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

Should you visit Saint Andrews or London?

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

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

London

London is a iconic, global, and international city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the museums, theater, and nightlife.

Saint Andrews and London: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Andrews or London?

Tourists will generally find more to do in London. Although Saint Andrews and London are both popular with visitors, London has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. London is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, shopping, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Saint Andrews is known for its beaches, hiking, and small town charm. London is more touristy than Saint Andrews and is popular for its international reputation, its world-renowned theater productions, and its many different markets. It is also home to Big Ben. Saint Andrews is popular for its reputation as the birthplace of golf.

Big Ben

How is Saint Andrews different from London?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

London is terrific 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.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in London are among the most recognizable in the world. The city has so many iconic sights that we can't list them all, but some of the most famous include the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the British Museum. You can fill many days exploring the treasures found at each of the venues.

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 Saint Andrews or London Better for Theater?

London is terrific for its theatre productions. However, Saint Andrews is not a theatre destination.

Famous for its theaters and plays, you'll find world-renowned shows in London. The West End theater district is where you'll find the most popular musicals. Famous theaters include Apollo Theatre, Palace Theatre, and Piccadilly Theatre. There are often Wednesday matinees that are a bit cheaper than the evening shows. You may also be able to get discounted last minute tickets if you're visiting during the less touristy times.

Saint Andrews is not a theatre destination.

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

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

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.

London has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Although food here was once the butt of a number of jokes, the restaurant scene has come a long way, and you can find anything and everything around town. Head to Chinatown to try dim sum or hot pot. There are no shortage of Indian restaurants as well. If you want the best food for the lowest prices, your best bet is to get out of the touristy areas and discover where the locals eat. There are also many markets that are perfect for grabbing a unique lunch or snack. Burrough Market has a number of ethnic and seafood vendors as well as fresh produce and snack options.

Is Saint Andrews or London Better for Nightlife?

London 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.

London is a must-see party destination. Some of the best neighborhoods for nightlife are Camden, West End, Soho, and Shoreditch. There are many festivals, concerts, and shows worth checking out and the nightlife scene is diverse enough that there really is something for everyone.

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 London Better for Music?

London is terrific for its live music scene. However, Saint Andrews is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in London Famous music venues include Dominion Theatre, the Roundhouse, and Dublin Castle.

Saint Andrews is not a live music destination.

Is Saint Andrews or London Better for Beaches?

Saint Andrews is very good for the beach. However, London 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.

London is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Andrews or London Better for Hiking?

Saint Andrews is very good for hiking. However, London 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.

London is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Andrews or London?

London is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in London make it a world-class shopping destination. With so much iconic shopping around town, it's hard to decide where to go. Head to Oxford Street, Regent Street, or Piccadilly Circus for a quintessential British shopping experience.

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.

Is Saint Andrews or London Better for Christmas?

London is terrific for its Christmas activities. However, Saint Andrews does not offer Christmas activities.

London is a world class destination during the Christmas season. There's Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, outdoor ice skating, and beautiful Christmas lights throughout the city. You can also listen to Christmas Carols in Trafalgar Square or see a classic Christmas show.

Saint Andrews does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Saint Andrews or London Better for Christmas Markets?

London is terrific for its Christmas markets. However, Saint Andrews does not offer Christmas markets.

The Christmas markets in London are not to be missed. The city has many Christmas markets. There is Winter Wonderland Christmas market, Southbank Centre Winter Market, and Selfridges Christmas Market, among many others.

Saint Andrews does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Saint Andrews or London Better for Families?

London is terrific 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.

London is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. Whether you do a Harry Potter Tour, take a ride on the London Eye, or enjoy afternoon tea, there are plenty of activities for kids around town. The Harry Potter Studio Tour is fun for everyone, but should be booked well in advance as it sells out. Theatre enthusiasts will enjoy catching a musical in West End and sampling dim sum or a hot pot in Chinatown. There are often Wednesday matinee showings that are perfect for kids with early bedtimes.

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 London Better for Couples?

London is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town to visit for couples.

London has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. With every type of entertainment that you can imagine, this city is the ultimate couple's getaway. There are world class musicals, evening concerts, and restaurants of every style, cuisine, and budget. It's easy for couples to fill days in this vibrant city.

Saint Andrews makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

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

London is terrific for backpackers. However, Saint Andrews is not a good university town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit London. Although the city is very expensive, it has tons of hostels, affordable restaurant options, and great public transit. There's a huge backpacker network here and it's easy to meet other travelers. The nightlife scene is also second to none.

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 London Better for Students?

Saint Andrews and London are both terrific destinations for students and younger travelers.

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.

London is a very popular university town for students. The city has a number of universities and is a popular study abroad destination. It's also a very diverse city, so international students will feel right at home.

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

London is terrific for its public transit. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of London can take you anywhere. From the iconic double decker buses to the Tube, there are plenty of options throughout the city.

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

Is Saint Andrews or London a more walkable city?

London 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 London on foot. With many walkable areas, it is considered to be one of the world's most walkable major cities.

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 London Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in London or Saint Andrews?

How long in Saint Andrews or London?

Both Saint Andrews and London have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in London than in Saint Andrews. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Saint Andrews, and 3-7 days is enough time in London.

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

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

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

One day in Saint Andrews or London?

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.

London is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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 London?

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 London. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Five days in Saint Andrews or London?

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.

London is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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 London?

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.

London is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. 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 comparing the travel costs between Saint Andrews and London, we can see that Saint Andrews is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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 London Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Andrews or London?

London has a larger population, and is about 480 times larger than the population of Saint Andrews. When comparing the sizes of Saint Andrews and London, 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 London?

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 London in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint Andrews as well as London. Most visitors come to Saint Andrews for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to London because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saint Andrews is cooler than London. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Andrews in July average around 14°C (58°F), and London averages at about 18°C (64°F).

In the summer, Saint Andrews often gets around the same amount of sunshine as London. Saint Andrews gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while London receives 195 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Saint Andrews or London in the Autumn?

Both London 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 city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to London this time of year.

In October, Saint Andrews is generally cooler than London. Daily temperatures in Saint Andrews average around 10°C (49°F), and London fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as London during autumn. Saint Andrews gets 100 hours of sunny skies, while London receives 107 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Andrews usually receives around the same amount of rain as London. Saint Andrews gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while London receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or London in the Winter?

Both London 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. Also, many travelers come to London for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in London. It's quite cold in Saint Andrews in the winter. Saint Andrews is cooler than London in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Andrews averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and London fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Saint Andrews often gets more sunshine than London. Saint Andrews gets 58 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while London receives 52 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets more rain in January than London. Saint Andrews gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while London receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or London in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Andrews and London. Many travelers come to Saint Andrews for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to London in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Saint Andrews is cooler than London. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Andrews in April average around 7°C (45°F), and London averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as London during spring. Saint Andrews gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while London receives 147 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Andrews usually receives less rain than London. Saint Andrews gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while London receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for London and Saint Andrews