A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Helsinki vs. Saint Andrews for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Helsinki or Saint Andrews?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Helsinki and Saint Andrews can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Helsinki

Helsinki is a active, nature-focused, and coastal city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Saint Andrews

Saint Andrews is a quaint, peaceful, and historic university town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Helsinki and Saint Andrews: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Helsinki or Saint Andrews?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Saint Andrews than Helsinki, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Saint Andrews is better known for its food, beaches, hiking, and small town charm, while Helsinki is more popular for its museums and impressive beauty. Helsinki is well known for its rich culture that includes traditional elements as well as an active subculture scene. Saint Andrews is well known for its reputation as the birthplace of golf. Also, Saint Andrews is famous for The Old Course.

The Old Course

How is Helsinki different from Saint Andrews?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Saint Andrews and Helsinki. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Helsinki or Saint Andrews?

Helsinki is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town to visit for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Helsinki can be an interesting and educational experience. Many of the city's sights and attractions center around nature and the water. Major hightlights of the city include the Fortress of Sveaborg, Seurasaari open-Air Museum, and Temppeliaukio Rock Church. The city is also home to The National Museum of Finland.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Saint Andrews. For many, a highlight of their trip is to play a round of golf at St. Andrews Links Golf Courses. Golf enthusiasts will also appreciate a visit to the British Golf Museum. Other interesting sights in the area include a visit to the ruins of the Cathedral of St. Andrew, visiting the St. Andrews University Museums, or stopping by St. Andrews Castle.

Is the Food Better in Helsinki or Saint Andrews? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint Andrews is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Saint Andrews has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The town holds on to its history and heritage, and that stands out with the restaurant selection. There are a range of of independent cafes and pubs and surprisingly few major chain restaurants and fast food joints.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Helsinki area. Food in town is all about local flavors and simple ingredients. The dishes let the flavor speak for itself without fancy cooking techniques or complex flavor combinations. Many of the restaurants are locally sourced with traditional ingredients. You'll find a lot of seafood, herring, grilled sausages, pancakes, and desserts.

Is Helsinki or Saint Andrews Better for Nightlife?

The notable nightlife scene is relatively similar in Helsinki and Saint Andrews.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Helsinki. The nightlife scene is at its best on weekends when the city center comes to life with parties, dance clubs, and student activities. Many of the best clubs and bars are concentrated in the city center. Weekends are a bit calmer and things quiet down a lot.

Saint Andrews has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are a large number of pubs and bars throughout the town, and you'll find students hanging out and keeping things lively.

Is Helsinki or Saint Andrews Better for Beaches?

Saint Andrews is a university town with good options for the beache. However, Helsinki is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Saint Andrews. Adding to the natural beauty is the beautiful coastline around St. Andrews. Some of the best beaches include West Sands Beach, Kingsbarns Beach, Castle Sands, and Saint Andrews Beach.

Helsinki is not a beach destination.

Is Helsinki or Saint Andrews Better for Hiking?

Saint Andrews is a university town with good options for its hiking trails. However, Helsinki is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Saint Andrews. There are some beautiful hikes just outside of town. Check out the views from Chamcook Mountain or wander down the Van Horne Trail.

Helsinki is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Helsinki or Saint Andrews?

Shoppers can find a variety of high quality stores in both Helsinki and Saint Andrews.

Helsinki is well-known for its shopping. The city is great for shopping, with many brands focused on sustainability. There are local boutiques as well as name brands. Flea markets and vintage shops are also popular.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Saint Andrews. The town is filled with boutique shops and local markets where you can buy unique items like artisan food, handmade crafts, or local art.

Is Helsinki or Saint Andrews Better for Families?

Helsinki is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Helsinki is a very kid-friendly city. The coastal setting offers many activities that kids and adults alike will enjoy. This capital city has a calm atmosphere with plenty of parkland to explore. The shoreline is dotted by islands where you'll also find a zoo and a fort. Kids will also enjoy exploring the islands by boat.

Saint Andrews is a family-friendly city. There are some great playgrounds, parks, and gardens that kids will enjoy. Check out Kingbrae Gardens, Ministers Island, and Katy’s Cove. For museums, head to Ross Memorial Museum and Huntsman Fundy Discovery Aquarium.

Is Helsinki or Saint Andrews Better for Couples?

Both Helsinki and Saint Andrews are high quality destinations for a couple's getaway.

Helsinki makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city's many parks offer the perfect setting for a picnic or a walk. There are also botanical gardens, evening boat rides, and saunas that will help you enjoy a romantic trip away.

Couples visit Saint Andrews frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The scenic landscapes, stunning views, and quaint charm make this a perfect place for couples to escape to. You can enjoy boat rides, seafood restaurants, golfing, and spas all while you soak up the natural beauty.

