A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ephesus vs. Saint Andrews for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Ephesus or Saint Andrews?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ephesus or Saint Andrews, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Ephesus

Ephesus is a world-renowned, fascinating, and ancient archeological site. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food. See Ephesus travel costs.

Saint Andrews

Saint Andrews is a historic, charming, and quaint university town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. The beauty of Saint Andrews is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking. See Saint Andrews travel costs.

Ephesus and Saint Andrews: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ephesus or Saint Andrews?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Saint Andrews than Ephesus, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Saint Andrews is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Ephesus is more popular for its museums and attractions. Ephesus is more touristy than Saint Andrews and is popular for its well-preserved ruins and vast size Saint Andrews is well known for its reputation as the birthplace of golf. Also, Saint Andrews is famous for The Old Course.

The Old Course

How is Ephesus different from Saint Andrews?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Saint Andrews and Ephesus. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Ephesus or Saint Andrews?

Ephesus is terrific for its sights and museums. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Ephesus are among the most recognizable in the world. Of course, the iconic site is the ruins of Ephesus. There are also several fascinating museums in the area that offer deeper insights into the region's rich history and culture. The Ephesus Archaeological Museum in Selçuk is popular. It has an impressive collection of artifacts excavated from the ancient city, including statues, pottery, and inscriptions. Just outside the museum, the Temple of Artemis section displays remnants of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Selçuk Museum of Ephesus is another excellent spot to explore, with exhibits that highlight both the daily life of ancient Ephesians and their religious practices. A short drive from Ephesus is the House of the Virgin Mary museum, a revered site believed to be the final home of Mary, mother of Jesus, with a chapel and peaceful surroundings. Lastly, the İsa Bey Mosque and Museum in Selçuk adds to the area's historical depth, offering a glimpse into the Seljuk architecture and Islamic heritage of the region.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Saint Andrews. For many, a highlight of their trip is to play a round of golf at St. Andrews Links Golf Courses. Golf enthusiasts will also appreciate a visit to the British Golf Museum. Other interesting sights in the area include a visit to the ruins of the Cathedral of St. Andrew, visiting the St. Andrews University Museums, or stopping by St. Andrews Castle.

Is the Food Better in Ephesus or Saint Andrews? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint Andrews is a great university town for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Ephesus is not as popular, but is still a nice archeological site for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Saint Andrews has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The town holds on to its history and heritage, and that stands out with the restaurant selection. There are a range of of independent cafes and pubs and surprisingly few major chain restaurants and fast food joints.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Ephesus area. Most of the food options are found in the nearby town of Selçuk. Popular dishes include kebabs, mezes, and pide (Turkish flatbread pizza). Many restaurants are casual and cater specifically to the tourist crowds.

Is Ephesus or Saint Andrews Better for Nightlife?

Saint Andrews is a nice place to visit for nightlife and partying. However, Ephesus is not known for its evening party scene.

If you're looking for night time activities Saint Andrews has a few options to choose from. There are a large number of pubs and bars throughout the town, and you'll find students hanging out and keeping things lively.

Most people don't head to Ephesus specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The there are a couple of bars and restaurants with live music in the town of Selçuk, but generally the nightlife is very low key.

Is Ephesus or Saint Andrews Better for Beaches?

Saint Andrews is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Ephesus is not a beach destination.

Saint Andrews has a beach worth visiting. Adding to the natural beauty is the beautiful coastline around St. Andrews. Some of the best beaches include West Sands Beach, Kingsbarns Beach, Castle Sands, and Saint Andrews Beach.

Ephesus is not a beach destination.

Is Ephesus or Saint Andrews Better for Hiking?

Saint Andrews is a nice place to visit for hiking. However, Ephesus is not a hiking destination.

Saint Andrews has hiking trails worth exploring. There are some beautiful hikes just outside of town. Check out the views from Chamcook Mountain or wander down the Van Horne Trail.

Ephesus is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ephesus or Saint Andrews?

Saint Andrews is a great university town for its shopping opportunities. Also, Ephesus is not as popular, but is still a nice archeological site for its shopping areas.

Saint Andrews is well-known for its shopping. The town is filled with boutique shops and local markets where you can buy unique items like artisan food, handmade crafts, or local art.

Many visitors go to Ephesus to go shopping. Selçuk has a variety of local shops and markets. Traditional handicrafts such as carpet and kilim weaving, ceramics, and leather goods are popular souvenirs. The Selçuk Market is held on Saturdays and offers fresh produce, spices, and other local products.

Is Ephesus or Saint Andrews More Beautiful?

Saint Andrews is a great university town for its scenery and beauty. However, Ephesus is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Saint Andrews is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. From its longstanding history with golf to its stunning landscapes, this is a beautiful and fascinating destination.

Ephesus is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Ephesus or Saint Andrews Better for Families?

Ephesus and Saint Andrews are both notable destinations for the whole family.

Ephesus offers lots of family activities. Kids who are into history or archeology will enjoy a visit to the famed ruins of Ephesus. There's also the Ephesus Archaeological Museum where everyone can learn about ancient Greek and Roman cultures in an interactive setting. The nearby House of the Virgin Mary offers a peaceful stop where kids can learn about its historical and religious significance in a tranquil environment. For an active experience, families can enjoy a short hike to Pamucak Beach, where children can swim, build sandcastles, and enjoy the Mediterranean sun.

Saint Andrews is a family-friendly place to visit. There are some great playgrounds, parks, and gardens that kids will enjoy. Check out Kingbrae Gardens, Ministers Island, and Katy’s Cove. For museums, head to Ross Memorial Museum and Huntsman Fundy Discovery Aquarium.

