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

Should you visit Saint Andrews or Oxford?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Andrews or Oxford, 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 quaint, peaceful, and historic university town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Oxford

Oxford is a scholarly, collegiate, and beautiful college town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Saint Andrews and Oxford: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Andrews or Oxford?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Saint Andrews. Although Saint Andrews and Oxford are popular destinations, Saint Andrews has more sights and attractions for tourists. Saint Andrews is very popular for its food, beaches, hiking, and shopping, while Oxford attracts visitors for its museums, nightlife, and impressive beauty. Saint Andrews is famous for its reputation as the birthplace of golf. It is also well known for The Old Course. Oxford is famous for being home to one of the world's most notable universities.

The Old Course

How is Saint Andrews different from Oxford?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Oxford is a well-known place 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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Oxford can be an interesting and educational experience. This town is filled with culture, history, and world class museums. Check out the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, The Museum of Modern Art, Ashmolean Museum, or the Museum of Oxford.

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 Oxford? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint Andrews is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Oxford. In addition to the typical British pubs and fish and chips shops, you'll find a wide diversity of ethnic food around town. Thai, sushi, Indian, and more are common dining options. Head to the Oxford Covered Market to try a traditional British breakfast or have some delicious ice cream.

Is Saint Andrews or Oxford Better for Nightlife?

Oxford 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.

Oxford offers plenty to do in the evening. As a college town, you'll find an active nightlife scene with trivia nights and plenty of parties. There are pubs around town where you can grab a drink or find out if there's a concert while you're in town.

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 Oxford Better for Beaches?

Saint Andrews is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Oxford 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.

Oxford is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Andrews or Oxford Better for Hiking?

Saint Andrews is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Oxford 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.

Oxford is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Andrews or Oxford?

Saint Andrews is a very popular place for shopping. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Oxford offers some nice shopping areas. Shops around town offer the perfect opportunity to pick up some Oxford gear or by a few items from the Harry Potter franchise.

Is Saint Andrews or Oxford Better for Families?

Saint Andrews and Oxford are both nice 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.

Oxford is a family-friendly university town. Families will enjoy taking a paddle boat out on the water and exploring the beautiful setting. There are also a number of sights that were influential in the making of Harry Potter. In particular, you'll find the inspiration for the "Great Hall" if you take a tour of Christ Church College. The tour must be booked in advance and they often sell out. Older kids will also enjoy exploring the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.

Is Saint Andrews or Oxford Better for Couples?

Saint Andrews and Oxford 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.

Oxford makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The beautiful campus and striking architecture make this a great destination for romance. Hire a boat and explore the water or wander through one of the impressive gardens.

Is Saint Andrews or Oxford Better for Students?

Saint Andrews and Oxford 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.

Oxford is a very popular university town for students. At its heart, Oxford is a college town and students are at the heart of the city and its culture.

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

Both Saint Andrews and Oxford offer nice public transit options.

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

Oxford has some public transit options. There are buses available if your legs get tired.

Is Saint Andrews or Oxford a more walkable city?

Oxford 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.

Oxford is a very walkable college town. The best way to explore most of the town is on foot, so you can soak up the full collegiate atmosphere.

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 Oxford Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oxford or Saint Andrews?

How long in Saint Andrews or Oxford?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saint Andrews and Oxford. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Oxford than in Saint Andrews. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Saint Andrews, and 1-3 days is enough time in Oxford.

Couples should spend more time in Saint Andrews than Oxford. 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 Oxford 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.

One day in Saint Andrews or Oxford?

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.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the collegiate small town of Oxford. 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 Oxford?

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 Oxford. 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 Oxford?

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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the collegiate small town of Oxford. This college town 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 Oxford?

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.

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful college town of Oxford. 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.

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

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 Oxford Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Andrews or Oxford?

Oxford has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Saint Andrews. When comparing the sizes of Saint Andrews and Oxford, 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 Oxford?

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 Oxford in the Summer?

Both Oxford and Saint Andrews during the summer are popular places to visit. 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 small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Oxford this time of year.

In July, Saint Andrews is generally cooler than Oxford. Daily temperatures in Saint Andrews average around 14°C (58°F), and Oxford fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

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

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

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Oxford in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Andrews and Oxford. 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 Oxford for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Saint Andrews is cooler than Oxford in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Andrews averages around 10°C (49°F) in October, and Oxford fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

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

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

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Oxford in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint Andrews as well as Oxford. Many travelers come to Saint Andrews for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Oxford in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Oxford can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Andrews. In the winter, Saint Andrews is around the same temperature as Oxford. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Andrews in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Oxford averages at about 3°C (38°F).

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

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

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Oxford in the Spring?

Both Oxford and Saint Andrews are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. 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 Oxford for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Saint Andrews is generally cooler than Oxford. Daily temperatures in Saint Andrews average around 7°C (45°F), and Oxford fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

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

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

Typical Weather for Oxford and Saint Andrews