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 Grill Room - Hotel Colessio (33 Spittal Street) and The Allan Park (20 Allan Park) are great picks.

When to visit Stirling

Stirling in January
Estimated hotel price
$72
1 night at 3-star hotel
Stirling in January
Estimated hotel price
$72
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 15m.

Train

Lumo is the most popular train carrier serving Stirling, followed by AccesRail. The train journey from Stirling to Leeds takes 3h 10m and costs around $61 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Inverness, expect to pay about $31 for a 3h 45m 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 GREEN MOTION and Hertz, among others, in Edinburgh.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Stirling, including FlixBus, National Express and Megabus. From Newcastle upon Tyne, the bus ride to Stirling takes 160 miles and will cost you around $23. From Inverness, the ticket costs about $25 for a journey of 220 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 15m.

Train

Lumo is the most popular train carrier serving Stirling, followed by AccesRail. The train journey from Stirling to Leeds takes 3h 10m and costs around $61 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Inverness, expect to pay about $31 for a 3h 45m 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 GREEN MOTION and Hertz, among others, in Edinburgh.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Stirling, including FlixBus, National Express and Megabus. From Newcastle upon Tyne, the bus ride to Stirling takes 160 miles and will cost you around $23. From Inverness, the ticket costs about $25 for a journey of 220 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 (7,042 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,333 reviews)
British Airways
Good (6,834 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,588 reviews)
Delta
Excellent (7,929 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (3,788 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,696 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,444 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (780 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (8,695 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,213 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,561 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (9,240 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,346 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (345 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,069 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,273 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,850 reviews)
ITA Airways
Good (967 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,292 reviews)
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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, Stirling offers a range of accommodations for every taste. Average rates range from around $142 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $188 and up for a 5-star experience. There are also lots of vacation rental options in Stirling, with prices from $54 to $399 per night. Downtown is the neighborhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, vacation rentals in Stirling are about 73% 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
Cromlix
5 stars
Excellent (9.6, 685 reviews)
$484+
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The Abbotsford
4 stars
Excellent (8.5, 1344 reviews)
$129+
View
Holiday Inn Express Stirling
3 stars
Excellent (8.3, 2919 reviews)
$110+
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King Robert Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8.1, 2671 reviews)
$80+
View
The Stirling Highland Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8, 3045 reviews)
$136+
View
Crown Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8, 975 reviews)
$105+
View

Renting a car in Stirling

Renting a car in Stirling costs $101 per day, on average, or $201 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, 41% more expensive than at Edinburgh Turnhouse.

Expect to pay $6.59 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 $79.04 and $105.39. The most frequently booked car type in Stirling is Compact (Volkswagen Golf or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Mini rental cars (Citroen C1 or similar) are, on average, 74% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Stirling costs $101 per day, on average, or $201 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, 41% more expensive than at Edinburgh Turnhouse.

Expect to pay $6.59 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 $79.04 and $105.39. The most frequently booked car type in Stirling is Compact (Volkswagen Golf or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Mini rental cars (Citroen C1 or similar) are, on average, 74% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Find car rentals in Stirling

Stirling Travel Guide - View the KAYAK Stirling city guide for the best Stirling travel tips. To help you organize your Stirling trip ideas, this Stirling visitors guide provides travel information and trip tips about how to get there, where to stay, what to do, where to eat and more.