Self Catering Accommodation in St Andrews

St Andrews sits on the Fife coast, about 50 miles north-east of Edinburgh. By car it takes around 1 hour 15 minutes from Edinburgh and 25 minutes from Dundee. By train, travel to Leuchars (about an hour from Edinburgh Waverley), then take the short bus or taxi ride into town.

No. The nearest station is Leuchars, about 5 miles away. Stagecoach’s 99 bus runs frequently between Leuchars, St Andrews and Dundee and takes around 12 minutes from the station into town. You can also pre-book a taxi to meet your train.

Edinburgh Airport is the most convenient for most visitors, about an hour and a quarter by car. Glasgow and Aberdeen airports are roughly two hours away. From Edinburgh Airport you can hire a car, book a transfer, or take the tram into Edinburgh and the train to Leuchars.

Not to get around town. St Andrews is compact, and the Old Course, beaches, shops and restaurants are all within easy walking distance of each other. Buses run to Dundee, Leuchars and along the coast to the East Neuk villages. A car is handy for golf bags, family trips and exploring the Fife countryside.

Many of our holiday homes include private or allocated parking, so check the listing before you book. Otherwise, Petheram Bridge car park on the edge of town has around 300 free spaces, and Murray Place is convenient for the Old Course side of town. Street parking in the centre is mostly pay and display and fills up quickly in summer.

It depends on your trip:

• Golf: The Scores, Golf Place and the streets around the Links put you minutes from the Old Course first tee.
• Restaurants and shops: North Street, Market Street and South Street are the heart of the old town.
• Families and beach days: homes near the East Sands and the harbour are close to the sand and rock pools.
• Space and parking: the outskirts and nearby villages such as Strathkinness and Kingsbarns are quieter, with bigger gardens.

Browse our collections to compare areas.

Yes. Many of our flats and houses are a 5 to 10 minute walk from the Old Course, the R&A clubhouse and the West Sands. See our golf trip accommodation, where you can also filter for club storage and space for groups.

We do, from apartments on The Scores looking over St Andrews Bay to cottages a short stroll from the beach. See our beach and sea view accommodation.

Yes. We have larger houses for family get-togethers, golf groups and celebrations, many with several bathrooms and parking. See our large holiday homes in St Andrews.

Yes, many of our properties welcome dogs, some with enclosed gardens and all close to beach and coastal walks. See our dog-friendly holiday homes, and let us know when you book that you are bringing a dog.

When you book direct you get our best available rate with no third-party booking fees, a local team you can actually call, and direct-only offers for newsletter members. Have a look at our latest holiday offers.

There are three main ways:

• Advance tee times released by St Andrews Links, which sell out quickly, or a golf package that includes a guaranteed round.
• The daily ballot, entered two days before you want to play.
• The singles daily draw for solo golfers, entered in person the day before.

Our guide to how to play the Old Course explains each option.

Enter online, by phone or in person at the Old Pavilion or the Links Clubhouse by 2pm two days before you want to play. Entries are for 2 to 4 players, and you need each player’s name, handicap and home club. Results are usually published later that afternoon. There is no ballot for Sundays, when the Old Course is closed for golf.

The maximum handicap is 36 for both men and women, and you will need to show a valid handicap certificate to the starter on the day.

Yes. The Old Course is usually closed for golf on Sundays and open to walkers, which is the best time to stand on the Swilcan Bridge for a photo. On other days, Granny Clark’s Wynd, the public road across the 1st and 18th fairways, gives you a close-up view.

St Andrews Links has seven public courses, including the New, Jubilee, Eden and Castle courses. Kingsbarns is a short drive along the coast, and Carnoustie is under an hour away. See where to play golf in St Andrews.

Yes. Many of our properties are close to the courses, with secure club storage, flexible living space for groups and easy access to the Links. Start with our golf stays.

The 155th Open returns to the Old Course in July 2027, with Open week running from 11 to 18 July. It will be the busiest week in St Andrews for years, so book early. See our accommodation for The Open 2027.

