Only one free day? · Day trip from Edinburgh
St Andrews or North Berwick?
| Field | St Andrews | North Berwick |
|---|---|---|
| Travel time | 53 min + 15 min bus from Leuchars | 23 min fastest train; most take 32-35 min |
| Transport | Train + bus | Train |
| Self-guided | – | £ 29.10 |
| Tour | € 84.70 | – |
| Time needed | 5–7 h | 4–6 h |
| Closed | Castle and cathedral: 25-26 Dec, 1-2 Jan | Seabird Centre: 25-26 Dec |
| Best time | Apr-Sep, when the castle stays open until 17:30 | Apr-Aug, when the Seabird Centre stays open until 18:00 |
| Verdict | Worth a full day | Worth half a day |
Our verdict
St Andrews for a day, North Berwick for half.
For a full day by the sea, St Andrews has more to see: cathedral ruins, a castle at £ 10 online, the Old Course and West Sands. It also takes longer, 53 minutes by train to Leuchars and then 15 minutes on bus 99. North Berwick is the better pick when you have only a morning or an afternoon. The train is direct, 23 minutes at best, the return is £ 15.60 and the Seabird Centre costs £ 13.50. Choose it too on a day when you want a beach walk and no connection to worry about.
Last checked: · Train times from Trainline listings of ScotRail services; return fares from the Scottish Government and Lothian Buses; opening days from each attraction's official site.