Direct flight about 1 h 05
Edinburgh from Birmingham
From Birmingham, a nonstop flight gets you in Edinburgh in about 1 h 05. You land at Edinburgh Airport (EDI), 7 miles from the destination, after 250 miles of flight. You can also fly nonstop to GLA (about 1 h 06).
In Edinburgh, the best months for a trip are July and August, with daytime highs up to 18 °C.
7 days in Edinburgh in August, Beach and hiking, from Birmingham on your own
Plan a trip- Flight time from Birmingham
- about 1 h 05
- Flight distance BHX to EDI
- 250 miles
- Nonstop from BHX to 2 airports
- Direct flight
- Best time to go
- July and August
Flight times estimated from the distance, nonstop routes according to OpenTravelData.
Edinburgh from Birmingham starts with the right journey
Birmingham Airport is your starting point for this Edinburgh trip. The route page checks current flight options and displays live partner prices, giving you a clear place to compare dates, services and fares.
EdinburghiPhoto: W. Bulach · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
BirminghamiPhoto: BlueandWhiteStripes · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsEdinburgh Airport sits close to the city, making arrival straightforward for a short break. Head towards central Edinburgh for sightseeing, or choose accommodation near Leith, the Old Town or the New Town according to the pace you want. A central base makes it easier to fit several activities into each day while keeping changes simple.
Travel light when you can. Edinburgh suits a compact weekend, yet a longer visit rewards slower mornings, neighbourhood walks and time for meals beyond the main sights. Add dates once your flights are settled, then organise transfers, hotel check in and the first day's route around the city.
HolidayWow reads a trip described in one sentence or by voice. It identifies Edinburgh, your travel month, the pace and the group, then places the days and stops on a map so you can see the shape of the whole break.
EdinburghiPhoto: W. Bulach · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsBirminghamiPhoto: BlueandWhiteStripes · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsChoose an Edinburgh base that matches your pace
The Old Town suits first visits, with easy access to Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile and the narrow closes around St Giles' Cathedral. Mornings can begin early for a calm walk through the city, while the compact streets make unplanned stops and café breaks part of the day rather than an extra journey.
The New Town offers broad streets, green spaces and a strong selection of restaurants. It works well for couples and for anyone who prefers a slower first day after travelling. Leith is another practical choice, with the waterfront close by and a local atmosphere that works for an evening out.
Your accommodation choice also shapes the journey from Edinburgh Airport. A central hotel suits sightseeing, while a stay near a main road may be easier for luggage and onward transport. Use the live stay options on the page, then place the hotel as the first pin in your trip plan.
Edinburgh rewards a base that suits your group rather than one chosen purely for the shortest journey. Families may value space and simple daily routines, while friends travelling together may prefer a central position for evening plans and a broad choice of places to eat.
Read Edinburgh weather by month before choosing the days
Edinburgh has a genuine seasonal character, so the month helps set the tone of your city break. April is the driest month in the climate data, with average daytime temperatures of 10 °C and nighttime temperatures of 4 °C. Layers work well for walks, while a waterproof jacket adds comfort around the castle, the coast and the hills.
Summer brings warmer afternoons, with July and August both averaging 18 °C by day and 11 °C overnight. July records 18 rain days in the climate data, so a flexible itinerary gives you a strong chance to place outdoor plans in the clearest weather. Evening walks around the city also feel pleasant when the day temperature eases towards the night average.
January is the coolest month, averaging 5 °C by day and 2 °C overnight, with 16 rain days. March and November reach 8 °C during the day, while sunshine hours are 4 and 2 respectively. These figures point to indoor attractions, galleries and restaurants taking a useful place beside outdoor sightseeing.
Use the climate data as a planning guide rather than a forecast. HolidayWow adds live weather to dated day cards, while the month data helps you choose clothing and balance indoor and outdoor stops. The packing list and checklist are built around the plan, the month and the climate.
From Birmingham to Edinburgh
From Birmingham, Edinburgh is {{dist.home:BHX}} away as the crow flies. From London Heathrow it is {{dist.home:LHR}}. From London Gatwick it is {{dist.home:LGW}}. From Birmingham, the months that pay off most are July.
LondoniPhoto: Diliff · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsFrom Manchester it is {{dist.home:MAN}}. London Stansted lies {{dist.home:STN}} away. Door to door, the plan lines up the ride to the airport, the flight with live fares and the transfer on arrival.
LondoniPhoto: Diliff · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsAirports at the destination
From Birmingham you fly nonstop to 2 airports nearby. Closest to the destination is Edinburgh Airport, at 7 miles.
- EDIEdinburgh Airport7 miles to the destination, about 1 h 05 from BHX, 250 miles of flightDirect
- GLAGlasgow Airport48 miles to the destination, about 1 h 06 from BHX, 260 miles of flightDirect
Best time to travel in Edinburgh
In Edinburgh, the best months for a trip are July and August, with daytime highs up to 18 °C.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day °C | 5 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 12 | 8 | 6 |
| Night °C | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 2 |
| Sun h/day | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Rain days | 16 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 17 |
Edinburgh through the year
The warmest month is July with 18 °C, the coolest January with 5 °C. Rain is rarest in April (11 days) and most frequent in July (18 days). The sunniest month is May with 7 hours a day.
