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

Should you visit Santorini or Saint Andrews?

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

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

Santorini

Santorini is a historic, romantic, and stunning island. You'll find world class beauty here as well. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and museums.

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. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Santorini and Saint Andrews: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santorini or Saint Andrews?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Santorini than Saint Andrews, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Santorini is better known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Saint Andrews is more popular for its food and small town charm. Santorini is more touristy than Saint Andrews and is popular for its beautiful volcanic beaches, stunning natural beauty, and breathtaking sunsets over the whitewashed villages. Also, Santorini is famous for The Caldera and Volcano of Santorini. Saint Andrews is well known for its reputation as the birthplace of golf.

How is Santorini different from Saint Andrews?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Saint Andrews and Santorini. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Santorini or Saint Andrews?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Santorini and Saint Andrews.

Santorini offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. One of the most impressive historical sights is Akrotiri Archaeological Site. The island has many archeological sites as well as the Archeological Museum in Fira.

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 Santorini or Saint Andrews? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint Andrews is a great university town for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Santorini is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Saint Andrews has a huge number of terrific 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Santorini area. Popular foods on this island include fava, Greek salad, and kofta.

Is Santorini or Saint Andrews Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find notable options in both Santorini and Saint Andrews.

If you're looking for night time activities Santorini has a few options to choose from. It is one of the calmer, more romantic islands in Greece. For the best nightlife, you'll want to stay near Fira.

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.

Is Santorini or Saint Andrews Better for Resorts?

Santorini is terrific for its resorts. However, Saint Andrews is not a resort destination.

Santorini offers an unforgettable resort vacation. The resorts range from all-inclusive options to resorts with a more local feel. The island is one of the most romantic of the Greek Islands, and the resorts are no exception.

Saint Andrews is not a resort destination.

Is Santorini or Saint Andrews Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Santorini is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Saint Andrews is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Santorini has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. Some of the best snorkeling places are found at Red Beach, White Beach, and the less accessible Kambia. One of the island's best diving spots is Caldera Beach.

Saint Andrews is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Santorini or Saint Andrews Better for Beaches?

Both Santorini and Saint Andrews have notable beaches worth visiting.

Santorini has a beach worth visiting. The island has many beaches, most of which are made of black pebbly sand that are a result of the island's volcanic history. Popular beaches include Perissa Beach, Kamari Beach, and Perivolos 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 Santorini or Saint Andrews Better for Hiking?

Santorini and Saint Andrews are both places where visitors can find notable hiking trails.

Santorini has hiking trails worth exploring. The best hiking trails on the island pass by quaint villages and offers stunning ocean views. You can also hike along the edge of a volcano.

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 Santorini or Saint Andrews?

If you're looking to go shopping, Santorini and Saint Andrews both offer plenty of superb spots.

Santorini is well-known for its shopping. Towns around the island are filled with clothing and jewelry boutiques as well as many unique Greek shopping experiences.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Is Santorini or Saint Andrews Better for Families?

Santorini and Saint Andrews are both notable destinations for the whole family.

Santorini offers lots of family activities. It is a calmer destination than many of the Greek Islands. While it's a great place to relax with kids, the beaches aren't as good as they are on some of the other islands. Most families hang out in Kamari and Perissa Beach.

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.

Is Santorini or Saint Andrews Better for Couples?

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

Santorini has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It is a dream honeymoon destination that is famous for its picturesque setting and luxury resorts. For many couples, this is a top pick for a romantic trip to the Greek Isles.

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 Santorini or Saint Andrews Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santorini 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 Santorini. The island has its share of 5 star resorts, but if you head a few streets in you'll find some surprisingly affordable accommodation. Backpackers are welcomed on the island and beaches are free, so it's possible to get by on a relatively low budget.

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 Santorini or Saint Andrews Better for Students?

Saint Andrews is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. However, Santorini is not popular with 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.

Santorini is not popular with students.

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

Santorini and Saint Andrews both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Santorini offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a bus system, KTEL Santorini Buses, that runs 23 buses during the summer months but only a small fraction of that operate during the winter months.

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

Is Santorini or Saint Andrews a more walkable city?

Santorini and Saint Andrews are notable when it comes to walkability.

Santorini is a somewhat walkable place. Many towns on the island are walkable, including Fira, but the actual island is too large to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Saint Andrews or Santorini?

How long in Santorini or Saint Andrews?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Santorini or Saint Andrews to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Santorini than Saint Andrews because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Santorini, and 1-2 days is enough time in Saint Andrews.

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

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

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

One day in Santorini or Saint Andrews?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the romantic destination of Santorini. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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.

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.

A weekend in Santorini or Saint Andrews?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santorini. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

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.

Five days in Santorini or Saint Andrews?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the stunning destination of Santorini. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island 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.

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.

A week in Santorini or Saint Andrews?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the beautiful island of Santorini. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Greece, The Best Adventure Tours to United Kingdom, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United Kingdom.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Santorini Expensive? and Is Saint Andrews Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Santorini or Saint Andrews?

Santorini has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Saint Andrews. When comparing the sizes of Santorini and Saint Andrews, 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.