Quick Guide

March – May

Visit Edinburgh in spring (March – May) to enjoy the combination of blossoming gardens and the tourist off-season.

September – November

Another off-season option is fall (September – November), but you’ll likely need an umbrella to walk the Royal Mile.
If you can handle the madding crowd, the sunny season is summer (June – August).

June – August

If you can handle the madding crowd, the sunny season is summer (June – August).

Visas

U.S. citizens do not need a visa, only a passport valid for a minimum of six months from the date you plan to leave Scotland.

Money

Currency is the same pound sterling as the rest of the U.K. ATMs are prevalent, and credit cards are widely accepted.

Travel Health

Check with the Scottish Culture and Major Events Directorate for the latest health safety information. Before traveling, research and prepare for what to do if you get sick while away.

Getting Here

Fly into Edinburgh Airport and take Airlink 100 shuttle to the neighborhood called City Centre (on Princes Street).

Getting Around

Walking is the preferred mode of travel when possible, and public transportation is efficient. Traffic is often at a standstill, so double-check taxi rates and surge pricing for rideshares. Rent a car if you plan side trips.

Local Lingo

Try out local lingo by calling Old Town its Scots pronunciation of “Auld Toun” — or a close as you can reasonably get. Scots derives from Old English, and Scottish Gaelic has Celtic ties. You’ll hear touches of both lyrical languages, mixed with the Queen’s English.

Must-Have Apps

Edinburgh World Heritage City App helps sort through thousands of sites on the historic registry. TFE App covers transportation, from Lothian Buses to Edinburgh Trams.

Insider Tip

Edinburgh Festival Fringe has grown into the largest arts festival in the world because they welcome anyone with a venue willing to host them to perform at the fest. From burlesque to magic to hip-hop — literally anything goes every August in Edinburgh.

March – May

Visit Edinburgh in spring (March – May) to enjoy the combination of blossoming gardens and the tourist off-season.

September – November

Another off-season option is fall (September – November), but you’ll likely need an umbrella to walk the Royal Mile.
If you can handle the madding crowd, the sunny season is summer (June – August).

June – August

If you can handle the madding crowd, the sunny season is summer (June – August).

Visas

U.S. citizens do not need a visa, only a passport valid for a minimum of six months from the date you plan to leave Scotland.

Money

Currency is the same pound sterling as the rest of the U.K. ATMs are prevalent, and credit cards are widely accepted.

Travel Health

Check with the Scottish Culture and Major Events Directorate for the latest health safety information. Before traveling, research and prepare for what to do if you get sick while away.

Getting Here

Fly into Edinburgh Airport and take Airlink 100 shuttle to the neighborhood called City Centre (on Princes Street).

Getting Around

Walking is the preferred mode of travel when possible, and public transportation is efficient. Traffic is often at a standstill, so double-check taxi rates and surge pricing for rideshares. Rent a car if you plan side trips.

Local Lingo

Try out local lingo by calling Old Town its Scots pronunciation of “Auld Toun” — or a close as you can reasonably get. Scots derives from Old English, and Scottish Gaelic has Celtic ties. You’ll hear touches of both lyrical languages, mixed with the Queen’s English.

Must-Have Apps

Edinburgh World Heritage City App helps sort through thousands of sites on the historic registry. TFE App covers transportation, from Lothian Buses to Edinburgh Trams.

Insider Tip

Edinburgh Festival Fringe has grown into the largest arts festival in the world because they welcome anyone with a venue willing to host them to perform at the fest. From burlesque to magic to hip-hop — literally anything goes every August in Edinburgh.