10 Tips & Tricks for Visiting Edinburgh, Scotland
In this blog post, we’re going to give you some tips and tricks for when you’re visiting Edinburgh! If you follow us on YouTube, you may notice that we’re mentioned a few of these before in some videos, but we thought we would compile everything together, which will hopefully be helpful. They are in no particular order, so let’s get into it!
This blog post accompanies our video on tips & tricks for visiting Edinburgh! Be sure to check it out below!
1. USB Chargers on Princes Street
If you’re out and about and your phone is running low on battery, there are bus stops on Princes Street that have USB chargers! But even if you’re not waiting at a bus stop on Princes Street, if you’ll be taking a Lothian Buses bus in Edinburgh, the newer buses have USB chargers between the seats.
2. Tap Water in Scotland
If you’re wondering if tap water is safe to drink in Scotland, then here’s your answer: yes, it is! Not only that, there are water filling stations dotted around the country called Top Up Taps, where you can refill your reusable water bottle when you’re out and about. Check out the handy online map that shows all Top Up Tap locations in Scotland.
And since the tap water is safe to drink in Scotland, if you’d like to save a little of money when eating out, ask for tap water in restaurants, which is always free.
3. Edinburgh Airport's Drop-Off and Pick-Up Fee
If you decide to take an Uber or other private hire car to or from Edinburgh Airport, you should know about the cost of the airport’s drop-off and pick-up fee, which is one of the most expensive in the UK at a flat fee of £5 for drop-offs and £5 for pick-ups. This fee is chargeable in the Drop-Off/Pick-Up Zone at the airport, which is located on the ground floor of the multi-storey car park outside the terminal building.
If you want to avoid this fee, the airport has a free drop-off and pick-up area, which is at their Long Stay car park. There aren’t currently any shuttle buses that run between the terminal and the car park, but it’s only a walk of approximately 5-7 minutes. You just have to head towards the taxi rank and there are clear signs and a walking path.
Check out our blog post about how to get from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre for more detailed information.
4. Free Attractions
If you’re on a budget, or even if you’re not, there are a multitude of museums, galleries, and other attractions in Edinburgh that are free! Below is a non-exhaustive list:
Museums
The National Museum of Scotland | Chambers Street, Edinburgh EH1 1JF
Museum of Edinburgh | 142-136 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DD
The Writers’ Museum | Lawnmarket, Lady Stair’s Close, Edinburgh EH1 2PA
The People’s Story Museum | 163 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8BN
Museum on the Mound | The Mound, Edinburgh EH1 1YZ
Galleries
National Gallery of Scotland | The Mound, Edinburgh EH2 2EL
The Scottish National Portrait Gallery | 1 Queen Street, Edinburgh EH2 1JD
The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art | 73 & 75 Belford Road, Edinburgh EH4 3DR
City Art Centre | 2 Market Street, Edinburgh EH1 1DE
Outdoor Attractions
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh | 20a Inverleith Row, Edinburgh EH3 5LR
Dunbar’s Close Garden | A wee garden behind Dunbar’s Close to escape the hustle and bustle of the city | 137 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8BW
Water of Leith Walkway | From Balerno to Leith
Calton Hill | A small hill in the city centre for great views of Edinburgh | Edinburgh EH7 5AA
Arthur’s Seat | A peak atop an ancient volcano with excellent views of Edinburgh | Edinburgh EH15 3PY
5. Don't Hire a Car
If your stay will only be contained within Edinburgh, don’t hire a car. Edinburgh is a very compact city, so you’re much better off walking or using public transportation to get around. You also then avoid the very expensive parking charges that come with taking a car around Edinburgh!
If you’d like to know more about how to get around Edinburgh without a car, then be sure to check out our blog post all about that.
6. Wear Layers
Edinburgh’s weather can be quite unpredictable and changeable, so your best bet is to wear layers. It might be chilly and rainy in the morning but warmer and sunnier in the afternoon! As well, feel free to pack an umbrella, but don’t necessarily rely on it if it rains because Edinburgh can also be quite windy! If it’s raining and windy, don’t even bother taking your umbrella out, and rely on a waterproof jacket instead. Make sure also to wear a comfy and sturdy pair of shoes as there are lots of cobbles in Edinburgh.
7. Shop from Local Independent Shops
If you’re looking to buy some souvenirs to take home or gift to others, consider buying from local independent shops. There are many shops along and off the Royal Mile that are owned by a bigger conglomerate, so we’d recommend shopping locally where possible.
Some ideas include:
The Red Door Gallery | A wee shop selling everything from art prints to fashion accessories, jewellery, cards, and more | 42 Victoria Street, Edinburgh EH1 2JW
The Treasure Trove | A gift shop where everything is handmade, here you can find household items, clothes, toys, and more | 23A Castle Street, Edinburgh EH2 3DN
Lifestory | A Scandinavian-inspired homewares shop that sells jewellery, stationary, and more | 53 London Street, Edinburgh EH3 6LX
An Independent Zebra | A gift shop that works with over 160 independent businesses and stocks everything from cards to chocolate, jewellery, prints, and more | 88-92 Raeburn Street, Edinburgh EH4 1HH
Bonkers | A unique gift shop with cards, toys, gifts, accessories, and more | 54 Hanover Street, Edinburgh EH2 2DX
Curiouser & Curiouser | An independent shop with a focus on art and framing but also sells books, cards, homewares, and more | 93 Broughton Street, Edinburgh EH1 3RZ
Hawico Scotland | A family business that makes luxury cashmere from their factory in Hawick in the Scottish Borders | 71 Grassmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2HJ
8. Free WiFi
If you won’t have data or you run out of data while you’re in Edinburgh, don’t panic, because there is free WiFi in the city! On your device, just select ‘EdiFreeWifi’ from the list of available networks, input your details, and you’re good to go. The coverage area is generally speaking Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns, and you can find more detailed maps of the coverage area on their website.
If you’ll be taking a Lothian Buses bus or tram while you’re in Edinburgh, you can also get free WiFi on board. There will be an available network indicating free WiFi and you’ll just have to accept the terms and conditions to be connected.
9. Tipping
The tipping culture in the UK is not as ‘extreme’ as some places like North America, where workers often have to rely on tips to make up part of their salaries. Tipping is quite common though, so here are a few tips (no pun intended!) on tipping in various places:
Restaurants: If there is no service charge already added, a 10% tip is often enough.
Hotels: Feel free to tip housekeepers, bellhops, and doormen a pound or two.
Taxis: Rounding up to the next pound is customary.
10. Don't Call the Locals English!
And last but not least, a lot of people get confused by what the UK really is, so let’s clear this up. The United Kingdom is comprised of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Great Britain refers to the island that comprises England, Scotland, and Wales. Altogether, the full name of the UK is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
So while Scotland is part of the UK, it is also its own country, separate from England, so don’t call the locals English!
We hope this was helpful for your visit to Edinburgh! Let us know if you have any questions in the comments below!
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