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

Should you visit Saint Andrews or Porto?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Andrews or Porto, 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. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Porto

Porto is a historic, cultural, and cosmopolitan port city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Saint Andrews and Porto: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Andrews or Porto?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Porto. Although Saint Andrews and Porto are popular destinations, Porto has more sights and attractions for tourists. Porto is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and big city activities, while Saint Andrews attracts visitors for its beaches, hiking, shopping, and small town charm. Porto is more touristy than Saint Andrews and is popular for its authentic old town and the local port wine. It is also well known for Cais da Ribeira. Saint Andrews is famous for its reputation as the birthplace of golf.

How is Saint Andrews different from Porto?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Porto 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 Porto can be an interesting and educational experience. With such a long history, there are many landmarks and sights in the city. Popular attractions include the Clérigos Tower, Palácio da Bolsa, and Igreja de São Francisco.

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 Porto? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Porto 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, Porto is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The area's cuisine combines the ocean setting with the agriculture of the surrounding area, so you'll enjoy both seafood dishes as well as fresh meats and vegetables. The area is also famous for its Port wines and red wines. There are plenty of cellar tours as well was waterfront seafood restaurants to choose from.

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 Porto Better for Nightlife?

Porto 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.

Porto offers plenty to do in the evening. This city comes to life in the evening, particularly on weekends when locals and tourists alike flock to the many bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.

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 Porto Better for Beaches?

Saint Andrews is very good for its beaches. However, Porto 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.

Porto is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Andrews or Porto Better for its Old Town?

Porto is a well-known place for its old town. However, Saint Andrews does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Porto to see the historical old town. Known as Porto Ribeira, the city's historic district is the most visited part of the town. It begins on the banks of the River Douro and climbs into the hills behind it.

Saint Andrews does not have a historic old town.

Is Saint Andrews or Porto Better for Hiking?

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

Porto is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Andrews or Porto?

Saint Andrews is a great university town for shopping. Also, Porto is not as popular, but is still a nice port city 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.

Porto offers some nice shopping areas. The city has both your standard shopping mall stores as well as local vendors and boutique shops.

Is Saint Andrews or Porto Better for Families?

Porto 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.

Porto is a very kid-friendly port city. The city has several cool museums including the interactive museum - The World of Discoveries. There are also parks, playgrounds, zoos, and aquariums that you can explore. For families that enjoy being outside, this is a great city. Kids will enjoy spotting street art, riding the funicular, and taking a cellar tour. If the kids need a break from the city, head to the beach for the day.

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 Porto Better for Couples?

Saint Andrews and Porto 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.

Porto makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. You can visit the palaces, enjoy shopping, or dine in a nice Portuguese restaurant. Take a cellar tour and sample port then catch a ride on the funicular. This city has plenty for couples to do on a romantic getaway.

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

Porto 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 Porto. By combining world-class activities with affordability, this city has become a popular stop off for backpackers 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 Porto Better for Students?

Saint Andrews is very popular for its student-friendly activities. Also, Porto is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for 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.

Porto is a great university town to visit as a student. The city has a number of good research programs and study abroad opportunities that attract international students from around the world.

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

Porto is a well-known place 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 public transit in Porto can get you around easily. There is a metro system as well as a bus system. While the metro system does have six lines, most stations aren't close to the tourist attractions, so it likely won't be that helpful to visitors.

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

Is Saint Andrews or Porto a more walkable city?

Porto 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.

Porto is a very walkable port city. The city center is very compact with most of the sights within a short walk of each other. The area is also very hilly, so getting from place to place can require a bit of effort.

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 Porto Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Porto or Saint Andrews?

How long in Saint Andrews or Porto?

In either Saint Andrews or Porto, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Porto 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 Porto.

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

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

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

One day in Saint Andrews or Porto?

Even though Saint Andrews is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. This university town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Porto is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. 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 Porto?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Andrews. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Porto. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Don't miss the food, 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 Porto?

Saint Andrews is a fun place to experience. Saint Andrews is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

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

Saint Andrews is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful port city of Porto. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Portugal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Portugal.

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

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 Porto Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Andrews or Porto?

Porto has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Saint Andrews. When comparing the sizes of Saint Andrews and Porto, 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 Porto?

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 Porto in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint Andrews as well as Porto. 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 Porto because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint Andrews is generally cooler than Porto. Daily temperatures in Saint Andrews average around 14°C (58°F), and Porto fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Porto. In the summer, Saint Andrews often gets less sunshine than Porto. Saint Andrews gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Porto receives 308 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets more rain in July than Porto. Saint Andrews gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Porto receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Porto in the Autumn?

Both Porto 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, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Porto this time of year.

Saint Andrews is much colder than Porto in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Andrews averages around 10°C (49°F) in October, and Porto fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives less sunshine than Porto during autumn. Saint Andrews gets 100 hours of sunny skies, while Porto receives 184 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Porto. In October, Saint Andrews usually receives less rain than Porto. Saint Andrews gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Porto receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Porto in the Winter?

Both Porto 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 Porto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Saint Andrews in the winter. In the winter, Saint Andrews is much colder than Porto. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Andrews in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Porto averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In the winter, Saint Andrews often gets less sunshine than Porto. Saint Andrews gets 58 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Porto receives 124 hours of full sun.

Porto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saint Andrews usually gets less rain in January than Porto. Saint Andrews gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Porto receives 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Porto in the Spring?

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

In April, Saint Andrews is generally much colder than Porto. Daily temperatures in Saint Andrews average around 7°C (45°F), and Porto fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Porto this time of the year. Saint Andrews usually receives less sunshine than Porto during spring. Saint Andrews gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Porto receives 217 hours of full sun in the spring.

Porto receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Saint Andrews usually receives less rain than Porto. Saint Andrews gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Porto receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Porto and Saint Andrews