the wheels and continue your road trip to the fantastic city of Skinflats.

Start your sightseeing in this cheap holiday destination with a visit to the unforgettable The Kelpies. This popular site is a valued sculpture in Skinflats and is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 27,904 visitors.

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.

Dishoom Edinburgh is a must try. This restaurant serves a mouthwatering selection of meals and has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 5,852 diners.

Another popular eating spot in Edinburgh is Miller & Carter Edinburgh City Centre, a local favorite. Serving diners fresh, delicious, and affordable meals, this restaurant has been rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 2,950 customers.

Cafe Andaluz offers customers flavorful food and good ambiance, making it one of the best places to eat in Edinburgh. With an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 3,019 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.

Chaophraya Thai Restaurant is an excellent example of a great bar in Edinburgh offering drinks at reasonable prices. This popular bar is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 2,238 customers.

You can also hang out and have a drink at The Ivy On The Square Edinburgh, another of locals’ go-to bars in Edinburgh. The Ivy On The Square Edinburgh is among the best city bars offering various beverages at different price points, with around 2,314 customers having rated it an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars.

Cafe Royal is for you if you’re curious about bars that give you a taste of the nightlife scene in Edinburgh. This bar has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from more than 2,216 bar-goers.

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

The Kitchin 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 4.8 out of 5 stars from 1,577 customers.

Another popular restaurant you could check out is Tigerlily. Rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 2,369 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!