A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Saint Andrews vs. Cairngorms National Park for Food, Hiking, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Saint Andrews or Cairngorms National Park?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Andrews or Cairngorms National Park, 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. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Cairngorms National Park

Cairngorms National Park is a beautiful, serene, and picturesque national park. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food and hiking.

Saint Andrews and Cairngorms National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Andrews or Cairngorms National Park?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Saint Andrews. Although Saint Andrews and Cairngorms National Park are both popular with visitors, Saint Andrews has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Saint Andrews is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and small town charm, while Cairngorms National Park is known for its hiking. Cairngorms National Park is more touristy than Saint Andrews and is popular for its impressive hikes, scenic natural beauty, and nice mountains. Saint Andrews is popular for its reputation as the birthplace of golf. It is also home to The Old Course.

The Old Course

How is Saint Andrews different from Cairngorms National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Cairngorms National Park 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 Cairngorms National Park?

Saint Andrews is very good for its museums and history. However, Cairngorms National Park does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Cairngorms National Park does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Saint Andrews or Cairngorms National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint Andrews is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Cairngorms National Park is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Saint Andrews has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Cairngorms National Park offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are a variety of cafes, pubs, and restaurants in the area that offer hearty dishes to fill a hungry hiker.

Is Saint Andrews or Cairngorms National Park Better for Nightlife?

Saint Andrews is very good for its evening party scene. However, Cairngorms National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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.

Cairngorms National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Saint Andrews or Cairngorms National Park Better for Beaches?

Saint Andrews is very good for the beach. However, Cairngorms National Park is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Saint Andrews to enjoy the beach. 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.

Cairngorms National Park is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Andrews or Cairngorms National Park Better for Hiking?

Cairngorms National Park is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town to visit for its hiking trails.

Cairngorms National Park is a popular spot for hiking. There are hikes for every skill level. You'll find waterfalls, open glens, mountains, and beautiful lakes. Some of the best hikes include the Falls of Bruar, Morrone, and the Seven Bridges Trail.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Saint Andrews. There are some beautiful hikes just outside of town. Check out the views from Chamcook Mountain or wander down the Van Horne Trail.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Andrews or Cairngorms National Park?

Saint Andrews is a very popular place for its shopping areas. However, Cairngorms National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in 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.

Cairngorms National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saint Andrews or Cairngorms National Park Better for Families?

Cairngorms National Park 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.

Cairngorms National Park is a very kid-friendly national park. The outdoor wilderness, natural lakes, and fun activities make for a great family holiday. Head to the beach at Loch Morlich or go for a pony trek. You can also take a ride on the Strathspey Steam Railway or if the kids are craving a bit more excitement head to Landmark Forest Adventure 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 Cairngorms National Park Better for Couples?

Saint Andrews and Cairngorms National Park are both excellent 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.

Cairngorms National Park makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The hiking, natural beauty, and stunning setting make for a wonderful couples getaway. Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the serene setting and it's not uncommon for some couples to get engaged in this beautiful park.

Is Saint Andrews or Cairngorms National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cairngorms National Park 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 Cairngorms National Park. Transportation without a car is basically impossible, but camping is a great way to experience the park to its fullest without breaking the bank.

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 Cairngorms National Park Better for Students?

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

Students come from all over the world to visit 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.

Cairngorms National Park is not popular with students.

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

Saint Andrews is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Cairngorms National Park is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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

Public transit is generally limited in Cairngorms National Park. To fully explore the park, you really need to have your own vehicle, but there are local buses and trains that travel to the park.

Is Saint Andrews or Cairngorms National Park a more walkable city?

Saint Andrews is very good for its ease of walking around. However, Cairngorms National Park is not a walkable destination.

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

Cairngorms National Park is not a walkable destination.

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

Should I spend more time in Cairngorms National Park or Saint Andrews?

How long in Saint Andrews or Cairngorms National Park?

In either Saint Andrews or Cairngorms National Park, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Cairngorms National Park than Saint Andrews because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Saint Andrews, and 3-5 days is enough time in Cairngorms National Park.

Couples should spend more time in Saint Andrews than Cairngorms National Park. 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 Cairngorms National Park 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 Cairngorms National Park?

Saint Andrews is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Many travelers enjoy the food when visiting the tranquil destination of Cairngorms National Park. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Cairngorms National Park?

Saint Andrews is a small town with plenty to do. If you have a weekend, this university town makes for a great vacation.A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cairngorms National Park. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Cairngorms National Park?

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

Many travelers enjoy the food when visiting the picturesque destination of Cairngorms National Park. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This national park 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 Cairngorms National Park?

Saint Andrews is a great place to explore. 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. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

You'll find food around the beautiful national park of Cairngorms National Park. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Cairngorms National Park, we can see that Saint Andrews is more expensive. And not only is Cairngorms National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cairngorms National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cairngorms National Park 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 Cairngorms National Park.

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 Cairngorms National Park Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Saint Andrews or Cairngorms National Park?

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 Cairngorms National Park in the Summer?

Both Cairngorms National Park and Saint Andrews during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Saint Andrews for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Cairngorms National Park because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saint Andrews is around the same temperature as Cairngorms National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Andrews in July average around 14°C (58°F), and Cairngorms National Park averages at about 14°C (58°F).

In the summer, Saint Andrews often gets more sunshine than Cairngorms National Park. Saint Andrews gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cairngorms National Park receives 147 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Cairngorms National Park. Saint Andrews gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cairngorms National Park receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Cairngorms National Park in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Andrews and Cairngorms National Park. The autumn months attract visitors to Saint Andrews because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Cairngorms National Park this time of year.

In October, Saint Andrews is generally around the same temperature as Cairngorms National Park. Daily temperatures in Saint Andrews average around 10°C (49°F), and Cairngorms National Park fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives more sunshine than Cairngorms National Park during autumn. Saint Andrews gets 100 hours of sunny skies, while Cairngorms National Park receives 84 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Andrews usually receives more rain than Cairngorms National Park. Saint Andrews gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Cairngorms National Park receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Cairngorms National Park in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint Andrews as well as Cairngorms National Park. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Saint Andrews this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Cairngorms National Park for the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Cairngorms National Park. It's quite cold in Saint Andrews in the winter. Saint Andrews is around the same temperature as Cairngorms National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Andrews averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Cairngorms National Park fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Saint Andrews often gets more sunshine than Cairngorms National Park. Saint Andrews gets 58 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cairngorms National Park receives 42 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets more rain in January than Cairngorms National Park. Saint Andrews gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Cairngorms National Park receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Cairngorms National Park in the Spring?

Both Cairngorms National Park and Saint Andrews are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Saint Andrews for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Cairngorms National Park in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Saint Andrews is around the same temperature as Cairngorms National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Andrews in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Cairngorms National Park averages at about 7°C (44°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives more sunshine than Cairngorms National Park during spring. Saint Andrews gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Cairngorms National Park receives 136 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Andrews usually receives more rain than Cairngorms National Park. Saint Andrews gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Cairngorms National Park receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Cairngorms National Park and Saint Andrews