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

Should you visit Saint Andrews or Belfast?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Andrews or Belfast, 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.

Belfast

Belfast is a under-rated, authentic, and affordable 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 and shopping.

Saint Andrews and Belfast: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Andrews or Belfast?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Saint Andrews. Although Saint Andrews and Belfast are popular destinations, Saint Andrews has more sights and attractions for tourists. Saint Andrews is very popular for its museums, food, beaches, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Belfast attracts visitors for its big city activities. Saint Andrews is famous for its reputation as the birthplace of golf. It is also well known for The Old Course. Belfast is famous for being the birthplace of the Titanic and the location of the era of the "Troubles".

The Old Course

How is Saint Andrews different from Belfast?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Saint Andrews is a nice place to visit for its sights and museums. However, Belfast does not have museums and landmarks.

Saint Andrews is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

Belfast does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Saint Andrews is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Belfast is not a good city 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Belfast. While many restaurants have moved towards more modern cuisines, there are still places that hold tight to the traditions of the area. Traditional dishes include pasties, full Irish breakfasts, and oysters.

Is Saint Andrews or Belfast Better for Nightlife?

Both Saint Andrews and Belfast 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 Belfast. The city has a number of bars and clubs with local DJs or musicians.

Is Saint Andrews or Belfast Better for Beaches?

Saint Andrews is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Belfast 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.

Belfast is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Andrews or Belfast Better for Hiking?

Saint Andrews is a nice place to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Belfast 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.

Belfast is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Andrews or Belfast?

Saint Andrews is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Belfast 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 Belfast. The main shopping areas in the city are Victoria Square Shopping Centre and CastleCourt.

Is Saint Andrews or Belfast Better for Families?

Saint Andrews and Belfast are both nice destinations for the whole family.

Saint Andrews is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Belfast is a family-friendly university town. The city has several great kid-friendly museums, a zoo, and a few indoor or outdoor activity centers where you can let kids play and explore.

Is Saint Andrews or Belfast Better for Couples?

Saint Andrews is a well-known place for romance. However, Belfast is not a good city 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.

Most people don't think of Belfast as a couple's destination. There are gardens and parks to explore, several nice hotels with spas, and an Observatory on the 23rd floor of the Grand Central Hotel.

Is Saint Andrews or Belfast Better for Students?

Saint Andrews is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Belfast 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.

Plenty of students visit Belfast. The city's affordability has made it a popular option for international students headed to the area.

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

Saint Andrews is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Belfast is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Belfast. There is a bus service in the city.

Is Saint Andrews or Belfast a more walkable city?

Saint Andrews and Belfast both are nice when exploring on foot.

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

Belfast is a somewhat walkable university town.

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

Should I spend more time in Belfast or Saint Andrews?

How long in Saint Andrews or Belfast?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saint Andrews and Belfast. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Belfast 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 Belfast.

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

Couples should spend more time in Saint Andrews than Belfast. 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 Belfast 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 Belfast?

Saint Andrews is a small town with plenty to do. This university town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the affordable destination of Belfast. 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 Belfast?

Saint Andrews might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Saint Andrews has to offer.

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

Saint Andrews is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the under-rated destination of Belfast. 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 Belfast?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Andrews. Since Saint Andrews is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the city of Belfast. 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 Belfast, we can see that Saint Andrews is more expensive. And not only is Belfast much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Belfast would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Belfast 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 Belfast.

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 Belfast Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Andrews or Belfast?

Belfast has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Saint Andrews. When comparing the sizes of Saint Andrews and Belfast, 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 Belfast?

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 Belfast in the Summer?

Both Belfast 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 city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Belfast this time of year.

In July, Saint Andrews is generally around the same temperature as Belfast. Daily temperatures in Saint Andrews average around 14°C (58°F), and Belfast fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives more sunshine than Belfast during summer. Saint Andrews gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Belfast receives 151 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint Andrews usually receives less rain than Belfast. Saint Andrews gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Belfast receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Belfast in the Autumn?

Both Belfast 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. Also, many travelers come to Belfast for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Saint Andrews is around the same temperature as Belfast in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Andrews averages around 10°C (49°F) in October, and Belfast fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the autumn, Saint Andrews often gets more sunshine than Belfast. Saint Andrews gets 100 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Belfast receives 92 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets less rain in October than Belfast. Saint Andrews gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Belfast receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Belfast in the Winter?

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

Belfast can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Andrews. In the winter, Saint Andrews is cooler than Belfast. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Andrews in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Belfast averages at about 4°C (39°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives more sunshine than Belfast during winter. Saint Andrews gets 58 hours of sunny skies, while Belfast receives 50 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Andrews usually receives less rain than Belfast. Saint Andrews gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Belfast receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Belfast in the Spring?

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

In April, Saint Andrews is generally cooler than Belfast. Daily temperatures in Saint Andrews average around 7°C (45°F), and Belfast fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

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

Saint Andrews usually gets less rain in April than Belfast. Saint Andrews gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Belfast receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Belfast and Saint Andrews