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

Should you visit Saint Andrews or Lyon?

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

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

Lyon

Lyon is a authentic, historic, and beautiful city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Saint Andrews and Lyon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Andrews or Lyon?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Lyon than Saint Andrews, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Lyon is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Saint Andrews is more popular for its beaches, hiking, and small town charm. Lyon is more touristy than Saint Andrews and is known for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town. Also, Lyon is famous for The Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Saint Andrews is well known for its reputation as the birthplace of golf.

How is Saint Andrews different from Lyon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lyon 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 Lyon are among the most recognizable in the world. There are many world class museums and historic landmarks in the city including Musée des Beaux Arts, Musée de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine, and Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière.

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 Lyon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lyon is terrific for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town to visit for its restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Lyon is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Known as "the Gastronomic Capital of the World" this city stands above the rest when it comes to Michelin star restaurants (there are 17!), fresh ingredients, and unique local flavors. Favorite local dishes include pâté en croûte, rosette de Lyon, and saucisson brioché.

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.

Is Saint Andrews or Lyon Better for Nightlife?

Lyon is a well-known place 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.

Lyon offers plenty to do in the evening. The city has enough diverse neighborhoods that you'll find a scene that is great for everyone. There are dance clubs, cocktail bars, and wine bars that meet every personality and style.

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 Lyon Better for Beaches?

Saint Andrews is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Lyon is not a beach destination.

Saint Andrews has a beach worth visiting. 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.

Lyon is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Andrews or Lyon Better for its Old Town?

Lyon is terrific for its old town. However, Saint Andrews does not have a historic old town.

Lyon has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. This impressive old town climbs from the river into Fourvière Hill. It's a Renaissance era district with beautiful buildings and plenty of character. You can spend days wandering the quaint streets and popping in the world class restaurants.

Saint Andrews does not have a historic old town.

Is Saint Andrews or Lyon Better for Hiking?

Saint Andrews is a nice place to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Lyon is not a hiking destination.

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.

Lyon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Andrews or Lyon?

Both Saint Andrews and Lyon are superb 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 Lyon. The city has many trendy markets, pedestrian shopping areas, and character-filled boutiques. From the charming shops in old town to the chic shopping streets, there are plenty of places to splurge around town.

Is Saint Andrews or Lyon Better for Families?

Lyon 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.

Lyon is a very kid-friendly city. The city has many kid-friendly museums including Musée des Confluences and the Cinema and Miniature Museum. There are also playgrounds, patisseries, and river cruises that you can enjoy as a family. Puppet shows are also fun, but do note that they're usually in French. While the restaurants are amazing for adults, it can be tricky to find a kid-friendly option with early opening hours that are convenient for little ones.

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 Lyon Better for Couples?

Saint Andrews and Lyon are both superb 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.

Lyon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can enjoy wandering the beautiful Old Town, taking a river cruise, and dining on some of the best food in France.

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

Lyon is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Saint Andrews is not a good university town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Lyon is a great city to visit for backpackers. The city has several hostels and a number of activities that are fun for budget travelers and backpackers.

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 Lyon Better for Students?

Saint Andrews and Lyon are both amazing 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.

Lyon is a very popular university town for students. It is a very livable city with many fun cultural activities for students. There are many different entertainment options during the day, and during the evening there are plenty of places to hang out.

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

Lyon 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 Lyon can take you anywhere. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

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

Is Saint Andrews or Lyon a more walkable city?

Lyon 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.

Lyon is a very walkable city. The old town is particularly walkable, but the hills can make things a bit challenging. There are also a number of pedestrian streets around town.

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 Lyon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lyon or Saint Andrews?

How long in Saint Andrews or Lyon?

In either Saint Andrews or Lyon, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Lyon than Saint Andrews because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Saint Andrews, and 2-5 days is enough time in Lyon.

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

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

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

One day in Saint Andrews or Lyon?

Saint Andrews is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Lyon is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Lyon?

Saint Andrews is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lyon. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Lyon?

Saint Andrews is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This university town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Lyon is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Lyon?

Because Saint Andrews is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful city of Lyon. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

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

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 Lyon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Andrews or Lyon?

Lyon has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Saint Andrews. When comparing the sizes of Saint Andrews and Lyon, 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 Lyon?

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 Lyon in the Summer?

Both Lyon and Saint Andrews are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Saint Andrews because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lyon this time of year.

Saint Andrews is much colder than Lyon in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Andrews averages around 14°C (58°F) in July, and Lyon fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

It's quite sunny in Lyon. Saint Andrews usually receives less sunshine than Lyon during summer. Saint Andrews gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint Andrews usually receives less rain than Lyon. Saint Andrews gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Lyon in the Autumn?

Both Lyon and Saint Andrews during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saint Andrews this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lyon for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Saint Andrews is cooler than Lyon. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Andrews in October average around 10°C (49°F), and Lyon averages at about 14°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Saint Andrews often gets less sunshine than Lyon. Saint Andrews gets 100 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 127 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets less rain in October than Lyon. Saint Andrews gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Lyon in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Andrews and Lyon. Many travelers come to Saint Andrews for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Lyon in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Lyon can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Andrews. In January, Saint Andrews is generally cooler than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Saint Andrews average around 3°C (38°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lyon during winter. Saint Andrews gets 58 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Andrews usually receives more rain than Lyon. Saint Andrews gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Lyon in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saint Andrews as well as Lyon. Many visitors come to Saint Andrews in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Lyon for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

Saint Andrews is much colder than Lyon in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Andrews averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Lyon fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

In the spring, Saint Andrews often gets less sunshine than Lyon. Saint Andrews gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 174 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets less rain in April than Lyon. Saint Andrews gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lyon and Saint Andrews