The West Sands is almost two miles of wide, flat beach backed by dunes and the Links, and it’s where the opening scene of Chariots of Fire was filmed. It’s brilliant for long walks, kite flying and big skies. Blown Away runs land yachting, surfing, kayaking and paddleboarding, and Wild Scottish Sauna has a sauna beside the beach. There is parking along West Sands Road.

The East Sands is a sheltered, family-friendly beach beside the harbour, a short walk from the town centre. There are rock pools at low tide, and you can walk out along the harbour pier for views back over the town.

Yes, but the North Sea is cold all year round. A wetsuit helps, and always check the tide and conditions before you go in. Warm up afterwards at one of the seaside saunas.

Dogs are welcome on the West Sands all year round. Please keep them under close control around wildlife and other beach users, and pick up after them. Our dog-friendly holiday homes are close to plenty of walks.

Try the Fife Coastal Path east to Kinkell Braes and the Rock and Spindle, the Lade Braes path through town to the Botanic Garden, or the full length of the West Sands towards the Eden Estuary.

• Walk the Old Course and visit the R&A World Golf Museum by the 18th green.
• Explore the cathedral ruins and climb St Rule’s Tower for views over the town.
• Visit St Andrews Castle on the cliffs.
• Walk the West Sands.
• Wander the Botanic Garden and the university’s St Salvator’s Quad.
• Catch a show at the Byre Theatre.

Historic Environment Scotland sites can change their opening times, so check before you go.

Try the R&A World Golf Museum, St Andrews Aquarium, a film at the New Picture House cinema or a show at the Byre Theatre. Then settle into one of the town’s cafes and bookshops. A seaside sauna is just as good in the rain.

Rock pooling on the East Sands, St Andrews Aquarium, Craigtoun Park (seasonal), the Botanic Garden and Blown Away’s beach activities are all family favourites. Cairnie Fruit Farm near Cupar is a great day out in summer.

The East Neuk fishing villages of Crail, Anstruther, Pittenweem and Elie are 20 to 30 minutes along the coast. You can find holiday homes in the East Neuk villages on our sister site. Dundee and the V&A are about 25 minutes away, Falkland Palace is around 40 minutes, and Edinburgh is easy by train from Leuchars.

Highlights include The Open in July 2027, the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship each autumn, university graduations in summer and winter, and St Andrew’s Day on 30 November. Our holiday guides cover what’s coming up.

Local favourites include The Adamson for seasonal Scottish dishes, The Seafood Ristorante for views over the bay, Haar for creative tasting menus, Tailend for fish and chips, Balgove Steak Barn just outside town, and Jannettas for gelato. Book ahead for dinner at weekends and in summer. See places to eat in St Andrews.

Morrisons, M&S Foodhall and Aldi are all convenient for a bigger shop. In town, Fisher & Donaldson is the place for bakery treats, and Balgove Larder just outside St Andrews sells excellent local produce. Many guests book a supermarket delivery to arrive on their first day.

Tailend in the town centre is a local favourite. If you are heading along the coast, the Anstruther Fish Bar is a classic East Neuk stop.

Spring and summer (April to September) bring longer days, warmer weather and lively events, perfect for golf, beaches and coastal walks. Autumn has fewer crowds and beautiful light, and winter is peaceful and good value for a cosy break by the sea.

The busiest times are university graduations, major golf events (especially The Open in July 2027), summer weekends and the festive period. Book two to three months ahead for summer, and as early as you can for graduation and Open week.

It’s a coastal climate: generally mild, often breezy and changeable. Summer days are usually in the mid to high teens Celsius, with long light evenings, and in June it’s light until well after 10pm. Pack layers and a waterproof whatever the season.

Our homes come fully furnished with hotel-quality linen and towels, a fully equipped kitchen, free Wi-Fi, smart TVs and essentials such as local toiletries. Some also have private gardens, parking, sea views, log burners or hot tubs, so check each listing for details. Find your perfect holiday home.

Read your house guide for parking, access, Wi-Fi and check-in details. Book restaurants, taxis, supermarket deliveries and tee times in advance. Contact us before your stay if you are bringing a dog, need baby equipment or extra parking, or have accessibility questions.