A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint Andrews vs. Biarritz for Food, Nightlife, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit Saint Andrews or Biarritz?

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

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

Biarritz

Biarritz is a relaxing, quirky, and dynamic seaside town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Saint Andrews and Biarritz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Andrews or Biarritz?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Saint Andrews than Biarritz, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Saint Andrews is better known for its museums, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Biarritz is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, and beaches. Biarritz is more touristy than Saint Andrews and is popular for its surfing culture, long beaches, and seaside atmosphere. 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 Saint Andrews different from Biarritz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Saint Andrews is a popular place for its museums and history. However, Biarritz is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

Saint Andrews offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

Biarritz offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most people pass their time relaxing on the beach or taking a walk, but you can also visit the Biarritz Aquarium or the Biarritz Lighthouse.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Saint Andrews and Biarritz.

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.

Biarritz has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The food is a delicious mix of French, Spanish, and Basque flavors. Seafood is an obvious influence, but you'll also find meat and bread in many dishes. Local specialties include the oysters, pintxos (a snack of bread topped with ham, cheese, or vegetables), and marmitako (tuna stew).

Is Saint Andrews or Biarritz Better for Nightlife?

Biarritz is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town to visit for its evening party scene.

Biarritz offers plenty to do in the evening. The city center has the most bars and clubs if you're looking for a party. Head to Port Vieux or Les Halles for some of the city's best nightlife. For a more relaxed night out, there are night markets as well as beach front terraces and rooftops where you can sip wine in a mellow atmosphere.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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.

Is Saint Andrews or Biarritz Better for Resorts?

Biarritz is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Saint Andrews is not a resort destination.

Biarritz is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. You'll find a mix of holiday cottages, vacation rentals, and beachfront hotels. There are also hostels around town for those on a budget.

Saint Andrews is not a resort destination.

Is Saint Andrews or Biarritz Better for Beaches?

Biarritz is a well-known place for the beache. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town to visit for the beach.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Biarritz. There are plenty of sandy beaches near the town that offer great surfing. For calmer water you can head to some of the smaller bays. Some of the most popular beaches in the area include Le Grande Plage, Plage du Miramar, and Plage Port Vieux.

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.

Is Saint Andrews or Biarritz Better for Hiking?

Saint Andrews is a popular place for its hiking trails. However, Biarritz 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.

Biarritz is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Andrews or Biarritz?

Both Saint Andrews and Biarritz are very good 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 Biarritz. The town has many market halls, boutiques, and department stores. Head to Avenue de Verdun for some quirky local stores or Place Georges Clemenceau for more high end shopping.

Is Saint Andrews or Biarritz Better for Families?

Biarritz 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.

Biarritz is a very kid-friendly seaside town. The sandy beaches are great for surfing, but you'll also find some calm water where kids can play. There are plenty of surf schools in the area that will help kids learn if they're just beginning to surf. Kids who love the ocean will find tons of entertainment in this seaside town.

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 Biarritz Better for Couples?

Saint Andrews and Biarritz are both very good to visit as a couple.

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.

Biarritz makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many coastal walks, sandy beaches, and surfing opportunities that couples can enjoy. Combine that with great French cuisine and a lively atmosphere, and you won't find a better couples getaway.

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

Biarritz is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Saint Andrews is not a good university town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Biarritz is a great seaside town to visit for backpackers. The town attracts surfers and there are plenty of hostels and other accommodation options for budget travelers or backpackers.

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 Biarritz Better for Students?

Saint Andrews is renowned for its student-friendly activities. However, Biarritz is not popular with students.

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.

Biarritz is not popular with students.

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

Both Saint Andrews and Biarritz offer notable public transit options.

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

Biarritz has some public transit options. There are regional bus lines to nearby towns operated by Chronoplus and PESA.

Is Saint Andrews or Biarritz a more walkable city?

Biarritz 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.

Biarritz is a very walkable seaside town. The city center is very walkable and you can reach many of the beaches on foot as well.

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 Biarritz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Biarritz or Saint Andrews?

How long in Saint Andrews or Biarritz?

Both Saint Andrews and Biarritz have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Biarritz than in Saint Andrews. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Saint Andrews, and 3-7 days is enough time in Biarritz.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Biarritz 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 Biarritz.

One day in Saint Andrews or Biarritz?

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 nightlife when visiting the dynamic destination of Biarritz. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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 Biarritz?

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 Biarritz. Most people come for the beaches. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Five days in Saint Andrews or Biarritz?

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.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the cultural destination of Biarritz. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This seaside town offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A week in Saint Andrews or Biarritz?

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.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the seaside town of Biarritz. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. 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 Tours for Seniors to France, and The Best Contiki Tours to France.

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

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 Biarritz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Andrews or Biarritz?

Biarritz has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Saint Andrews. When comparing the sizes of Saint Andrews and Biarritz, 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 Biarritz?

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 Saint Andrews or Biarritz in the Summer?

Both Biarritz and Saint Andrews during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Saint Andrews in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Biarritz for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Saint Andrews is cooler than Biarritz in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Andrews averages around 14°C (58°F) in July, and Biarritz fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In Biarritz, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Saint Andrews often gets less sunshine than Biarritz. Saint Andrews gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Biarritz receives 209 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets less rain in July than Biarritz. Saint Andrews gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Biarritz in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Andrews and Biarritz. 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. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Biarritz because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Saint Andrews is much colder than Biarritz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Andrews in October average around 10°C (49°F), and Biarritz averages at about 16°C (60°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives less sunshine than Biarritz during autumn. Saint Andrews gets 100 hours of sunny skies, while Biarritz receives 144 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Biarritz receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Saint Andrews usually receives less rain than Biarritz. Saint Andrews gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Biarritz in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint Andrews as well as Biarritz. The winter months attract visitors to Saint Andrews because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Biarritz this time of year.

The weather in Saint Andrews can be very cold. In January, Saint Andrews is generally much colder than Biarritz. Daily temperatures in Saint Andrews average around 3°C (38°F), and Biarritz fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Saint Andrews often gets less sunshine than Biarritz. Saint Andrews gets 58 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Biarritz receives 85 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Biarritz. Saint Andrews usually gets less rain in January than Biarritz. Saint Andrews gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Biarritz in the Spring?

Both Biarritz and Saint Andrews are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. 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 Biarritz for the beaches and the small town charm.

Saint Andrews is much colder than Biarritz in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Andrews averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Biarritz fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives more sunshine than Biarritz during spring. Saint Andrews gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Biarritz receives 141 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Biarritz. In April, Saint Andrews usually receives less rain than Biarritz. Saint Andrews gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Biarritz receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Biarritz and Saint Andrews