Is Ephesus or Saint Andrews Better for Couples?

Saint Andrews is a great university town for its romantic activities. Also, Ephesus is not as popular, but is still a nice archeological site for couples.

Saint Andrews is a great university town if you're traveling as a couple. The scenic landscapes, stunning views, and quaint charm make this a perfect place for couples to escape to. You can enjoy boat rides, seafood restaurants, golfing, and spas all while you soak up the natural beauty.

Ephesus is a good archeological site for couples to visit. Many couples stop off at these ruins as part of a bigger tour of Turkey. The ruins are well preserved and impressive, but can get crowded if you visit during the peak times.

Is Ephesus or Saint Andrews Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ephesus is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Saint Andrews is not a good university town for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Ephesus. Many backpackers stay in the nearby town of Selçuk, which has several hostels. This is also where you'll find a number of restaurants and shopping opportunities.

Saint Andrews is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not really a backpacker's destination, but there are some guesthouses and apartments that are more affordable.

Is Ephesus or Saint Andrews Better for Students?

Saint Andrews is renowned for its student-friendly activities. However, Ephesus is not popular with students.

Saint Andrews is a great destination for students. At its heart, this is a university town with a long standing history in teaching. You'll find the town's population doubles when students are in town.

Ephesus is not popular with students.

Is Ephesus or Saint Andrews Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Ephesus is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Ephesus can get you around easily. The town of Selçuk is well-connected by dolmuşes (shared minivans) that run frequently and offer affordable rides to nearby destinations, including Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary, and the Pamucak Beach area.

Saint Andrews has some public transit options. There are buses through St. Andrews.

Is Ephesus or Saint Andrews a more walkable city?

Ephesus and Saint Andrews are notable when it comes to walkability.

Ephesus is a somewhat walkable place. The ruins are spread out over a large area, but most of the key sites, like the Library of Celsus and the Great Theater, are within walking distance of each other. From Selçuk, it's about a half hour walk to the entrance of the Ephesus ruins, but most visitors prefer to take a short taxi or dolmuş ride to the site. Within Selçuk, many of the sites can be reached on foot.

Saint Andrews is a somewhat walkable archeological site. Parts of the town are compact enough to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Ephesus Worth Visiting? and Is Saint Andrews Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saint Andrews or Ephesus?

How long in Ephesus or Saint Andrews?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Ephesus or Saint Andrews to fill your time. In our opinion, Saint Andrews has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Saint Andrews than Ephesus. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Saint Andrews than Ephesus. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Saint Andrews, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Saint Andrews than Ephesus. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Saint Andrews that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

One day in Ephesus or Saint Andrews?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the ancient destination of Ephesus. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Saint Andrews is a small town with plenty to do. This university town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Ephesus or Saint Andrews?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ephesus. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Saint Andrews might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Saint Andrews has to offer.

Five days in Ephesus or Saint Andrews?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the world-renowned destination of Ephesus. This archeological site offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Saint Andrews is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Ephesus or Saint Andrews?

You'll find museums and food around the archeological site of Ephesus. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Andrews. Since Saint Andrews is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Turkey, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Turkey, The Best 2-Week Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United Kingdom.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ephesus and Saint Andrews, we can see that Saint Andrews is more expensive. And not only is Ephesus much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ephesus would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ephesus and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Saint Andrews would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Andrews than you might in Ephesus.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ephesus Expensive? and Is Saint Andrews Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ephesus or Saint Andrews?

Ephesus has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Saint Andrews. When comparing the sizes of Ephesus and Saint Andrews, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Ephesus or Saint Andrews?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Ephesus or Saint Andrews in the Summer?

Both Saint Andrews and Ephesus during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Ephesus because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saint Andrews this time of year.

Ephesus is much warmer than Saint Andrews in the summer. The daily temperature in Ephesus averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Saint Andrews fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

It's quite sunny in Ephesus. In the summer, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Saint Andrews. Ephesus gets 378 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Andrews receives 184 hours of full sun.

Ephesus usually gets less rain in July than Saint Andrews. Ephesus gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Saint Andrews receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ephesus or Saint Andrews in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Ephesus and Saint Andrews. The shopping scene are the main draw to Ephesus this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Saint Andrews for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Ephesus is much warmer than Saint Andrews. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ephesus in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Saint Andrews averages at about 10°C (49°F).

In Ephesus, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Saint Andrews during autumn. Ephesus gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Andrews receives 100 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Ephesus usually receives less rain than Saint Andrews. Ephesus gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Saint Andrews receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Ephesus or Saint Andrews in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Ephesus as well as Saint Andrews. Many travelers come to Ephesus for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Saint Andrews in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Saint Andrews can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Ephesus is generally much warmer than Saint Andrews. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 10°C (50°F), and Saint Andrews fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Saint Andrews. Ephesus gets 131 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Andrews receives 58 hours of full sun.

Ephesus receives a lot of rain in the winter. Ephesus usually gets more rain in January than Saint Andrews. Ephesus gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Saint Andrews receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ephesus or Saint Andrews in the Spring?

Both Saint Andrews and Ephesus are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Saint Andrews for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

Ephesus is much warmer than Saint Andrews in the spring. The daily temperature in Ephesus averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Saint Andrews fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ephesus. Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Saint Andrews during spring. Ephesus gets 231 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Andrews receives 155 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Ephesus usually receives less rain than Saint Andrews. Ephesus gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Saint Andrews receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Saint Andrews and Ephesus