Between 2023 and 2024, we’ve spent approximately 6 months slowly traveling in the UK – roughly 3 months in England, 3 months in Scotland. And, we did this on a budget of less than $1,000/month.
Anyone who has traveled or spent time in the UK knows that it’s by far one of the most expensive places to visit compared to more budget-friendly destinations like Spain, Portugal, or many countries in Eastern Europe. However, our experience is that it’s been more affordable to spend time in the UK compared to these places, and we’ll tell you why below.
During our time in the UK, we spent on average $1000/month as a young couple with no children. This sounds like a feat even thinking about it now that we’re back in the US. This is totally impossible to do here.
Our lifestyle is not a luxurious one, but it’s been very immersive, fulfilling, and completely doable for those on a tight budget. We hope that our experience inspires others to consider visiting the UK this way – especially if you feel like you don’t have the budget, have kids and worry it will be too expensive, or just need a nudge to try something different for a while.
Why Scotland is Worth the Effort (Even on a Budget)
The UK has many great reasons to visit, and you could spend decades here and still not see everything there is to see. We’d recommend it as one of your first places to stop if you’re planning an extended trip – especially if you’re pretty new to international travel or want to travel slowly.
While we love both England and Scotland for different reasons, if we had to choose between them we’d choose Scotland 9/10 times. Why, you might ask?
For one, Scotland tends to be a lot cheaper than the UK, especially for travelers. This seems to be due to the rural nature of the country. Once you’re outside of the few main tourist hotposts, you’ll find yourself in the countryside for hours with only locals. This is particularly appealing for us as we try to immerse ourselves where locals are, not tourists.
But there are more reasons than that to consider, so let’s dive into them:
6-Month Tourist Visa (UK in General)
Americans, Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders, Japanese, South Koreans, and Singaporeans are entitled to visit the UK for up to 6 months on a tourist visa. This is, of course, provided that you’re not trying to look for work within the UK or attempting to settle there on this tourist visa. You can read more about the UK’s tourist visa here.
This offers a massive advantage to budget travelers and slow travelers alike, as the cost of “relocating” while traveling adds up quickly. Housing and transportation are by far the largest expenses of any traveler, and to not have so much time to, well, take your time, makes it easier to plan and budget.
English-Speaking
Will and I both feel pretty at-ease surrounded by foreign languages (well, as at-ease as one can be before they can communicate effectively), but for many new travelers this can be really overwhelming. While the UK has more than 9 spoken languages, fortunately, English is the primary one in the UK (obviously) and easy to get around for months at a time.
Note: You might think differently when you get to Glasgow.
GBP to USD Currency Conversion
When I first began spending time in the UK as a teenager, the conversion rate was approximately $1.50 for every £1. This might not sound like much, but you would be shocked at how quickly you ate through your budget this way.
Currently the conversion rate is much closer to the USD, which means your money goes further.
Low Housing Costs Compared to England
Outside of major cities, rentals across Scotland are significantly less than across England, aside from perhaps the north of England. In smaller towns, you can find budget hotels, B&Bs, and long-term lets at rates that would be unheard of in southern England.
Abundance of Free Things to Do
While Scotland boasts some incredible food, pubs, and events, let’s be real: you were probably drawn to Scotland because of nature. And, you’d be quite right to do so. Scotland has some of the most beautiful scenery of any place we’ve been too, and that’s not even the best part: Access to most of it is free. National Parks like the Cairngorms or Loch Lomond, coastlines and beaches, and mountains don’t require entry fees like numerous parks and estates in England.
Comfortable Pace – Slow Travel in Scotland is Easy
Scotland offers a much slower pace, and there’s far less pressure to spend money on drinks, dining, and events like in England. That’s not to say that the temptation to stop by every cute cafe for a latte and pastry isn’t very strong still, or that we don’t do just that. It’s just that when you can offset your other costs right, you can justify those little treats and luxuries without it sabotaging your travels. (If you’re curious how to bring more intention into your adventures, here’s our guide on how to practice slow travel.)
In smaller Scottish towns, the social culture is more about walks, local markets, and community events rather than constant eating out or nightlife.
Additionally, overall we find Scotland feels much safer than England. I mean, with more sheep than people, how dangerous could it really be?
Scottish People are Amazing
Perhaps it’s our American rebelliousness about everything or our own bias having Scottish heritage, but there’s a sort of grounded, open, and spirited demeanor about the Scots that the English just don’t have. Or, if they do, it’s hidden behind layers of manners and pretense. No hate for the Brits, as we love them too. We find we fit in better with Scots and Irish overall.
Even being near groups of Scots, there’s a strong sense of humour and gregariousness that’s really refreshing and pretty entertaining.
