




The Scottish capital Edinburgh has long been a draw for tourists from all over the world. It's a city with a wealth of culture and history, and it combines remnants of its medieval past with the grandeur of the Georgian era, as well as having a distinctly modern feel, which has been influenced by the contemporary avant-garde.
The best time to visit Edinburgh in terms of the weather is between May and September, though it can be both wet and windy at any time of the year. The city is world-renowned for its festival season. There are ten official festivals between early August and mid-September, including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Edinburgh International Festival. New Year is a big deal in Scotland and "Hogmanay", as it's known locally, is a truly spectacular celebration, enjoyed by people of all ages.
Those who wish to stay in Edinburgh over the festival season in Summer are well-advised to book hotels or other accommodation in good time. Sometimes, it can be necessary to book up to a year beforehand as the city can get very crowded with visitors during this busy time. Edinburgh is cheaper to visit than London and prices are roughly at the UK average. A cheap meal will cost around £10 and a pint of beer about £3.50.
Edinburgh airport is located around 10 miles away from the city. The Edinburgh Tramway costs around £5 for an adult single and £8 for an open return, and takes about 35 minutes from the the airport to the city centre. Taking around 25 minutes, the Airlink Express bus service is the fastest of the public transport options, and fairly cheap at roughly £4 for an adult single and around £7 for an open return. At £1.50 or so for a single, the Lothian bus service is cheap but slow, taking one and a half hours. Travellers can find a place to stay in a hostel for about £10 and a 3 star hotel during peak season is around £100 for a double room. In terms of getting around, Edinburgh city centre itself is fairly compact, and most of the major sights and attraction can be reached on foot, though the previously mentioned Lothian bus services run regularly and cost approx. £1.50.