The key thing to know is that trains stop at Leuchars, six miles from the town, on the main line between Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen. Frequent buses and taxis meet them.
Routes at a glance
| From | How | Time | Rough cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh | Train to Leuchars, then bus 99 or taxi | about 1 hr 20 min – 1½ hours | around £15–25 by train, plus a few pounds for the bus |
| Edinburgh | Direct Stagecoach express bus (X59 / X60) | about 2 hours | around £10–15 |
| Edinburgh | Car over the Queensferry Crossing | about 1¼–1½ hours | fuel plus parking |
| Edinburgh | Guided day tour with the East Neuk | 8½–9 hours in total | roughly €65–75 |
| Dundee | Bus 99, or train to Leuchars | about 30–40 min | around £5–8 |
| Glasgow | Train with one change, or car | about 2–2½ hours | from around £20 |
Times and prices are approximate and change with season and booking date — check operators for current timetables and fares.
By train and bus
Trains from Edinburgh Waverley and Haymarket to Leuchars take about an hour and cross the Forth Bridge on the way — sit on the right for the view of the firth. Outside the station, bus 99 runs to St Andrews bus station every ten minutes or so during the day (about ten minutes); taxis wait too. Through tickets to “St Andrews Bus” including the bus leg are sold by ScotRail. From the north, change at Dundee or come direct to Leuchars from Aberdeen.
By car
From Edinburgh, cross the Queensferry Crossing and follow the M90 and A91, or take the slower, prettier coast road through the East Neuk. From Perth and the Highlands, the A91 through Cupar is the direct route. Parking in the town centre is limited and metered; there are larger car parks at West Sands, Petheram Bridge and the East Sands. A car is very useful for the villages and Falkland.
Getting around
St Andrews is entirely walkable. For the East Neuk, bus 95 follows the coast to Crail, Anstruther, Pittenweem, St Monans and Elie; services are roughly hourly and thinner on Sundays, so check return times. Cycling is pleasant on the quiet back roads, and the Fife Coastal Path lets you walk between villages and ride the bus back.
