We would like to go to St Andrews from Edinburgh for a day this summer. Would you recommend renting a car for the day or take a bus? What are your experiences? If you rented a car, which company did you use? If you traveled by bus, is there one company in Scotland?
Posted by
Used to be Steilacoom, now it’s Las Vegas
2181 posts
We took the train to Leuchers (sp?) and then the bus to St. Andrews when we did it 9 years ago. I think there were taxis as well. It was very easy. St. Andrews is an easy town to walk and I think it would be easier to take public transport than try to find a place to park in the summer. What specifically are you hoping to see?
Posted by
white plains, ny, usa
4140 posts
Rent a car - Driving on the correct side is not as difficult as it's made out to be , and it gives you far more flexibility . Also when you leave St Andrews , go back to Edinburgh via the A917 which will take you back through East Neuk , and all the charming fishing villages on the way ( Crail , Anstruther , Pittenweem , ) to name a few
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23235 posts
We were there last May and did the train ad bus as described. Very easy and convenient. Lots do it. Just follow the crowd when you get off. Everything is very walkable.
Posted by
Berkeley, CA, USA
39 posts
My son was a post-grad at St Andrews for five years and I visited as annually through 2014. Parking in St Andrews is misery. The train to Leuchers and the short bus ride to St Andrews as previously described is easy. You can also take a bus and stop at the small towns and villages along the way.
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
Normally, I am all about the car, but this depends on how much time you want to spend at St. Andrews. If all you want to do is see the golf course, check out the castle and head back, then you might want to do the drive that Steven suggests or possibly go to visit Falklands Palace. This route on Via Michelin shows both.
I really enjoyed Falklands Palace. There is tennis court! The little villages along the Fife coast are lovely. Here's the Undiscovered Scotland Feature page for Crail. If you've not been exploring that website, you might want to start. It's very helpful.
On the other hand if you want to spend the day exploring St. Andrews and seeing part of the University then take the train. And yes, like any university town the parking is a pain. Does anyone know a university town where this is not so? :) But of course, if you are willing to pay to park, your options open up. Students never are.
Pam
Posted by
4509 posts
If you drive, there is a Pictish stone and some standing stones that you can visit, see http://www.britainexpress.com/attraction-map.htm?Country=Scotland&Attraction=Prehistoric and zoom in on your route.