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

Should you visit Saint Andrews or Connemara?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Andrews or Connemara, 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 charming, quaint, and peaceful university town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Connemara

Connemara is a breathtaking, scenic, and natural region. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and hiking.

Saint Andrews and Connemara: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Andrews or Connemara?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Saint Andrews. Although Saint Andrews and Connemara are both popular with visitors, Saint Andrews has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Saint Andrews is more popular for its nightlife, shopping, and small town charm, while Connemara is known for its beaches and hiking. Saint Andrews is more touristy than Connemara and is known for its reputation as the birthplace of golf. It is also home to The Old Course. Connemara is popular for its bog-filled landscape and its hidden coves.

The Old Course

How is Saint Andrews different from Connemara?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Connemara. While most people visit the region for the natural beauty, you will also find Kylemore Abbey, Ballynahinch Castle, and Clifden Castle nearby.

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

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

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.

Connemara has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The area has been influenced by the improving food scene in nearby regions. You'll find everything from fine dining restaurants to food trucks that use local ingredients and recipes. The area has no shortage of seafood, shellfish, and even Connemara lamb.

Is Saint Andrews or Connemara Better for Nightlife?

Saint Andrews is a popular place for its evening party scene. However, Connemara is not a good region for nightlife.

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.

Connemara doesn't offer many options. You'll find some bars in the area but most people visit for the natural beauty, not the nightlife scene.

Is Saint Andrews or Connemara Better for Beaches?

Connemara 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 Connemara. You'll find wide stretches of sandy beach as well as hidden coves that offer a peaceful retreat. Some of the best beaches in the area include Dog’s Bay Beach, Trá an Dóilín, and Glassilaun Beach.

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 Connemara Better for Hiking?

Connemara is terrific 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.

Known for its hiking, Connemara draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The landscape is considered to be some of the most beautiful in all of Ireland and there are many walks and hikes that let you experience it. Some of the best hikes are The Cong and Clonbur Forest Trail, the Claddaghduff Quay to Omey Island Walk, and Mount Gable Walk.

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 Connemara?

Saint Andrews is a well-known place for its shopping areas. However, Connemara is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Connemara is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saint Andrews or Connemara Better for Families?

Saint Andrews is a popular place for its family-friendly activities. However, Connemara is not a good region for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Connemara is not always a place people visit with their families. There are plenty of places to explore outdoors such as Connemara National Park as well as the nearby beaches. You'll also find several playgrounds in the area.

Is Saint Andrews or Connemara Better for Couples?

Saint Andrews and Connemara 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.

Connemara makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. You'll find romantic hotels and beautiful walks through hidden coves and dramatic countryside. Couples will enjoy exploring castles and getting lost in the beauty.

Is Saint Andrews or Connemara Better for Students?

Saint Andrews is terrific for students. However, Connemara 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.

Connemara is not popular with students.

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

Saint Andrews is a popular place for its public transit. However, Connemara is not a good region for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is quite limited in Connemara. There are a few buses in the area but you really need a private vehicle to get around to most places.

Is Saint Andrews or Connemara a more walkable city?

Saint Andrews is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Connemara is not a good region for its walkability.

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

Connemara is not a very walkable university town. You really need a vehicle to experience everything that the region has to offer.

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

Should I spend more time in Connemara or Saint Andrews?

How long in Saint Andrews or Connemara?

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

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

Even though Saint Andrews is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Saint Andrews has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the dramatic destination of Connemara. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. 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 Connemara?

Saint Andrews is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this university town has to offer. This university town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Connemara. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. 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 Connemara?

Saint Andrews is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the remote destination of Connemara. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This region 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 Connemara?

Saint Andrews is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find museums and food around the beautiful region of Connemara. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Ireland, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Ireland.

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

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 Connemara Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Saint Andrews or Connemara?

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 Connemara in the Summer?

Both Connemara and Saint Andrews are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. 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 Connemara for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Saint Andrews is around the same temperature as Connemara. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Andrews in July average around 14°C (58°F), and Connemara averages at about 16°C (60°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives more sunshine than Connemara during summer. Saint Andrews gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Connemara receives 142 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint Andrews usually receives around the same amount of rain as Connemara. Saint Andrews gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Connemara receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Connemara in the Autumn?

Both Connemara and Saint Andrews during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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 Connemara because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Saint Andrews is generally cooler than Connemara. Daily temperatures in Saint Andrews average around 10°C (49°F), and Connemara fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Saint Andrews often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Connemara. Saint Andrews gets 100 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Connemara receives 96 hours of full sun.

Connemara gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saint Andrews usually gets less rain in October than Connemara. Saint Andrews gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Connemara receives 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Connemara in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Andrews and Connemara. The winter months attract visitors to Saint Andrews because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Connemara this time of year.

The weather in Saint Andrews can be very cold. Saint Andrews is much colder than Connemara in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Andrews averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Connemara fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Connemara during winter. Saint Andrews gets 58 hours of sunny skies, while Connemara receives 59 hours of full sun in the winter.

Connemara receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Saint Andrews usually receives less rain than Connemara. Saint Andrews gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Connemara receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Connemara in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saint Andrews as well as Connemara. 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 Connemara for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Saint Andrews is cooler than Connemara. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Andrews in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Connemara averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, Saint Andrews often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Connemara. Saint Andrews gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Connemara receives 153 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets less rain in April than Connemara. Saint Andrews gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Connemara receives 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Connemara and Saint Andrews