A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Saint Andrews vs. Orkney Islands for Food, Beaches, Hiking, and Couples

Should you visit Saint Andrews or Orkney Islands?

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

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

Orkney Islands

Orkney Islands is a remote, serene, and tranquil archipelago. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and hiking.

Saint Andrews and Orkney Islands: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Andrews or Orkney Islands?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Saint Andrews. Although Saint Andrews and Orkney Islands are both popular with visitors, Saint Andrews has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Saint Andrews is more popular for its nightlife, shopping, and small town charm, while Orkney Islands is known for its beaches and hiking. Saint Andrews is more touristy than Orkney Islands and is popular for its reputation as the birthplace of golf. It is also home to The Old Course. Orkney Islands is popular for its sandy beaches, serene landscape, and well-preserved Neolithic sights.

The Old Course

How is Saint Andrews different from Orkney Islands?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the good sights and museums in both Saint Andrews and Orkney Islands.

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 Orkney Islands. The islands is home to a number of archaeological ruins including the stone age village of Skara Brae and the neolithic chambered cairn of Maes Howee. Also check out impressive Ring of Brodgar stone circle as well as the oldest dwelling in the UK, the Knap of Howar on Papa Westray.

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

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

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.

Orkney Islands has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find so many local products on the islands. It's famous for its local beef, lamb, salmon, and seafood, but you'll also find cheeses and produce. There are two breweries on the island as well. Many people pick up some items that they take home with them.

Is Saint Andrews or Orkney Islands Better for Nightlife?

Saint Andrews is very good for its evening party scene. However, Orkney Islands 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.

Orkney Islands is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Saint Andrews or Orkney Islands Better for Beaches?

Orkney Islands is a well-known place for the beache. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town to visit for the beach.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Orkney Islands. The archipelago has hundreds of miles of beaches that feel serene and remote. If you're looking for a tranquil setting that is natural and untouched, you'll have many to choose from. Some of the best beaches on the islands include Tresness Beach, Grobust Beach, and Sands of Evie Beach.

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.

Is Saint Andrews or Orkney Islands Better for Hiking?

Orkney Islands is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town to visit for its hiking trails.

Orkney Islands is a popular spot for hiking. Rolling hills and rugged landscapes make for relaxing and beautiful walks. There are also many archaeological ruins that you can explore. Favorite hikes in the area include Balfour Village and Mill Dam, Birsay Whalebone, and Birwick to Barth Head.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Andrews or Orkney Islands?

Saint Andrews is great for its shopping areas. However, Orkney Islands 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.

Orkney Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saint Andrews or Orkney Islands Better for Families?

Saint Andrews and Orkney Islands are both good 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.

Orkney Islands is a family-friendly university town. Exploring the beaches is one of the best way to spend your days with kids. There are also several places you can take the kids like Barony Mill, Skate Rumple Alpaca Farm, Corrigall Farm Museum, and Kirbuster Farm Museum.

Is Saint Andrews or Orkney Islands Better for Couples?

Saint Andrews and Orkney Islands are both excellent 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.

Orkney Islands makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Nature lovers will enjoy the stunning beaches and beautiful natural setting. There are also some great restaurants and even live music performances that make for a fun date night.

Is Saint Andrews or Orkney Islands Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Orkney Islands is a great archipelago to visit for backpackers. If camping is your style, you'll find some great campgrounds and campsites that make the most of this beautiful natural setting.

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 Orkney Islands Better for Students?

Saint Andrews is renowned for its student-friendly activities. However, Orkney Islands 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.

Orkney Islands is not popular with students.

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

Both Saint Andrews and Orkney Islands offer good public transit options.

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

Orkney Islands has some public transit options. Buses travel to many parts of the islands and many islands are connected by ferries.

Is Saint Andrews or Orkney Islands a more walkable city?

Saint Andrews is very good for its ease of walking around. However, Orkney Islands is not a walkable destination.

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

Orkney Islands is not a walkable destination.

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

Should I spend more time in Orkney Islands or Saint Andrews?

How long in Saint Andrews or Orkney Islands?

Both Saint Andrews and Orkney Islands have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands.

Couples should spend more time in Saint Andrews than Orkney Islands. 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 Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands.

One day in Saint Andrews or Orkney Islands?

Saint Andrews might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the remote destination of Orkney Islands. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 Orkney Islands?

Saint Andrews is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Orkney Islands. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Orkney Islands?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Andrews. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the serene destination of Orkney Islands. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This archipelago 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 Orkney Islands?

Saint Andrews is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the beautiful archipelago of Orkney Islands. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Andrews and Orkney Islands, we can see that Saint Andrews is more expensive. And not only is Orkney Islands much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Orkney Islands would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands.

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 Orkney Islands Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Saint Andrews or Orkney Islands?

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 Orkney Islands in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint Andrews as well as Orkney Islands. 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 Orkney Islands because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saint Andrews is a little warmer than Orkney Islands. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Andrews in July average around 14°C (58°F), and Orkney Islands averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the summer, Saint Andrews often gets more sunshine than Orkney Islands. Saint Andrews gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Orkney Islands receives 129 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Orkney Islands. Saint Andrews gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Orkney Islands receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Orkney Islands in the Autumn?

Both Orkney Islands 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 hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Orkney Islands this time of year.

In October, Saint Andrews is generally around the same temperature as Orkney Islands. Daily temperatures in Saint Andrews average around 10°C (49°F), and Orkney Islands fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives more sunshine than Orkney Islands during autumn. Saint Andrews gets 100 hours of sunny skies, while Orkney Islands receives 73 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Orkney Islands. In October, Saint Andrews usually receives less rain than Orkney Islands. Saint Andrews gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Orkney Islands receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Orkney Islands in the Winter?

Both Orkney Islands 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 Orkney Islands for the museums and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Orkney Islands. It's quite cold in Saint Andrews in the winter. Saint Andrews is cooler than Orkney Islands in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Andrews averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Orkney Islands fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Saint Andrews often gets more sunshine than Orkney Islands. Saint Andrews gets 58 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Orkney Islands receives 29 hours of full sun.

Orkney Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saint Andrews usually gets less rain in January than Orkney Islands. Saint Andrews gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Orkney Islands receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Orkney Islands in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Saint Andrews is a little warmer than Orkney Islands. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Andrews in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Orkney Islands averages at about 6°C (43°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives more sunshine than Orkney Islands during spring. Saint Andrews gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Orkney Islands receives 135 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Andrews usually receives less rain than Orkney Islands. Saint Andrews gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Orkney Islands receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Orkney Islands and Saint Andrews