Edinburgh
Edinburgh is another great cultural capital in Europe with plenty to do day or night. there are plenty of bars and restaurants to suit all tastes and the drink is generally less expensive than in Belfast.
Be prepared for plenty of walking up and down the many hilly streets and it can get quite wet and windy so take plenty of outdoor clothes!
How to get there.
Flybe and easyJet have regular flights to Edinburgh and there’s a regular bus service to Waverly Bridge. The Taxi’s are generally ok as well and if there are four of you it should work out about the same price.
EasyJet and Flybe also do regular flights to Glasgow and there is a very frequent train service between Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Taking into account travel to and from airports it’s also worth looking at sailings to Troon and Cairnryan from Larne with P&O Irish Sea and to Stranrar from Belfast with Stena Line. These routes are usually cost effective if you’ve got a full car. It’s a three hour drive from Stranrar or Cairnryan and just under two hours if driving from Troon. Make sure your hotel has parking facilities.
How to get tickets.
With the vast Murrayfield Stadium getting tickets is not a problem. You should be safe enough getting them on the day but you will be paying top rates. They will also be available from Ulster Rugby and Edinburgh Rugby who sell through Scottish Rugby and usually offer discounts.
How to get to the ground.
It’s a good 50 minute walk from the centre of Edinburgh to Murrayfield and apart from the Roseburn Bar there is not a lot out there. We tend to leave it fairly late and get taxis out though this handy link shows walking and bus routes.
Our friend Wolf has recommended the following bars to complement your match day experience.
The Queen’s Arms – Warm and friendly pub with good atmosphere in the heart of Edinburgh City Centre, just off George Street. Good range of local beers and wholesome food served from a large central island bar. Plenty of seating, nooks and crannies where you can watch most live Sky Sports matches on several big screens. A good bar before and after the match.
The Roseburn Bar – Large traditional pub within 5 minutes walk from Murrayfield Stadium. Excellent location for a pre-match pint and to soak up the atmosphere with Edinburgh supporters (on a good night they can fill nearly half the large capacity of the bar!). Superb range of local ales & spirits. Don’t leave it too late though as it can fill up very quickly before a match. Also good for a post match pint while most others head straight back into the city centre. Not know for it’s cuisine other than a foil fresh bag or two of cheese n’ onion!
Ryan’s Bar – Large friendly atmospheric bar serving great food in the West end of the city, only 15 minutes walk from Murrayfield. Plenty of seating inside and out with a main bar, cellar bar and cafe. Very welcoming of rugby supporters all year round. Again ideal for pre and post match pints and/or food.
Where to stay.
Hundreds of hotels in Edinburgh to suit all tastes but our friend Wolf recommends the following.
Hotel Inn Express – Edinburgh City Centre – situated at the top of Leith Walk – 5 minutes walk from the East end of Princes Street this is an ideal city centre location and good base for the discerning Ulster fan.
Murrayfield Hotel – For a slightly more comfortable stay the Murrayfield Hotel is an excellent venue for a rugby weekend. A stone’s throw from the Stadium and with a sports bar, large beer garden, private parking, restaurant and pub grub, it ticks all the boxes. Slightly further from a stay in a city centre hotel, but within 5 minutes taxi journey.
Jurys Inn, Edinburgh – Ideally located right behind Waverley Station and couldn’t be more centrally placed. The airport bus terminates a few minutes from the hotel and is a perfect base for all activities in the Capital. With it’s own bar, restaurant, cafe and reasonably priced rooms, it’s a winner for a weekend sports trip.
After the match.
Not much to hang around the ground for after the game so probably best to head back into the city centre. Probably best bet is to pop into The Queens Arms or The Roseburn Bar and have a pint while you wait for a taxi.
Disclaimer. This guide is about our own personal preferences. Our preferences may or may not correspond to yours. We do not stand over anywhere that we recommend beyond the fact that we have enjoyed them in the past. If there is anything you disagree with or if there is anything you think we should include please contact us here.
