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

Should you visit Saint Andrews or Basel?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Andrews or Basel, 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. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Basel

Basel is a museum-filled, easily accessible, and beautiful city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Saint Andrews and Basel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Andrews or Basel?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Saint Andrews than Basel, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Saint Andrews is better known for its food, beaches, hiking, and small town charm, while Basel is more popular for its museums and historical sights. Saint Andrews is well known for its reputation as the birthplace of golf. Also, Saint Andrews is famous for The Old Course. Basel is well known for its many museums and its nice old town.

The Old Course

How is Saint Andrews different from Basel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Basel 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 Basel?

Basel 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 Basel can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with history. Head to Minster Hill to see the beautiful historic church and Münsterplatz. There are also several unique museums around town including Jean Tinguely Museum, the Paper Mill Museum, the Historical Museum, and the Museum of Art.

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 Basel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint Andrews is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Saint Andrews. 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.

Basel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Food around town can be expensive, but there are some outdoor markets where you can buy fruit and a bratwurst for a reasonable price. The city is known for its breads, soups, and pastries, which are all delicious.

Is Saint Andrews or Basel Better for Nightlife?

Both Saint Andrews and Basel are notable 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 Basel. The city's nightlife comes alive as the sun sets. There are bars, pubs, and dance clubs that stay active until the early morning hours.

Is Saint Andrews or Basel Better for Beaches?

Saint Andrews is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Basel is not a beach destination.

Saint Andrews has a beach worth visiting. 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.

Basel is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Andrews or Basel Better for its Old Town?

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

Many visitors go to Basel to see the historical old town. The charming old town is fun to explore on foot with its quaint streets and meandering alleys. The beautiful architecture and ornate fountains give the area a unique personality. On the hottest days you may even see locals swimming in some of the fountains.

Saint Andrews does not have a historic old town.

Is Saint Andrews or Basel Better for Hiking?

Saint Andrews is a nice place to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Basel is not a hiking destination.

Saint Andrews has hiking trails worth exploring. There are some beautiful hikes just outside of town. Check out the views from Chamcook Mountain or wander down the Van Horne Trail.

Basel is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Andrews or Basel?

Both Saint Andrews and Basel are superb shopping destinations.

Saint Andrews is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The town is filled with boutique shops and local markets where you can buy unique items like artisan food, handmade crafts, or local art.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Basel. The old town is filled with shops that you can wander through as you explore. Popular shopping streets include Freie Strasse and the area around Marktplatz, where you'll find boutique shops and interesting trinkets. You can also head to the city's oldest department store - Manor.

Is Saint Andrews or Basel Better for Families?

Basel 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.

Basel is a very kid-friendly city. The city has an impressive zoo, a really unique toy museum, as well as Aquabasilea with its pools and slides. It's also compact enough that little legs can explore and enjoy everything that it has to offer. If the weather's warm, head for the river to cool off.

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 Basel Better for Couples?

Saint Andrews is notable for its romantic activities. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

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.

Basel is a good university town for couples to visit. Nice restaurants, interesting museums, and several great spas make this a nice place for a romantic trip.

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

Basel 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 Basel. There are a few hostels and a really useful City Pass that make this city an option for backpackers and budget travelers. It's also a major transit center so accessibility is convenient. If you're traveling around Europe by train, you'll likely pass through Basel at some point.

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 Saint Andrews or Basel Better for Students?

Saint Andrews is a world-class destination for students. Also, Basel is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Saint Andrews is a great destination 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.

Students come from all over to stay in Basel. The University of Basel brings in international students from around the world. The city makes a nice base for exploring Europe, but it's also a bit expensive which can be challenging on a student income.

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

Basel 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 Basel can get you around easily. Trams and buses make it easy to get around town.

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

Is Saint Andrews or Basel a more walkable city?

Basel is terrific 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.

It is easy to get around Basel on foot. The old town and most of the major attractions are easily accessible on foot.

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 Basel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Basel or Saint Andrews?

How long in Saint Andrews or Basel?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Saint Andrews than Basel. 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 Basel 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 Basel.

One day in Saint Andrews or Basel?

Even though Saint Andrews is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. This university town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant destination of Basel. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Saint Andrews or Basel?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Andrews. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Basel. 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 Basel?

Saint Andrews is a fun place to experience. Saint Andrews is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the beautiful destination of Basel. 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 Basel?

Saint Andrews is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful city of Basel. 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 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland.

When comparing the travel costs between Saint Andrews and Basel, we can see that Saint Andrews is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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 Basel Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Andrews or Basel?

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

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 Basel in the Summer?

Both Basel and Saint Andrews are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Saint Andrews because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Basel this time of year.

Saint Andrews is cooler than Basel in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Andrews averages around 14°C (58°F) in July, and Basel fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

It's quite sunny in Basel. Saint Andrews usually receives less sunshine than Basel during summer. Saint Andrews gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint Andrews usually receives less rain than Basel. Saint Andrews gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Basel receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Basel in the Autumn?

Both Basel and Saint Andrews during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Basel for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Saint Andrews is cooler than Basel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Andrews in October average around 10°C (49°F), and Basel averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Saint Andrews often gets less sunshine than Basel. Saint Andrews gets 100 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 120 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets less rain in October than Basel. Saint Andrews gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Basel receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Basel in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Andrews and Basel. Many travelers come to Saint Andrews for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Basel in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Basel can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Andrews. In January, Saint Andrews is generally around the same temperature as Basel. Daily temperatures in Saint Andrews average around 3°C (38°F), and Basel fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Basel during winter. Saint Andrews gets 58 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Andrews usually receives less rain than Basel. Saint Andrews gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Basel receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Basel in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saint Andrews as well as Basel. Many visitors come to Saint Andrews in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to Basel for the natural beauty during these months.

Saint Andrews is much colder than Basel in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Andrews averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Basel fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the spring, Saint Andrews often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Basel. Saint Andrews gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 150 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets less rain in April than Basel. Saint Andrews gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Basel receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Basel and Saint Andrews