St Andrews
Home of golf, ancient university town, and North Sea beaches — 90 minutes from Glasgow, 55 from Edinburgh.
St Andrews sits on the north-east coast of Fife, famous worldwide as the Home of Golf and for Scotland's oldest university. The medieval Old Course, ruined cathedral, castle, West Sands beach and cobbled streets make it an easy full-day trip from either Glasgow or Edinburgh — and an obvious airport-to-golf transfer.
Highlights
- The Old Course — walk the 18th fairway, Swilcan Bridge and Road Hole even without a tee time.
- St Andrews Cathedral & St Rule's Tower — climb for the best town view.
- St Andrews Castle — clifftop ruin with mine and countermine tunnels.
- West Sands — the 2-mile beach from the Chariots of Fire opening credits.
- The University of St Andrews — Scotland's oldest (1413), where Prince William met Catherine.
- The British Golf Museum — right next to the Old Course.
Suggested itineraries
Airport to golf transfer
Edinburgh Airport → St Andrews clubhouse or hotel (Old Course Hotel, Fairmont, Rusacks). 55–70 minutes; MPV or 8-seater fits clubs, cases and up to 8 golfers.
Day trip from Edinburgh
Edinburgh → Forth Bridges photo → Anstruther for fish & chips → St Andrews town, cathedral, castle → West Sands → return. 8–9 hours.
Day trip from Glasgow
Glasgow → Stirling for a coffee stop → St Andrews (4 hours) → return via Falkirk Wheel or Kelpies. 9–10 hours.
Practical notes
- The Old Course is closed to play on Sundays but open for walking — a highlight in itself.
- Tee times for visitors run via ballot 48 hours ahead; Kingsbarns and Castle Course are alternatives.
- Park & Ride is at the edge of town; the historic centre is small and walkable.
- Fish & chips at The Tailend or Cromars is a St Andrews rite of passage.
- The Open Championship returns to St Andrews on rotation — pre-book transfers 6+ months out.
FAQs
How much is a taxi from Edinburgh Airport to St Andrews?
From £95 for a saloon and £140+ for an MPV or 8-seater with golf clubs. Journey time is 55–70 minutes across the Queensferry Crossing.
How much is a taxi from Glasgow Airport to St Andrews?
From £140 for a saloon; 95–110 minutes via the M80 and M90. Golfing groups usually book an MPV or 8-seater to fit clubs.
Can I do St Andrews as a day trip?
Yes — 8–9 hours from Edinburgh or 9–10 from Glasgow with a private driver gives you the town, cathedral, Old Course walk and West Sands with lunch in between.