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A visit to St. Andrews in Scotland is a step back in time. From Edinburgh, cross the glacial Firth of Forth to Kingdom of Fife, where the spires of a medieval cathedral in ruins dominate the scenery, complemented by castle ruins overlooking the sea. Home to the world's third oldest English-speaking university, St. Andrews is also known as the home of golf, where even the private club is called both royal and ancient. In St. Andrews, getting around is easiest with a car, but alternative means of transportation are available from Edinburgh. Visitors from abroad must remember that driving is on the left-hand side of the road.
Driving to St. Andrews
The drive from Scotland's capital city of Edinburgh to St. Andrews is 50 miles to the northeast. Depart Edinburgh on the A90 (Queensferry Road), which leads to the Forth Road Bridge. Once across the bridge, the autoroute turns into the M90 motorway. Follow until junction 8, exiting onto A91 heading east, which is marked for St. Andrews. For journeys beginning at Edinburgh Airport, located 7 miles east of the city, follow airport exit signs for Eastfield Road to Glasgow Road (A90) and then Forth Road Bridge/M90. The university has buildings spread throughout the town, and the golf course lies adjacent to the town, on cliffs perched above the sea.
Getting to St. Andrews by Train
Trains from Edinburgh's Waverley Station call in at Leuchars Rail Station for St. Andrews-bound passengers, with a journey time of approximately one hour. Leuchars is located 6 miles from downtown St. Andrews. Public bus services into town are generally timed to meet train arrivals. Alternatively, a taxi rank is just outside the train station. Advance purchase tickets are generally cheaper. Some trains have a first class option. "Kids Go Free" is a ScotRail policy that allows up to two children 15 years old and under to travel free when accompanying a fare-paying adult. For extended stays, visiting students and travelers ages 16 to 25 with the required identification are eligible for a Youth Rail Card, available at certain manned stations or posted to U.K. addresses via domestic mail.
Bus Travel to St. Andrews
The Edinburgh Bus Station located at the east end of the city center between George Street and the St. James Center is sometimes referred to as the St. Andrews Street Station, which can cause some confusion for visitors. Stagecoach buses offer frequent service on comfortable, air conditioned coaches operating from Edinburgh to the modern bus station called St. Andrews, Fife, on Station Road. From there, the walk into town is only a few minutes. Scheduled travel time is approximately two hours on routes labeled X58, X59 or X60, all of which have free Wi-Fi onboard. Bus tickets may be purchased online in advance.
Visiting St. Andrews
St. Andrews has a population of about 17,000, roughly one-third of whom attend the university. It borders St. Andrews Bay overlooking the North Sea on Scotland's eastern coastline, where sand dunes separate the sea from the celebrated links of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club's Old Course dating from 1754. The University of St. Andrews, founded in the 15th century, is enjoying a 21st century afterglow of attention as alma mater of both William and Catherine, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Other sightseeing draws are a popular aquarium, the 2 miles of unspoiled West Sands beaches featured in the opening scenes of "Chariots of Fire," Sunday public tours of the golf course, and climbing the cathedral stairs for a view that incorporates lush Fife countryside and a look out to sea.
Driving to St. Andrews
The drive from Scotland's capital city of Edinburgh to St. Andrews is 50 miles to the northeast. Depart Edinburgh on the A90 (Queensferry Road), which leads to the Forth Road Bridge. Once across the bridge, the autoroute turns into the M90 motorway. Follow until junction 8, exiting onto A91 heading east, which is marked for St. Andrews. For journeys beginning at Edinburgh Airport, located 7 miles east of the city, follow airport exit signs for Eastfield Road to Glasgow Road (A90) and then Forth Road Bridge/M90. The university has buildings spread throughout the town, and the golf course lies adjacent to the town, on cliffs perched above the sea.
Getting to St. Andrews by Train
Trains from Edinburgh's Waverley Station call in at Leuchars Rail Station for St. Andrews-bound passengers, with a journey time of approximately one hour. Leuchars is located 6 miles from downtown St. Andrews. Public bus services into town are generally timed to meet train arrivals. Alternatively, a taxi rank is just outside the train station. Advance purchase tickets are generally cheaper. Some trains have a first class option. "Kids Go Free" is a ScotRail policy that allows up to two children 15 years old and under to travel free when accompanying a fare-paying adult. For extended stays, visiting students and travelers ages 16 to 25 with the required identification are eligible for a Youth Rail Card, available at certain manned stations or posted to U.K. addresses via domestic mail.
Bus Travel to St. Andrews
The Edinburgh Bus Station located at the east end of the city center between George Street and the St. James Center is sometimes referred to as the St. Andrews Street Station, which can cause some confusion for visitors. Stagecoach buses offer frequent service on comfortable, air conditioned coaches operating from Edinburgh to the modern bus station called St. Andrews, Fife, on Station Road. From there, the walk into town is only a few minutes. Scheduled travel time is approximately two hours on routes labeled X58, X59 or X60, all of which have free Wi-Fi onboard. Bus tickets may be purchased online in advance.
Visiting St. Andrews
St. Andrews has a population of about 17,000, roughly one-third of whom attend the university. It borders St. Andrews Bay overlooking the North Sea on Scotland's eastern coastline, where sand dunes separate the sea from the celebrated links of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club's Old Course dating from 1754. The University of St. Andrews, founded in the 15th century, is enjoying a 21st century afterglow of attention as alma mater of both William and Catherine, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Other sightseeing draws are a popular aquarium, the 2 miles of unspoiled West Sands beaches featured in the opening scenes of "Chariots of Fire," Sunday public tours of the golf course, and climbing the cathedral stairs for a view that incorporates lush Fife countryside and a look out to sea.
Posted in: Travel UK
