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

Should you visit Saint Andrews or Caen?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Andrews or Caen, 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. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Caen

Caen is a park-filled, important, and historic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food, museums, and nightlife.

Saint Andrews and Caen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Andrews or Caen?

Both Caen and Saint Andrews have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Saint Andrews is very popular for its beaches, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Caen attracts visitors for its museums and big city activities. Saint Andrews is famous for its reputation as the birthplace of golf. Caen is famous for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings.

How is Saint Andrews different from Caen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Caen 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 Caen can be an interesting and educational experience. There are many monuments around town commemorating the city's long history. You'll want to see Château de Caen, Pegasus Bridge, Mémorial de Caen, Musée de Normandie, and Musée des beaux-arts de Caen.

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 Caen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

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.

Caen has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There's a market that's at its best on Sundays where you'll find fresh produce and other local ingredients. There are also Michelin starred restaurants, seafood restaurants, and other traditional dishes. Head to the Vaugueux Quarter for traditional dishes.

Is Saint Andrews or Caen Better for Nightlife?

Both Saint Andrews and Caen 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 Caen. The nightlife scene stays active thanks to the 30,000 students living in town. Head to the Rue Ecuyère for a pub crawl or hit up any of the other bars around town.

Is Saint Andrews or Caen Better for Beaches?

Saint Andrews is a good destination for its beaches. However, Caen is not a beach destination.

Saint Andrews offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Caen is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Andrews or Caen Better for Hiking?

Saint Andrews is a good destination for its hiking trails. However, Caen is not a hiking destination.

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

Caen is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Andrews or Caen?

Saint Andrews is a very popular place for shopping. However, Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saint Andrews or Caen Better for Families?

Saint Andrews and Caen 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.

Caen is a family-friendly university town. There are museums, parks, monasteries, and castles that kids and adults alike with enjoy visiting.

Is Saint Andrews or Caen Better for Couples?

Saint Andrews is a very popular place for romance. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Saint Andrews makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Caen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples that are fascinated by history will enjoy a visit to this town in Normandy. There are also abbeys, castles and parks.

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

Caen 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 Caen. You'll find more apartments and bed and breakfasts than hostels in town, but backpackers still make their way here.

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 Caen Better for Students?

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

Saint Andrews is a very popular place to visit 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.

Caen is not popular with students.

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

Caen 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 Caen can get you around easily. There are buses and trams that travel throughout the city.

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

Is Saint Andrews or Caen a more walkable city?

Saint Andrews and Caen 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.

Caen is a somewhat walkable university town. The city center is best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Caen or Saint Andrews?

How long in Saint Andrews or Caen?

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

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

One day in Saint Andrews or Caen?

Saint Andrews is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the important destination of Caen. 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 Caen?

Saint Andrews is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

Saint Andrews is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This university town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the important destination of Caen. 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 Caen?

Because Saint Andrews is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the city of Caen. 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 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

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

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 Caen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Andrews or Caen?

Caen has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Saint Andrews. When comparing the sizes of Saint Andrews and Caen, 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 Caen?

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 Caen in the Summer?

Both Caen and Saint Andrews during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Saint Andrews for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Caen in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint Andrews is generally cooler than Caen. Daily temperatures in Saint Andrews average around 14°C (58°F), and Caen fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In Caen, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Saint Andrews often gets less sunshine than Caen. Saint Andrews gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 227 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets more rain in July than Caen. Saint Andrews gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Caen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Caen in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Andrews and Caen. Many visitors come to Saint Andrews in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Caen for the city's sights and attractions during these months.

Saint Andrews is cooler than Caen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Andrews averages around 10°C (49°F) in October, and Caen fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives less sunshine than Caen during autumn. Saint Andrews gets 100 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 128 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Andrews usually receives less rain than Caen. Saint Andrews gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Caen receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Caen in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint Andrews as well as Caen. Most visitors come to Saint Andrews for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Caen because of the museums and the cuisine.

The weather in Caen can be very cold. Saint Andrews can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Saint Andrews is much colder than Caen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Andrews in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Caen averages at about 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Saint Andrews often gets less sunshine than Caen. Saint Andrews gets 58 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 70 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Caen. Saint Andrews gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Caen receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Caen in the Spring?

Both Caen and Saint Andrews are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Saint Andrews because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Caen this time of year.

In April, Saint Andrews is generally cooler than Caen. Daily temperatures in Saint Andrews average around 7°C (45°F), and Caen fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives less sunshine than Caen during spring. Saint Andrews gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 171 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Andrews usually receives less rain than Caen. Saint Andrews gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Caen receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Caen and Saint Andrews