Lastly, people typically dress for the weather, not to impress, and it’s very easy to strike up a conversation with people. Just don’t expect to understand what anyone above 50 years old is saying because their accents are so strong.
And now, let’s get into how we lived in Scotland for less than $1000/month through spring and summer!
Save on Housing with Trusted Housesitters
For over two years we lived without paying rent, and TrustedHousesitters was our secret weapon. For one manageable annual membership, you get access to pet and house-sitting opportunities that essentially pay for the membership within days.
The UK by far has the most (and best) housesitting opportunities of anywhere in the world. My guess is because 1) people often get a full month of vacation time from work and 2) they love to travel.
Whatever the reason, you could live year-round in the UK without having to spend any money on accommodation, and many of the sits are weeks to months at a time. Some even come with the use of a car, like ours did in Scotland (HUGE plus).
If you also love pets as much as we do, and can’t get enough of cute hiking pals, this is a great option.
The cons of housesitting are that it requires flexibility (you rarely find options for your exact dates), some options are quite rural, and that your schedule will revolve around the pets you’re watching.
If you’re looking for more flexibility and don’t have allergies, cats are typically really easy and allow time for exploring; dogs are more fun and you can get them outdoors, however most can’t be left for more than a few hours at a time at home.
We couldn’t recommend housesitting enough, especially for families. I did this as a teenager with my family and it was a blast.
You can get 25% off of your TrustedHousesitters Membership (as a sitter or host) using our link here.
Use Public Transportation
We chose not to rent a car during our time here because it was simply too much for our budget at the time. For context, you can expect to pay between $900-$2000 for a car for a full month, which, if you’re housesitting and not paying accommodation, isn’t that bad. Depending on the time of year, you might be able to rent one from Turo for half that.
For us, most of the time we were house-sitting with the use of our lovely host’s car, so we did that (including taking the dogs with us on a mini roadtrip to Skye). However outside of this we relied exclusively on public transport.
But with Scotland’s extensive and efficient public transportation system, you can get around Scotland without a car. You can get practically anywhere via train, long-distance bus, local bus, and ferry – and the prices for these are very reasonable.
Our favorite booking resource is Trainline, however ScotRail passes and regional bus passes are good budget options.
Ferries are a fun way to get around places like the Orkney Islands, Shetland Islands, Isle of Skye, Isle of Iona, and the Western Isles of Lewis and Harris.
Note: Keep an eye out for under 25 and senior prices. If you’re either of these you could save quite a bit.
Free & Cheap Things To Do
Scotland has an abundance of free things to do, in addition to extensive nature to explore without spending a dime. You can explore some of The Best Hikes in Scotland,
Cities like Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness, and more have numerous museums, churches, cultural sites, and more.
We’re also big fans of Groupon for finding last-minute discounts on local events, meals, afternoon teas, tours, and more.
Cook at Home
I’m sure many UK natives would scoff at this, but keep in mind this is in comparison to the United States – especially right now. You can shop and eat a pretty healthy, hardy diet with locally produced meat and vegetables for much less than many places in the U.S. We didn’t find our diets lacking at all the entire time we were there.
The best budget supermarkets are Adli, Lidl, Asda, and Tesco. You can find practically everything you’d need at one of these, and most supermarkets have a yellow sticker discounts section where you can find discounted items that are about to expire or reach their sell by date. We found that evenings were the best time to check these sections.
The UK produces a tremendous amount of its own food, so you’ll find ample local options.
When it comes to eating on a lean budget, look for locally-grown, seasonal produce such as potatoes, leeks, cabbage, carrots, and peas. Other local, affordable staples are porridge oats, lentils, baked beans, bread, lamb, beef, sausages, smoked fish, tea, and milk.
Tesco Meal Deals
Tesco has a fantastic Meal Deal that are a budget traveler’s best friend for lunches. For around £4 you can get a sandwich, drink, and snack – including a variety of gluten free (called “Free From”) options in most stores.
We typically would grab these for long days out hiking and travel days to avoid eating out.
Wild Camping
We have actually not done this yet, however for our next budget trip we definitely plan to. We also thought it was worth a mention for budget travelers since the Scottish landscapes are to die for and, weather permitting, would be a great way to spend part of your trip on a budget. After spending so much time exploring the highlands, national parks, and coastlines, it’s clear that this is one of the most memorable and cost-effective ways to experience the country.
Scotland’s Unique “Right to Roam” Laws
Scotland is one of the few places in Europe where “wild camping” (i.e. pitching your tent outside of formal campsites is legal) thanks to the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. These “Right to Roam” laws allow you to camp on most unenclosed land, including much of the Highlands, provided you do so responsibly. This is a huge budget saver compared to campgrounds or hostels, where prices can add up quickly.
