Budget Tours to Scotland
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10 best Budget Scotland tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaScotland travel expert at TourRadar
- 5 Day Glasgow And Inverness Including Loch Ness
- 6 Day Edinburgh and Inverness By Train
- Taste of Scotland - 4 Days (Small Group)
- Best of the North Coast 500 - 3 days
- Highland Fling
- Edinburgh for Hogmanay (NYE) (5 Days) (1 destination)
- Skye High
- Manchester to the Scottish Highlands - 4 days
- 9 Day Scotland - Edinburgh, Glasgow And Inverness
- 5 Day Inverness including Loch Ness Experience and Skye & Eilean Donan Castle
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 Age Range up to 99 year olds Price Per Day $384 Operator STM Tours LLC From $2,022
5% Off- US$1,921You save $101
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 up to 99 year olds Price Per Day $244 Operator STM Tours LLC From $1,544
5% Off- US$1,467You save $77
Duration 4 days Destinations Glasgow, Loch Ness, Glencoe, Stirling, Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park Age Range 5 to 99 year olds Price Per Day $307 Operator Click Tours From $1,920
36% Off- US$1,229You save $691
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, Thurso, Dunrobin Age Range 5 to 99 year olds Price Per Day $225 Operator On The Go Tours From $795
15% Off- US$676You save $119
Highland Fling
647 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Lovely 5 days packed full of history and beautiful scenery.”
Melyssa, traveled in May
Scottish wonders unfold at approx. $180 per day, with hostel stays and all transport included. Take in 12 locations over 5 days, enjoying free walks and optional adventures like Loch Ness cruises ($32) and Jacobite Steam Train rides ($72).
Duration 5 days Destinations Edinburgh, Stirling, Doune, Glencoe, Oban, Isle of Skye, Eilean Donan, Loch Ness, Inverness, BeaulySee all destinations Age Range 18 to 45 year olds Price Per Day $137 Operator Haggis Adventures From
15% Off- US$685
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 up to 35 year olds Price Per Day $175 Operator Contiki From $1,029
15% Off- US$875You save $154
Skye High
673 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Really enjoyed the beautiful scenery and opportunities for photos. Generally good value.”
Janet, traveled in August
Scottish magic unfolds at approx. $180 per day with hostel stays at Morag's Lodge, free walking tours in Portree, and highly-rated transport (4.8/5). Optional visits to Dunvegan Castle ($28) and local pub meals in Fort Augustus add flexibility.
Duration 3 days Destinations Edinburgh, Stirling, Callander, Glencoe, Fort William, Isle of Skye, Portree, Eilean Donan, Loch Ness, Fort AugustusSee all destinations Age Range 18 to 45 year olds Price Per Day $123 Operator Haggis Adventures From
15% Off- US$369
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, Loch Ness, Glenfinnan, Glencoe, KillinSee all destinations Age Range 5 to 99 year olds Price Per Day $277 Operator On The Go Tours From $1,305
15% Off- US$1,109You save $196
At $347 per day, includes 3-star accommodations at Old Waverley Hotel Edinburgh and Royal Highland Hotel Inverness. Features complimentary hop-on-hop-off tours, daily Scottish breakfasts, and included train travel between cities.
Duration 9 days Destinations Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness Age Range up to 99 year olds Price Per Day $370 Operator STM Tours LLC From $3,504
5% Off- US$3,329You save $175
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 Age Range up to 99 year olds Price Per Day $247 Operator STM Tours LLC From $1,299
5% Off- US$1,234You save $65
What people love about Budget Tours in Scotland
- Highland Fling
This tour was the highlight of my European trip. Our tour guide was a real gem and would go out of his way for us. Greg would pull over in the middle of nowhere o we could have a picture with deer. This tour had everything, ghost stories, mountain climbing, castles and some of the best scenic views in the world. The accommodation is all taken care of in fanatic locations and many meals provided and nightly entertainment. The Haggis tour HQ in Edinburgh has some of the nicest and most helpful people that will work wonders and help you in any situation. This tour is incredible and I would recommend this to everyone that wants to skip the Contiki and get to know the real Scotland.
I just returned from a fantastic tour of Scotland through Haggis Tours. The 3 day tour is very well organized to maximize the sightseeing. I very much appreciated how Grant and Sergio shared history and myth of Scotland, all the while making our tour fun! They even made a slight detour so that we could stop at Glengerry, the ancestral home of my people. The accommodations were inexpensive and comfortable with a fun program planned for each evening. I cannot say enough about the experience. I will be digesting it for years to come.
Skye High
- 5 Day Skye & Highland Fling
I have never been on a tour more awesome than this! Comfortable bus, a schedule crammed with experiences but flexible to weather and whims - lovely! - and, last but absolutely not least: a wonderful guide! All credit to Ewan, for his knowledge, his jokes, his music and his sweet and kind way of treating us all. I left the tour only four hours ago and there is nothing I'd rather do than go on another tour - preferably right now!
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.