A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Saint Andrews vs. Inverness for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Saint Andrews or Inverness?

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

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

Inverness

Inverness is a cultural, traditional, and local city. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Saint Andrews and Inverness: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Andrews or Inverness?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Saint Andrews than Inverness, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Saint Andrews is better known for its beaches, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Inverness is more popular for its museums. Inverness is more touristy than Saint Andrews and is known for its surrounding countryside, but also its regional heritage, local festivals and proximity to the famous Loch Ness. 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 Inverness?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Inverness 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 Inverness can be an interesting and educational experience. As a city rich in culture and heritage, you'll find a number of sights and museums in town. Check out the Highland House of Fraser, Culloden Moor, and Clava Cairns.

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 Inverness? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

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.

Inverness has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city makes a great spot to fill your belly after a few days exploring the Scottish Highlands. You'll find local restaurants that serve up regional specialties, and when the weather's nice, there are some spots with outdoor seating.

Is Saint Andrews or Inverness Better for Nightlife?

Both Saint Andrews and Inverness are notable when it comes to partying.

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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Inverness. Nightlife isn't the first thing that comes to mind with this town, but there are actually lots of distilleries in the area and there's a surprising number of high quality bars and pubs that make for a fun evening.

Is Saint Andrews or Inverness Better for Beaches?

Saint Andrews is very good for the beache. However, Inverness is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Saint Andrews to enjoy the beach. 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.

Inverness is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Andrews or Inverness Better for Hiking?

Saint Andrews is very good for the nearby hiking options. However, Inverness is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting 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.

Inverness is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Andrews or Inverness?

Both Saint Andrews and Inverness are excellent 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 Inverness. The town is at the cultural heart of the Scottish Highlands you'll find plenty of local shops where you can pick up local products. Make sure you check out the Inverness Victorian Market.

Is Saint Andrews or Inverness Better for Families?

Saint Andrews and Inverness 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.

Inverness is a family-friendly university town. The city has some parks and activities that are great for kids. Make sure you explore Inverness Castle and the Inverness Mystery Treasure Trail.

Is Saint Andrews or Inverness Better for Couples?

Saint Andrews is a well-known place for its romantic activities. Also, Inverness is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

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.

Inverness is a good university town for couples to visit. Located in the Scottish Highlands, there ae many scenic spots and nice activities that couples can enjoy in the area.

Is Saint Andrews or Inverness Better for Students?

Saint Andrews is terrific for students. However, Inverness is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit 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.

Inverness is not popular with students.

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

Saint Andrews is very good for its public transit. However, Inverness is not a good city 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 mostly limited in Inverness. There are local buses that pass through the town.

Is Saint Andrews or Inverness a more walkable city?

Inverness 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.

Inverness is a very walkable city. It's compact enough that you can explore much of the town 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 Inverness Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Inverness or Saint Andrews?

How long in Saint Andrews or Inverness?

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

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

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

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 shopping and museums when visiting the traditional destination of Inverness. 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 Inverness?

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 Inverness. 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 Inverness?

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 nightlife and food when visiting the traditional destination of Inverness. 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 Inverness?

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 food and shopping around the city of Inverness. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in United Kingdom, and The Best Luxury Tours to United Kingdom.

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

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 Inverness Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Andrews or Inverness?

Inverness has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Saint Andrews. When comparing the sizes of Saint Andrews and Inverness, 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 Inverness?

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 Inverness in the Summer?

Both Inverness and Saint Andrews are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Saint Andrews for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Inverness because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

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

Saint Andrews usually receives more sunshine than Inverness during summer. Saint Andrews gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Inverness receives 147 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint Andrews usually receives around the same amount of rain as Inverness. Saint Andrews gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Inverness receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Inverness in the Autumn?

Both Inverness and Saint Andrews during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Saint Andrews because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Inverness this time of year.

In the autumn, Saint Andrews is around the same temperature as Inverness. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Andrews in October average around 10°C (49°F), and Inverness averages at about 9°C (49°F).

In the autumn, Saint Andrews often gets more sunshine than Inverness. Saint Andrews gets 100 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Inverness receives 84 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets more rain in October than Inverness. Saint Andrews gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Inverness receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Inverness in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Andrews and Inverness. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Saint Andrews this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Inverness for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Inverness. It's quite cold in Saint Andrews in the winter. In January, Saint Andrews is generally around the same temperature as Inverness. Daily temperatures in Saint Andrews average around 3°C (38°F), and Inverness fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives more sunshine than Inverness during winter. Saint Andrews gets 58 hours of sunny skies, while Inverness receives 42 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Andrews usually receives more rain than Inverness. Saint Andrews gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Inverness receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Inverness in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saint Andrews as well as Inverness. Many travelers come to Saint Andrews for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Inverness in the spring for the small town charm.

Saint Andrews is around the same temperature as Inverness in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Andrews averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Inverness fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the spring, Saint Andrews often gets more sunshine than Inverness. Saint Andrews gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Inverness receives 136 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets more rain in April than Inverness. Saint Andrews gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Inverness receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Inverness and Saint Andrews