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

Should you visit Saint Andrews or Calais?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Andrews or Calais, 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 peaceful, historic, and charming university town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Calais

Calais is a undiscovered, coastal, and authentic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food.

Saint Andrews and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Andrews or Calais?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Calais. Although Saint Andrews and Calais are both popular with visitors, Calais has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Calais is more popular for its big city activities, while Saint Andrews is known for its food, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Saint Andrews is more touristy than Calais and is known for its reputation as the birthplace of golf. Calais is popular for being a gateway for travelers to France. It is also home to The Town Hall.

How is Saint Andrews different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the good sights and museums in both Saint Andrews and Calais.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Calais. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

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

Saint Andrews is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Saint Andrews is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Saint Andrews or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Both Saint Andrews and Calais are good 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 Calais. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Is Saint Andrews or Calais Better for Beaches?

Both Saint Andrews and Calais have good beaches worth visiting.

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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Calais. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Is Saint Andrews or Calais Better for Hiking?

Saint Andrews is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Calais 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.

Calais is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Andrews or Calais?

Saint Andrews is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Calais. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is Saint Andrews or Calais Better for Families?

Saint Andrews and Calais are both good 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.

Calais is a family-friendly university town. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is Saint Andrews or Calais Better for Couples?

Saint Andrews is well known for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Saint Andrews frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Saint Andrews or Calais Better for Students?

Saint Andrews is a must-visit destination for students. However, Calais 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.

Calais is not popular with students.

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

Both Saint Andrews and Calais offer good public transit options.

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

Calais has some public transit options. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Is Saint Andrews or Calais a more walkable city?

Saint Andrews and Calais both are good when exploring on foot.

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

Calais is a somewhat walkable university town. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Calais or Saint Andrews?

How long in Saint Andrews or Calais?

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

Families should spend more time in Saint Andrews than Calais. 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 Calais. 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 Calais 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 Calais?

Saint Andrews might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the authentic destination of Calais. 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 Calais?

Saint Andrews is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Andrews. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the undiscovered destination of Calais. 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 Calais?

Saint Andrews is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This university town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Calais. 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 Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

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

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 Calais Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Andrews or Calais?

Calais has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Saint Andrews. When comparing the sizes of Saint Andrews and Calais, 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 Calais?

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 Calais in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Andrews and Calais. Many visitors come to Saint Andrews in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Calais for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Saint Andrews is cooler than Calais. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Andrews in July average around 14°C (58°F), and Calais averages at about 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Calais this time of the year. Saint Andrews usually receives less sunshine than Calais during summer. Saint Andrews gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint Andrews usually receives more rain than Calais. Saint Andrews gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Calais in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Andrews as well as Calais. 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. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Calais because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Saint Andrews is generally cooler than Calais. Daily temperatures in Saint Andrews average around 10°C (49°F), and Calais fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Saint Andrews often gets less sunshine than Calais. Saint Andrews gets 100 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Calais. Saint Andrews gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Calais in the Winter?

Both Calais and Saint Andrews are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Saint Andrews because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

It's quite cold in Calais in the winter. The weather in Saint Andrews can be very cold. Saint Andrews is cooler than Calais in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Andrews averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Calais during winter. Saint Andrews gets 58 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Andrews usually receives more rain than Calais. Saint Andrews gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Calais in the Spring?

Both Calais and Saint Andrews during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Saint Andrews this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Calais for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Saint Andrews is cooler than Calais. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Andrews in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Calais averages at about 9°C (47°F).

In the spring, Saint Andrews often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Calais. Saint Andrews gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Calais. Saint Andrews gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Calais and Saint Andrews