Discover St Andrews by Motorhome : Complete Guide
Introduction
Welcome to our RoadTrip travel guide for St Andrews! We will share with you our experience in this Scottish town on the east coast of Scotland. A dive into the history of St Andrews, tips on the best time to visit based on the weather, tips to help you plan your budget, know where to park and sleep in a camper van, etc…
Whether you are a seasoned traveler or planning your first RoadTrip, we have gathered all the information you will need to make your trip to St Andrews an unforgettable experience.
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What is St Andrews in Scotland?
History of St Andrews
Perhaps you’d like to know more about the history of St Andrews, a Scottish town located on the North Sea coast between Edinburgh(see our guide to this town) and Dundee. The town, which has a population of around 15,000, is namedafter the apostle St. Andrew and is known as the ancient religious capital of Scotland.
It has a rich and varied history. It played an important religious role in the Middle Ages, and its university, although younger than those of Cambridge and Oxford, is the oldest in Scotland. Additionally, it is the birthplace of golf and still has a significant influence on the sport.
Geographical location
St Andrews is situated on the east coast of Fife between Edinburgh and Dundee, on the North Sea coast.
How to get to St Andrews?
To get to St Andrews by plane, you can fly to Edinburgh Airport, which is the closest. The fastest flight from Paris takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Once at Edinburgh Airport, you can take the train to Ladybank and then a bus to St Andrews. This option is the fastest and takes about 7 hours and 15 minutes, including transfers. Airlines offering direct flights from Paris to Edinburgh include easyJet, British Airways, Air France, and KLM.
To get to St Andrews by train, you can take the Eurostar train from Paris Nord to London St Pancras Intl, and then the LNER train from London Kings Cross to Edinburgh. From there, you can take a bus to St Andrews. The total travel time is approximately 9 hours and 42 minutes, including transfers. There are usually 63 trains per week on this route.
To drive to St Andrews by car or camper van from Paris, you can drive to Calais, take the ferry to Dover, and then drive to St Andrews. This option takes about 13 hours and 9 minutes in total. Another option is to drive to Calais-Fréthun, take the Eurotunnel to Folkestone, and then drive to St Andrews, which takes about 12 hours and 1 minute.
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To get to the UK, we didn’t use the Tunnel or the Ferry from Calais, we left from the Netherlands! From Rotterdam, it’s quite easy to reach the Kingdom in a relatively short time. All you have to do is follow the country’s east coast to reach the wonderful world of Scotland!
Climate: When to visit St Andrews by camper van?
We will tell you about the best time to visit the charming town of St Andrews in Scotland. St Andrews enjoys an oceanic climate, which is a type of temperate climate. The maximum temperature in St Andrews averages 12°C throughout the year (6°C in January and 17°C in July). It rains 724mm throughout the year, with a minimum of 37mm in April and a maximum of 93mm in August.
| Month | Average temp (°C) | Rainfall (mm) | Weather | Opinions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4°/6° | 54mm | ❄️ | Very unfavorable |
| February | 4°/7° | 52mm | ❄️ | Very unfavorable |
| March | 4°/9° | 40mm | ❄️ | Very unfavorable |
| April | 6°/10° | 37mm | 🌦️ | Unfavorable |
| May | 9°/13° | 56mm | 🌦️ | Unfavorable |
| June | 12°/15° | 68mm | 🌦️ | Unfavorable |
| July | 13°/17° | 86mm | ☀️ | Favorable |
| August | 13°/17° | 93mm | ☀️ | Favorable |
| September | 11°/15° | 51mm | 🌦️ | Unfavorable |
| October | 9°/13° | 72mm | 🌦️ | Unfavorable |
| November | 7°/9° | 64mm | 🌦️ | Unfavorable |
| December | 5°/7° | 57mm | ❄️ | Very unfavorable |
After analyzing this data, we recommend visiting St Andrews in July and August. These months offer the most pleasant temperatures, and although it is the rainiest time of the year, the weather remains favorable for a visit. So, pack your bags and explore this magnificent Scottish town!
Our road trip through Scotland took place from July to August 2022, a year marked by intense heat throughout the country and even across Europe In St Andrews, however, we were greeted with rain, interspersed with a few clearings!
Spots to sleep and camper van service areas in St Andrews
Here are the top 5 spots to sleep in a camper van in St Andrews, Scotland:
- 📍🥇 Night parking area in St Andrews – Grange Road: A peaceful place with breathtaking sea views. Ideal for a quiet night.
- 📍🥈 Night parking area in St Andrews – The Pends: Located near the city center, it is an excellent starting point for exploring St Andrews.
- 📍🥉 Night parking area in St Andrews – Pines Street: A level public parking area, quiet at night. A lot of traffic from 7 am onwards.
- 📍 Night parking area in St Andrews – The Shore: A quiet spot near the beach, perfect for relaxing and enjoying nature.
- 📍 Night parking area in St Andrews – Old Station Road: Possibility to park along the road. Free. Enables easy exploring of St Andrews by bike.
These locations offer a variety of experiences, ranging from the tranquility of the beach to the proximity of the bustling city center. Each place has its advantages, so the choice depends on what you are looking for in your camper van experience in St Andrews.
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The parking lot we chose was near the harbor, 📍 The Shore. Although busy during the day, it remained calm at night. It allowed us to quickly access the sea, and we were able to enjoy fantastic sports sessions with a magnificent panorama!
Where and what to eat in St Andrews ?
