Budget Tours to Scotland
Imagine hunting for Nessie on Loch Ness, exploring Edinburgh's medieval Royal Mile, or crossing to mystical Orkney's old stones. Scotland brings Glasgow's vibrant culture to the Isle of Skye's dramatic landscapes, Glencoe's haunting beauty to Stirling Castle's royal history. The Highlands want you.
10 best Budget Scotland tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaScotland travel expert at TourRadar
- 2-day Outlander Tour (Small Group)
- 6 Day Edinburgh and Inverness By Train
- Orkney and Scotland's Northern Coast Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh - 5 Days
- 5 Day Glasgow And Inverness Including Loch Ness
- Loch Ness, Inverness & The Scottish Highlands - Small Group - 2 Days
- Isle of Skye & The Train Route to Hogwarts
- Best of the North Coast 500 - 3 days
- Edinburgh for Hogmanay (NYE) (Start Edinburgh)
- Manchester to the Scottish Highlands - 4 days
- 5 Day Inverness including Loch Ness Experience and Skye & Eilean Donan Castle
2-day Outlander Tour (Small Group)
39 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“we had a great tour guide with a great sence of humor.”
Susan, traveled in July
The Scottish countryside beckons at approx. $160 per day with B&B stays in Inverness including breakfast. Midhope Castle entry included, other castle visits optional. Travel in air-conditioned mini-coaches with expert guides.
Duration 2 days Destinations Edinburgh, Doune, Glencoe, Loch Ness, Inverness, Culloden, Falkland, Culross Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $155 Operator Highland Experience Tours From
- US$309
6 Day Edinburgh and Inverness By Train
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“TourRadar took care of hotels, transfers, breakfast, and the castle tour. That left us to decide what we wanted to see which was great!”
Lisa, traveled in August
Edinburgh and Inverness open their doors at approx. $230 per day, with 5 nights' accommodation and seamless transfers. Tours include Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, and Inverness Cathedral, plus daily breakfast and 24/7 support.
Duration 6 days Destinations Edinburgh, Inverness Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $206 Operator STM Tours LLC From $1,650
25% Off- US$1,238You save $413
At around $130 per day, you'll see Scotland's landscapes from Edinburgh to the Orkney Islands. Cozy en-suite B&Bs across Inverness, Kirkwall, and Ullapool include breakfast each morning. The tour covers UNESCO-listed Skara Brae and the Heart of Neolithic Orkney with admission fees included, plus free access to Culloden Battlefield Museum and Maeshowe chambered tomb.
Duration 5 days Destinations Edinburgh, Glencoe, Loch Ness, Inverness, Dunrobin, John O'Groats, Orkney Islands, Kirkwall, Skara Brae, StromnessSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $317 Operator Click Tours From $2,480
36% Off- US$1,587You save $893
At $361 per day, including daily breakfast and comfortable stays at Radisson Blu Glasgow and Royal Highland Hotel Inverness. Price covers train travel between cities, private transfers, and a full-day Highlands expedition with monster-hunting at Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle visits.
Duration 5 days Destinations Glasgow, Inverness, Loch Ness Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $307 Operator STM Tours LLC From $2,050
25% Off- US$1,537You save $512
Highland Scotland opens up at approx. $180 per day with stays at en-suite B&Bs in Inverness including breakfast each morning. The tour includes a Jacobite Cruise on Loch Ness and travels through Cairngorms National Park in a 16-seat mini-coach, stopping at ancient standing stones and forest walks.
Duration 2 days Destinations Edinburgh, Forth Bridge, Pitlochry, Cairngorms National Park, Aviemore, Inverness, Loch Ness Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $251 Operator Click Tours From $785
36% Off- US$502You save $283
Duration 3 days Destinations Edinburgh, Forth Bridge, Dunkeld, Loch Ness, Fort Augustus, Portree, Kilt Rock, Storr Mountains, Dunvegan, MallaigSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18-45 Price Per Day $134 Operator Haggis Adventures From $535
25% Off- US$401You save $134
The North Coast 500 awaits at approx. $290 per day, with breakfast and comfortable stays at The Arch Inn and Pentland Lodge. Marvel at Smoo Cave, Ardvreck Castle ruins, and Dunrobin Castle while following Scotland's most spectacular road trip with expert guides.
Duration 3 days Destinations Inverness, Applecross, Ullapool, Durness, Thurso, John O'Groats, Wick Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $177 Operator On The Go Tours From $760
30% Off- US$532You save $228
Hogmanay festivities shine at approx. $200 per day, including 4 nights' hostel stays, daily breakfasts, and festival tickets. Join Edinburgh Castle tours, Winter Wonderland activities, and torch processions with expert guidance.
