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

Should you visit Saint Andrews or Howth?

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

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

Howth

Howth is a beautiful, picturesque, and scenic fishing village. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and hiking.

Saint Andrews and Howth: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Andrews or Howth?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Saint Andrews than Howth, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Saint Andrews is better known for its food, nightlife, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Howth is more popular for its beaches and hiking. Howth is more touristy than Saint Andrews and is known for its scenic coastline, charming character, and its accessibility to Dublin. Saint Andrews is well known for its reputation as the birthplace of golf. Also, Saint Andrews is famous for The Old Course.

The Old Course

How is Saint Andrews different from Howth?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the notable sights and museums in both Saint Andrews and Howth.

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 Howth. The surrounding coastline is the main draw to this picturesque town but there is also a nice harbor, pier, and lighthouse that you can visit.

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

Saint Andrews is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Howth 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.

Howth is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are seafood restaurants and a few pubs where you can enjoy some fresh food and the local ambiance.

Is Saint Andrews or Howth Better for Nightlife?

Saint Andrews is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Howth is not particularly known for its evening party scene.

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.

Howth doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are a few pubs around town but if you're looking for a real nightlife scene then your best bet is to head into Dublin.

Is Saint Andrews or Howth Better for Beaches?

Howth 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 Howth. Many people head to this coastal town specifically to hang out on the beach. There's also the Howth Cliff Path which is fun to explore. Some of the top beaches in the area include Red Rock Beach, Claremont Beach, and Balscadden Bay Beach. The beaches can be rocky and rough so make sure you understand the water conditions before heading to the 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 Howth Better for Hiking?

Howth 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.

Howth is a popular spot for hiking. The best way to experience Howth is to explore the The Howth Cliff Walk. There are several versions of the hike that cater to different experience and skill levels.

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 Howth?

Saint Andrews is well known for its shopping opportunities. However, Howth is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Howth is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saint Andrews or Howth Better for Families?

Saint Andrews and Howth are both notable 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.

Howth is a family-friendly university town. It has a beach where kids can run around. There are also playgrounds, a lighthouse, and a pier to explore.

Is Saint Andrews or Howth Better for Couples?

Saint Andrews is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Howth is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

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.

Howth is a good university town for couples to visit. The small fishing village has some great seafood restaurants and a beach where couples can pass the time.

Is Saint Andrews or Howth Better for Students?

Saint Andrews is an amazing university town to visit for students. However, Howth 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.

Howth is not popular with students.

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

Both Saint Andrews and Howth offer notable public transit options.

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

Howth has some public transit options. It's easy to reach the town from Dublin by DART.

Is Saint Andrews or Howth a more walkable city?

Howth 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.

Howth is a very walkable fishing village. It's a small town that's easy to explore on foot. There are also many walks through the cliffs.

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 Howth Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Howth or Saint Andrews?

How long in Saint Andrews or Howth?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Saint Andrews or Howth to fill your time. In our opinion, Saint Andrews has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Saint Andrews than Howth. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Saint Andrews than Howth. 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 Howth 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 Howth?

Even though Saint Andrews is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. This university town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the beautiful destination of Howth. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 Howth?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Andrews. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

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

Saint Andrews is a fun place to experience. Saint Andrews is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the beautiful destination of Howth. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This fishing village 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 Howth?

Saint Andrews is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find museums and food around the fishing village of Howth. 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 2-Week Tours in Ireland, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Ireland.

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

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 Howth Expensive?.

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

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 Howth in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Andrews and Howth. 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 Howth for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

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

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

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Howth in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Andrews as well as Howth. 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 Howth because of the hiking trails and the small town atmosphere.

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

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

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

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Howth in the Winter?

Both Howth 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 Howth this time of year.

The weather in Saint Andrews can be very cold. In January, Saint Andrews is generally much colder than Howth. Daily temperatures in Saint Andrews average around 3°C (38°F), and Howth fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

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

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

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Howth in the Spring?

Both Howth 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 Howth for the beaches and the small town charm.

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

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

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

Typical Weather for Howth and Saint Andrews