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

Should you visit Saint Andrews or Cologne?

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

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

Cologne

Cologne is a vibrant, colorful, and fun city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Saint Andrews and Cologne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Andrews or Cologne?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Cologne. Although Saint Andrews and Cologne are both popular with visitors, Cologne has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Cologne is more popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Saint Andrews is known for its food, beaches, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Cologne is more touristy than Saint Andrews and is known for its large and detailed cathedral, its festive Christmas markets, and its location along the Rhine River. It is also home to The Cologne Cathedral. Saint Andrews is popular for its reputation as the birthplace of golf.

The Cologne Cathedral

How is Saint Andrews different from Cologne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Cologne 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 Cologne can be an interesting and educational experience. At the heart of the city is Cologne Cathedral, which is stunningly intricate and highlights High Gothic architecture. It is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe. Other famous sights around town include Cologne City Hall, the Wallraf-Richartz & Ludwig Museums, and Hohenzollern Bridge.

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 Cologne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint Andrews is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Cologne 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 Cologne. The food scene consists mostly of brewhouses and pubs, where you'll find local cuisine. There are also a number of international restaurants around town if you want something a little different. In particular, you'll find many Turkish kebab shops near the train station. Local dishes from Cologne include Halve Hahn (an open face sandwich), Hämmche (pork with sauerkraut or potatoes), and Mettbrütche (minced pork bread roll). For a sweet treat, there is no shortage of donut shops with decadently decorated toppings.

Is Saint Andrews or Cologne Better for Nightlife?

Cologne 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.

Cologne offers plenty to do in the evening. Head to one of the many beerhalls to check out the local nightlife scene. Make sure you try the local beer, Kölsch. Some of the most popular places for night include Ona Mor, Pepe, and Engel & Weiss.

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 Cologne Better for Beaches?

Saint Andrews is a popular place for the beach. However, Cologne is not a beach destination.

Saint Andrews is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Cologne is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Andrews or Cologne Better for its Old Town?

Cologne is a nice place to visit for its old town. However, Saint Andrews does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Cologne to see the old town. The Old Town is large, but its mostly been rebuilt with modern buildings. There are plenty of shopping areas where you can buy name brand clothing or sample sweets.

Saint Andrews does not have a historic old town.

Is Saint Andrews or Cologne Better for Hiking?

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

Cologne is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Andrews or Cologne?

Both Saint Andrews and Cologne 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 Cologne. There is no shortage of clothing shops around Cologne. You'll find all of the major European chains with many souvenir shops mixed in. Schildergasse is a major shopping street in town, but there are also many shopping malls to choose from. For local markets, head to Wilhemplatz.

Is Saint Andrews or Cologne Better for Christmas?

Cologne is terrific for its Christmas activities. However, Saint Andrews does not offer Christmas activities.

Cologne is a world class destination during the Christmas season. Cologne is one of the top Christmas destinations in Germany. You'll find many different markets spread around town that offer ice skating, curling, warm drinks, and local dishes. Foodies will appreciate the many samplings of local holiday favorites while shoppers will be able to pick up gifts and Christmas decorations that are locally made.

Saint Andrews does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Saint Andrews or Cologne Better for Christmas Markets?

Cologne is terrific for its Christmas markets. However, Saint Andrews does not offer Christmas markets.

The Christmas markets in Cologne are not to be missed. Cologne is one of the top Christmas market destinations in Germany. You'll find many different markets spread around town that offer ice skating, curling, warm drinks, and local dishes. Foodies will appreciate the many samplings of local holiday favorites while shoppers will be able to pick up gifts and Christmas decorations that are locally made.

Saint Andrews does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Saint Andrews or Cologne Better for Families?

Cologne 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.

Cologne is a very kid-friendly city. In addition to the stunning cathedral and impressive bridge, this city has many great playgrounds including Rheinpark, right across the river from old town. Kids who like high places will enjoy the view from the top of KölnTriangle. Popular kid-friendly museums in town include Odysseum and the Chocolate Museum. And if you have a day to spare, head to the indoor waterpark at Aqualand.

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 Cologne Better for Couples?

Saint Andrews is well known for couples. Also, Cologne 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.

Cologne is a nice destination for couples. The city has a number of activities that couples will enjoy such as walks along the river, dining at nice restaurants, and Rhein River cruises. Also make sure you put a lock on the Hohenzollern Bridge to declare your commitment to each other.

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

Cologne 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 Cologne. There are a few good hostels around town and many free sights that make this a budget-friendly destination for 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 Cologne Better for Students?

Saint Andrews is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

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.

Cologne is very popular with students. The city is large enough to attract international students for all types of studies. It's also well connected to the German train system so it's easy to get out and explore the area.

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

Cologne is terrific 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 thorough and effecient public transit system of Cologne can take you anywhere. KVB operates the system that includes trains, trams, and buses. The city is also easily connected to other nearby towns so it makes a great base for exploring the entire area.

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

Is Saint Andrews or Cologne a more walkable city?

Cologne 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.

Cologne is a very walkable city. If you stick to the Old Town and nearby neighborhoods, you'll be able to explore easily on foot.

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 Cologne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cologne or Saint Andrews?

How long in Saint Andrews or Cologne?

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

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

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

One day in Saint Andrews or Cologne?

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.

Cologne is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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 Cologne?

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 Cologne. 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 Cologne?

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 food when visiting the fun big city of Cologne. 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 Cologne?

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 food and shopping around the city of Cologne. 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 Luxury Tours to Germany, and The Best Budget Tours to Germany.

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

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 Cologne Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Andrews or Cologne?

Cologne has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Saint Andrews. When comparing the sizes of Saint Andrews and Cologne, 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 Cologne?

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 Cologne in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Andrews and Cologne. 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 Cologne for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Saint Andrews is cooler than Cologne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Andrews in July average around 14°C (58°F), and Cologne averages at about 19°C (66°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cologne during summer. Saint Andrews gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 184 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint Andrews usually receives less rain than Cologne. Saint Andrews gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Cologne in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Andrews as well as Cologne. 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 Cologne because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

In the autumn, Saint Andrews often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cologne. Saint Andrews gets 100 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 104 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets more rain in October than Cologne. Saint Andrews gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Cologne in the Winter?

Both Cologne 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 Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cologne this time of year.

It's quite cold in Cologne in the winter. The weather in Saint Andrews can be very cold. Saint Andrews is around the same temperature as Cologne in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Andrews averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Cologne fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives more sunshine than Cologne during winter. Saint Andrews gets 58 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 43 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Andrews usually receives more rain than Cologne. Saint Andrews gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Cologne in the Spring?

Both Cologne 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 Cologne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Saint Andrews is cooler than Cologne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Andrews in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Cologne averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Saint Andrews often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cologne. Saint Andrews gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 152 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets less rain in April than Cologne. Saint Andrews gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Cologne and Saint Andrews