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

Should you visit Saint Andrews or Dingle?

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

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

Dingle

Dingle is a picturesque, serene, and natural peninsula. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the beaches, hiking, and food.

Saint Andrews and Dingle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Andrews or Dingle?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Saint Andrews. Although Saint Andrews and Dingle 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, shopping, and small town charm, while Dingle is known for its beaches and hiking. Dingle is more touristy than Saint Andrews and is known for its traditional pubs, stunning coastline, and rugged cliffs. 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 Dingle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Saint Andrews is a popular place for its museums and landmarks. However, Dingle is a peninsula with minimal options for its historical sights.

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.

While most people don't head to Dingle specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Most people visit for the natural beauty, but there are a couple of landmarks in the area including the Eask Tower, Gallarus Oratory, and the Blasket Centre.

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

Saint Andrews is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Dingle 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 Dingle. You'll find great seafood throughout the peninsula. There's also traditional Irish food available including Irish stew or cabbage and bacon.

Is Saint Andrews or Dingle Better for Nightlife?

Saint Andrews is a popular place for its evening party scene. However, Dingle is a peninsula with minimal options for nightlife.

Saint Andrews has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are a large number of pubs and bars throughout the town, and you'll find students hanging out and keeping things lively.

Dingle doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The area's not known for its nightlife but you can visit The Hillgrove, which is the peninsula's only nightclub. It's in a hotel and there is weekly entertainment.

Is Saint Andrews or Dingle Better for Beaches?

Dingle 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 Dingle. It's not hard to find a quiet beach with scenic views and a serene setting. Some of the best beaches in the area include Coumeenole, Brandon Bay, and Ventry.

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 Dingle Better for Hiking?

Dingle 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.

Dingle is a popular spot for hiking. There are a variety of walking paths and hiking trails that take you through the coastal setting, rolling mountains, and remote nature. Some of the best trails in the area include the long distance hiking trail the Dingle Way, Mount Brandon, and Glenteenassig Forest Park.

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 Dingle?

Saint Andrews is a great destination for its shopping areas. However, Dingle 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.

Dingle is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saint Andrews or Dingle Better for Families?

Saint Andrews and Dingle 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.

Dingle is a family-friendly university town. There are coastal walks and beaches that are perfect for kids. You can also visit the Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium, do a dolphin tour, or enjoy some watersports. Horseback riding and Sandy Feet Farm are both fun as well.

Is Saint Andrews or Dingle Better for Couples?

Saint Andrews and Dingle 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.

Dingle makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Boat rides, sunset walks, and natural beauty all make this a fun place to explore with your significant other.

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

Dingle is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Saint Andrews is not a good university town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Dingle is a great peninsula to visit for backpackers. There are a good number of hostels on the peninsula and there are interesting music festivals and other events that make this a good backpacker destination.

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 Dingle Better for Students?

Saint Andrews is an unbeatable place for students. However, Dingle 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.

Dingle is not popular with students.

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

Saint Andrews is a popular place for its public transit. However, Dingle is a peninsula with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Saint Andrews, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses through St. Andrews.

Public transit is mostly limited in Dingle. Bus Eireann offers buses daily to Tralee and then there are connections to other destinations.

Is Saint Andrews or Dingle a more walkable city?

Saint Andrews is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Dingle is a peninsula with minimal options for its walkability.

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

Dingle is generally not a very walkable university town. If you have enough time, there are countless walking trails throughout the peninsula.

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

Should I spend more time in Dingle or Saint Andrews?

How long in Saint Andrews or Dingle?

In either Saint Andrews or Dingle, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Dingle 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 2-5 days is enough time in Dingle.

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

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 food when visiting the picturesque destination of Dingle. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 Dingle?

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 Dingle. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Dingle?

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.

Many travelers enjoy the food when visiting the rustic destination of Dingle. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This peninsula 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 Dingle?

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 around the beautiful peninsula of Dingle. 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 Dingle, we can see that Saint Andrews is more expensive. And not only is Dingle much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dingle would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dingle 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 Dingle.

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 Dingle Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Andrews or Dingle?

Saint Andrews has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Dingle. When comparing the sizes of Saint Andrews and Dingle, 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 Dingle?

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 Dingle in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Saint Andrews is around the same temperature as Dingle. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Andrews in July average around 14°C (58°F), and Dingle averages at about 15°C (59°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives more sunshine than Dingle during summer. Saint Andrews gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Dingle receives 140 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint Andrews usually receives less rain than Dingle. Saint Andrews gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Dingle receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Dingle in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Andrews as well as Dingle. 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. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Dingle because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Saint Andrews is generally cooler than Dingle. Daily temperatures in Saint Andrews average around 10°C (49°F), and Dingle fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the autumn, Saint Andrews often gets more sunshine than Dingle. Saint Andrews gets 100 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dingle receives 79 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Dingle. Saint Andrews usually gets less rain in October than Dingle. Saint Andrews gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Dingle receives 156 mm (6.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Dingle in the Winter?

Both Dingle 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 and the cuisine are the main draw to Dingle this time of year.

The weather in Saint Andrews can be very cold. Saint Andrews is much colder than Dingle in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Andrews averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Dingle fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives more sunshine than Dingle during winter. Saint Andrews gets 58 hours of sunny skies, while Dingle receives 44 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Dingle. In January, Saint Andrews usually receives less rain than Dingle. Saint Andrews gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Dingle receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Dingle in the Spring?

Both Dingle 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. Also, many travelers come to Dingle for the beaches and the natural beauty.

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

In the spring, Saint Andrews often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dingle. Saint Andrews gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dingle receives 150 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets less rain in April than Dingle. Saint Andrews gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Dingle receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Dingle and Saint Andrews