Comparing overall costs between Scotland and Spain in September
 

For nice hotels - not five star - but not creepy. And same with meals - just street food or not necessarily for tourists food. Do you think that the ballpark costs for one week in Edinburgh and surroundings is cheaper than a week in Barcelona?

Thanks. I'm sure I could - and I will - research this myself - but I would really appreciate a general idea.

Thanks!

Normally Spain is cheaper than the UK - though people I know who travel frequently between the two have said that prices in Spain has risen substantially in the past few years.

The weather in Barcelona will be better than Edinburgh & Edinburgh will be recovering from the Festivals in August - so tends to be quieter than other times of the year

>>not five star - but not creepy<<

There is a huge range in between - like 90% of hotels.

>>just street food or not necessarily for tourists food<<

Not a lot of street food in Scotland. But I'm not sure what locals would eat that is all that different than what visitors eat.

My advice is to go to whichever one you want to visit. There are some things more expensive in one and some things more expensive in the other. And be sure to factor in which one has the cheapest airfares, etc. For instance if you can get to the UK for $300 less than you can to Spain - that makes up a for quite a few more expensive meals.

"Not a lot of street food in Scotland. But I'm not sure what locals would eat that is all that different than what visitors eat."

Deep fried Mars Bars. Well known fact!

Yes they do Darling and they are delicious!

You can't get haggis in Spain, but you can't get good tapas in Scotland.

>>but you can't get good tapas in Scotland.<<

Actually - you can. There are three or four very good tapas bars in Edinburgh (and probably in Glasgow as well but I haven't been to any there)

I found Spain far cheaper than Scotland. Scotland is on the British pound for one.
Then there's the fact that you can sit down and have an excellent meal of tapas and great wine for a low price in Spain, and also opick up cheeses, cured hams, baguettes, etc in Spain for almost nothing and eat like a king.

$ goes farther in Spain.

agreed on not much 'street' food in Scotland. Other than meat pies and curry chips served at night for the drinkers.. heavy but delicious

Also drinks are very expensive in Scotland vs Spain. I could only afford beer or well scotch. Would rather be drinking wine in Spain for less

I found the best deals on rooms were hostals with an a (not hostels with an E) in Spain for budget accommodation. Much nicer than hostels, and not shared with strangers, but casual accommodation so low prices. If you want to go up a couple levels in quality there are affordable options also. I just rent apartments as I think it's a better deal

>>Scotland is on the British pound for one.<<

What has that got to do w/ anything?

The currency doesn't make one more expensive that the other - it is the buying power. The purchasing power of the € @ $1.35 is just about the same value as the £ @ $1.60

To clarify - I meant purchasing power in relation to the US dollar

OK Thanks very much. I do appreciate the input. I am 50-50 on destination.... but warm weather is much easier!

I will share our findings when we return.

Actually - you can. There are three or four very good tapas bars in Edinburgh (and probably in Glasgow as well but I haven't been to any there)
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Nothing like recommendations for places you haven't been.
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We have only been Scotland once, although we have considerable time in Spain. The truth remains, if you know a place better, you understand how to better save money. We live in NYC and know where to eat to get value, as opposed to someone who visits for a short period.

We have also rented an apartment in Edinburgh and Barcelona and that cut down the cost. And although I did like Edinburgh, IMHO, it does not compare to what Barcelona has to offer. There is joie de vivre and sense of style in Barcelona that is seldom found elsewhere.

Having been to both places, I'd vote for Barcelona in September (I'd certainly go for Scotland in May, June, July). Plus more variety of cheap street-ish food in Barcelona.

"Then there's the fact that you can sit down and have an excellent meal of tapas and great wine for a low price in Spain, and also opick up cheeses, cured hams, baguettes, etc in Spain for almost nothing and eat like a king."

That's absolutely not been my experience of Barcelona in the past few years.

Tapas in most of Barcelona are no longer a cheap meal. And wine in most eating places in Barcelona now costs MORE than in properly marketed Scottish chain pubs.

They're very different cities. But it's as misleading to make wild generalisations based on former experience of cheaper parts of Spain. As it is to opinionate about compare modern Edinburgh from experience in mid-1990s Cowdenbeath.

Impossible to meaningfully differentiate general prices between the two countries.

Absolutely not the price differentials that you would see in Norway or Australia.

If travellers are bickering over small differences then ask the question whether you can afford the huge transatlantic airfare in the first place.