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

Should you visit Saint Andrews or Le Mans?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Andrews or Le Mans, 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 historic, charming, and quaint university town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Le Mans

Le Mans is a historic, quaint, and small town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. And you can't forget about the nightlife and museums.

Saint Andrews and Le Mans: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for students
  • Small town charm
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for food


Is there more to do in Saint Andrews or Le Mans?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Saint Andrews. Although Saint Andrews and Le Mans are popular destinations, Saint Andrews has more sights and attractions for tourists. Saint Andrews is more touristy than Le Mans and is popular for its reputation as the birthplace of golf. It is also well known for The Old Course. Le Mans is famous for being the location of the annual 24 Hours of Le Mans, which is one of the world's greatest sports-car races.

The Old Course
The Old Course

How is Saint Andrews different from Le Mans?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Saint Andrews
Le Mans

Plenty of people visit the nice sights and museums in both Saint Andrews and Le Mans.

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 Le Mans. It's most famous as the location of the 24 hour car race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and on some days it's possible to visit the race track which has a museum with simulators and other activities. Around town you'll find museums and activities affiliated with the racing culture, and there's also a cathedral as well as several nice museums relating to the automotive industry among other things.


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

Saint Andrews
Le Mans

Saint Andrews is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Le Mans is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Le Mans. It's not known for its food scene, but there is one dish in particular that you should try. The local specialty is les rillettes de porc, which is a pork paté.

Is Saint Andrews or Le Mans Better for Nightlife?

Saint Andrews
Le Mans

Both Saint Andrews and Le Mans are nice 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 Le Mans. You'll find bars and clubs in the city center around Saint-Nicolas Quarter, rue des Ponts-neufs, Place de la Sirène and around the Republic Square.

Is Saint Andrews or Le Mans Better for Beaches?

Saint Andrews
Le Mans

Saint Andrews is very good for its beaches. However, Le Mans 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.

Le Mans is not a beach destination.


Is Saint Andrews or Le Mans Better for Hiking?

Saint Andrews
Le Mans

Saint Andrews is very good for hiking. However, Le Mans 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.

Le Mans is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Andrews or Le Mans?

Saint Andrews
Le Mans

Saint Andrews is great for shopping. However, Le Mans is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Le Mans is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saint Andrews or Le Mans Better for Families?

Saint Andrews
Le Mans

Saint Andrews and Le Mans are both nice 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.

Le Mans is a family-friendly university town. Make sure you visit on a day when Le Mans Karting International and the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum is open to visitors. Families can ride on high speed go-carts and train like professionals with special game simulators. This is a popular destination for adults and kids alike. The town also has indoor play areas, waterparks, and beautiful parks to explore.


Is Saint Andrews or Le Mans Better for Couples?

Saint Andrews
Le Mans

Saint Andrews is great for romance. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its romantic activities.

Saint Andrews is a great university town if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

Le Mans makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a small town, but racing enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum.

Is Saint Andrews or Le Mans Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Saint Andrews
Le Mans

Le Mans is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Saint Andrews is not a good university town for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Le Mans. While there aren't many hostels specifically designed for backpackers, it is possible to find affordable accommodation at most times.

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 Le Mans Better for Students?

Saint Andrews
Le Mans

Saint Andrews is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Le Mans 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.

Le Mans is not popular with students.


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

Saint Andrews
Le Mans

Both Saint Andrews and Le Mans offer nice public transit options.

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

Le Mans has some public transit options. There is a tram service around town that provides access to many places including the race track via the T1 line (Antarès-Stade Marie Marvingt and exit at the East Entrance).

Is Saint Andrews or Le Mans a more walkable city?

Saint Andrews
Le Mans

Saint Andrews and Le Mans both are nice when exploring on foot.

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

Le Mans is a somewhat walkable university town. Parts of the town are walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Le Mans or Saint Andrews?

How long in Saint Andrews or Le Mans?

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

Families should spend more time in Saint Andrews than Le Mans. 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 Le Mans. 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 Le Mans 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.


  • How many days in Saint Andrews or Le Mans? Ideal Length of Stay
    Saint Andrews 1-2 
    Le Mans 1-3

One day in Saint Andrews or Le Mans?

Saint Andrews is a small town with plenty to do. This university town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the quaint destination of Le Mans. 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 Le Mans?

Saint Andrews might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Saint Andrews has to offer.

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

Saint Andrews is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the quaint destination of Le Mans. This town 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 Le Mans?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Andrews. Since Saint Andrews is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the town of Le Mans. 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 Adventure Tours to France, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in France.


