Edinburgh Day Trips Enter your dates to find available activities Check availability All categories Sightseeing tours Nature & Adventure Day trips Food & drink Local culture Boat tours Top pick DAY TRIP Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Scottish Highlands Tour Duration: 12.5 hours 4.8 (646 reviews) From € 58.93 per person Popular Day Trips in Edinburgh DAY TRIP From Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe, Highlands & Ben Nevis Duration: 12.5 hours 4.6 (1,103 reviews) From € 62.47 From € 56.22 per person DAY TRIP Loch Lomond, Stirling Castle & Kelpies Tour from Edinburgh Duration: 9 hours 4.5 (601 reviews) From € 49.50 per person DAY TRIP From Edinburgh: Outlander Adventure Day Tour Duration: 9 hours 4.8 (242 reviews) From € 57.75 per person DAY TRIP From Edinburgh: West Highland Lochs & Castles Full-Day Trip Duration: 10 hours 4.5 (195 reviews) From € 53.04 per person Get free cancellation up to 24 hours before your activity starts for a full refund. DAY TRIP From Edinburgh: Holy Island, Alnwick Castle & Northumbria Duration: 9 hours 4.6 (123 reviews) From € 53.04 per person DAY TRIP From Edinburgh: Discovering Malt Whisky Distillery Day Tour Duration: 9 hours 4.7 (47 reviews) From € 49.50 per person DAY TRIP Rosslyn Chapel & Scottish Borders Tour from Edinburgh Duration: 7 hours 4.7 (165 reviews) From € 43.61 per person DAY TRIP From Edinburgh: Loch Ness & Highlands Full-Day Trip Pickup available Duration: 12 hours 4.6 (868 reviews) From € 58.93 From € 53.04 per person View all Day Trips in Edinburgh 5 best day trips from Edinburgh 1. Day trip to Glasgow As the most populous city in Scotland, Glasgow is an ideal place to spend an exciting day. A bustling port city and a capital of culture, there is so much to do in Glasgow, it’s hard to know where to begin. Whether you’re a history buff, an art connoisseur, or a gastronomy aficionado, this city has it all. Some of the most popular attractions are the 12th-century Glasgow Cathedral, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and the Riverside Museum, with its ultra-modern design. How far is Glasgow from Edinburgh? A day trip from Edinburgh to Glasgow is within easy reach, just 75 kilometers (46 miles) away. By car, it takes just over about an hour, while the train will get you to your destination in a quick 45 minutes. 2. Day trip to Stirling Best known for the grand and imposing Stirling Castle that shares its name, a day trip from Edinburgh to Stirling offers travelers an incredible escape. This “gateway to the Highlands” was once the capital of the Kingdom of Scotland, and a major battle for independence was fought at the still standing Stirling Bridge. Nearby, the National Wallace Monument commemorates several heroes of independence — including the namesake of “Braveheart” himself, William Wallace — and also provides visitors with fantastic views from its top. How far is Stirling from Edinburgh? Located in central Scotland, Stirling is 58 kilometers (36 miles) from Edinburgh. By car, bus or train, the journey will take you just under an hour. 3. Day trip to St. Andrews Not too far from Edinburgh is the quintessential seaside town of St. Andrews. The town is home to the illustrious University of St. Andrews, the oldest in Scotland and alma matter of British monarchs past, present, and future. For golfers, St. Andrews is a bucket list pilgrimage, as the birthplace of the sport. Don’t miss out on a few holes on the original course of St. Andrews Links, or pay a visit to The British Golf Museum. How far is St. Andrews from Edinburgh? Driving the 83 miles to St. Andrews should take just under 90 minutes, while the train can take up to an hour and 45 minutes. 4. Day trip to Roslin For travelers wanting to experience a peaceful day in the country, Roslin is an excellent choice. Fans of Dan Brown’s “The DaVinci Code” will already know about Rosslyn Chapel — in lore recognized for its supposed connection to the Freemasons and Knights Templar. Architecture buffs will enjoy the chapel’s interesting layout and intricate stone carvings. Beyond the chapel, visitors of the town can see the ruins of Roslin Castle and the tranquil Roslin Glen Country Park. How far is Roslin from Edinburgh? Only 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) south of Edinburgh, a car ride to Roslin takes just about half an hour, while the bus takes anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour. 5. Day trip to Perth A day trip from Edinburgh to Perth is a wonderful way to get to know the city on the shores of the River Tay. Tempt fate with a visit to the must-see Scone Palace, the original home of the Stone of Destiny. Apart from the palace, visitors can check out the Black Watch Museum, St. John’s Kirk, and the Fair Maid’s House — the oldest secular building in the city. How far is Perth from Edinburgh? By car, you can make the 70-kilometer (43 mile) journey to Perth in just about an hour. On public transportation, the trip can take up to 90 minutes. Edinburgh day trip FAQ What transportation is the best choice for my day trip? Trying to plan your journey to Perth? Or wondering the best way to get to Glasgow? There are plenty of different transportation options for any day trip, and one is sure to be just right for you. • Edinburgh day trips by train Scotland’s rail network covers its seven main cities and many stops in-between. Taking the train is a quick and convenient way to get around, and allows you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the country’s rugged natural scenery. • Edinburgh day trips by bus In addition to the many guided bus tours available for day trips from Edinburgh, taking the bus is an easy way to get around Scotland. For more rural areas, the bus may be your only public transportation method available. • Edinburgh