A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint Andrews vs. Mont-Saint-Michel for Attractions, Couples, Food, and Hiking

Should you visit Saint Andrews or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Andrews or Mont-Saint-Michel, 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 peaceful, historic, and charming university town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel is a inspiring, iconic, and religious island. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and food.

Saint Andrews and Mont-Saint-Michel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Andrews or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Saint Andrews than Mont-Saint-Michel, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Saint Andrews is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and small town charm, while Mont-Saint-Michel is more popular for its museums and impressive beauty. Mont-Saint-Michel is more touristy than Saint Andrews and is known for its Gothic-style abbey and its medieval village that stands at its base. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel are among the most recognizable in the world. Visitors come to see the iconic Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel which has been the inspiration for tourists and religious pilgrims for centuries. Make sure you see the Ramparts and La Grande Rue.

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 Mont-Saint-Michel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint Andrews is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a number of local restaurants to choose from that serve authentic French cuisine including the pre-salted sheep, which is a local specialty.

Is Saint Andrews or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Nightlife?

Saint Andrews is very good for nightlife and partying. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

Saint Andrews has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are a large number of pubs and bars throughout the town, and you'll find students hanging out and keeping things lively.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Mont-Saint-Michel Most people visit the island as a daytrip and nightlife is essentially nonexistent.

Is Saint Andrews or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Beaches?

Saint Andrews is very good for the beache. However, Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Andrews or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Hiking?

Saint Andrews and Mont-Saint-Michel are both places where visitors can find notable 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 Mont-Saint-Michel. There's a 4.2 mile out and back trail that can be walked in about 1.5 hours.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Andrews or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Saint Andrews is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saint Andrews or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Families?

Saint Andrews is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Saint Andrews. 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.

For families, Mont-Saint-Michel is not always the best place to visit. Kids may enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride or exploring the grounds, but it can make for a long day for kids with short attention spans.

Is Saint Andrews or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Couples?

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

Mont-Saint-Michel has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It's a stunning setting and makes a romantic backdrop for a couples holiday, whether it's part of a longer trip to France or a short weekend away.

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 Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel. You'll find a couple of hostels an cheap hotels in the area.

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 Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Students?

Saint Andrews is a world-class destination for students. However, Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not popular with students.

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

Both Saint Andrews and Mont-Saint-Michel offer notable public transit options.

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

Mont-Saint-Michel has some public transit options. There's a free shuttle bus that connects Mont-Saint-Michel to the mainland.

Is Saint Andrews or Mont-Saint-Michel a more walkable city?

Mont-Saint-Michel 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a very walkable island. There are many stunning walks in the area.

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 Mont-Saint-Michel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mont-Saint-Michel or Saint Andrews?

How long in Saint Andrews or Mont-Saint-Michel?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Saint Andrews or Mont-Saint-Michel to fill your time. In our opinion, Saint Andrews has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Saint Andrews than Mont-Saint-Michel. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel.

One day in Saint Andrews or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Even though Saint Andrews is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the breathtaking destination of Mont-Saint-Michel. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Saint Andrews is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. Your budget might influence how long you stay. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mont-Saint-Michel. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Saint Andrews is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the religious destination of Mont-Saint-Michel. This island 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Saint Andrews is a popular choice for travelers. This university town offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find museums and food around the beautiful island of Mont-Saint-Michel. 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 River Cruises in France, and The Best Bicycle Tours in France.

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

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 Mont-Saint-Michel Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Andrews or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Saint Andrews has a larger population, and is about 190 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of Saint Andrews and Mont-Saint-Michel, 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

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 Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Andrews and Mont-Saint-Michel. Most visitors come to Saint Andrews for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Mont-Saint-Michel because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Saint Andrews is cooler than Mont-Saint-Michel in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Andrews averages around 14°C (58°F) in July, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mont-Saint-Michel this time of the year. Saint Andrews usually receives less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during summer. Saint Andrews gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint Andrews usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Saint Andrews gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Andrews as well as Mont-Saint-Michel. 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. Additionally, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Mont-Saint-Michel this time of year.

In the autumn, Saint Andrews is cooler than Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Andrews in October average around 10°C (49°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Saint Andrews often gets less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Saint Andrews gets 100 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 134 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Mont-Saint-Michel. Saint Andrews gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Winter?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Saint Andrews are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Saint Andrews this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the museums and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Saint Andrews in the winter. In January, Saint Andrews is generally much colder than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Saint Andrews average around 3°C (38°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during winter. Saint Andrews gets 58 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Andrews usually receives around the same amount of rain as Mont-Saint-Michel. Saint Andrews gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Spring?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Saint Andrews during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Saint Andrews for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel in the spring for the natural beauty.

Saint Andrews is cooler than Mont-Saint-Michel in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Andrews averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Saint Andrews often gets less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Saint Andrews gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 180 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Mont-Saint-Michel. Saint Andrews gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Mont-Saint-Michel and Saint Andrews