Introduction
Where to eat
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Renting a car

Stirling travel guide

Stirling Tourism | Stirling Guide

You're Going to Love Stirling

With a population of 33,012, Stirling is a must-see destination in Scotland, United Kingdom. It is one of the most popular cities to visit in the country. Stirling deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.

Where to Eat in Stirling

If you’re looking for affordable options, The Allan Park (20 Allan Park) and La Cucina (64 Henderson Street) are great picks.

When to visit Stirling

Stirling in February
Estimated hotel price
$71
1 night at 3-star hotel
Stirling in February
Estimated hotel price
$71
1 night at 3-star hotel

How to Get to Stirling

Plane

Although Stirling doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Edinburgh Turnhouse Airport (EDI), which is located 24 miles from Stirling. The shortest flight to Stirling from the United States departs from Boston and takes around 6h 10m.

Train

AccesRail is the only carrier operating train routes to Stirling. The train journey from Stirling to Manchester takes 3h 15m and costs around $150 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from London, expect to pay about $180 for a 4h 08m trip. Located 0.5 miles from the city center, Stirling is the busiest station in Stirling. Another popular train station is Stirling Bridge of Allan, located 3 miles from the center.

Car

Another option to get to Stirling is to pick up a car rental from Edinburgh, which is about 31 miles from Stirling. You’ll find branches of Budget and Avis, among others, in Edinburgh.

Bus

You can travel by bus to Stirling using FlixBus or National Express. From Glasgow, the bus ride to Stirling takes 66 miles and will cost you around $7. From Newcastle upon Tyne, the ticket costs about $30 for a journey of 155 miles. The most popular bus station is Stirling Bannockburn, Heritage Centre, located 1.4 miles from downtown Stirling. Stirling Forth Valley College is also a commonly used station, and is 1.7 miles from the city center.

Plane

Although Stirling doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Edinburgh Turnhouse Airport (EDI), which is located 24 miles from Stirling. The shortest flight to Stirling from the United States departs from Boston and takes around 6h 10m.

Train

AccesRail is the only carrier operating train routes to Stirling. The train journey from Stirling to Manchester takes 3h 15m and costs around $150 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from London, expect to pay about $180 for a 4h 08m trip. Located 0.5 miles from the city center, Stirling is the busiest station in Stirling. Another popular train station is Stirling Bridge of Allan, located 3 miles from the center.

Car

Another option to get to Stirling is to pick up a car rental from Edinburgh, which is about 31 miles from Stirling. You’ll find branches of Budget and Avis, among others, in Edinburgh.

Bus

You can travel by bus to Stirling using FlixBus or National Express. From Glasgow, the bus ride to Stirling takes 66 miles and will cost you around $7. From Newcastle upon Tyne, the ticket costs about $30 for a journey of 155 miles. The most popular bus station is Stirling Bannockburn, Heritage Centre, located 1.4 miles from downtown Stirling. Stirling Forth Valley College is also a commonly used station, and is 1.7 miles from the city center.

Airports near Stirling

PIKGlasgow Prestwick
EDIEdinburgh Turnhouse
GLAGlasgow Intl

Airlines serving Stirling

Lufthansa
Good (7,999 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,517 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,978 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,453 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,366 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,945 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,216 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,587 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (915 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,711 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,571 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,728 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,777 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (11,032 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,190 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,393 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (407 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (2,250 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,329 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Good (12,361 reviews)
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Where to stay in Stirling

Average rates range from around $140 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $387 and up for a 5-star experience. There are also lots of vacation rental options in Stirling, with prices from $54 to $930 per night. Downtown is the neighborhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, vacation rentals in Stirling are about 53% more expensive than a hotel room in the city.

Most popular hotel in Stirling by neighborhood

Where to stay in popular areas of Stirling

Most booked hotels in Stirling

See all
Lubnaig Guest House
4 stars
Excellent (9.3, 695 reviews)
$201+
View
Thackray House
4 stars
Excellent (8.8, 1124 reviews)
$236+
View
The Abbotsford
4 stars
Excellent (8.7, 1463 reviews)
$140+
View
Holiday Inn Express Stirling By IHG
3 stars
Excellent (8.4, 3549 reviews)
$108+
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The Crown
3 stars
Excellent (8.4, 1124 reviews)
$123+
View
Highland Gate, Stirling by Marston's Inns
4 stars
Excellent (8, 3899 reviews)
$102+
View

Renting a car in Stirling

Renting a car in Stirling costs $43 per day, on average, or $86 if you want to rent if for 2 days.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 25% cheaper than airport locations in Stirling.

Expect to pay $8.06 per gallon in Stirling (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $96.76 and $129.01. The most frequently booked car type in Stirling is Compact (Jeep Avenger or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy rental cars (Seat Ibiza or similar) are, on average, 37% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Stirling costs $43 per day, on average, or $86 if you want to rent if for 2 days.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 25% cheaper than airport locations in Stirling.

Expect to pay $8.06 per gallon in Stirling (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $96.76 and $129.01. The most frequently booked car type in Stirling is Compact (Jeep Avenger or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy rental cars (Seat Ibiza or similar) are, on average, 37% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Find car rentals in Stirling