The Isle of Skye on a Budget: A Backpacker’s Guide to Cheap Travel, Stays & Tips
- Jay
- Apr 24
- 9 min read
Updated: May 5
I went on my third backpacking trip to Skye recently from Edinburgh, and it reminded me just how much has changed in recent years! You can now journey around the Highlands for just £2 on buses, massively cutting the cost from what it was even a few years ago.
Even then, the Isle of Skye has a reputation for being one of Scotland's most expensive destinations, so here are my top recommendations for anyone looking to journey to the Misty Hebridean Isle this summer while backpacking on a budget.
Book your stay at Skye Backpackers through Scotland's Top Hostels for the best price and flexibility:
Quick Answer: Can You Visit the Isle of Skye on a Budget?
Yes, but it's a must to plan your transport and accommodation before getting there. The biggest costs are getting there and booking when you've already arrived in Scotland. If you plan to visit Skye, book your travel and accommodation in advance to avoid disappointment and high costs.
With a hostel stay, you can make your money go further while visiting the world-famous 'Winged Isle', including by cooking for yourself and sharing your dorm with other backpackers.
Is the Isle of Skye Expensive for Backpackers?
Why Skye Feels Expensive (at first glance!)
Visiting the Isle of Skye is high up on many backpackers' bucket lists, and with its sweeping scenic views, mythical history, and slow-paced Celtic culture it's really no wonder. Skye is a world-famous destination, and as such has quite limited accommodation options especially in the summer season, which drives up costs.
Owing to its remote beauty, it's also quite far from other major backpacker hubs like Edinburgh and Inverness, meaning you'll need to travel quite far. Public transport in the Highlands has been reduced to £2, but you'll still need to get to the Highlands first, and booking last minute is going to drive the cost of that skyward.
Typical Daily Budget on Skye
For most backpackers, you'll find that a realistic daily spend on the Isle of Skye sits somewhere between £30 and £60 per day, depending on how you travel. At the cheaper end of that range, it mean staying in hostels, cooking your own meals, and keeping transport costs down by using buses or (at your own risk and within your own boundaries) hitchhiking around the Isle.
If you're adding meals out, a day tour around the island, or splitting car hire with other travellers then you're more likely to find yourself closer to the £60-80 range. It's worth noting that both tours and car hire would need to be arranged as far in advance as possible, as both are limited in terms of availability especially during the high season.
Compared to Scotland's cities like Edinburgh, Skye is not well connected by public transport, with buses only really taking you between the towns on the Isle rather than to the rugged and scenic destinations like the Fairy Pools and Old Man of Storr which many people travel to Skye for. For the best balance here, you can book a Macbackpackers Bus Tour - designed specifically for budget backpackers aged 18-39, with hostel accommodation each night, and a Scottish storytelling guide who will take you to the island's hotspots.
Use code EXPLORE10 to get 10% off your tour booking in 2026, with prices starting from just £189!
How to Get to the Isle of Skye on a Budget
The Cheapest & Best Route from Edinburgh
Many make the mistake of trying to reach Skye from Edinburgh all in one day, missing out other scenic, social and interesting destinations but also driving up costs.
Bus journeys in the Highlands have now been capped at just £2 for the next year, so if you travel from other awesome backpacker destinations like Loch Ness, Inverness, or Fort William, you'll both break up the journey and save money. More importantly, you'll get to experience more of the Scottish Highlands for less.
But strictly speaking, there is no one 'cheapest' route from Edinburgh, nor a direct bus or train. You can catch a bus/train to Inverness or Fort William and then get your £2 bus on to Skye, or catch a train all the way to Kyle of Lochalsh, the town just across the bridge from Skye on the Mainland.
Your best bet to save your wallet is to get a bus to Inverness and then the 919 Citylink Bus from there to travel to all of the major towns and villages on the Isle of Skye - this costs just £2!
You can make an incredibly affordable stopover on your way at Lochside Hostel, located on the shores of Loch Ness. With beds starting from just £23, you can take the same bus from Inverness to travel there, and break up the journey with an unforgettable stay at this social hostel with its own beach.
Where to Stay on the Isle of Skye on a Budget
Why Hostels Are the Best Budget Option on Skye
Put simply, you're better staying in a hostel because all of the other accommodation options on the island are either very expensive, or you'll find yourself camping. The plus side, however, is that you'll be able to meet other backpackers, solo travellers and likeminded people to share this epic island adventure with!
If you choose the right hostel, you'll also have access to a shared kitchen, affordable breakfast, towel rental and laundry services, keeping all of your costs down within reason.
Best Budget Hostel on Skye
The best budget hostel on the Isle of Skye is Skye Backpackers - with its location in Kyleakin, just over the Skye bridge, you can easily access much of the charm that's likely drawn you to travel to Skye in the first place conveniently and affordably, taking advantage of the £2 bus fares you can travel to Portree, Eilean Donan Castle, and much more directly from the town.