- January: 5 °C, 16 rain days, 2 h of sun
- February: 6 °C, 14 rain days, 2 h of sun
- March: 8 °C, 14 rain days, 4 h of sun
- April: 10 °C, 11 rain days, 6 h of sun
- May: 13 °C, 14 rain days, 7 h of sun
- June: 16 °C, 15 rain days, 6 h of sun
- July: 18 °C, 18 rain days, 6 h of sun
- August: 18 °C, 17 rain days, 5 h of sun
- September: 16 °C, 14 rain days, 4 h of sun
- October: 12 °C, 16 rain days, 3 h of sun
- November: 8 °C, 17 rain days, 2 h of sun
- December: 6 °C, 17 rain days, 1 h of sun
Busy and quiet months in Edinburgh
Search interest for Edinburgh peaks in August and is lowest in February, based on monthly search volumes.
How to shape a July day in Edinburgh
Mornings suit an unhurried walk through the old streets or along the water. The warmest hours, at 18 °C, are perfect for being outside. Evenings drop to 11 °C, so plan dinner somewhere warm and keep a layer handy.
Packing for Edinburgh in July
With 18 °C by day and 11 °C at night and 18 rain days in July, pack for changeable mild weather. Your plan builds this list for you and updates it when you change the dates.
- Comfortable walking shoes
- A warm layer for the evenings
- A packable rain jacket or umbrella
- A travel adapter for your chargers
Weather in Edinburgh month by month
- January5 °C
- February6 °C
- March8 °C
- April10 °C
- May13 °C
- June16 °C
- July18 °C
- August18 °C
- September16 °C
- October12 °C
- November8 °C
- December6 °C
Nonstop flights in Edinburgh from other airports
Besides Birmingham, nonstop flights in Edinburgh leave from 5 other airports; the closest to Birmingham is London Luton, with a flight time of about 1 h 12.
- BHXEdinburgh from Birminghamabout 1 h 05 to EDI, nonstop
- LTNEdinburgh from London Lutonabout 1 h 12 to EDI, nonstop
- BRSEdinburgh from Bristolabout 1 h 13 to EDI, nonstop
- LHREdinburgh from London Heathrowabout 1 h 14 to EDI, nonstop
- STNEdinburgh from London Stanstedabout 1 h 13 to EDI, nonstop
- LGWEdinburgh from London Gatwickabout 1 h 17 to EDI, nonstop
Flight times estimated from the distance, nonstop routes according to OpenTravelData.
Prices for Edinburgh
Every price for Edinburgh on this page comes live from a partner, in your currency. Open a card to see today's rate for your dates.
Build three days around Edinburgh's essential places
Begin with Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile, allowing time to explore the castle, walk down the old street and see St Giles' Cathedral. Continue towards the Grassmarket for a meal, or turn into one of the nearby closes. A relaxed pace gives you room to stop and makes this first day an easy introduction to the city.
Use the second day for the New Town, the National Gallery of Scotland and a walk through the gardens. The Scott Monument and Princes Street also fit naturally into the route. Add Dean Village if the weather is kind, then return to your accommodation before heading towards a dinner in the city centre.
A third day can cover the Royal Yacht Britannia in Leith and the waterfront, followed by an optional visit to Portobello. Alternatively, spend the day in the Royal Botanic Garden and explore nearby Morningside. Keep the final evening relaxed so that checking out and travelling home remain simple.
The map makes the order visible and helps you see when you are crossing town. You can move a stop to another day, replace a place or make a day lighter, and the plan checker reorders the route after each change.
Book the Edinburgh break around the dates that suit you
Add your Birmingham flight choices, accommodation and major activities to one plan. HolidayWow brings partner options into the trip and shows the current price or a Check live price button, so you can make decisions from live information rather than an old estimate. Booking links open in English and in your chosen currency.
The plan can begin with a month and receive dates later. This is useful when you want to shape the city break first and then compare flights. For a family, coordinate the return journey around school holidays. For adults travelling outside school time, the Bank Holiday planner can help connect public holidays with leave days.
Share the route with the people travelling with you. One link opens the same itinerary, with roles for viewing and editing, plus group voting and comments. The document vault keeps passports, tickets and confirmations with the trip, giving everyone a single place to check essential details.
Once your plan takes shape, play it as a short film on the map. You can see the flight arc, your bases and each day before setting off. The app is free to download and to plan with, and live partner modules show current prices without placing a fixed fare in this guide.
Edinburgh from Birmingham: frequently asked questions
How far is Edinburgh Airport from Birmingham Airport?
Use this route distance when comparing flights with train or driving options. Once you arrive in Edinburgh, the airport's position near the city also makes it straightforward to continue to a central hotel, Leith or another chosen base.
Which Edinburgh month suits a walking break?
April and summer offer useful combinations of mild daytime temperatures and sightseeing opportunities. April averages 10 °C by day and 11 rain days, while July and August reach 18 °C during the day. Your preferred pace, outdoor plans and available dates will guide the choice, with dated live weather added later.
Should I stay in Edinburgh's Old Town or New Town?
The Old Town places Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile and many historic sights within easy reach. The New Town suits a slower pace, with broad streets, gardens and many dining options. Consider where your hotel sits in relation to the airport and the activities you plan before making the choice.
Can I plan Birmingham to Edinburgh before choosing dates?
Yes. Start with a month, describe your group and set the pace in one sentence or by voice. HolidayWow creates a map first, with editable day cards. Add dates later to bring in weekday details, live weather and current partner prices while keeping your chosen sequence of places.
Can I share an Edinburgh itinerary with my group?
You can share one link that opens the same plan for your group. Members can view, edit, vote and comment according to the roles you set. The document vault also keeps tickets and confirmations with the trip, while the shared map makes the day's route clear to everyone.
Plan your trip in Edinburgh from Birmingham
Describe your trip in one sentence. When, who with and what matters to you.
