A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Saint Andrews vs. Loch Lomond National Park for Food, Families, Couples, and Hiking

Should you visit Saint Andrews or Loch Lomond National Park?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Andrews or Loch Lomond National Park, 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. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Loch Lomond National Park

Loch Lomond National Park is a peaceful, relaxing, and scenic national park. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking.

Saint Andrews and Loch Lomond National Park: 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
  • Very walkable
  • Small town charm
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Good for hiking
  • 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 Loch Lomond National Park?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Saint Andrews. Although Saint Andrews and Loch Lomond National Park are both popular with visitors, Saint Andrews has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Saint Andrews is more touristy than Loch Lomond National Park and is popular for its reputation as the birthplace of golf. It is also home to The Old Course. Loch Lomond National Park is popular for becoming the first designated national park in Scotland in 2002.

The Old Course
The Old Course

How is Saint Andrews different from Loch Lomond National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Loch Lomond National Park 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 Loch Lomond National Park?

Saint Andrews
Loch Lomond National Park

Saint Andrews is a university town with good options for its historical sights. However, Loch Lomond National Park does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Loch Lomond National Park does not have museums and landmarks.


Is the Food Better in Saint Andrews or Loch Lomond National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint Andrews
Loch Lomond National Park

Saint Andrews is a great university town for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Loch Lomond National Park is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Saint Andrews has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Loch Lomond National Park offers some easy restaurants to choose from. You'll find some traditional Scottish food to sample but in general for the best food, head to one of the nicer hotels in the area.

Is Saint Andrews or Loch Lomond National Park Better for Nightlife?

Saint Andrews
Loch Lomond National Park

Saint Andrews is a university town with good options for its evening party scene. However, Loch Lomond National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Saint Andrews has a few options to choose from. There are a large number of pubs and bars throughout the town, and you'll find students hanging out and keeping things lively.

Loch Lomond National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Saint Andrews or Loch Lomond National Park Better for Beaches?

Saint Andrews
Loch Lomond National Park

Saint Andrews is a university town with good options for the beach. However, Loch Lomond National Park is not a beach destination.

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.

Loch Lomond National Park is not a beach destination.


Is Saint Andrews or Loch Lomond National Park Better for Hiking?

Saint Andrews
Loch Lomond National Park

Saint Andrews and Loch Lomond National Park are both places where visitors can find good hiking trails.

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.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Loch Lomond National Park. You can choose from relaxing walks or more strenuous hikes and options run along the shoreline or into the surrounding hills and forests. Some of the more popular hikes in the area include Ben Lomond, Conic Hill, and Callander Crags.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Andrews or Loch Lomond National Park?

Saint Andrews
Loch Lomond National Park

Saint Andrews is a great university town for its shopping areas. However, Loch Lomond National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Loch Lomond National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saint Andrews or Loch Lomond National Park Better for Families?

Saint Andrews
Loch Lomond National Park

Loch Lomond National Park 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.

Loch Lomond National Park is a very kid-friendly national park. You'll find a wide range of diverse activities for kids around the park. They can explore the maze at the Lodge Forest Visitor Center, get up close with animals at Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre, Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park, or Loch Lomond Pony Trekking, or have an adventure at Doune Castle. Other highlights for the kids include Wellsfield Farm and the Maid of the Loch Paddle Steamer.

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 Loch Lomond National Park Better for Couples?

Saint Andrews
Loch Lomond National Park

Saint Andrews and Loch Lomond National Park are both high quality 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.

Loch Lomond National Park makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many waterfront accommodation options that make for a beautiful and peaceful couples retreat. The nature and serenity is perfect for couples who want to get away from it all.

Is Saint Andrews or Loch Lomond National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Saint Andrews
Loch Lomond National Park

Loch Lomond National Park 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 Loch Lomond National Park. There are some camping options available for backpackers and those who want to experience nature in its fullest.

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 Loch Lomond National Park Better for Students?

Saint Andrews
Loch Lomond National Park

Saint Andrews is an amazing university town to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Loch Lomond National Park is not popular with students.

Saint Andrews is a very popular university town 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.

Loch Lomond National Park is not popular with students.


Is Saint Andrews or Loch Lomond National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Saint Andrews
Loch Lomond National Park

Saint Andrews is a university town with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Loch Lomond National Park is not known for its public transit.

While Saint Andrews offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses through St. Andrews.

Public transit is generally limited in Loch Lomond National Park. You can reach the park by train, but transportation option within the area are generally limited.

Is Saint Andrews or Loch Lomond National Park a more walkable city?

Saint Andrews
Loch Lomond National Park

Saint Andrews is a university town with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Loch Lomond National Park is not a walkable destination.

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

Loch Lomond National Park is not a walkable destination.

For even more information, also check out Is Saint Andrews Worth Visiting? and Is Loch Lomond National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Loch Lomond National Park or Saint Andrews?

How long in Saint Andrews or Loch Lomond National Park?

It's fun to spend time in either Saint Andrews or Loch Lomond National Park. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Loch Lomond National Park due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Saint Andrews, and 2-4 days is enough time in Loch Lomond National Park.

Couples should spend more time in Saint Andrews than Loch Lomond National Park. 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 Loch Lomond National Park 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 Loch Lomond National Park? Ideal Length of Stay
    Saint Andrews 1-2 
    Loch Lomond National Park 2-4

One day in Saint Andrews or Loch Lomond National Park?

Even though Saint Andrews is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Many travelers enjoy the when visiting the relaxing destination of Loch Lomond National Park. 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 Loch Lomond National Park?

Saint Andrews is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Loch Lomond National Park. 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 Loch Lomond National Park?

Saint Andrews is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. It offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the peaceful destination of Loch Lomond National Park. This national park 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 Loch Lomond National Park?

Saint Andrews is a popular choice for travelers. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find around the national park of Loch Lomond National Park. 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.


Which place is cheaper, Loch Lomond National Park 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 Loch Lomond National Park is £61. 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 Loch Lomond National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Andrews £116
    Loch Lomond National Park £31
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Andrews £232
    Loch Lomond National Park £62
Compare Hotels in Saint Andrews and Loch Lomond National Park

Looking for a hotel in Saint Andrews or Loch Lomond National Park? 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 Loch Lomond National Park


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Andrews £53
    Loch Lomond National Park £20

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Andrews or Loch Lomond National Park?

Prices for flights to both Loch Lomond National Park 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
    Loch Lomond National Park £15

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint Andrews £45
    Loch Lomond National Park £16

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
    Loch Lomond National Park £3.93


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

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 Loch Lomond National Park Expensive?.


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