Starting from Edinburgh: What Are Your Options?
St Andrews is roughly 50 miles (80km) from Edinburgh and takes about 1 hour 30 minutes by car. If you’re flying into Edinburgh Airport, the journey becomes a key part of your travel plan.
There’s no direct train or airport shuttle to St Andrews, but there are several routes you can take depending on your time, budget, and travel style.
Option 1: Private Taxi or Airport Transfer
The most direct and stress-free way is to book a private taxi service. Companies like St Andrews Cabs 474747 offer fixed-rate airport transfers and pickups from hotels or locations across Edinburgh.
Pros:
- Door-to-door convenience
- Luggage help
- Meet-and-greet at the airport
- Reliable during early mornings or late nights
Cons:
- More expensive than public transport
- Must book in advance (especially during tourist season)
Option 2: Train + Taxi Combo
While there’s no train station in St Andrews, you can take a train from Edinburgh Waverley Station to Leuchars (about 1 hour). From there, it’s a 10-minute taxi or bus ride into town.
Pros:
- Beautiful scenic journey
- Good for solo travelers
- Affordable
Cons:
- Requires two separate tickets
- Train delays can affect your connection
- Carrying luggage can be tricky
Option 3: Direct Bus Services
Bus companies like Stagecoach East Scotland run regular services from Edinburgh to St Andrews. These journeys typically take 2.5–3 hours depending on traffic and stops.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Frequent services
Cons:
- Long travel time
- May involve transfers or waiting
- Not ideal for large luggage
Option 4: Uber or Ride-Sharing
Technically, you could try to book an Uber from Edinburgh to St Andrews. However, most drivers won’t accept long-distance fares, and availability is unreliable. You might also face cancellation or surge pricing.
If a driver does accept, the fare could exceed £120+—with no guarantee they’ll take you back.
Pro Tip: Pre-Book Your Return
If you’re heading to St Andrews for a golf weekend, university visit, or a day trip, book both legs of your journey ahead of time. Local taxis get fully booked during tourist season, especially in summer and around major university events.
Conclusion
If you’re prioritizing comfort and reliability, a pre-booked taxi or airport transfer is your best bet. Want to save money? Try the train + taxi option for a balanced experience. Budget traveller? Catch a Stagecoach bus—just plan for a longer journey.
About the Author
Admin is a writer for St Andrews Cabs, sharing insights about local travel, transportation tips, and everything St Andrews has to offer.
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"Driver (Ali) was fast to pick up and made casual conversation that was genuine and natural. Excellent service all round"
Dorian Todd
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"Lovely and kind driver. Was feeling ill and he accommodated greatly, and asked if I was okay! Great service would use again :)"
Madeleine Darling
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"Abdo is a very reliable and patient driver who waited a long time for me when I unexpectedly became unreachable, and helped me catch my flight during the emergency flight changes."
Tuanzi Z
Google Review
"Very reliable and easy. Used it to go to Castle Course and Carnoustie. Highly recommend. "
Andrew Litschi
Google Review
"The best driver I've ever experienced in my 55 years of taxi service.helped us out when our tour van broke down at 5 am Great guy Great experience"
Save Pawlowski
Google Review
"Abdul was fantastic from pickup to drop off. Highly recommend! Thank you again"
Tim Fitzgerald
Google Review
"Driver (Ali) was fast to pick up and made casual conversation that was genuine and natural. Excellent service all round"
Dorian Todd
Google Review
"Lovely and kind driver. Was feeling ill and he accommodated greatly, and asked if I was okay! Great service would use again :)"
Madeleine Darling
Google Review
"Abdo is a very reliable and patient driver who waited a long time for me when I unexpectedly became unreachable, and helped me catch my flight during the emergency flight changes."
Tuanzi Z
Google Review
"Very reliable and easy. Used it to go to Castle Course and Carnoustie. Highly recommend. "
Andrew Litschi
Google Review
"The best driver I've ever experienced in my 55 years of taxi service.helped us out when our tour van broke down at 5 am Great guy Great experience"
Save Pawlowski
Google Review
"Abdul was fantastic from pickup to drop off. Highly recommend! Thank you again"
Tim Fitzgerald
Google Review
"Driver (Ali) was fast to pick up and made casual conversation that was genuine and natural. Excellent service all round"
Dorian Todd
Google Review
"Lovely and kind driver. Was feeling ill and he accommodated greatly, and asked if I was okay! Great service would use again :)"
Madeleine Darling
Google Review
"Abdo is a very reliable and patient driver who waited a long time for me when I unexpectedly became unreachable, and helped me catch my flight during the emergency flight changes."
