Edinburgh at Festival time, just how busy is it?

[Metempsychosis]

We're going to be in Glasgow at the beginning of August (2 adults, 2 late teens), and would like to do some sightseeing trips to Edinburgh, either including a night or two staying over, or doing day trips by train.

How bad are the crowds midweek? If we wanted to do museums Arthur's Seat and a ghost walk and just generally mooch around would it be a problem? We're Londoners but one of the teens is ND and isn't great with noisy crowds.

Busy but totally worth it. Even just to watch the street performers.

There's no such thing as moderately priced accommodation though.

Train in and out on the day.

I would be astounded if you managed to book accommodation

its books up the year in advance, people literally hire out their living rooms floors and large cupboards.

Ni point travelling to east or mid Lothian if you’ve got accom in Glasgow just go back there.

Don’t miss dynamic earth. It’s bloody brilliant.

I paid £45 a night for a single en suite room in the youth hostel when I went last year, but I booked a year in advance!

I’d book some restaurants for food. Even if you cancel on the day. Give yourself options if it’s going to rain.

Out of curiosity I looked up Premier Inn and Travelodge. One night is between £230-£250. OP will need 2 rooms.

That's more expensive than most of the (much nicer) Radisson Blu chain in central London.

I think the only places that I’ve seen crazy busy are around the royal mile and up to castle. And probably down to Waverley and princess street. Sometimes also around Southside and Edinburgh Uni. You barely notice it in south Edinburgh where we live.

Food wise we never had any issues. Usually go for the food stands though and smaller places around Edinburgh Uni.

The only inconvenience I’ve noticed is that the bus network seems to go into meltdown. Some buses just don’t turn up or are super crowded. I assume Uber would also be crazy, but not tried it.