Deciding between Edinburgh and Verona for your backpacking adventure involves weighing costs, atmosphere, and activities. Here’s a balanced comparison to help you choose.
Which City Has a Lower Estimated Daily Budget?
Verona generally offers a slightly lower daily budget for backpackers compared to Edinburgh. Estimated Daily Budget (Backpacker):
- Verona: €40-60 per day
- Edinburgh: €50-75 per day
These estimates include budget accommodation, self-catering or cheap eats, and local transport. Prices are estimates and can fluctuate based on season and personal spending habits.
What Are the Typical Accommodation Costs?
Hostel prices vary by season, but Verona typically offers more affordable options.
- Verona (Hostels): Estimated €20-35 per night for a dorm bed.
- Edinburgh (Hostels): Estimated €25-45 per night for a dorm bed.
Booking in advance, especially during peak season (summer, festivals), is recommended for both cities.
How Do Food and Drink Budgets Compare?
Verona generally provides better value for food and drink, especially if you embrace local eateries and markets.
- Verona (Food): Expect to spend €10-20 per day for budget options (supermarkets, pizza al taglio, local cafes). Meals at local restaurants typically cost €10-20.
- Edinburgh (Food): Budget food options like supermarkets and takeaway can cost €12-25 per day. Pub meals or casual restaurants often start from €15-25.
Both cities offer opportunities for self-catering to save money.
What About Local Transportation Costs?
Both cities are quite walkable in their historic centers, but Edinburgh’s public transport might be slightly pricier if you need it frequently.
- Verona (Transport): A single bus ticket typically costs around €1.30-€1.50. Many main attractions are within walking distance. Daily passes are available for around €4-5.
- Edinburgh (Transport): A single bus ticket is typically around £1.80 (€2.10). A day ticket for unlimited travel costs around £5.00 (€5.80). The city center is very walkable, but sights like Arthur’s Seat or Leith may require transport.
Which City Offers More Free Activities?
Edinburgh arguably offers a greater number of high-quality free attractions, particularly its national museums and galleries.
- Verona (Free Activities): Walking through the historic center, admiring the Verona Arena from outside, strolling along the Adige River, visiting Piazza delle Erbe, and viewing Juliet’s House exterior.
- Edinburgh (Free Activities): Exploring the Royal Mile, hiking Arthur’s Seat, visiting the National Museum of Scotland, National Gallery of Scotland, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, and Botanic Gardens.
Tools like AllInMap can also help backpackers find free amenities and Wi-Fi spots in both cities.
When Is the Best Time to Visit for Budget Travelers?
For both Edinburgh and Verona, the shoulder seasons (spring: April-May; autumn: September-October) typically offer lower prices for accommodation and fewer crowds than the peak summer months (June-August). Weather is also generally pleasant during these times.