With its own kitchen, affordable towel rental, and a continental breakfast for just £2, Skye Backpackers makes it easy and affordable to add Skye to your Scotland trip. On top of all of that, it's social too, with a cosy lounge, shared kitchen, and being located very close to Kyleakin's famous King Haakon Bar, where you can meet fellow travellers and locals alike.
Book your stay at Skye Backpackers with Scotland's Top Hostels affordably and flexibly below:
Free & Cheap Things to Do on the Isle of Skye
Visit the Ruins of Castle Moil
Located just a short walk away from Skye Backpackers in Kyleakin, you'll find Castle Moil - its ruins date back to the 15th century and are closely linked to Clan Mackinnon, who used the fortress to control the narrow strait between Skye and the mainland. It's the home of a well-known local legend about a Norwegian princess called 'Saucy MAry', who is said to have demanded tolls from passing ships.
Whether the myths and legends are true, it's a little off the beaten track compared to Skye's big attractions, but with all the views you'd expect, and is a comfortable short walk from the town centre.
Walk across the Sligachan Old Bridge
Taking advantage of those £2 buses, a stop at Sligachan Old Bridge is one of the easiest free things to do on Skye. It's right by the main road connecting Portree to Kyleakin, but still feels truly wild in its surroundings. The stone bridge dates back to the early 19th century and sits at the foot of the epic Cuillin mountains. The views are unmatched in every direction.
There's a local legend that says if you dip your face in the river for a few seconds, you'll be granted eternal beauty (worth a go, even it's freezing, or as we say in Scotland, 'absolutely baltic'). It's not a long stop, but a great place to stretch your legs, take a few photos, and get a real sense of Skye's landscape even without a car.
Visit Portree, the 'Capital of Skye'
The island's main town of Portree is located a short one hour bus journey from the backpacker hub of Kyleakin, known for its colourful harbour, and makes a great break after a hike up the nearby Old Man of Storr (if you have a vehicle to get there).
Take a wander along the waterfront and up to the nearby viewpoint known locally as 'The Lump', watch the boats come in, and explore a cutesy selection of local shops and warm cafes without spending much at all. There's also some nice pubs including The Isles Inn where you can enjoy a local Skye beer after an afternoon of walking or hiking on the Island.
Pro tip - it's also a good place to stock up on groceries before heading along to your next destination.
Common Budget Mistakes to Avoid on Skye
Not booking accommodation early - remember, the Isle of Skye is a very popular destination, and if you don't make arrangements ahead of time you are likely to find yourself out of pocket.
Relying only on buses to see the big sights - be prepared to miss out on sights like the Old Man of Storr or Fairy Pools if you're only using public transport to travel. While hitchhiking is an option (at your own risk and comfort), there are also free and affordable things to see using the £2 bus fare scheme this summer.
Underestimating Distances - break up your journey to Skye if you can afford the time - it will likely save you in the long run, and you'll get to see more of the Highlands along the way.
Not bringing groceries - food prices on the Isle are higher than in other parts of Scotland, owing to its remote nature. If you can, stock up on groceries in Inverness or Fort William will save you money in the long run.
The Backpacker Route: Edinburgh to Loch Ness, then onto Skye (Best Budget Itinerary)
The best budget backpacker route to travel from Edinburgh to the Isle of Skye is to transit via Inverness. If you can afford the time, you can make an incredibly affordable stop over on Loch Ness using the new £2 Highland bus fare scheme.
Start your Journey in Edinburgh:
Most backpackers in Scotland start and end their trips to Skye in the nation's capital. Check out these affordable, social, and central hostels to make the most of your trip without breaking the bank:
For the social backpacker, Castle Rock Hostel:
If you want a balance of relaxed and social, High Street Hostel:
Looking for laidback? Find it at Royal Mile Backpackers:
Transit through the Highlands, with an optional stop in Loch Ness:
Your most affordable option is to transit via Inverness to get to the Isle of Skye - you can travel by bus or train from Edinburgh easily using multiple operators. To make your money go further, compare your options with Omio ahead of your journey:
You'll then need to catch the Citylink 917 Bus to travel to the Isle of Skye. The same bus also stops at Lochside Hostel in Loch Ness. Journeys to both of these destinations cost just £2 under the new Highland bus fare cap scheme! With its own beach on Scotland's most mythical Loch, daily social events and more - it makes a great way to see more of the Highalnds for less on your way to Skye.
Travel from Inverness/Loch Ness to the Isle of Skye on the Citylink 917 Bus
You'll need to take the Citylink 917 bus to get directly to the Isle of Skye from either Inverness or Loch Ness. It takes around an hour and a half to travel from Lochside Hostel in Alltsigh to Skye Backpackers in Kyleakin. The bus costs just £2 no matter your starting point nor destination.
There are alternative buses you can take from Glasgow, and a train service from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh (just before the Skye Bridge), but the typical backpacker route will see you travel through Inverness and Loch Ness to save both money and time, wile getting the best scenic views you're likely travelling to the Scottish Highlands for in the first place!
Book your stay at Skye Backpackers with Scotland's Top Hostels for the best price and flexibility:
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