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. Consider staying at least one whole day in Stirling to see all of its attractions.

Where to Eat in Stirling

If you’re looking for affordable options, The Allan Park (20 Allan Park) and The Grill Room - Hotel Colessio (33 Spittal Street) are great picks.

When to visit Stirling

Stirling in November
Estimated hotel price
£65
1 night at 3-star hotel
Stirling in November
Estimated hotel price
£65
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 39 km from Stirling. Edinburgh Turnhouse Airport is the most popular, with regular flights from easyJet, Loganair, British Airways and other airlines departing from the United Kingdom. The shortest domestic flight to Stirling departs from Belfast and takes around 50m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Stirling, followed by Lumo. The train journey from Stirling to Glasgow takes 1h 30m and costs around £16 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Manchester, expect to pay about £26 for a 3h 29m trip. Located 0.7 km from the city centre, Stirling is the busiest station in Stirling. Another popular train station is Stirling Bridge of Allan, located 5 km from the centre.

Car

Another option to get to Stirling is to pick up a car hire from Manchester, which is about 312 km from Stirling. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and DRIVALIA , among others, in Manchester.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Stirling, including FlixBus, Megabus and National Express. From Glasgow, the bus ride to Stirling takes 95 km and will cost you around £11. From Newcastle upon Tyne, the ticket costs about £17 for a journey of 249 km. The most popular bus station is Stirling Bannockburn, Heritage Centre, located 2.3 km from the city centre of Stirling. Stirling Forth Valley College is also a commonly used station, and is 2.7 km from the city centre.

Plane

Although Stirling doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Edinburgh Turnhouse Airport (EDI), which is located 39 km from Stirling. Edinburgh Turnhouse Airport is the most popular, with regular flights from easyJet, Loganair, British Airways and other airlines departing from the United Kingdom. The shortest domestic flight to Stirling departs from Belfast and takes around 50m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Stirling, followed by Lumo. The train journey from Stirling to Glasgow takes 1h 30m and costs around £16 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Manchester, expect to pay about £26 for a 3h 29m trip. Located 0.7 km from the city centre, Stirling is the busiest station in Stirling. Another popular train station is Stirling Bridge of Allan, located 5 km from the centre.

Car

Another option to get to Stirling is to pick up a car hire from Manchester, which is about 312 km from Stirling. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and DRIVALIA , among others, in Manchester.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Stirling, including FlixBus, Megabus and National Express. From Glasgow, the bus ride to Stirling takes 95 km and will cost you around £11. From Newcastle upon Tyne, the ticket costs about £17 for a journey of 249 km. The most popular bus station is Stirling Bannockburn, Heritage Centre, located 2.3 km from the city centre of Stirling. Stirling Forth Valley College is also a commonly used station, and is 2.7 km from the city centre.

Airports near Stirling

Airlines serving Stirling

Lufthansa
Good (4,699 reviews)
KLM
Good (847 reviews)
SWISS
Good (955 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,592 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (2,261 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,586 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (490 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,600 reviews)
Air France
Good (980 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (2,111 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,432 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,965 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (5,962 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (227 reviews)
Finnair
Good (856 reviews)
LOT
Good (677 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (820 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (925 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (1,166 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (834 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 £125 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to £146 and up for a 5-star experience.

Where to stay in popular areas of Stirling

Most booked hotels in Stirling

Cromlix
5 stars
Excellent (9.3, Excellent reviews)
£436+
Inglewood House And Spa
4 stars
Excellent (8.7, Excellent reviews)
£89+
Holiday Inn Express Stirling
3 stars
Excellent (8.3, Excellent reviews)
£105+
Crown Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8.3, Excellent reviews)
£69+
Highland Gate, Stirling by Marston's Inns
4 stars
Excellent (8.2, Excellent reviews)
£88+
The Waverley Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8.2, Excellent reviews)
£101+

Hiring a car in Stirling

Hiring a car in Stirling costs £35 per day, on average.

It’s generally cheaper to hire your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 31% cheaper than airport locations in Stirling.

Expect to pay £1.49 per litre in Stirling (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between £17.80 and £23.73. Economy (Renault Clio or similar) is the most popular car type to hire in Stirling, while also 79% cheaper than other types, on average.

Hiring a car in Stirling costs £35 per day, on average.

It’s generally cheaper to hire your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 31% cheaper than airport locations in Stirling.

Expect to pay £1.49 per litre in Stirling (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between £17.80 and £23.73. Economy (Renault Clio or similar) is the most popular car type to hire in Stirling, while also 79% cheaper than other types, on average.