Isle of Skye Weekend from Edinburgh: Our £118 Per-Person Trip
Two people, one overnight stay and a very long return journey: we travelled from Edinburgh through Glasgow and Inverness, drove to Skye, completed two full hikes and returned to Edinburgh at 1 AM.
Download this trip as a printable PDF
Save the budget, route, daily itinerary and practical notes for offline planning.
Historical prices and schedules can change. Verify current details before booking.
This was a compressed but memorable Highlands journey. On Friday evening we took the slower train from Edinburgh to Glasgow via Airdrie, continued overnight by coach to Inverness and checked into our Airbnb after 1 AM. On Saturday we collected an Enterprise Car Club vehicle and visited every stop in our planned Skye route before taking a direct night bus from Inverness back to Edinburgh.
Itemised budget: exactly what we spent
We kept this cheap Scottish Highlands road trip within budget by sharing the car and room, carrying every meal and choosing free walks and viewpoints.
| Expense | For two | Per person |
|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh → Glasgow train via Airdrie | £26 | £13 |
| Coach: Glasgow → Inverness and Inverness → Edinburgh | £50 | £25 |
| One night in Inverness | £35 | £17.50 |
| Enterprise Car Club hire | £90 | £45 |
| Fuel for the Skye return drive | £35 | £17.50 |
| Food brought from home | £0 | £0 |
| Parking and attractions | £0 | £0 |
| Total | £236 | £118 |
These are our historical August 2025 costs rather than current quotations. Divided between two people, our confirmed cost was £118 per person.
Friday: Edinburgh to Inverness
We used the slower route via Airdrie. The two one-way tickets cost £26 in total, and we ate food brought from home during the journey.
We crossed central Glasgow to reach the coach station.
Our outward Glasgow–Inverness coach and direct Inverness–Edinburgh return were booked together for £25 per person.
We checked in late, rested briefly and had coffee at the Airbnb before starting early.
Saturday: our complete Skye road trip
We picked up our Enterprise Car Club vehicle and started the drive southwest.
We stopped outside for photographs from the viewpoint and did not pay to enter the castle.
After crossing the Skye Bridge, we stopped at Sligachan for the stone bridge and Black Cuillin views.
We completed the walk rather than stopping at the lower viewpoint, carrying our own lunch and water.
We continued north to the coastal viewpoint, where the waterfall drops over the basalt cliffs.
We completed the Quiraing walk and took in the Trotternish landscape before beginning the long drive back.
We refuelled, returned the vehicle and walked to the bus station.
We travelled directly from Inverness to Edinburgh and arrived at approximately 1:00 AM on Sunday, 10 August.
Edinburgh → Glasgow → Inverness → Eilean Donan Castle → Sligachan → Old Man of Storr → Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls → Quiraing → Inverness → Edinburgh.
View the route in Google Maps →Where we stayed: budget accommodation in Inverness
August accommodation on the Isle of Skye was expensive, so we stayed in Inverness and paid £35 total for one night. This kept the room cost to £17.50 per person and placed us near the car pickup and coach station. The compromise was a very long Saturday drive. Use the Inverness Booking.com comparison card below to check current prices for your own dates.
Could you do this trip without driving?
Yes, but not with the same one-day route. Public transport does not conveniently connect every stop on this itinerary. A guided Skye tour from Inverness is the practical alternative if you do not want to handle the hire car, navigation and long return drive. The verified GetYourGuide comparison link below shows current tour options; always check the pickup location, duration and included stops.
Eilean Donan Castle viewpoint
We used the exterior viewpoint rather than buying castle tickets. It was a scenic first stop before crossing towards Skye.
Sligachan Old Bridge
Sligachan gave us a classic Skye scene: the old stone bridge, river and jagged Cuillin mountains.
Old Man of Storr
We completed the full walk, making this one of the most physically demanding and rewarding parts of our short trip.
Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls
The waterfall and basalt cliffs made this an efficient roadside stop between the two longer walks.
The Quiraing
We completed the walk across the dramatic landslip terrain before returning to Inverness.
What to pack for this fast Skye weekend
The Amazon travel-kit section near the end of this guide contains our tagged affiliate links for relevant essentials.
Why the trip stayed affordable
Our main savings came from sharing the car and Airbnb, packing every meal, using the exterior Eilean Donan viewpoint and choosing free natural attractions. The trade-off was an intense schedule and a 1 AM arrival back in Edinburgh.
Compare guided Skye tours
If you do not want to drive the long route yourself, compare current Skye day tours and multi-day options. Check the pickup point, walking time, total price and cancellation terms before booking.
Affiliate disclosure: if you book through this link, Smart Budget Traveler may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Budget traveller’s quick summary
Trip: Edinburgh → Glasgow → Inverness → Isle of Skye → Edinburgh
Dates: 8–9 August 2025, arriving home at 1 AM on 10 August
Cost: £236 for two; £118 per person
Highlights: Eilean Donan, Sligachan, Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, Mealt Falls and the Quiraing
Walking: Full Old Man of Storr and Quiraing walks completed
More real Scottish budget trips
Isle of Arran Day Trip
Scotland NC500Choosing an Inverness base
Our new guide compares the most practical areas for late coaches, early car collection and a one-night stay before Skye.
Plan smarter, then travel for less
Use our free Travel Budget Planner now, and optionally join the list for new real-trip budgets and practical planning tips.
Open the free planner →Transparency: This guide uses our own trip details and prices from August 2025. Historical costs are not current quotations; verify today’s fares, vehicle terms, access and weather before travelling.
Comments
Have you visited Skye on a short trip? Share your experience below.
Loading comments…