St Andrews, one of the most beautiful cities in Scotland, is not only known for its prestigious university and golf, but also for its gastronomy. This city offers a variety of traditional Scottish dishes and ancestral drinks that are worth discovering. Here are some suggestions to help you explore the culinary scene of St Andrews.
Restaurants in St Andrews
- 🍽️ The Forgan’s: This restaurant offers a unique and flowery setting. The chefs work with the best local products. Haggis, a traditional Scottish dish, is served with turnips, potatoes, and topped with a lightly smoked whiskey sauce.
- 🍽️ The Glass House: This restaurant, located in one of the St. Andrews University buildings, serves numerous Italian specialties with a Scottish twist. It features many dishes based on local fish.
- 🍽️ Dunvegan Hotel: Located a few meters from the Old Course, this very welcoming pub offers more than 50 different whiskies and a wide selection of Scottish beers.
- 🍽️ The Cottage Kitchen: If you are passing through for the day, be sure to arrive early to enjoy a typical breakfast or a marine version, with Scottish smoked salmon and scrambled eggs.
St Andrews Specialties
Haggis is Scotland’s most famous dish. It traditionally consists of sheep offal cooked with onion, oats, kidney fat, spices, and salt, all cooked for hours in a sheep’s stomach. Despite its unappealing appearance, haggis is a delicacy when well-prepared and accompanied by a good whiskey. Those who are more reluctant can try vegetarian haggis, where the sheep has been replaced by multiple grains.
In Scotland, a good meal always starts with a cold beer and ends with a good whiskey. If you want to savor your drink and rub shoulders with the cream of golfers, head straight to the Dunvegan.
Finally, what would a trip to the UK be without a savory breakfast ? Very similar to the English breakfast, the Scottish breakfast consists of a sausage, bacon, potato scone, fried mushrooms, grilled tomatoes, beans, and black pudding. A hearty wake-up call that will certainly keep you going until the evening if you are not used to this kind of snack.
In St Andrews, we weren’t able to try any restaurants and ate in our camper van instead. Well, no… when we arrived we tried out a burger stand right on the port where we were parked, and the experience wasn’t the most incredible!
Budget for a RoadTrip to St Andrews
The currency used in Scotland is the pound sterling (GBP). The cost of living in Scotland is 7.5% lower than in France, and local purchasing power is 5.7% higher. When traveling, plan on a local budget of at least €108 per person per day.
– Meal in a mid-range restaurant: €29(+16% on 🇫🇷)
– Fast-food menu: €7(-23% compared with 🇫🇷)
– Local beer (50 cl draught): €4.5(-25% compared with 🇫🇷)
– Single public transport ticket: €2.9(+76% on 🇫🇷)
– Monthly public transport pass: €76(+51% compared with 🇫🇷)
– Unleaded petrol (1 liter): €1.65(+6% on 🇫🇷)
– Budget hotel (double room): €68(+18% compared with 🇫🇷)
– Mid-range hotel (double room): €104(+25% compared with 🇫🇷)
– Top-of-the-range hotel (double room): €173(-38% compared with 🇫🇷)
– Pair of jeans (Levis 501 or equivalent): €68(-16% compared with 🇫🇷)
– Summer dress in a major retailer (Zara, H&M…): €34(-3% compared to 🇫🇷)
– Pair of sports shoes: €73(-13% compared with 🇫🇷)
Even if the capital cities can be well above the cost of living, the country’s smaller towns can sometimes offer slightly lower prices, it’s still more expensive than what we’re used to in Europe, especially since the Brexit.
Video of our citytrip
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Activities to do in St Andrews ?
Here is a list of activities we invite you to do in St Andrews according to your taste and preferences:
- Romantic walk on West Sands beach
- Candlelit dinner at The Forgan’s restaurant
- Visit to the St Andrews Botanic Garden
- Visit to the St Andrews Botanic Garden
- Exploration of St Andrews Castle
- Discovery of the British Golf Museum
- Golf on the famous Old Course
- Hiking on the Fife Coastal Path
- Surfing and other water sports on West Sands beach
- St Andrews Music Festival in June
- St. Andrew’s celebration in November
- Christmas market in December
Conclusion: Why visit or come back to St Andrews?
We hope you found our RoadTrip travel guide for St Andrews useful and inspiring. With its rich historical past, pleasant oceanic climate, and numerous spots for camper vans, St Andrews is truly a destination not to be missed. Whether you are looking for adventure, culture, or simply a place to relax and recharge, St Andrews has something to offer everyone. So, what are you waiting for ? Prepare your camper van, plan your itinerary, and embark on the adventure of a lifetime in St Andrews!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can visit St Andrews by motorhome. There are several places to sleep in a motorhome in St Andrews, offering a variety of experiences, from the tranquility of the beach to the proximity of the bustling town center.
The best time to visit St Andrews by motorhome is in July and August. These months offer the most pleasant temperatures, and although it’s the rainiest time of the year, the climate remains favorable for a visit.
There are several restaurants in St Andrews you should try. Among them, The Forgan’s offers an atypical, flower-filled setting with dishes prepared from the finest local produce. The Glass House serves a wide range of Italian specialties revisited in a Scottish style, with many dishes featuring local fish. Dunvegan Hotel offers over 50 different whiskies and a wide selection of Scottish beers. Last but not least, The Cottage Kitchen is an excellent choice for a typical or marine breakfast, with Scottish smoked salmon and scrambled eggs.
When traveling, plan on a local budget of at least €108 per person per day. The cost of living in Scotland is 7.5% lower than in France, and local purchasing power is 5.7% higher. However, prices may vary depending on the city and the activities you plan to do.
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