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 New York and takes around 6h 50m.

Train

AccesRail is the only carrier operating train routes to Stirling. The train journey from Stirling to Manchester takes 3h 13m and costs around $139 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from London, expect to pay about $184 for a 4h 11m 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 Alamo and DRIVALIA , 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 87 miles and will cost you around $7. From Newcastle upon Tyne, the ticket costs about $16 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 New York and takes around 6h 50m.

Train

AccesRail is the only carrier operating train routes to Stirling. The train journey from Stirling to Manchester takes 3h 13m and costs around $139 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from London, expect to pay about $184 for a 4h 11m 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 Alamo and DRIVALIA , 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 87 miles and will cost you around $7. From Newcastle upon Tyne, the ticket costs about $16 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.

Airlines serving Stirling

KLM
Good (1,477 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,864 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,813 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,323 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,276 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,903 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,150 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,550 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,469 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (902 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,543 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,722 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,732 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,836 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,182 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,374 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (393 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (2,175 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,228 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,484 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in Stirling

From 5-star hotels such as the Victoria Square & The Orangery to great affordable options like the Holiday Inn Express Stirling By IHG, Stirling offers a range of accommodations for every taste. Average rates range from around $110 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $175 and up for a 5-star experience. There are also lots of vacation rental options in Stirling, with prices from $49 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 26% 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

Cromlix
5 stars
Excellent (9.5, 703 reviews)
$569+
The Woodside
3 stars
Excellent (9, 1896 reviews)
$99+
The Abbotsford
4 stars
Excellent (8.7, 1444 reviews)
$85+
Holiday Inn Express Stirling By IHG
3 stars
Excellent (8.4, 3263 reviews)
$79+
Crown Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8.4, 1114 reviews)
$113+
Highland Gate, Stirling by Marston's Inns
4 stars
Excellent (8, 3646 reviews)
$73+

Renting a car in Stirling

Renting a car in Stirling costs $66 per day, on average, or $133 if you want to rent if for 2 days.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 25% more expensive than at Edinburgh Turnhouse.

Expect to pay $7.08 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 $84.94 and $113.26. 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 Mini rental cars (Toyota Aygo or similar) are, on average, 30% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Stirling costs $66 per day, on average, or $133 if you want to rent if for 2 days.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 25% more expensive than at Edinburgh Turnhouse.

Expect to pay $7.08 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 $84.94 and $113.26. 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 Mini rental cars (Toyota Aygo or similar) are, on average, 30% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.