Prices for a private tour of St Andrews vary more than most people expect, because a two hour walk round the old town and a full day with a driver along the Fife coast are very different things. This guide sets out realistic ranges, what moves the price, and the extras that often get left out of the headline figure.
Most private tours here are priced per group, not per person, so the cost per head falls quickly as your party grows. The figures below are ballpark ranges for the St Andrews area and will shift with season, group size and what is included.
A day trip that starts from Edinburgh adds a fair amount, as you are paying for roughly three hours of return driving on top of the time spent in the town.
Time and vehicle are the two biggest factors. A saloon or people carrier for up to six or seven passengers costs far less to run than a 16 seat minibus, and anything over eight passengers needs a differently licensed vehicle and driver.
Season matters too. May to September is busy, and prices and availability tighten sharply in a year when The Open is at the Old Course, during university graduation weeks in June and late November, and around the Dunhill Links in early October. A midweek tour in March or November is usually the cheapest and easiest to book.
Pick up point also counts. Collection from a hotel in town or from Leuchars station, ten minutes away, is normally included. Collection from Dundee, Edinburgh Airport or a cruise ship at Rosyth or South Queensferry usually carries a mileage or time charge.
A quoted price should cover the vehicle, fuel, the driver guide's time and parking. Entry tickets are very often extra, so ask before you compare two quotes. One that looks £60 dearer may simply have admissions built in.
Wandering the West Sands, the harbour and pier, the university quads and the Swilcan Bridge costs nothing. The 18 hole Himalayas putting green beside the Old Course is only a few pounds each.
Be clear about what you actually want. If your interest is the medieval town, the castle, the cathedral and the golf landmarks, a half day on foot with a short drive is plenty, and a full day would be money spent sitting in a car. If you want the East Neuk villages of Crail, Anstruther, Pittenweem and Elie as well, you need a full day to do it without rushing.
Filling the vehicle is the simplest saving. A £600 day split between six is £100 each, which compares well with seat in coach tours once you allow for the door to door pick up and a route built round you.
Finally, ask for a written quote that lists hours, pick up and drop off points, admissions and the cancellation terms. Guided tours do not include a tee time on the Old Course, which is booked separately through the Links Trust ballot or advance application.
Almost always per group or per vehicle, so the price is the same for two people as for six in the same car. That makes private tours much better value for families and small parties than for solo travellers.
For summer dates, four to eight weeks ahead is sensible, and several months if your visit falls in an Open year, graduation week or the Dunhill Links. Outside those times a week or two of notice is often enough.
Usually not, unless the quote says so. Budget separately for admissions, lunch and any distillery tastings, or ask for them to be added so you have one all in figure.
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