A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Stratford-upon-Avon vs. Saint Andrews for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Families

Should you visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Saint Andrews?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Stratford-upon-Avon and Saint Andrews can help you decide which place is right for you.

Stratford-upon-Avon

Stratford-upon-Avon is a peaceful, park-filled, and charming town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. And you can't forget about the food and theater.

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

Stratford-upon-Avon and Saint Andrews: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Stratford-upon-Avon or Saint Andrews?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Saint Andrews than Stratford-upon-Avon, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Saint Andrews is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Stratford-upon-Avon is more popular for its theatre productions and historical sights. Saint Andrews is more touristy than Stratford-upon-Avon and is popular for its reputation as the birthplace of golf. Also, Saint Andrews is famous for The Old Course. Stratford-upon-Avon is well known for its status as the birthplace of William Shakespeare.

The Old Course

How is Stratford-upon-Avon different from Saint Andrews?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Stratford-upon-Avon or Saint Andrews?

Saint Andrews is very good for its museums and history. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Stratford-upon-Avon offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Many visitors make a point of seeing Shakespeare's Birthplace, Hall's Croft, and Anne Hathaway's Cottage.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Saint Andrews Better for Theater?

Stratford-upon-Avon is terrific for its theatre productions. However, Saint Andrews is not a theatre destination.

Famous for its theaters and plays, you'll find world-renowned shows in Stratford-upon-Avon. Shakespeare enthusiasts must check out a Shakespeare play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. There are often tickets available the day of for a reduced price.

Saint Andrews is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Stratford-upon-Avon or Saint Andrews? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

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 Stratford-upon-Avon area. The town center has a few nice restaurants including seafood, Italian food, Indian food, and cafes where you can enjoy high tea.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Saint Andrews Better for Nightlife?

Saint Andrews is very good for nightlife and partying. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Saint Andrews Better for Beaches?

Saint Andrews is very good for the beache. However, Stratford-upon-Avon 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.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not a beach destination.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Saint Andrews Better for its Old Town?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a nice place to visit for its old town. However, Saint Andrews does not have a historic old town.

Many people head to Stratford-upon-Avon to see the old town. The old town has a few highlights including Shakespeare's birthplace, and several museums.

Saint Andrews does not have a historic old town.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Saint Andrews Better for Hiking?

Saint Andrews is very good for its hiking trails. However, Stratford-upon-Avon 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.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Stratford-upon-Avon or Saint Andrews?

Saint Andrews is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Saint Andrews is well-known for its shopping. The town is filled with boutique shops and local markets where you can buy unique items like artisan food, handmade crafts, or local art.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Saint Andrews Better for Families?

You'll find notable kid-friendly activities in either Stratford-upon-Avon or Saint Andrews.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a family-friendly town. This small town has a ferris wheel that offers beautiful views. There's also a the Stratford Butterfly Farm, which is a beautiful setting and if you stand still enough, you might even be lucky enough to have one land on your shoulder. You can also check out Tudor World, the MAD Museum, or one of the playgrounds around town.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Saint Andrews. 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 Stratford-upon-Avon or Saint Andrews Better for Couples?

Saint Andrews is a very popular place for its romantic activities. Also, Stratford-upon-Avon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

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.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a good town for couples to visit. The charming town offers a few nice restaurants where you can enjoy a meal. For a lovely date night, check out a Shakespeare play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. During the day, wander around the old town or stroll down the river and enjoy the beautiful outdoor setting. Many residents have converted properties into Bed and Breakfasts, so there are a number of cute and affordable places where couples can stay.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Saint Andrews Better for Students?

Saint Andrews is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. However, Stratford-upon-Avon 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.

Stratford-upon-Avon is not popular with students.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Saint Andrews Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Saint Andrews is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Stratford-upon-Avon is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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

Public transit is generally limited in Stratford-upon-Avon. The train station is a bit removed from the town center, but because the town is so small, it's still possible to reach it on foot from most places.

Is Stratford-upon-Avon or Saint Andrews a more walkable city?

Stratford-upon-Avon and Saint Andrews are notable when it comes to walkability.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a somewhat walkable place. It's easy to stroll around town on foot, but there aren't many pedestrian only areas. Head for the river for some of the nicest walking areas.

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

For even more information, also check out Is Stratford-upon-Avon Worth Visiting? and Is Saint Andrews Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saint Andrews or Stratford-upon-Avon?

How long in Stratford-upon-Avon or Saint Andrews?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon or Saint Andrews to fill your time. In our opinion, Saint Andrews has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Saint Andrews than Stratford-upon-Avon. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Saint Andrews than Stratford-upon-Avon 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 Stratford-upon-Avon or Saint Andrews?

Even though Stratford-upon-Avon is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Don't miss the theater, 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.

In Saint Andrews, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this small town destination offers. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Stratford-upon-Avon or Saint Andrews?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Stratford-upon-Avon. Don't miss the theater, 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.

Many people visit Saint Andrews for a weekend. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Saint Andrews, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Stratford-upon-Avon or Saint Andrews?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This 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.

The beautiful small town of Saint Andrews offers shopping and museums. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Stratford-upon-Avon or Saint Andrews?

Stratford-upon-Avon is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Saint Andrews. This university town offers something for everyone. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 3-Day Tours from London, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from London.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Stratford-upon-Avon or Saint Andrews?

Stratford-upon-Avon has a larger population, and is about 46% larger than the population of Saint Andrews. When comparing the sizes of Stratford-upon-Avon 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.

When is the best time to visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Saint Andrews?

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 Stratford-upon-Avon or Saint Andrews in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Stratford-upon-Avon as well as Saint Andrews. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Stratford-upon-Avon this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Saint Andrews for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a little warmer than Saint Andrews in the summer. The daily temperature in Stratford-upon-Avon averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Saint Andrews fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

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

Stratford-upon-Avon usually gets less rain in July than Saint Andrews. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Saint Andrews receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Saint Andrews in the Autumn?

Both Saint Andrews and Stratford-upon-Avon are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Stratford-upon-Avon for the small town atmosphere. Also, many visitors come to Saint Andrews in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Stratford-upon-Avon is a little warmer than Saint Andrews. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Stratford-upon-Avon in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Saint Andrews averages at about 10°C (49°F).

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

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

Should I visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Saint Andrews in the Winter?

Both Saint Andrews and Stratford-upon-Avon during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Stratford-upon-Avon in the winter for the museums, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Saint Andrews for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Saint Andrews can be very cold during winter. Stratford-upon-Avon can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Stratford-upon-Avon is generally around the same temperature as Saint Andrews. Daily temperatures in Stratford-upon-Avon average around 3°C (38°F), and Saint Andrews fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Stratford-upon-Avon often gets less sunshine than Saint Andrews. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Andrews receives 58 hours of full sun.

Stratford-upon-Avon usually gets less rain in January than Saint Andrews. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Saint Andrews receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Stratford-upon-Avon or Saint Andrews in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Stratford-upon-Avon and Saint Andrews. Most visitors come to Stratford-upon-Avon for the small town charm during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Saint Andrews because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Stratford-upon-Avon is a little warmer than Saint Andrews in the spring. The daily temperature in Stratford-upon-Avon averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Saint Andrews fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

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

In April, Stratford-upon-Avon usually receives more rain than Saint Andrews. Stratford-upon-Avon gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Saint Andrews receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Saint Andrews and Stratford-upon-Avon