October in Edinburgh averages highs of 13 °C (55 °F) and lows of 8 °C (46 °F), with about 12 rainy days and 10 h 17 min of daylight.
October weather in Edinburgh at a glance
average high to low each dot ≈ 3 rainy days
Is October a good time to visit Edinburgh?
Tough month: cold and wet. October is usually low season in Edinburgh: rooms are typically easier to find and cheaper.
Our rule: a month scores 2 points for comfortable average highs of 18–28 °C (1 point for 14–18 or 28–32 °C) and 2 points for 5 or fewer rainy days (1 point for 6–10). Average highs above 35 °C or below 8 °C make it a tough month whatever the rain. A rainy day here means 2 mm of rain or more. 4 points = great, 3 = good, 2 = mixed, 0–1 = tough.
Holidays and events in October 2026
No public holidays fall in October 2026 in United Kingdom, so opening hours should be normal.
Things to do in Edinburgh in October
With frequent rain in October, here are the indoor picks first, then the outdoor ones for drier spells.
- Edinburgh Castle — book ahead indoors
- National Museum of Scotland — free indoors
- Royal Mile outdoors
- Arthur's Seat — an hour up an extinct volcano outdoors
- Calton Hill — sunset outdoors
- Dean Village and the Water of Leith outdoors
Where to stay: Old Town for the castle and Royal Mile; New Town for elegant streets; Leith for food and value.
What to pack for Edinburgh in October
- A warm jacket and layers; evenings drop to around 8 °C (46 °F).
- An umbrella or a light waterproof: about 12 days this month see real rain.
- Comfortable walking shoes.
What a day in Edinburgh costs
| Budget traveller | Mid-range | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical total per person, per day | £50–120 | £150–320 |
Excluding flights. October is usually low season in Edinburgh: rooms are typically easier to find and cheaper.
October in nearby cities
| City | High / low | Rainy days | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin | 14° / 9° | 11 | Tough month |
| London | 16° / 9° | 9 | Mixed weather |
| Amsterdam | 15° / 9° | 11 | Tough month |
Want the whole trip planned? Join the Journey waitlist: tell it where, when and your budget, and it plans every day hour by hour.
FAQ
Is October a good time to visit Edinburgh?
By the numbers, October is a tough month: cold and wet, with average highs of 13 °C (55 °F) and about 12 rainy days. October is usually low season in Edinburgh: rooms are typically easier to find and cheaper. The best months for weather are May, June, July.
How warm is Edinburgh in October?
Average highs are 13 °C (55 °F) and lows 8 °C (46 °F) (2015–2024 averages).
Does it rain a lot in Edinburgh in October?
Expect about 12 days with 2 mm of rain or more, about 95 mm in total. It is the 3rd wettest month of the year in Edinburgh.
Sources: climate averages from Open-Meteo historical weather (ERA5 reanalysis, 2015–2024); sea temperatures from the Open-Meteo marine API (2023–2024); public holidays from Nager.Date. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of the month. Averages are a guide, not a forecast. Costs are typical ranges per person per day, excluding flights.