A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Saint Andrews vs. Aberdeen for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Saint Andrews or Aberdeen?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Andrews or Aberdeen, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Saint Andrews

Saint Andrews is a charming, quaint, and peaceful university town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Aberdeen

Aberdeen is a historic, cultural, and architectural city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Saint Andrews and Aberdeen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Andrews or Aberdeen?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Aberdeen. Although Saint Andrews and Aberdeen are popular destinations, Aberdeen has more sights and attractions for tourists. Aberdeen is very popular for its museums, historical sights, and big city activities, while Saint Andrews attracts visitors for its food, beaches, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Saint Andrews is famous for its reputation as the birthplace of golf. Aberdeen is famous for its longstanding maritime history and its many cultural sights and activities. It is also well known for St Machar's Cathedral Aberdeen.

How is Saint Andrews different from Aberdeen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Aberdeen 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 Aberdeen can be an interesting and educational experience. The city's long running history means that there are plenty of sights and museums worth exploring. Highlights include St. Machar's Cathedral, the University and King's College of Aberdeen, Brig o'Balgownie, and the Tolbooth Museum.

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 Saint Andrews or Aberdeen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint Andrews is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Aberdeen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Saint Andrews makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Aberdeen has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Everything from brunch bistros to fine dining are available in this city. You can enjoy local specialties or international options at any of the unique restaurants around town.

Is Saint Andrews or Aberdeen Better for Nightlife?

Both Saint Andrews and Aberdeen are nice when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Saint Andrews. There are a large number of pubs and bars throughout the town, and you'll find students hanging out and keeping things lively.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Aberdeen. The nightlife scene is diverse with whisky dens, local pubs, and even trendy nightclubs to choose from.

Is Saint Andrews or Aberdeen Better for Beaches?

Saint Andrews is a popular place for its beaches. However, Aberdeen is not a beach destination.

Saint Andrews is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Aberdeen is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Andrews or Aberdeen Better for its Old Town?

Aberdeen is a well-known place for its old town. However, Saint Andrews does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Aberdeen to see the historical old town. This city's old town is a hidden gem in Scotland. The cobblestone streets and long history make for a fascinating place to explore.

Saint Andrews does not have a historic old town.

Is Saint Andrews or Aberdeen Better for Hiking?

Saint Andrews is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, Aberdeen is not a hiking destination.

Saint Andrews is a good destination for hiking. There are some beautiful hikes just outside of town. Check out the views from Chamcook Mountain or wander down the Van Horne Trail.

Aberdeen is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Andrews or Aberdeen?

Saint Andrews is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Aberdeen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Saint Andrews is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The town is filled with boutique shops and local markets where you can buy unique items like artisan food, handmade crafts, or local art.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Aberdeen. A mix of modern shopping centers, antique vendors, and local boutiques make for an interesting shopping scene. For some of the city's best shopping head to Union Square Shopping Centre, the Trinity Centre, or Bon Accord Aberdeen.

Is Saint Andrews or Aberdeen Better for Families?

Aberdeen 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.

Aberdeen is a very kid-friendly city. Explore the city's history or wander through one of the many museums. Some of the best museums for kids include the Aberdeen Maritime Museum, Little Treasures Toy Museum, the Aberdeen Science Center, and the Gordon Highlanders Museum. Adrenaline seekers will enjoy rock climbing and ropes courses at Transition Extreme or ziplining at Go Ape Crathes Castle. Also nearby is horseback riding and Codona’s Amusement Park.

Saint Andrews is a family-friendly university town. 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 Saint Andrews or Aberdeen Better for Couples?

Saint Andrews is a well-known place for romance. Also, Aberdeen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Saint Andrews is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Aberdeen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many of the standard activities for couples such as interesting restaurants, theaters, and fun concerts.

Is Saint Andrews or Aberdeen Better for Students?

Saint Andrews is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Aberdeen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Many students frequent Saint Andrews. 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.

Plenty of students visit Aberdeen. The city is a nice affordable option for students who want to study at the University of Aberdeen.

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

Both Saint Andrews and Aberdeen offer nice public transit options.

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

Aberdeen has some public transit options. There are public buses through town and it's possible to pick up a Grasshopper ticket that lets you ride on most of the bus companies.

Is Saint Andrews or Aberdeen a more walkable city?

Aberdeen is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town to visit for its ease of walking around.

Aberdeen is a very walkable city. It's easy to walk to most of the city's attractions.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Aberdeen or Saint Andrews?

How long in Saint Andrews or Aberdeen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saint Andrews and Aberdeen. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Aberdeen than in Saint Andrews. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Saint Andrews, and 2-3 days is enough time in Aberdeen.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Saint Andrews than Aberdeen 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 Saint Andrews.

One day in Saint Andrews or Aberdeen?

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.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the architectural destination of Aberdeen. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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.

A weekend in Saint Andrews or Aberdeen?

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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Aberdeen. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

Five days in Saint Andrews or Aberdeen?

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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the architectural destination of Aberdeen. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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.

A week in Saint Andrews or Aberdeen?

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.

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Aberdeen. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United Kingdom, and The Best Luxury Tours to United Kingdom.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Andrews and Aberdeen, we can see that Saint Andrews is more expensive. And not only is Aberdeen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Aberdeen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Aberdeen 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 Aberdeen.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Andrews or Aberdeen?

Aberdeen has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Saint Andrews. When comparing the sizes of Saint Andrews and Aberdeen, 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 Saint Andrews or Aberdeen?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Aberdeen in the Summer?

Both Aberdeen and Saint Andrews are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Saint Andrews in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Aberdeen for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Saint Andrews is generally around the same temperature as Aberdeen. Daily temperatures in Saint Andrews average around 14°C (58°F), and Aberdeen fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives more sunshine than Aberdeen during summer. Saint Andrews gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Aberdeen receives 157 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint Andrews usually receives less rain than Aberdeen. Saint Andrews gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Aberdeen receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Aberdeen in the Autumn?

Both Aberdeen and Saint Andrews during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Saint Andrews for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Aberdeen because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Saint Andrews is around the same temperature as Aberdeen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Andrews averages around 10°C (49°F) in October, and Aberdeen fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

In the autumn, Saint Andrews often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Aberdeen. Saint Andrews gets 100 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Aberdeen receives 93 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets less rain in October than Aberdeen. Saint Andrews gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Aberdeen receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Aberdeen in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Andrews and Aberdeen. The winter months attract visitors to Saint Andrews because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Aberdeen this time of year.

It's quite cold in Aberdeen in the winter. The weather in Saint Andrews can be very cold. In the winter, Saint Andrews is around the same temperature as Aberdeen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Andrews in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Aberdeen averages at about 3°C (38°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives more sunshine than Aberdeen during winter. Saint Andrews gets 58 hours of sunny skies, while Aberdeen receives 52 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Andrews usually receives less rain than Aberdeen. Saint Andrews gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Aberdeen receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Aberdeen in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saint Andrews as well as Aberdeen. The beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Saint Andrews this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Aberdeen for the activities around the city.

In April, Saint Andrews is generally around the same temperature as Aberdeen. Daily temperatures in Saint Andrews average around 7°C (45°F), and Aberdeen fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the spring, Saint Andrews often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Aberdeen. Saint Andrews gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Aberdeen receives 144 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets less rain in April than Aberdeen. Saint Andrews gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Aberdeen receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Aberdeen and Saint Andrews