Tuanzi Z
Google Review
"Very reliable and easy. Used it to go to Castle Course and Carnoustie. Highly recommend. "
Andrew Litschi
Google Review
"The best driver I've ever experienced in my 55 years of taxi service.helped us out when our tour van broke down at 5 am Great guy Great experience"
Save Pawlowski
Google Review
"Abdul was fantastic from pickup to drop off. Highly recommend! Thank you again"
Tim Fitzgerald
Google Review
"Driver (Ali) was fast to pick up and made casual conversation that was genuine and natural. Excellent service all round"
Dorian Todd
Google Review
"Lovely and kind driver. Was feeling ill and he accommodated greatly, and asked if I was okay! Great service would use again :)"
Madeleine Darling
Google Review
"Abdo is a very reliable and patient driver who waited a long time for me when I unexpectedly became unreachable, and helped me catch my flight during the emergency flight changes."
Tuanzi Z
Google Review
"Very reliable and easy. Used it to go to Castle Course and Carnoustie. Highly recommend. "
Andrew Litschi
Google Review
"The best driver I've ever experienced in my 55 years of taxi service.helped us out when our tour van broke down at 5 am Great guy Great experience"
Save Pawlowski
Google Review
"Abdul was fantastic from pickup to drop off. Highly recommend! Thank you again"
Tim Fitzgerald
Google Review
"Driver (Ali) was fast to pick up and made casual conversation that was genuine and natural. Excellent service all round"
Dorian Todd
Google Review
"Lovely and kind driver. Was feeling ill and he accommodated greatly, and asked if I was okay! Great service would use again :)"
Madeleine Darling
Google Review
"Abdo is a very reliable and patient driver who waited a long time for me when I unexpectedly became unreachable, and helped me catch my flight during the emergency flight changes."
Tuanzi Z
Google Review
"Very reliable and easy. Used it to go to Castle Course and Carnoustie. Highly recommend. "
Andrew Litschi
Google Review
"The best driver I've ever experienced in my 55 years of taxi service.helped us out when our tour van broke down at 5 am Great guy Great experience"
Save Pawlowski
Google Review
"Abdul was fantastic from pickup to drop off. Highly recommend! Thank you again"
Tim Fitzgerald
Google Review
"Driver (Ali) was fast to pick up and made casual conversation that was genuine and natural. Excellent service all round"
Dorian Todd
Google Review
"Lovely and kind driver. Was feeling ill and he accommodated greatly, and asked if I was okay! Great service would use again :)"
Madeleine Darling
Google Review
"Abdo is a very reliable and patient driver who waited a long time for me when I unexpectedly became unreachable, and helped me catch my flight during the emergency flight changes."
Tuanzi Z
Google Review
"Very reliable and easy. Used it to go to Castle Course and Carnoustie. Highly recommend. "
Andrew Litschi
Google Review
"The best driver I've ever experienced in my 55 years of taxi service.helped us out when our tour van broke down at 5 am Great guy Great experience"
Save Pawlowski
Google Review
"Abdul was fantastic from pickup to drop off. Highly recommend! Thank you again"
Tim Fitzgerald
Google Review
"Driver (Ali) was fast to pick up and made casual conversation that was genuine and natural. Excellent service all round"
Dorian Todd
Google Review
"Lovely and kind driver. Was feeling ill and he accommodated greatly, and asked if I was okay! Great service would use again :)"
Madeleine Darling
Google Review
"Abdo is a very reliable and patient driver who waited a long time for me when I unexpectedly became unreachable, and helped me catch my flight during the emergency flight changes."
Tuanzi Z
Google Review
"Very reliable and easy. Used it to go to Castle Course and Carnoustie. Highly recommend. "
Andrew Litschi
Google Review
"The best driver I've ever experienced in my 55 years of taxi service.helped us out when our tour van broke down at 5 am Great guy Great experience"
Save Pawlowski
Google Review
"Abdul was fantastic from pickup to drop off. Highly recommend! Thank you again"
Tim Fitzgerald
Google Review
"Driver (Ali) was fast to pick up and made casual conversation that was genuine and natural. Excellent service all round"
Dorian Todd
Google Review
"Lovely and kind driver. Was feeling ill and he accommodated greatly, and asked if I was okay! Great service would use again :)"
Madeleine Darling
Google Review
"Abdo is a very reliable and patient driver who waited a long time for me when I unexpectedly became unreachable, and helped me catch my flight during the emergency flight changes."
Tuanzi Z
Google Review
"Very reliable and easy. Used it to go to Castle Course and Carnoustie. Highly recommend. "
Andrew Litschi
Google Review
"The best driver I've ever experienced in my 55 years of taxi service.helped us out when our tour van broke down at 5 am Great guy Great experience"
Save Pawlowski
Google Review
"Abdul was fantastic from pickup to drop off. Highly recommend! Thank you again"
Tim Fitzgerald
Google Review
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