Choosing between Edinburgh and Porto for a backpacking adventure involves balancing budget, culture, and experience. Both cities offer unique charms, but their costs and atmospheres differ significantly.

Which City Has a Lower Daily Budget?

Porto generally offers a more budget-friendly experience for backpackers. While backpackers typically spend €35-55/day in European cities, you can expect to spend approximately €30-50 per day in Porto. In Edinburgh, expect to budget €40-65 per day, often placing it at the higher end or slightly above the average European backpacking cost.

What Are Typical Accommodation Costs?

Porto: Hostel dorm beds typically range from €15-25 per night, with prices slightly higher in peak summer months. Edinburgh: Hostel dorm beds typically range from €20-35 per night, often peaking at €40 or more during major festivals or summer.

How Much Should I Budget for Food?

Porto: Budget approximately €10-20 per day for food. Local ‘tascas’ (small restaurants) often serve substantial, affordable meals for €8-15. Groceries are also relatively inexpensive for self-catering. Edinburgh: Budget approximately €15-25 per day for food. While groceries are available, eating out can be pricier. Budget-friendly meals (e.g., bakeries, takeaway) might cost €10-18, while sit-down meals can quickly exceed this. Meals at local restaurants typically cost €8-15 in many European cities, but Edinburgh tends to be on the higher end of this range, or above.

What About Local Transportation Costs?

Porto: Public transport (metro, bus, tram) is efficient and affordable. A single journey starts around €1.20-€1.50, and a daily unlimited pass (Andante Tour) is approximately €7. Expect to spend €3-6 per day if using transport regularly. Edinburgh: The city center is very walkable, but buses cover the wider area. A single bus fare is around £1.80 (approx. €2.10), and a day ticket is around £4.50-£5.00 (approx. €5.30-€5.90). Expect to spend €5-8 per day if relying on public transport for sightseeing.

Which City Offers More Free Activities?

Both cities offer a wealth of free activities. Porto: Explore the UNESCO-listed Ribeira district, walk across the Dom Luís I Bridge for stunning views, visit free viewpoints, and enjoy many of the city’s beautiful churches (some may have small entry fees for specific areas). Edinburgh: Many world-class museums and galleries offer free entry, including the National Museum of Scotland and the Scottish National Gallery. Hiking up Arthur’s Seat for panoramic views is free, as is exploring the Royal Mile and Grassmarket areas.

When is the Best Time to Visit?

For both cities, spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) typically offer milder weather and lower prices compared to the peak summer months, making them ideal for backpackers. Summer generally sees increased accommodation costs and larger crowds.

For finding free amenities and resources in both cities, consider using tools like AllInMap to help optimize your budget.