Which place is cheaper, Le Mans or Saint Andrews?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Andrews is £215, while the average daily cost in Le Mans is £71. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Saint Andrews and Le Mans in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Andrews £116
    Le Mans £32
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Andrews £232
    Le Mans £64
Compare Hotels in Saint Andrews and Le Mans

Looking for a hotel in Saint Andrews or Le Mans? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Saint Andrews


Hotels in Le Mans


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Le Mans Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Andrews £53
    Le Mans £26

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Andrews or Le Mans?

Prices for flights to both Le Mans and Saint Andrews change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Saint Andrews £62
    Le Mans £23

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint Andrews £45
    Le Mans £13

Tours and Activities in Saint Andrews

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Saint Andrews are as follows:

  • Private St Andrews Dark Side Tour: $145
  • Private St Andrews Town Tour for Future Students: $146
  • Private St. Andrews Tour with Dedicated Local Guide: $146
  • Private St. Andrews: Home of Golf Old Course Walking Tour: $146
  • Rebels, Romance & Raisins St. Andrew's Walking Audio Tour: $6.99
  • St Andrews - Watch Building Experience with Kartel Scotland: $245
  • St Andrews Ghost Tours: $20
  • St Andrews Golf Oriented Heritage Tours - Town and Old Course: $19
  • St Andrews History Tours: $19
  • St Andrews Must-Sees Daily Walking Tour (11am & 2pm): $18
  • St Andrews Old Course History Tour, for the Golfer: $19
  • St Andrews Walking Tours: $19

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint Andrews £26
    Le Mans £10


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

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 Le Mans Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Saint Andrews or Le Mans?

Le Mans has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Saint Andrews. When comparing the sizes of Saint Andrews and Le Mans, 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 Le Mans?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Le Mans in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint Andrews as well as Le Mans. 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 Le Mans because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint Andrews is generally cooler than Le Mans. Daily temperatures in Saint Andrews average around 14°C (58°F), and Le Mans fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Le Mans. In the summer, Saint Andrews often gets less sunshine than Le Mans. Saint Andrews gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Le Mans receives 231 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets more rain in July than Le Mans. Saint Andrews gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint Andrews 14°C (58°F) 
    Le Mans 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Le Mans in the Autumn?

Both Le Mans and Saint Andrews are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 small town atmosphere are the main draw to Le Mans this time of year.

Saint Andrews is cooler than Le Mans in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Andrews averages around 10°C (49°F) in October, and Le Mans fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives less sunshine than Le Mans during autumn. Saint Andrews gets 100 hours of sunny skies, while Le Mans receives 117 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Andrews usually receives less rain than Le Mans. Saint Andrews gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint Andrews 10°C (49°F) 
    Le Mans 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Le Mans in the Winter?

Both Le Mans and Saint Andrews during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Saint Andrews this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Le Mans for the museums and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Le Mans. It's quite cold in Saint Andrews in the winter. In the winter, Saint Andrews is cooler than Le Mans. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Andrews in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Le Mans averages at about 5°C (40°F).

In the winter, Saint Andrews often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Le Mans. Saint Andrews gets 58 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Le Mans receives 54 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets less rain in January than Le Mans. Saint Andrews gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint Andrews 3°C (38°F) 
    Le Mans 5°C (40°F)

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Le Mans in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Andrews and Le Mans. Many travelers come to Saint Andrews for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Le Mans in the spring for the small town charm.

In April, Saint Andrews is generally cooler than Le Mans. Daily temperatures in Saint Andrews average around 7°C (45°F), and Le Mans fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives less sunshine than Le Mans during spring. Saint Andrews gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Le Mans receives 168 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Andrews usually receives less rain than Le Mans. Saint Andrews gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint Andrews 7°C (45°F) 
    Le Mans 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Le Mans and Saint Andrews

Saint Andrews Le Mans
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (38°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 5°C (40°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Feb 3°C (38°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 5°C (42°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 8°C (46°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Apr 7°C (45°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 10°C (50°F) 50 mm (2 in)
May 10°C (49°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 14°C (56°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Jun 13°C (55°F) 50 mm (2 in) 17°C (62°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Jul 14°C (58°F) 52 mm (2 in) 19°C (66°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Aug 14°C (58°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 19°C (65°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 16°C (61°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Oct 10°C (49°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 13°C (55°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Nov 5°C (42°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 8°C (46°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 5°C (42°F) 75 mm (3 in)


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