Top Travel Resources for Scotland
I’ve compiled a comprehensive list of travel resources to help you plan every step of your Scotland adventure. From hotels and flights to trains and packing essentials, these are the tools and services I personally use for all my trips to Scotland.
Everything listed here has been carefully chosen to help you save time, avoid overwhelm and feel confident about your travel plans. Make sure you grab my free Scotland packing list for all seasons at the bottom of this page.
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Tools I use to find cheap hotels
Booking.com – I always use Booking.com to find and compare cheap hotels for all my trips in Scotland. I find it so handy that you can get free cancellation, pay later, and breakfast included on some properties. It has saved me more than once when plans have changed last-minute! [Compare hotels here →]
Hotels.com – It’s the easiest platform for comparing hotels side by side. I love that you can find some amazing last-minute deals.
Expedia – If you don’t want to browse different platforms, Expedia lets you compare and book everything in one place, including flights, rental cars, packages and activities.
No time? Read where to stay in Edinburgh for first-time visitors for curated hotel recommendations.
Hot Tip: Before deciding where to stay, I always compare prices across these platforms to make sure I am getting the best deal. I go for the highest-rated properties with a lot of good reviews, and it has never let me down.
Best places to book tours
GetYourGuide – This is my go-to for finding the best tours and day trips in Scotland and beyond. I’ve used it for every trip I’ve been on, and the tours are always amazing. What’s more, it keeps my activities all in one place, which is so handy when I’m on the move. [Find tours here →]
Viator – This is another fantastic platform for booking tours and day trips. You can also find entrance tickets to some attractions. I like to compare it with GetYourGuide, as I can sometimes find cheaper prices or different tours.
Discover the 9 best Scotland small group tours to book.
Hot Tip: Most of the best small group tours in Scotland are run by Rabbie’s. Timberbush is another popular tour operator. You will find many of their tours listed on GetYourGuide and Viator, so it’s worth checking both to find the best price and schedule for you.
Services I use for train travel
Trainline – This is the easiest platform to use when booking train travel. I like to have it as an app on my phone, so I can see all my bookings in one place. [Plan your train trip here →]
Trainpal – Travelling by train in the UK can be expensive. Sometimes, I can find cheaper tickets on Trainpal. It’s a great app with no booking fee and the option to save up to 30% on split tickets. I always check it if I am booking longer journeys.
Caledonian Sleeper – Book sleeper trains directly as it’s much easier. I’ve used the Caledonian Sleeper multiple times to travel from London to Scotland. It’s a magical experience watching the dawn break over the Highlands!
Here’s what you need to know about visiting Scotland without a car.
Hot Tip: Traveline Scotland is much better than Google Maps for public transport in Scotland. It gives you the best, quickest and most comprehensive routes.
Transport and storage
Skyscanner – A great airline booking platform. If you’re flexible, I love that you can select ‘Whole Months’ and ‘Everywhere’ to find the most affordable flights. It has helped me find some brilliant last-minute trips.
Rentalcars.com – Choosing the best-priced car rental company on a trip can be so overwhelming! Rentalcars makes it easier by letting you compare companies. Most bookings are flexible, with free cancellations up to 48 hours before pick-up, which gives great peace of mind if plans change.
Radical Storage – Arrived before you can check in to your hotel? Radical Storage helps you find and book secure luggage storage near you for as little as £5 a day. It’s SO handy when you don’t want to haul bags around Edinburgh!
My travel essentials
Holiday Extras – Always book travel insurance. Holiday Extras is my go-to for affordable annual premiums that cover me for multiple trips. I have been covered for everything from delayed flights to lost luggage, and that peace of mind is priceless. [Check plans and prices here →]
Airalo – The time for faffing around with SIM cards and holiday phone plans is over. You can download and activate eSIMS directly onto your phone without affecting your current plan. I use Airalo because it’s easy to find affordable data plans, and the coverage has always been excellent on my trips.
Water-to-Go – Free and safe drinking water wherever you go! These water filter bottles can be used on any freshwater source, and I always take mine to Scotland. They filter out 99.999% of viruses and pathogens. Read my review to find out if this bottle is right for you.
The North Face – A rain jacket is essential for protecting yourself against Scotland’s changeable weather. I love The North Face’s waterproof jackets as they are properly designed for the outdoors and have never let me down, even in torrential rain.
TropicFeel – Travel shoes designed for all kinds of adventure. My pair are so lightweight and comfortable. They’re quick-drying too, which is handy in a Scottish downpour!
Osprey – My trusty Fairview 40 Litre backpack is my travel companion. I take it everywhere with me. Osprey also makes wheeled backpacks when you don’t want to carry all that weight. They can be a real back-saver after long travel days.
Travel Dude Packing Cubes – My packing secret weapon is compression packing cubes. These ones from Travel Dudes are a game-changer as I can fit SO much in. The largest one is double-sided, so I can separate clean from dirty.
Free resources
Download My Complete Scotland Packing List for All Seasons – Say goodbye to guesswork with my free packing list and five-step plan for booking a trip of a lifetime to Scotland. [Get the freebie here →]
Download My Scotland Itinerary Checklist – Identify your travel goals so you know exactly what to prioritise in your Scotland trip. Work out the best time to visit Scotland and set a daily budget to help you prepare. [Get the freebie here →]