Budget Tours to Scotland
4.6 stars on(9,532 reviews)- Choose from 33 Scotland tours
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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
- Best of Scotland Small-Group Tour - 5 Days
- 5 Day Inverness including Loch Ness Experience and Skye & Eilean Donan Castle
- Discover Orkney Small-Group Tour – 3 Days
- Best of the North Coast 500 - 3 days
- Highland Fling
- Edinburgh for Hogmanay (NYE) (Start Edinburgh)
- Skye High
- Manchester to the Scottish Highlands - 4 days
2-day Outlander Tour (Small Group)
38 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“I especially liked exploring the various old castles. A great experience!”
Lawrence, traveled in August
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 $265 Operator Highland Experience Tours From
- NZ$531
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 $382 Operator STM Tours LLC From $2,694
15% Off- NZ$2,290You save $404
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 $536 Operator Click Tours From $4,186
36% Off- NZ$2,679You save $1,507
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 $385 Operator STM Tours LLC From $2,267
15% Off- NZ$1,927You save $340
Duration 3 days Destinations Inverness, Dunrobin, John O'Groats, Orkney Islands, Kirkwall, Skara Brae, Stenness, St Margaret's Hope Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $430 Operator Click Tours From $2,344
45% Off- NZ$1,289You save $1,055
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 All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $306 Operator On The Go Tours From $1,415
35% Off- NZ$920You save $495
Highland Fling
651 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour was the perfect mix of history, legends, short hikes, city and picturesque landscape.”
Lisa, 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 Ages 18-45 Price Per Day $180 Operator Haggis Adventures From $1,125
20% Off- NZ$900You save $225
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 $279 Operator Contiki From
20% Off- NZ$1,395
Skye High
673 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The scenery on the way back to Edinburgh was amazing. Overall I would recommend this tour to anyone.”
Elaine, traveled in June
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 Ages 18-45 Price Per Day $162 Operator Haggis Adventures From $609
20% Off- NZ$487You save $122
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 All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $366 Operator On The Go Tours From $2,255
35% Off- NZ$1,466You save $789
What people love about Budget Tours in Scotland
Excellent tour! Awesome places to see, although we would have liked a little more time at some stops. Also really liked the commentation from the guide (Steven B).
2-day Outlander Tour (Small Group)
- 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.
- Skye High
I'd hoped to see unicorns. I didn't. BUT, that doesn't mean this tour isn't worth it! First off, let's talk about our loverly guide, Fi (that's short for Fiona, bit she hates that). Funny, dynamic, engaging, comical, knowledgeable, quirky, accommodating, friendly... Well you get the idea. She's great. Just great. Our group was somewhat shy (24 women and 6 men), and started off by keeping to themselves... But Fi... Fi brought out the best of the group, she made us laugh. She made us talk. She MADE the trip! Secondly - Allan (that's our driver). What can you say about the man to whom you trusted your very life with taking you to the most spectacular sites to behold in Scotland? Well you can start by saying that the man is a PRO. I mean, he would take the sharpest of turns, the scariest of bends, the steepest of hills with both surgical precision and the most finite of maneuvers, but also an ease that could only mean he was either an expert at what he did, or an unbelievably skilled deceiver. When he wasn't driving, Allan was charming and just as engaging as Fi. He'd chat you up about the things he's done and seen, and the things that I should do and see in Edinburgh after the tour. Now for the tour itself. Magical? Unforgettable? Unbelievable? All of the above, but also so much more. This tour is THE tour to go on if you're very limited on time in Scotland, and want to experience much more than the major cities. All our destinations were beautiful and without peer. The scenery, the vistas, the castles and the people. All will make you fall in love. You definitely feel the DSL (Deep Scottish Love) doing this tour and I can't put into proper words how else to convince one that they should do it! Just do it! You will love it!
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.