Major city · United Kingdom
Dundee
Give Dundee one full day plus a night: Discovery Point, the V&A and Verdant Works fit in a day, and the waterfront is 5 min from the station.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (short days, cold, wet)
- Airports
- EDI · DND
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
Dundee is a compact port city on the north bank of the Tay, 80 min by train from Edinburgh or Glasgow. Its three headline sights — the polar ship RRS Discovery, the V&A design museum and the Verdant Works jute mill — sit within a 20-minute walk of each other, so a single night covers the city. Most travellers add it as a stop between Edinburgh and Aberdeen, or as a base for golf at Carnoustie and St Andrews.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Dundee, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyDundee is a normal Scottish city and safe for visitors by day and in the centre at night.
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers111 NHS non-urgent · 101 police non-urgent (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportEDI Edinburgh Airport (Usually the cheapest and most convenient; Fly Dundee bus runs from outside the terminal to Union Street in about 1 h 20 min.).
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable: Discovery Point to Verdant Works is about 20 min on foot.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealPub main course£12–18 (≈ US$16–25)
- BeerPint of beer£5–6.50 (≈ US$7–9)
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 miTaxi across the city centreCouncil-set meter; round up to the nearest £1.up to about £9 (≈ US$12)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week£6–12 (≈ US$8–16)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Discovery Point or Verdant Works)Combi ticket for both is about £24.50.£14–17 (≈ US$19–25) adult
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person£25 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per room£120 (≈ US$160)
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per room£220 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £45 (≈ US$60) · Mid £85 (≈ US$120) · High £160 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- EDI Edinburgh Airport (Usually the cheapest and most convenient; Fly Dundee bus runs from outside the terminal to Union Street in about 1 h 20 min.) · DND Dundee Airport (2 miles west of the centre; Loganair flies to London Heathrow twice on weekdays, once on Sundays. No public transport at the stop.)
Weather and climate
Dundee: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
6°C43°F
1°C34°F
13 rd
Feb
7°C45°F
1°C34°F
10 rd
Mar
9°C48°F
2°C36°F
11 rd
Apr
11°C52°F
4°C39°F
9 rd
May
14°C57°F
6°C43°F
10 rd
Jun
17°C63°F
9°C48°F
10 rd
Jul
19°C66°F
11°C52°F
10 rd
Aug
19°C66°F
11°C52°F
11 rd
Sep
16°C61°F
9°C48°F
10 rd
Oct
13°C55°F
6°C43°F
12 rd
Nov
9°C48°F
3°C37°F
12 rd
Dec
7°C45°F
1°C34°F
12 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is walkable: Discovery Point to Verdant Works is about 20 min on foot. Xplore Dundee buses cover the wider city; pay by contactless card on board or buy a day ticket in their app. Trains from Dundee station run to Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen in about 80 min.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Arbroath
goDoor to door: About 40 min
ScotRail from Dundee, about 20 min via Broughty Ferry and Carnoustie
Abbey and a working harbour; easy half-day.
Montrose, Scotland
goDoor to door: About 1 h
ScotRail from Dundee, about 40 min
Basin, beach and links; pair with Arbroath on one line.
Forfar
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Stagecoach bus from Seagate bus station, about 45 min
Small Angus town; only worth it if you are heading into the glens.
St Andrews
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Train to Leuchars, about 10 min, then bus 99 into town
Cathedral ruins, castle and golf; a full half-day.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
City centre / Nethergate
Walk to the V&A, Discovery Point, the McManus gallery and the station; best for one night with bags.
Waterfront
Hotels beside the V&A and Discovery Point; quiet at night, 10 min walk to the shops.
Broughty Ferry
Seaside suburb 4 miles east with its own beach and train halt; good for a slower stay, 15 min by train.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £45–70 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- £70–120 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
- High
- £120 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 1 night × £120 | £120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £85 | £170 |
| Fly Dundee bus from Edinburgh Airport, return2 × £22 · check | £44 |
| Xplore Dundee day ticket2 × £5 · check | £10 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £8 | £16 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £36 |
| Trip total≈ £198 per person per day, bed included | £396≈ US$550 |
2026 estimate in pounds; travel to Dundee excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | £3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pub main course | £12–18 (≈ US$16–25) |
| Pint of beer | £5–6.50 (≈ US$7–9) |
| Taxi across the city centreCouncil-set meter; round up to the nearest £1. | up to about £9 (≈ US$12) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | £6–12 (≈ US$8–16) |
| Museum entry (Discovery Point or Verdant Works)Combi ticket for both is about £24.50. | £14–17 (≈ US$19–25) adult |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The city centre is a Low Emission Zone: check your vehicle before driving in.
- Taxis are council-regulated; a cross-city ride should not exceed about £9 (≈ US$12).
- Uber and Lyft are not available in Dundee; phone a local firm or use its app.
- The tourist office has closed; use the online visitor site instead.
Emergency numbers
- NHS non-urgent
- 111
- Police non-urgent
- 101
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
DundeeDundee
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- NHS non-urgent111
- Police non-urgent101
Embassy
No embassies in Dundee; the US consulate-general is in Edinburgh and most embassies are in London.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Edinburgh Airport → Dundee, Fly Dundee bus: about £22 (≈ US$30) return, 1 h 20 min (check)
- Train Dundee → Edinburgh: about £20–35 (≈ US$30–50), 80 min (check)
- Taxi Dundee station → Broughty Ferry: about £20 (≈ US$30) (check)
Say or show
- Ta — Thank you (tah)
- A peh, please — A pie, please (a peh, pleez)
- How much is it? — How much is it? (how much iz it)
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card? (can I pay by card)
Dundee dialect drops the 't' and turns many vowels into a short 'eh'; locals will understand standard English.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Dundee. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (short days, cold, wet) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for EDI: Fly Dundee bus times, Ember fallback, taxi rung.
- Walking cluster map: station, Discovery Point, V&A, city centre, Verdant Works.
- Place pages with verified hours and prices for Discovery Point, V&A Dundee, Verdant Works and HMS Unicorn.
- Day-trip fixtures along the Angus coast line so Arbroath, Montrose and Carnoustie can go green.
Sources
- officialDundee visitor information
- officialDundee City Council
- officialDundee Heritage Trust — Discovery Point
- officialDundee Heritage Trust — Verdant Works
- officialV&A Dundee
- officialScotRail
- officialXplore Dundee
- secondaryWikivoyage: Dundee, revision 5340485 (CC BY-SA 4.0)