Getting to St Andrews
St Andrews town is located on the east coast of Scotland within the Kingdom of Fife, and can be easily reached from a number of nearby cities using public transport, road and private transfers. There are a choice of airports to fly into from international locations, and all have good links with the town.
As a certified Cycle Friendly Campus, an e-car hub and a car share provider, the University of St Andrews is committed to promoting sustainable modes of transport at every stage of your journey.
For information about getting around St Andrews, take a look at the range of University maps available and the guide Travel to and around St Andrews.
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St Andrews is well connected to a number of international airports within Scotland.
Edinburgh Airport
Around 50 miles from St Andrews, Edinburgh Airport is home to many domestic and international airlines. It has good connections to the city of Edinburgh, including both a tram line and 24-hour bus link (the Airlink bus service) to the centre of the city. There are a number of shuttle services that offer transfers directly to St Andrews from the airport by road, as well as a selection of car hire companies found within the airport.
Glasgow airports
Glasgow is home to two international airports: Glasgow Airport and Glasgow Prestwick. Glasgow Airport is around 90 miles from St Andrews, while Glasgow Prestwick is slightly further from the city. Both airports offer a number of bus routes into Glasgow, which connect with onward transport options to St Andrews.
Aberdeen Airport
Aberdeen Airport is around 80 miles from St Andrews. There are a number of public transport links from Aberdeen Airport, including a bus connection from the airport to the nearby Dyce railway station.
Dundee Airport
A small number of airlines fly into Dundee Airport, which is around 15 miles from St Andrews. Dundee has extensive transport links with St Andrews, including a regular bus service.
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The nearest railway station to St Andrews is Leuchars, around six miles from the town. The station facilities include 24-hour parking, a waiting room and taxi rank.
Those travelling to St Andrews by train should take the Edinburgh to Dundee or Edinburgh to Aberdeen line to Leuchars. For those travelling from south of Edinburgh, the Edinburgh to Aberdeen line links up with the London North Eastern Railway (LNER) line from London to Edinburgh, which allows travel from London to Leuchars on a direct route. The LNER line also calls at stops including York, Darlington, Newcastle, and Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Alternatively, the Edinburgh Gateway station links Edinburgh Airport to Leuchars on the rail network. Those flying into Edinburgh may travel to the Edinburgh Gateway station and join a train for Leuchars.
The Caledonian Sleeper service is also an option, which runs between London Euston and Leuchars overnight.
From Leuchars, St Andrews is easily reached by bus, taxi or car.
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St Andrews is easily accessible from across Scotland by bus. Most bus services arrive and depart from the bus station in the centre of town.
Bus travel within St Andrews
There are a number of bus services that serve St Andrews and the local area. Stagecoach in Fife offer a number of routes around the town through the 99 services, as well as routes that go through nearby towns and villages.
Travelling to and from Leuchars
The Stagecoach in Fife 99 service runs from St Andrews to Dundee through Leuchars approximately every 15 minutes during the day. The bus journey from St Andrews to Leuchars takes around 15 minutes. You may also choose to take the Moffat and Williamson 92 service from St Andrews to Dundee, although this service does not stop at the bus station.
Travelling within Scotland
If you are looking to travel to or from Edinburgh look out for the X58, X59 and X60 Stagecoach services, which take around two hours. Stagecoach also offers bus services to Glasgow, on the X24, X26 and X27 services, which take around two and a half hours.
Travelling within the UK and Europe
For bus travel to other destinations within the UK or Europe, you may wish to investigate the Megabus or National Express services. Both leave from a number of locations, including the Seagate bus station in Dundee, and services depart for destinations including London, Newcastle, Paris and Amsterdam.
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Driving to St Andrews is relatively simple. The town is signposted from Edinburgh and within Fife. Driving from Edinburgh takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. Driving from Glasgow takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes. Driving from Dundee takes around half an hour.
Car hire
Most major airports in the UK have car hire services available within the arrivals lounge. There are also nearby car hire companies in Dundee and Cupar.
Taxis
St Andrews is home to a number of taxi and shuttle firms. They can offer a range of services, from airport transfers to collection from Leuchars station. You can find taxi ranks in St Andrews on Bell Street, on South Street, and at the bus station.
Parking
St Andrews is a small town and a car is not always necessary to get around. If you decide to drive around St Andrews, please be aware that parking is limited and that it can be difficult to find a space at certain times of year. Much of the on-street parking in the centre of town is metered, and coins are required to pay.
There are a number of options for free parking in St Andrews, including the car park close to the Petheram Bridge roundabout, and car parks along the East and West Sands beaches. Some streets in the centre of St Andrews also have free spaces, although these are usually quickly filled.
Information about the location of Blue Badge spaces can be found on Fife Council’s disabled parking map using the postcode KY16 9AJ.
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St Andrews is on a number of cycle routes and can be easily navigated by bike.
From the north
A section of National Route 1, known as Coasts and Castles North, connects Edinburgh to Aberdeen through St Andrews. Part of this route between Guardbridge and St Andrews is traffic free.
From the south west
The Round the Forth section of National Route 76 meets up with the Coasts and Castles North section of National Route 1 to transport all the way from Dunbar to St Andrews, through Edinburgh and Kirkcaldy.
Cycling in St Andrews
For information about cycling within St Andrews, take a look at the University walking and cycling map (PDF).