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 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 09m.

Train

Lumo is the most popular train carrier serving Stirling, followed by AccesRail. The train journey from Stirling to Manchester takes 3h 46m and costs around $34 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from London, expect to pay about $34 for a 4h 12m 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 Turo, among others, in Edinburgh.

Bus

You can travel by bus to Stirling using FlixBus or National Express. From Newcastle upon Tyne, the bus ride to Stirling takes 155 miles and will cost you around $15. From Nottingham, the ticket costs about $42 for a journey of 390 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 09m.

Train

Lumo is the most popular train carrier serving Stirling, followed by AccesRail. The train journey from Stirling to Manchester takes 3h 46m and costs around $34 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from London, expect to pay about $34 for a 4h 12m 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 Turo, among others, in Edinburgh.

Bus

You can travel by bus to Stirling using FlixBus or National Express. From Newcastle upon Tyne, the bus ride to Stirling takes 155 miles and will cost you around $15. From Nottingham, the ticket costs about $42 for a journey of 390 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

KLM
Good (1,435 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,658 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,616 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,019 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,126 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,829 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,059 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,113 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,697 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,443 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,515 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,562 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (884 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,106 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,630 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,339 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,153 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,421 reviews)
JetBlue
Good (2,901 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (2,098 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 By IHG, Stirling offers a range of accommodations for every taste. Average rates range from around $98 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $183 and up for a 5-star experience. There are also lots of vacation rental options in Stirling, with prices from $48 to $343 per night. Downtown is the neighborhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, vacation rentals in Stirling are about 54% 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 (9.5, 703 reviews)
$545+
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The Abbotsford
4 stars
Excellent (8.7, 1440 reviews)
$84+
View
Holiday Inn Express Stirling By IHG
3 stars
Excellent (8.3, 3216 reviews)
$57+
View
Crown Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8.3, 1103 reviews)
$73+
View
Highland Gate, Stirling by Marston's Inns
4 stars
Excellent (8, 3613 reviews)
$63+
View
The Waverley Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8, 1517 reviews)
$83+
View

Renting a car in Stirling

Renting a car in Stirling costs $104 per day, on average, or $208 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, 51% more expensive than at Edinburgh Turnhouse.

Expect to pay $6.97 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 $83.58 and $111.44. Compact (Jeep Avenger or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Stirling, while also 47% cheaper than other types, on average.

Renting a car in Stirling costs $104 per day, on average, or $208 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, 51% more expensive than at Edinburgh Turnhouse.

Expect to pay $6.97 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 $83.58 and $111.44. Compact (Jeep Avenger or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Stirling, while also 47% cheaper than other types, on average.

Find car rentals in Stirling