It’s official: Europe’s most expensive city for tourist accommodation is in the UK

Every year, Post Office Travel Money publishes its City Costs Barometer – a guide to the best value European cities for UK holidaymakers right now. To create the list, POTM compares the cost of 12 everyday tourist items for two people, analysing everything from the price of a cup of coffee to a three-course evening meal for two, a sightseeing city bus tour and a two-night stay in three-star accommodation. 

Now in its 19th year, the 2026 edition of the City Costs Barometer was its biggest ever, comparing 50 cities across the continent to see where you can find the best deals. Coming in at ‘most affordable’ was a new addition – Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina – which was named the cheapest place for a city break in Europe this year.

As well as seeking out the least pricy getaway destinations, the Post Office’s annual barometer also names the most expensive city breaks. Overall for 2026, Oslo took the costly crown, with Copenhagen in second place. One British city also made the podium this year, and you may be surprised to hear that it wasn’t London.

Yep, it turns out Edinburgh is one of the most expensive cities to visit in all of Europe, costing £668.10 for a weekend away. And that doesn’t even include the journey there and back.

When it comes to accommodation, Edinburgh took home the title as Europe’s priciest city to stay in, with a two-night booking setting you back a hefty £462. Other cities in the top five for priciest accommodation were Barcelona, Dublin, Madrid and Cork.

In comparison, Cardiff is easily the cheapest of the four UK capital cities, costing a total of £377.64 for a weekend, including £257 for accommodation. 

Staying in the Scottish capital may come with a big price tag, but that doesn’t mean you should skip a visit. In fact, Edinburgh was officially voted the third best city in the world in 2026 and it's been named one of the best foodie city breaks across the continent. Ok, maybe it’s worth adding back onto the bucket list.

The most expensive cities in Europe in Europe, according to Post Office Travel Money’s City Costs Barometer

1. Oslo, Norway (£733.99)
2. Copenhagen, Denmark (£670.65)
3. Edinburgh, UK (£668.10)
4. Geneva, Switzerland (£644.22)
5. Barcelona, Spain (£641.03)
6. Dublin, Ireland (£610.79)
7. Amsterdam, Netherlands (£609.18)
8. Cork, Ireland (£602.38)
9. Venice, Italy (£579.92)
10. Madrid, Spain (£579.92)

The 2026 Edinburgh Fringe

Part of the reason for Auld Reekie’s spenny-ness is its annual extravaganza of theatre, comedy and performance: the Fringe. For a guide to when and where the Fringe takes place, as well as info on tickets and pricing, check out Time Out Theatre Editor Andrzej Lukowski’s guide to the 2026 edition here.

Find individual show guides below:

• The best theatre shows at the 2026 Fringe
• The 10 best comedy shows at the 2026 Fringe

Plus, our top tips on where to stay for the Fringe – including how to save some cash on your accom.

Did you see that the ‘Maldives of Africa’ is getting direct flights from the UK for the first time ever?

Plus: the five greatest UK cities for culture in 2026, according to Time Out.