What to Pack for Autumn in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is one of the most magical places to visit during autumn. The historic buildings and cobblestone streets are somehow even more charming with falling leaves and chilly temperatures. If you’re heading to Edinburgh this autumn, here are my recommendations for what to pack.

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Clothing

Rain jacket: Visiting in autumn means you’ll likely experience some tempermental Edinburgh weather. A good water resitant coat that will keep you warm is essential for making the most of your trip. This longer rain jacket from Columbia would work great, the extra length is great for keeping as much of your outfit dry as possible.

Sweaters/jumpers: Edinburgh starts to get quite chilly in the autumn months, so it’s good to have warm, knit layers. A sweater like this one from Gap or this one from Land’s End would be perfect.

Long sleeve t-shirts: Layers are essential for Edinburgh’s wild weather changes, long sleeve t-shirts are ideal for slightly warmer days. I like the Heat Tech line from Uniqlo for warm, high quality basics.

Waterproof shoes: Any kind of water resistant shoes that are comfortable to walk in will be great. I’m partial to a Chelsea boot in the cooler months to stay dry and have something that goes with all of my outfits. I also bought these Dock Boots when I moved to Edinburgh and they were great for staying warm while walking through the city or hiking up Arthur’s Seat.

Warm socks: Again, Uniqlo has great basics and their socks are super comfortable and warm.

Cozy pajamas: A lot of buildings in the UK can get quite cold in the evening, so warm, cozy lounging clothes are a must. If you want to indulge in super comfy pjs, Piglet in Bed is the ultimate brand for sleepwear.

Extras

Converters: The UK uses a unique power outlet, so if you’re traveling internationally you’ll likely need a power converter. A Universal Power Converter will come in handy, especially if you’re combining your visit to the UK with European travel. I should note that these converters do not work for heated appliances like hair dryers/straighteners/curlers - so it’s best to rely on what’s available at your hotel or even purchase appliances while you’re there.

Portable Chargers: Using your phone for maps and photos will quickly drain your battery and it’s sometimes tricky to find outlets in cafes and restaurants. This mag safe power bank is super helpful for keeping your bags free from tangled power cables.

Skincare

Moisturizer: If it’s cold enough during your visit, you’ll likely spend a lot of time indoors with radiators heating the space. My skin is pretty sensitive to this dry heat, so I would highly recommend a good moisturizer and hand cream.

If you’re looking for high quality travel size skincare, I recently picked up this Caudalie Travel Essentials Kit and it was so nice to have while travelling. It includes samples of the moisturizer, hand cream, shower gel, and foaming cleanser.

I hope this helps you plan what to bring on your trip to Edinburgh this autumn. If you need any other Edinburgh travel guides, you can find my recommendation maps and personalized itineraries in my shop :)