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Major city · United Kingdom

St Andrews

Give St Andrews one full day and one night: the golf, the ruined cathedral and the castle fit in a walkable half-day, and the town empties after the students leave.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

St Andrews is a small Fife coastal town built around a 1413 university and the Old Course, the course that fixed the 18-hole round. Everything worth seeing sits inside a 1 km walk: cathedral ruins, the castle with its siege mine, two quads, the harbour and two beaches. Most travellers come as a day trip from Edinburgh or as a golf pilgrimage; one night lets you see it after the coaches leave.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
GBP
Best months
May–Sep
avoid Nov–Feb (short days, cold wind); Open Championship weeks (July 2027) when rooms sell out and prices jump
Airports
EDI · GLA · DND
Nights
1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
  • Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
  • Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
  • United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
  • United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
  • United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for St Andrews999 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance999
  • NHS non-urgent111
  • Police non-urgent101

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about St Andrews, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
  • BeerPint of beer in a pub£5–6.50 (≈ US$7–9)
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week£8–15 (≈ US$11–20)
  • Museum or sight ticketCathedral entryFree
  • Budget bedHostel or university-hall bed, a night, per person£30 (≈ US$40)
  • Mid-range bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per room£140 (≈ US$190)
  • High-end bedGuesthouse or hotel double room, a night, per room£280 (≈ US$400)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget £55 (≈ US$75) · Mid £95 (≈ US$130) · High £180 (≈ US$250)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Old Course and the Royal and Ancient Golf ClubUniversity of St Andrews (founded 1413)St Andrews Cathedral ruinsSt Andrews Castle and its siege mineWest Sands beach
Airports
EDI Edinburgh Airport (Best flight choice. Tram or bus to Edinburgh, then train to Leuchars and bus 99, or Stagecoach Jet 747 to Inverkeithing for the train.) · GLA Glasgow Airport (Good range of flights; train from Glasgow needs a change at Edinburgh Haymarket or Dundee, about 2 h 30 min total.) · DND Dundee Airport (Loganair from London Stansted twice daily Mon–Fri, once Sunday; Apr–Oct also London City and Belfast City. 25 min by bus 99 from Dundee.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    7°C (45°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    7°C (45°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    9°C (48°F)

  4. Apr

    not flagged

    11°C (52°F)

  5. May

    Best

    14°C (57°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    17°C (63°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    19°C (66°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    19°C (66°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    17°C (63°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    13°C (55°F)

  11. Nov

    Avoid

    10°C (50°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    7°C (45°F)

Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (19°C (66°F)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F) low), wettest Jan (13 rain days), driest Apr (9). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

St Andrews: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

7°C (45°F)

1°C (34°F)

13 rd

Feb

7°C (45°F)

1°C (34°F)

10 rd

Mar

9°C (48°F)

2°C (36°F)

11 rd

Apr

11°C (52°F)

4°C (39°F)

9 rd

May

14°C (57°F)

6°C (43°F)

9 rd

Jun

17°C (63°F)

9°C (48°F)

9 rd

Jul

19°C (66°F)

11°C (52°F)

10 rd

Aug

19°C (66°F)

11°C (52°F)

10 rd

Sep

17°C (63°F)

9°C (48°F)

10 rd

Oct

13°C (55°F)

6°C (43°F)

12 rd

Nov

10°C (50°F)

3°C (37°F)

12 rd

Dec

7°C (45°F)

1°C (34°F)

12 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Walk. The centre is compact and the one-way system and expensive central parking are designed to keep cars out. Bus 99 links the bus station, Guardbridge, Leuchars station and Dundee; bus 95 runs down the coast to Crail, Anstruther and Leven. Taxi ranks are at the bus station and on Bell Street.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time
Anstruthergo

Door to door: About 40 min

Stagecoach bus 95 south along the coast

Harbour, fisheries museum and a fish-and-chip lunch; pair with Crail and Pittenweem on the same bus.

Dunfermlinego

Door to door: 1–1.5 h

Bus or train via Inverkeithing, or drive over the Queensferry Crossing

Abbey and Carnegie birthplace; a half-day if the weather turns.

Kirkcaldy

caution

Door to door: About 1 h

Train from Leuchars via Inverkeithing, or bus

Gallery and long beach; only worth it if you are already heading down the Fife coast.