Is Helsinki or Saint Andrews Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Helsinki is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Saint Andrews is not a good university town for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Helsinki. With its active nightlife scene, vibrant atmosphere, and inclusive personality, this city is a fun place for backpackers, but you should expect to pay a premium for the experience. Many backpackers avoid the city because they have heard how expensive it is. There are a few hostels around that will help you keep costs a bit more manageable.

Saint Andrews is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not really a backpacker's destination, but there are some guesthouses and apartments that are more affordable.

Is Helsinki or Saint Andrews Better for Students?

Saint Andrews is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Saint Andrews is a very popular university town for students. At its heart, this is a university town with a long standing history in teaching. You'll find the town's population doubles when students are in town.

Many students visit Helsinki. The city has an active student life with plenty of culture and nature. It's active nightlife scene and beautiful natural areas make it a wonderful place to study.

Is Helsinki or Saint Andrews Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Helsinki is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Helsinki can get you around easily. Transit options include bus, tram, metro, commuter train and ferry services.

Saint Andrews has some public transit options. There are buses through St. Andrews.

Is Helsinki or Saint Andrews a more walkable city?

Helsinki and Saint Andrews are notable when it comes to walkability.

Helsinki is a somewhat walkable place. Many neighborhoods are easy to explore on foot. The air is also clean and the setting is refreshing.

Saint Andrews is a somewhat walkable city. Parts of the town are compact enough to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Helsinki Worth Visiting? and Is Saint Andrews Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saint Andrews or Helsinki?

How long in Helsinki or Saint Andrews?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Helsinki or Saint Andrews to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Helsinki than Saint Andrews because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Helsinki, and 1-2 days is enough time in Saint Andrews.

Families should spend more time in Helsinki than Saint Andrews. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Helsinki, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Saint Andrews than Helsinki. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Saint Andrews that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Helsinki than Saint Andrews if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Helsinki.

One day in Helsinki or Saint Andrews?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the waterfront destination of Helsinki. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Saint Andrews is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Helsinki or Saint Andrews?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Helsinki. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Saint Andrews is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this university town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Saint Andrews, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Helsinki or Saint Andrews?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the waterfront destination of Helsinki. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Saint Andrews is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Helsinki or Saint Andrews?

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful city of Helsinki. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Saint Andrews is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This university town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, The Best Adventure Tours to United Kingdom, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United Kingdom.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Helsinki and Saint Andrews, we can see that Saint Andrews is more expensive. And not only is Helsinki much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Helsinki would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Helsinki and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Saint Andrews would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Andrews than you might in Helsinki.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Helsinki Expensive? and Is Saint Andrews Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Helsinki or Saint Andrews?

Helsinki has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Saint Andrews. When comparing the sizes of Helsinki and Saint Andrews, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Helsinki or Saint Andrews?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Helsinki or Saint Andrews in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Helsinki as well as Saint Andrews. Most visitors come to Helsinki for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Saint Andrews because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Helsinki is a little warmer than Saint Andrews in the summer. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Saint Andrews fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Helsinki this time of the year. In the summer, Helsinki often gets more sunshine than Saint Andrews. Helsinki gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Andrews receives 184 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets more rain in July than Saint Andrews. Helsinki gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Saint Andrews receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Helsinki or Saint Andrews in the Autumn?

Both Saint Andrews and Helsinki are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Helsinki because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saint Andrews this time of year.

In the autumn, Helsinki is much colder than Saint Andrews. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Helsinki in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Saint Andrews averages at about 10°C (49°F).

Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Saint Andrews during autumn. Helsinki gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Andrews receives 100 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Helsinki usually receives more rain than Saint Andrews. Helsinki gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Saint Andrews receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Helsinki or Saint Andrews in the Winter?

Both Saint Andrews and Helsinki during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Helsinki this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Saint Andrews for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Andrews. It's quite cold in Helsinki in the winter. In January, Helsinki is generally much colder than Saint Andrews. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around -6°C (21°F), and Saint Andrews fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Saint Andrews. Helsinki gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Andrews receives 58 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets less rain in January than Saint Andrews. Helsinki gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Saint Andrews receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Helsinki or Saint Andrews in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Helsinki and Saint Andrews. Many travelers come to Helsinki for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Saint Andrews in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Helsinki. Helsinki is much colder than Saint Andrews in the spring. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 3°C (37°F) in April, and Saint Andrews fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Helsinki usually receives more sunshine than Saint Andrews during spring. Helsinki gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Andrews receives 155 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Helsinki usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint Andrews. Helsinki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Saint Andrews receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Saint Andrews and Helsinki