Blog · 2 November 2026
UK from India: London, Bath, Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands, how many days, and what a trip costs
The United Kingdom is one of the most familiar trips for Indian travellers. Many families have relatives there, the language is no problem, and London alone could fill a week with palaces, museums and shows. Add the Roman city of Bath, the castle and old town of Edinburgh and the lochs of the Scottish Highlands, and you get a trip with a lot of variety without changing currency or language.
How many days do you need?
Plan on eight to ten days. Give London four days: one for the Tower and the river, one for Westminster and the parks, one for the free museums and a West End show, and one for a day trip such as Windsor or the Harry Potter studios. Bath is about an hour and a half by train, and two nights there let you see the Roman Baths and take a day out to Stonehenge or the Cotswolds. Take the train north to Edinburgh for three days, then go on to Inverness for the Highlands if you have time. Flying home from Edinburgh saves you the long trip back to London. With a week or less, keep to London and Edinburgh.
What a trip costs
For a couple flying from Delhi and staying in a midrange hotel, a 10-day UK trip in December comes to about ₹7,48,600, or ₹3,74,300 per person. That covers return flights, hotels, food, trains and local transport, the attractions we pick for you, the UK visitor visa, travel insurance and a 10% buffer. Hotels in Bath and Edinburgh can cost more than in London during summer and festival time, so book those early.
You can change the dates, travellers, hotel type, cities and attractions on our UK trip cost page and watch every line update.
Things worth paying for
- Tower of London: about ₹4,095, for the Crown Jewels, the old fortress and the Beefeater tours. Pair it with a walk across Tower Bridge.
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour (Harry Potter): about ₹6,201. It's outside London and tickets sell out weeks ahead, so book as soon as your dates are fixed.
- London Eye: about ₹3,744, or The View from The Shard: about ₹3,744. Pick one view, not both.
- West End musical: about ₹8,190. Midweek shows and seats further back are cheaper.
- Windsor Castle day trip: about ₹3,510. For most of the year it's closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so plan around that.
- Roman Baths in Bath: about ₹3,510, a well-kept Roman bathhouse still filled with hot spring water.
- Edinburgh Castle: about ₹2,574, high on its rock above the city, with the Scottish crown jewels inside.
- Loch Ness cruise and Urquhart Castle: about ₹4,095, or the Isle of Skye day tour: about ₹8,775 for mountains and sea views.
Free and cheap things to do
London's big museums are free: the British Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum could each take half a day, and they are great with children. Watch the guards at Buckingham Palace and walk on through Hyde Park, browse Camden Market, catch the street performers at Covent Garden and stroll the South Bank in the evening. In Bath, walk past the Royal Crescent and the Circus. In Edinburgh, wander the Royal Mile and its narrow side lanes and climb Arthur's Seat for a view over the whole city.
When to go
June to August is the peak, with the longest days, highs of about 21 to 24°C in London and the Edinburgh festivals in August; it's also the most expensive time. December is busy too, for Christmas lights and markets. Spring and early autumn are the regular season, often the best balance of weather and price. January to March and November are cold and grey but cheapest. Rain can come in any month, so carry a light jacket and an umbrella even in summer.
Visa for Indians
Indian passport holders need a UK Standard Visitor visa before travel. You apply online, then give your fingerprints and photo at a visa centre in India. A decision usually takes about three weeks after the appointment, longer in the busy summer and December months, so apply at least six to eight weeks before you fly; faster priority services are available at extra cost. Show clear proof of funds, your job or business, your hotel bookings and return plans, and if you are visiting family, a letter from your host helps.
Tips that save money
- Use contactless card or phone payment on the London Underground and buses; daily fare caps mean you never pay more than a set amount per day.
- Book train tickets from London to Bath and Edinburgh early and avoid the morning rush hour for much lower fares.
- Plan your London days around the free museums, parks and markets, and pay only for the few sights you really want.
- Meal deals from supermarkets and Indian restaurants in areas like Southall and Wembley keep food costs down.
- Travel in May or September for long days and better hotel prices than in peak summer.
Want the numbers for your own dates and group? Plan your UK trip and send it to us for live flight and hotel prices.