Where It’s Allowed (and Where It’s Not)
- Allowed: Most unenclosed land, mountains, moorland, and beaches.
- Not Allowed: School grounds, working farmland (unless you have permission), private gardens, and areas with by-laws against wild camping (like parts of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park).
- Always check local guidance before setting up camp.
The basic rules to follow are pretty common sense: Pack out all rubbish and leave the site as you found it, camp away from buildings, roads, and historic monuments, Stay only 2–3 nights in one spot, and keep groups small to reduce impact on the land.
If you do this, you will want to keep the weather in mind. Scotland’s weather changes fast, and even a sunny day is likely to include a little bit of rain. Check forecasts before heading out.
Midges (tiny biting insects) can be brutal in summer, so if you plan to wild camp then be sure to bring repellent or a head net.
Lastly, If you’re near the coast, be mindful of tides, strong winds, and quick weather changes.
Tip: Pair Camping with Public Transport for Cheap Access
One of the best ways to keep costs down is combining wild camping with Scotland’s public transport network. Take a train or bus to a trailhead or remote village, camp for a few nights, then continue onward without paying for accommodation.
Our Real Life Monthly Breakdown
To give you a clear picture of how living in Scotland on a budget really looks, here’s a breakdown of one of our recent months — June. We spent about $565 on groceries, which might seem high at first glance, but this included stocking up on fresh local produce, meats, and pantry staples to cook most of our meals at home. Public transportation cost us roughly $65, covering trains and buses to get to our housesit.
Coffee shops were a bit of a treat, adding up to $138 that month – yes, we admit it, we love a good latte and the occasional pastry, especially after long hikes or during rainy afternoons. Foreign transaction fees cost us $14, which is a minor but inevitable cost when using American cards abroad. Fuel expenses came to $135, mainly because some of our housesitting gigs included access to a car, allowing us to explore off-the-beaten-path spots without breaking the bank. Lastly, entertainment was kept lean at $30, which went towards occasional entry fees or parking for places to walk.
Overall, this breakdown shows how mixing free activities with smart spending and occasional treats made it possible for us to comfortably live on about $1000 a month, without feeling deprived or missing out on what Scotland has to offer.
Challenges & Trade Offs
Living in Scotland for under $1000 a month is entirely possible, but it comes with its own set of sacrifices. Eating out was something we rarely did, and when we did, it was for special occasions or to try something truly local. Most of our meals were cooked at home, which was fine for us, but if you live for restaurant culture, it’s a big shift. Our schedule was also largely shaped by housesitting opportunities and public transport timetables, which meant we didn’t always get to choose exactly where we went or when.
Weather was another factor we had to adapt to. Scotland’s climate can be unpredictable, and it’s not unusual to experience sunshine, rain, and high winds all in the same afternoon. Some days our plans were rained out entirely, and that was just part of the deal. Rural life also has its limitations — in small towns, you won’t have endless options for nightlife or entertainment. That slower pace was one of the things we loved most, but it’s not for everyone.
Final Tips for Living in Scotland on a Budget
If you’re planning to do this yourself, the biggest thing to keep in mind is flexibility. Scotland rewards the traveler who’s willing to adapt to opportunities as they come, whether that’s a last-minute housesit in the Highlands or catching a bus to a tiny coastal village you’ve never heard of. Traveling in the off-season can save you a lot of money, and mixing your time between cities and rural areas gives you the best of both worlds — access to culture and amenities without blowing your budget.
Make use of the free resources available to you. Scotland’s national parks, wild camping opportunities, free museums, and public libraries are incredible. Invest in good gear so you’re comfortable in all weather – a solid rain jacket, waterproof boots, and a reusable water bottle go a long way. Most of all, think like a local. Shop where locals shop, join in on local events, and ask people for recommendations. Scots are generally warm and happy to share tips, especially if you show genuine interest in their home.
Final Thoughts
Scotland might not be the cheapest country in Europe, but it offers something that many budget destinations can’t: the chance to live simply, slowly, and surrounded by some of the most dramatic landscapes in the world without draining your bank account. By taking advantage of free housing through TrustedHousesitters, using public transport, cooking most of our meals at home, and leaning into Scotland’s wealth of free activities, we managed to live here for less than $1000 a month.
It wasn’t luxurious, and it certainly wasn’t about cramming in every attraction, but it was one of the richest travel experiences we’ve ever had. If you’ve been dreaming about spending more time in the UK but assumed it was out of reach financially, Scotland might just surprise you. And once you’ve had a taste of life here with its open landscapes, friendly people, and slower pace, don’t be shocked if you find yourself coming back again and again. We know we will.
Want to read more about Scotland before booking your trip? Don’t miss our other post on the Top 5 Things We Loved About Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
