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

Should you visit Saint Andrews or Dublin?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Andrews or Dublin, 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. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dublin

Dublin is a friendly, welcoming, and fun 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 live music.

Saint Andrews and Dublin: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Andrews or Dublin?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Dublin than Saint Andrews, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Dublin is better known for its museums, nightlife, music, historical sights, and big city activities, while Saint Andrews is more popular for its food, beaches, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Dublin is more touristy than Saint Andrews and is known for its friendly and social nightlife, its local pubs, and its role as the birthplace of Guinness. Also, Dublin is famous for The Guinness Storehouse. Saint Andrews is well known for its reputation as the birthplace of golf.

How is Saint Andrews different from Dublin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Dublin 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 Dublin can be an interesting and educational experience. There are a number of museums around town including the National Museum of Ireland, the Little Museum of Dublin, and the National Gallery of Ireland.

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 Dublin? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint Andrews is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

Dublin is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Seafood has become popular around town, but you can also try traditional favorites like stew, pancakes, or coddle.

Is Saint Andrews or Dublin Better for Nightlife?

Dublin is terrific 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.

Dublin is a must-see party destination. Temple Bar is where you'll find the greatest concentration of pubs and nightlife. The city is among the friendliest and most welcoming, and this is seen even in the vibe around town at night.

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 Dublin Better for Music?

Dublin is a well-known place for its live music scene. However, Saint Andrews is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Dublin is very popular with diverse venues. The best places to hear live music around town are the back street pubs that feature local groups.

Saint Andrews is not a live music destination.

Is Saint Andrews or Dublin Better for Beaches?

Saint Andrews is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Dublin is not a beach destination.

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.

Dublin is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Andrews or Dublin Better for its Old Town?

Dublin is a well-known place for its old town. However, Saint Andrews does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Dublin to see the historical old town. On the south side of the River Liffey are three different historic parts to the city. The Medieval Quarter is the oldest. To the east is Temple Bar, and further east is the Georgian Quarter.

Saint Andrews does not have a historic old town.

Is Saint Andrews or Dublin Better for Hiking?

Saint Andrews is a nice place to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Dublin is not a hiking destination.

Saint Andrews has hiking trails worth exploring. There are some beautiful hikes just outside of town. Check out the views from Chamcook Mountain or wander down the Van Horne Trail.

Dublin is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Andrews or Dublin?

Both Saint Andrews and Dublin are superb 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 Dublin. Head to Grafton Street to see a number of brand name and local shops. It's a pedestrian street that is fun to wander around.

Is Saint Andrews or Dublin Better for Families?

Dublin 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.

Dublin is a very kid-friendly city. Explore the waterways with the viking splash, learn about the vikings at the museum Dublina, or visit any of the other kid-friendly museums around town, or see a show at The Gaiety.

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 Dublin Better for Couples?

Saint Andrews and Dublin are both superb 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.

Dublin makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's laid-back vibe and countless pubs make it a fun weekend getaway for couples.

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

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

Dublin is a great city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of popular backpacker hostels around town. The pub scene is also popular with the young crowd.

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 Dublin Better for Students?

Saint Andrews is terrific for students. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Saint Andrews is a great destination for students. 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.

It's common for students to visit Dublin. While student accommodation can be a bit expensive in town, the nightlife and social aspect of living in the city center makes it well worth it.

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

Both Saint Andrews and Dublin offer notable public transit options.

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

Dublin has some public transit options. There is a comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Saint Andrews or Dublin a more walkable city?

Dublin is terrific 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.

It is easy to get around Dublin on foot. Because it is so compact and flat, it is easy to explore the city center 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 Dublin Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dublin or Saint Andrews?

How long in Saint Andrews or Dublin?

In either Saint Andrews or Dublin, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Dublin 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 Dublin.

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

Couples should spend more time in Dublin than Saint Andrews. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Dublin that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

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

One day in Saint Andrews or Dublin?

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 museums and nightlife when visiting the laid-back destination of Dublin. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Don't miss the nightlife, 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 Dublin?

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 Dublin. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Don't miss the nightlife, 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 Dublin?

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 live music and food when visiting the friendly destination of Dublin. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city 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 Dublin?

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 Dublin. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Walking Tours in Ireland, and The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland.

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

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 Dublin Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Andrews or Dublin?

Dublin has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Saint Andrews. When comparing the sizes of Saint Andrews and Dublin, 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 Dublin?

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 Dublin in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Andrews and Dublin. The summer months attract visitors to Saint Andrews because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dublin this time of year.

Saint Andrews is around the same temperature as Dublin in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Andrews averages around 14°C (58°F) in July, and Dublin fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives more sunshine than Dublin during summer. Saint Andrews gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 166 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint Andrews usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dublin. Saint Andrews gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Dublin in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Andrews as well as Dublin. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saint Andrews this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Dublin for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In the autumn, Saint Andrews is cooler than Dublin. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Andrews in October average around 10°C (49°F), and Dublin averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Saint Andrews often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dublin. Saint Andrews gets 100 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 97 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets less rain in October than Dublin. Saint Andrews gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Dublin in the Winter?

Both Dublin and Saint Andrews are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Saint Andrews for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Dublin in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Andrews. In January, Saint Andrews is generally much colder than Dublin. Daily temperatures in Saint Andrews average around 3°C (38°F), and Dublin fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dublin during winter. Saint Andrews gets 58 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 56 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Andrews usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dublin. Saint Andrews gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Dublin in the Spring?

Both Dublin and Saint Andrews during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Saint Andrews in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Dublin for the activities around the city during these months.

Saint Andrews is cooler than Dublin in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Andrews averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Dublin fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the spring, Saint Andrews often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dublin. Saint Andrews gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 157 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets less rain in April than Dublin. Saint Andrews gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Dublin and Saint Andrews