Save your changes before leaving this page.

The Smart Route

Create a Route

You can plan a new trip or share your past travels.

Sign in If you don't have an account you can create one below by entering your email address/username. Your account details will be confirmed via email.

The map will be displayed once your route has been saved.

1

Enter stops made for this day of travel.

1
1
Add a stop
1

Enter stops made for this day of travel.

1
1
Add a stop
Add a day
Just a few more steps and your route will be ready to share!
I certify that I have personally taken this route and that the opinions and statements are mine alone. I also confirm that I own the rights to the photo(s) and grant permission to The Smart Route to use them in the media.
Maximum file size: 5 MB.
Maximum file size: 5 MB.
Your route will be submitted for review and published to the site upon approval.
Your route will remain here in the Route Builder after being saved, allowing you to edit it while browsing the site.

The Smart Route

Find the smart route by viewing itineraries for all types of travel destinations

  • Browse Routes
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • Australia/Oceania
    • Caribbean/Central America
    • Europe
    • Middle East
    • North America
    • South America
  • Log In / Register
Menu
  • Browse Routes
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • Australia/Oceania
    • Caribbean/Central America
    • Europe
    • Middle East
    • North America
    • South America
  • Log In / Register

Day trip to Edinburgh

1 Day in Aug
Europe

Route DetailsMap

This was a day trip during a 6-day route, the rest of which is here: https://www.thesmartroute.com/route/shannon-ireland-irelands-best-with-a-side-of-scotland/

Day 1
  • Scott Monument, Edinburgh, UK
  • Princes Street Gardens, Princes Street, Edinburgh, UK
  • Edinburgh Castle, Castlehill, Edinburgh, UK
  • Royal Mile, Royal Mile, Edinburgh, UK
  • Calton Hill, Edinburgh, UK

Booked a day trip to Edinburgh (from Dublin) on Ryan Air and arrived around 8:30 in the morning. Took the Airlink 100 bus into town, to Waverly Station. That’s the cheapest way to get to/from the city and you buy your ticket and get on/off right outside the main airport doors. 30 minutes each way.

We walked down to Princes Street (the very next block from where you’re dropped off) and admired the Scott Monument – very cool, medieval monument. Definitely worth some pictures – you can go up it but it wasn’t open when we were there. Walked down to the Princes Street Gardens and had some great views of Edinburgh Castle. The gardens are very nice, lots of benches and worth walking through. We wrapped around the castle and went in, honestly not worth the hefty 16 Pound price of admission. We were there during the Fringe Festival so there were a ton of people, but even if it was empty I’d have a hard time saying it’s worth about $50 (US) for a couple to get in. Spent a few hours there, went pretty slowly as we were tired. If I could do it over, would probably take the bus to Craigmillar Castle as I’ve heard that’s wonderful.

We walked down the Royal Mile which was crazy busy with people soliciting for their shows, street performers, and the thousands of other tourists. Cut down a random Close (alley) and found a quieter café that advertised haggis as their specialty. Had to try it, wouldn’t get it again but it wasn’t terrible. Walked to Calton Hill which was our favorite part of Edinburgh. The views are great, the monuments are unique, and we liked it so much we took a nap on the grass and then read for a bit. We had considered trying to fit in a climb to Arthur’s Seat but were much more than content to just relax where we were. Walked back down to Royal Mile and explored more of the alleys/city center and then took the bus back to the airport for our 9 PM flight back to Dublin.

I know there were a lot more people there than normal, but I don’t think Edinburgh would be a place we would want to spend more than a couple of days. The gardens and Calton Hill alone were worth the trip though, and it’s a very walkable city. I’ve heard the botanical gardens are impressive but they’re further out than we wanted to go.

Year Traveled: 2015

Route Map

Scott Monument, Edinburgh, UK

Day: 1

Princes Street Gardens, Princes Street, Edinburgh, UK

Day: 1

Edinburgh Castle, Castlehill, Edinburgh, UK

Day: 1

Royal Mile, Royal Mile, Edinburgh, UK

Day: 1

Calton Hill, Edinburgh, UK

Day: 1

Click on a pin to view details for the stop. Each stop is color-coded by the the day it's visited during the route. Pins with a + indicate that the stop is visited on multiple days.

Photos

Share this Route

0
0
0
0
0
Beau Route Traveler

    Contact This Traveler

    Your Name (required)

    Your Email (required)

    Subject

    Your Message

    Type this: captcha

    I want to experience as much as possible when I go to a new place. The routes that I plan are usually packed full of exploring and finding the best hikes, food, sites, and experiences that I can’t get anywhere else. The idea of a staycation deeply saddens me, as the precious vacation time we get should be spent far away from home. Favorite city: Prague. Favorite tourist attraction: the temples of Angkor in Cambodia. Favorite “paradise” destination: Tahiti.
    © 2017 The Smart Route LLC. All Rights Reserved
    • facebook
    • twitter
    • instagram
    • pinterest
    • Contact

    Insert/edit link

    Enter the destination URL

    Or link to existing content

      No search term specified. Showing recent items. Search or use up and down arrow keys to select an item.