A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint Andrews vs. Reykjavik for Hiking, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Saint Andrews or Reykjavik?

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

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

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a clean, green, and safe city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Saint Andrews and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Andrews or Reykjavik?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Saint Andrews. Although Saint Andrews and Reykjavik are popular destinations, Saint Andrews has more sights and attractions for tourists. Saint Andrews is very popular for its museums, food, beaches, shopping, and small town charm, while Reykjavik attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Reykjavik is more touristy than Saint Andrews and is popular for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals. Saint Andrews is famous for its reputation as the birthplace of golf. It is also well known for The Old Course.

The Old Course

How is Saint Andrews different from Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Saint Andrews is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

Saint Andrews is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Saint Andrews is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Reykjavik. Traditional Icelandic food may not have the best reputation, but restaurants these days are pretty good with a variety of dishes to choose from. Popular foods in the area include fish, lamb, and Icelandic skyr (a type of yogurt).

Is Saint Andrews or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

Both Saint Andrews and Reykjavik are nice when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Reykjavik. The city offers the best nightlife in Iceland and you'll be surprised at the number of clubs, bars, and craft breweries that you can choose from. Almost all of the popular nightlife spots are around Laugavegur, a major shopping street in town.

Is Saint Andrews or Reykjavik Better for Beaches?

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

Reykjavik is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Andrews or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is terrific 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.

Known for its hiking, Reykjavik draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The city offers easy access to some of the world's most spectacular scenery. There are many hikes that you can easily reach from town. They pass through diverse landscapes that include waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and beaches.

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 Reykjavik?

Saint Andrews is an excellent place to visit for shopping. Also, Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik offers some nice shopping areas. The city's main shopping street is Laugavegur, which is where you'll find the most activity around town as well as a bustling atmosphere.

Is Saint Andrews or Reykjavik Better for Families?

Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik is a very kid-friendly city. With its many outdoor activities and hands on museums, the city is great for kids. The cafes and restaurants are family-friendly and their are plenty of entertainment options for the whole family.

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 Reykjavik Better for Couples?

Saint Andrews and Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are museums, outdoor activities, and even the northern lights that make this city very romantic. The cafes are laid-back and the atmosphere is friendly.

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

Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for 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 Reykjavik Better for Students?

Saint Andrews is an amazing university town to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Reykjavik is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

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.

Reykjavik is popular with students. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

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

Both Saint Andrews and Reykjavik offer nice public transit options.

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

Reykjavik has some public transit options. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Saint Andrews or Reykjavik a more walkable city?

Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik is a very walkable city. The city is small and compact, so it's easy to explore on foot.

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 Reykjavik Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or Saint Andrews?

How long in Saint Andrews or Reykjavik?

In either Saint Andrews or Reykjavik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Reykjavik 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 1-5 days is enough time in Reykjavik.

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

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

One day in Saint Andrews or Reykjavik?

Even though Saint Andrews is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Saint Andrews has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the friendly destination of Reykjavik. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Don't miss the hiking, 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 Reykjavik?

Saint Andrews is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this university town has to offer. This university town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Reykjavik. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Don't miss the hiking, 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 Reykjavik?

Saint Andrews is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the green destination of Reykjavik. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Reykjavik?

Saint Andrews is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the beautiful city of Reykjavik. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.

When comparing the travel costs between Saint Andrews and Reykjavik, we can see that Saint Andrews is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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 Reykjavik Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Andrews or Reykjavik?

Reykjavik has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Saint Andrews. When comparing the sizes of Saint Andrews and Reykjavik, 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 Reykjavik?

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 Reykjavik in the Summer?

Both Reykjavik 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. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.

In July, Saint Andrews is generally a little warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Saint Andrews average around 14°C (58°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the summer, Saint Andrews often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Reykjavik. Saint Andrews gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Reykjavik in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Andrews and Reykjavik. 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Reykjavik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. Saint Andrews is much warmer than Reykjavik in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Andrews averages around 10°C (49°F) in October, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during autumn. Saint Andrews gets 100 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Andrews usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Saint Andrews gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Reykjavik in the Winter?

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

Reykjavik can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Andrews. In the winter, Saint Andrews is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Andrews in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Reykjavik averages at about -0°C (32°F).

In the winter, Saint Andrews often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Saint Andrews gets 58 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun.

Saint Andrews usually gets less rain in January than Reykjavik. Saint Andrews gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Andrews or Reykjavik in the Spring?

Both Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik for the natural beauty during these months.

Reykjavik can be very cold during spring. In April, Saint Andrews is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Saint Andrews average around 7°C (45°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Saint Andrews usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during spring. Saint Andrews gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Andrews usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Saint Andrews gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Saint Andrews