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 13m and costs around $149 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from London, expect to pay about $179 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 Turo and Budget, 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 70 miles and will cost you around $26. From Newcastle upon Tyne, the ticket costs about $18 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 13m and costs around $149 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from London, expect to pay about $179 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 Turo and Budget, 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 70 miles and will cost you around $26. From Newcastle upon Tyne, the ticket costs about $18 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 (7,956 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,508 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,917 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,459 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,335 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,924 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,198 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,579 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (907 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,658 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,567 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,761 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,727 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,973 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,192 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,391 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (404 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (2,223 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,302 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,502 reviews)
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Where to stay in Stirling

Average rates range from around $116 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $192 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 52% 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

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Thackray House
4 stars
Excellent (8.8, 1123 reviews)
$195+
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The Abbotsford
4 stars
Excellent (8.7, 1462 reviews)
$83+
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Holiday Inn Express Stirling By IHG
3 stars
Excellent (8.4, 3540 reviews)
$83+
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The Crown
3 stars
Excellent (8.4, 1124 reviews)
$110+
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Highland Gate, Stirling by Marston's Inns
4 stars
Excellent (8, 3889 reviews)
$87+
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The Waverley Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8, 1569 reviews)
$119+
View

Renting a car in Stirling

Renting a car in Stirling costs $51 per day, on average, or $103 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 6% cheaper than airport locations in Stirling.

Expect to pay $8.10 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 $97.21 and $129.61. 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, 43% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Stirling costs $51 per day, on average, or $103 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 6% cheaper than airport locations in Stirling.

Expect to pay $8.10 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 $97.21 and $129.61. 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, 43% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Find car rentals in Stirling