Glenrothes

skip

Door to door: About 1 h

Bus X24 or X59, or Moffat & Williamson bus 64 via Cupar

A new town with little for a visitor; useful only as a bus interchange.

Burntisland

caution

Door to door: About 1 h 15 min

Train from Leuchars via Inverkeithing

Beach and heritage railway nearby; a summer half-day.

Leven

caution

Door to door: About 1 h 15 min

Stagecoach bus 95 south along the coast

End of the coastal bus line; combine with Falkland Palace by bus 64 from Cupar.

North Queensferry

go

Door to door: About 1 h 30 min

Train from Leuchars to Inverkeithing, then local train

Forth bridges and the boat lift; a good stop on the way to or from Edinburgh.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Town centre (Market Street, South Street, North Street)

Everything walkable; guesthouses and small hotels in stone terraces. Book early for graduation, golf tournaments and university term weekends.

Near the Old Course and West Sands

Old Course Hotel and larger hotels; sea views and golf access, higher prices, 10–15 min walk to the bus station.

Leuchars or Guardbridge

Cheaper beds outside town on the bus 99 corridor; you trade walkability for a 10–15 min bus ride.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
£55–85 (≈ US$75–120) excl. bed
Mid
£85–140 (≈ US$120–190) excl. bed
High
£140 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Guesthouse or hotel double room1 × 1 night × £140£140
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £95£190
Bus 99 Leuchars station to St Andrews, both ways2 × £6£12
Taxi Leuchars station to town centre, one way1 × £20£20
eSIM, about a week of data2 × £12£24
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge£39
Trip total≈ £213 per person per day, bed included£425≈ US$600

2026 estimate in pounds; travel to St Andrews excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
Fish and chips£10–16 (≈ US$14–25)
Pint of beer in a pub£5–6.50 (≈ US$7–9)
Cathedral entryFree
St Andrews Castle entryAdult £10 (≈ US$14), child £6 (≈ US$8), conc £8 (≈ US$11)
British Golf Museum entryAdult £17.50 (≈ US$25), conc £15.50 (≈ US$25), child free
St Andrews Aquarium day passAdult £16 (≈ US$25), conc £15 (≈ US$20), child £13 (≈ US$18)
Botanic Gardens entryAdult £6 (≈ US$8), conc £5 (≈ US$7), under-18 and students free
eSIM or data SIM, about a week£8–15 (≈ US$11–20)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

A low-crime small town; the real risks are cold water, fast tides at Castle Sands, uneven ruined masonry and unlit lanes after dark. Standard UK advice applies: 999 in an emergency, 111 for NHS non-urgent.
  • Central parking is limited and expensive; use the free car parks at Petheram Bridge, Murray Place or Woodburn Place and walk in.
  • The sea is cold year-round; West Sands and Castle Sands are for walking, not swimming without a wetsuit.
  • Old Course tee times are ballot or package only; the other St Andrews Links courses are the realistic way to play.
  • Major tournaments fill every bed in town: check dates before booking travel.
  • Castle Sands is cut off at high tide and rocky at low tide; check tide times before rock-pooling.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
999
NHS non-urgent
111
Police non-urgent
101

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

St AndrewsSt Andrews

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance999
  • NHS non-urgent111
  • Police non-urgent101

Embassy

No embassies in St Andrews; the US consulate-general is in Edinburgh, and most other countries keep embassies in London.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Leuchars station → St Andrews, bus 99: about £3 (≈ US$4), 10 min
  • Taxi Leuchars station → town centre: about £20 (≈ US$30)
  • Edinburgh → St Andrews, bus X59: about 2 h, hourly, last bus 17:50

Say or show

  • Excuse me / Sorry — Excuse me / Sorry (standard English)
  • Thank you — Thank you (standard English)
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card? (standard English)
  • Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet? (standard English)

English is the everyday language; a few Scots words appear on signs.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for St Andrews. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (short days, cold wind); Open Championship weeks (July 2027) when rooms sell out and prices jump · month by month →
  2. 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 7 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for EDI: last train and bus 99 times field-checked, taxi fallback from Leuchars, overnight rung.
  2. Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Market Street and the bus station, the two quads and North Street, the cathedral and castle, the harbour and East Sands.
  3. Place pages with verified cutoffs (cathedral, castle, Botanic Gardens, British Golf Museum, Wardlaw Museum) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Open Championship and graduation fixtures so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to United Kingdom

Sources