Duration 5 days Destinations Edinburgh Age Range Ages 18-35 Price Per Day $169 Operator Contiki From
30% Off- US$845
A Scottish odyssey at approx. $330 per day includes Loch Ness cruise and Stirling Castle entry. Rest in simple guesthouses with breakfast, travel in Mercedes mini-coaches, and roam freely in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Duration 4 days Destinations Manchester, Pooley Bridge, Glasgow, Luss, Oban, Fort Augustus, Glencoe, Killin, Stirling, Edinburgh Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $213 Operator On The Go Tours From $1,215
30% Off- US$851You save $365
Highland majesty unfolds at approx. $240 per day with 4-star Columba Hotel Inverness stays including breakfast. Take in 7-hour Loch Ness tours, 12-hour Skye expeditions in Mercedes mini-coaches, and private airport transfers.
Duration 5 days Destinations Inverness, Loch Ness Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $197 Operator STM Tours LLC From $1,317
25% Off- US$988You save $329
What people love about Budget Tours in Scotland
- 2-day Outlander Tour (Small Group)
My Mum and I thoroughly enjoyed out tour. Murray, our tour guide, was very knowledgeable and funny - we particularly liked his stories about where certain sayings had come from - all Scottish, of course!. We felt we had long enough at all the stops because we had a lot to fit in and it would have been sad to have missed any of them. We saw some absolutely spectacular landscape and some fantatsic historical sites. The B and B provided in Inverness was good and the breakfast was plentiful and varied. Our only small criticicm would be that the lunch stop on the second day could have been more inspired. However, we understand that the whole tour had to be re-jigged due to a big accident on day 1. Overall, I would recommend this tour for Outlander fans or to those who just want to understand a little more about Scotland and its wonderful history.
- 5 Day Skye & Highland Fling
Stewart was an absolutely fantastic tour guide for my trip through the Highlands, combining a deep knowledge of history with excellent presentation, good humor, and extensive knowledge about the locations and routes to optimize our journey through Scotland. Highly recommend this tour with Macbackpackers overall, but if you have Stewart as your guide you're in for a real treat.
- Highland Fling
The tour I took was called Lochs, Castles and The Kelpies, and I took it on November 23, 2023. In short, I loved it! The history of the places and fun facts kept coming as we drove to and from each destination. Our guides went out of their way to show us an amazing day! Besides viewing the Western Highlands of Scotland, my favourite was The Kelpies. The history of the sculptures, and the majesty and beauty of the Kelpies against the beautiful landscape, was something I will always remember.
What our customers ask about Budget Tours to Scotland
What's the average daily cost for a budget tour in Scotland?
Budget tours in Scotland cost between USD 88-242 per day with Isle of Skye tours at around USD 101 per day. MacBackpackers tours stand out for their value. A TourRadar traveler shared "This tour was incredible and such good value for money getting to experience all the stunning landscapes and history while staying at comfortable accommodations like Skye Backpackers in Kyleakin." The price covers basics like transport guide services and simple lodging that work well for travelers watching their spending.
When is the most affordable time to visit Scotland on a budget tour?
The lowest prices for Scotland tours run from November to March with the best deals in January and February. A TourRadar traveler noted: "We went in February and while the weather was chilly we got amazing deals on our tour and accommodation at Lochbuie Guesthouse." City tours in Edinburgh and Glasgow offer especially good value these months though some Highland sites may have restricted hours. For a balance of decent weather and prices look at March-April or October-November.
What are the best budget-friendly areas to explore in Scotland?
The Scottish Highlands and Isle of Skye give travelers good value for their money. Budget travelers often base themselves in Fort Augustus Portree and Glencoe. One TourRadar traveler said: "Portree was perfect for budget travelers - plenty of affordable food options and the Skye Backpackers hostel nearby made it ideal as a base." Inverness also works well for saving money. From there you can visit Loch Ness and historical sites while staying at places like the Lochbuie Guesthouse.
How much should I budget for optional activities and entrance fees?
Set aside USD 15-30 for each activity on budget tours. Entry fees run USD 10-20 for popular spots like Eilean Donan Castle Dunrobin Castle and Highland Folk Museum. A helpful tip from a TourRadar traveler: "I spent around USD 100 total on attractions during my 3-day Isle of Skye tour including entry to Dunvegan Castle and some local museums." Many scenic stops like Glencoe and Loch Ness come at no extra cost.
How much spending money should I bring for a 3-day budget tour in Scotland?
Bring USD 200-300 extra for a 3-day tour. This covers about USD 30-40 daily for food USD 15-30 per activity plus some shopping money. A practical note from a TourRadar traveler: "I brought USD 250 for my 3-day Highland tour staying at Skye Backpackers which covered all my meals a few castle entries and some small souvenirs from Portree." Remember this doesn't include lodging if it's separate from your tour price.
What type of accommodation is typically provided on budget Scotland tours?
Budget tours use hostels B&Bs and guesthouses across Scotland. You might stay at Skye Backpackers hostel in Kyleakin or Oak Villa B&B in Inverness. A TourRadar traveler commented "The B&B accommodation in Inverness was fantastic - best hosts and the breakfast was amazing." Most places include breakfast and basic amenities. Nightly rates run USD 30-75 depending on location and time of year.