day trips by car Scotland is an epic place for a road trip. A car makes it easy to be spontaneous and discover all the surprises and hidden gems along the way. Have the freedom to make your own itinerary and take as much time as you like for your day trip. Should I take a guided tour for my day trip? Whether you’re looking to make new friends with similar interests, avoid driving on the left side of the road, or simply want to skip the hassle of planning, a guided tour can help you make the most of your trip. In addition to taking the stress out of planning, a good guide can provide insider knowledge to really enrich your experience in a destination. What should I pack for my day trip? There are all kinds of things to consider when deciding what to bring on a day trip. The destination, season and type of travel can all make an impact on your packing. For those taking a guided tour, your ticket might include everything you need. However, since most Edinburgh day trips are focused in Scotland and Northern England, it’s a smart bet to bring some rain gear or warm clothes regardless of the time of year. Top Attractions in Edinburgh 1 Edinburgh Vaults 2 Royal Yacht Britannia 3 Edinburgh Castle 4 Camera Obscura & World of Illusions 5 Holyrood Palace 6 Edinburgh Old Town 7 The Chocolatarium 8 The Scotch Whisky Experience 9 Royal Mile 10 Arthur's Seat 11 National Museum of Scotland 12 Greyfriars Kirkyard 13 Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 14 Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh 15 Dynamic Earth 16 Surgeons' Hall Museums 17 Leith 18 Calton Hill 19 Rosslyn Chapel 20 Scott Monument Things to Do in Edinburgh 1 Edinburgh Ghost & Vampire Tours 2 Edinburgh Tours 3 Edinburgh Day Trips 4 Edinburgh Harry Potter Tours 5 Edinburgh Day Trips From 6 Edinburgh Tickets 7 Edinburgh Family-friendly Activities 8 Edinburgh Cruises & Boat Tours 9 Edinburgh Hop-on Hop-off Tours 10 Edinburgh City Cards 11 Edinburgh Bus & Minivan Tours 12 Edinburgh Castle & Palace Tours 13 Edinburgh Whiskey Tours 14 Edinburgh Walking Tours 15 Edinburgh Night Tours 16 Edinburgh Shows & Musicals 17 Edinburgh Top 10 18 Edinburgh Music Activities 19 Edinburgh Halloween Activities 20 Edinburgh Couples Cities in United Kingdom 1 Edinburgh 2 London 3 Liverpool 4 Bath 5 Belfast 6 York 7 Glasgow 8 Inverness 9 Brighton 10 Portsmouth, UK 11 Manchester 12 Cambridge, UK 13 Oxford 14 Bournemouth 15 Poole 16 Balloch 17 Queensferry 18 John o' Groats 19 Chester 20 Culloden Moor Other Sightseeing Options in Edinburgh Want to discover all there is to do in Edinburgh? Click here for a full list. What people are saying about Edinburgh Overall rating 4.6 / 5 based on 8,269 reviews It was our first visit to Scotland and we had a lovely day on the Loch Ness tour. There was so much to see. Our guide and coach driver Andrew J obviously loves history and had loads of stories and interesting and funny facts to tell us. We learned loads of good stuff. Even my teenage daughter who usually finds everything 'cringey'and' tragic'thoroughly enjoyed herself too! Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Scottish Highlands Tour Reviewed by Catherine, 10/31/2021 Even though the weather did not cooperate, we still had a lovely time! im sure the views would have been better with some sunshine but it was still beautiful nonetheless. Our guide, Neil, was impressive! He remained energetic all throughout the trip even though it was tiring having to drive at the same time. Would definitely book another trip when we come back! Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Scottish Highlands Tour Reviewed by Ruby, 10/31/2021 Our trip to Loch Ness was such a great experience. The sights were absolutely breathtaking, and our guide (Andrew J) made the experience interactive through storytelling, jokes, and questions - this was great because we sort of expected to spend 12 hours on a bus in silence. Such an amazing day, we're already planning our trip back to the Highlands! Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Scottish Highlands Tour Reviewed by Alicia, 10/31/2021 The tour was amazing. It was extremely well organised and we had a wonderful time! Special thanks to our driver and guide Andrew Jay who entertained us with his brilliant stories. Would recommend this tour 100% Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Scottish Highlands Tour Reviewed by Khushali, 10/31/2021 Beautiful experience, breathtaking views ... our driver / guide, Andrew J &quot;Casper&quot;, besides being very nice, extremely thorough in the explanations ... I highly recommend !! Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Scottish Highlands Tour Reviewed by Stefania, 10/31/2021 Top destinations Edinburgh London Rome Paris Dubai Barcelona Amsterdam Liverpool Venice Florence Milan Boston Chicago Split Reykjavik San Francisco Bath Lisbon Las Vegas Miami Popular on GetYourGuide London Zoos & Aquariums Chicago Cruises & Boat Tours London Cruises & Boat Tours Rome City Cards Amsterdam Cruises & Boat Tours Edinburgh Ghost & Vampire Tours Boston Cruises & Boat Tours Boston Duck Tours Rome Hop-on Hop-off Tours Paris City Cards Edinburgh Tours Edinburgh Day Trips Budapest Cruises & Boat Tours Paris Cruises & Boat Tours Liverpool The Beatles Liverpool Hop-on Hop-off Tours Edinburgh Harry Potter Tours Reykjavik Airport Transfers London Family-friendly Activities Dubai Desert Safaris Popular Attractions Colosseum Vatican City Burj Khalifa The London Eye Louvre Museum Eiffel Tower Anfield Tower of London Niagara Falls, Canada Edinburgh Vaults River Thames Memorial and Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau Sagrada Familia Titanic Belfast Vatican Museums Royal Yacht Britannia Loch Lomond Warner Bros. 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