How to Get to St Andrews by Train and Bus from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee

St Andrews does not have a railway station. This surprises some visitors and puts others off the public transport option entirely — which is a mistake, because getting there by train and bus is straightforward, reliable, and in most cases easier than driving and trying to park.

The key is Leuchars. There is a mainline railway station at Leuchars, four miles north of St Andrews, on the Edinburgh–Dundee–Aberdeen line. From Leuchars, a regular bus service (the X59/60) runs directly to St Andrews bus station in the centre of town, taking around 12–15 minutes.

Here is how the journey works from each main departure point.

From Edinburgh

By train and bus (recommended)

Trains from Edinburgh Waverley to Leuchars run roughly twice an hour on weekdays. The journey takes approximately 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes. From Leuchars station, the X59 bus departs frequently and reaches St Andrews bus station in around 15 minutes.

Total journey time, door to door from central Edinburgh: approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.

Direct bus alternative

Stagecoach operates the X59 service direct from Edinburgh St Andrew Square bus station to St Andrews, without requiring a train connection. Journey time is typically 1 hour 15 to 1 hour 30 minutes depending on stops. Runs several times a day. Cheaper than the train if you're travelling off-peak. Check the Stagecoach East Scotland timetable for current times.

Driving comparison

Edinburgh to St Andrews by car via the M90 and A91 takes around 1 hour in normal traffic, longer in summer holiday periods. Parking in St Andrews is paid, limited, and stressful on busy summer days. For a stress-free trip into the town, train and bus is often the better option.

Train tickets

Book in advance at scotrail.co.uk for better fares. An off-peak Edinburgh to Leuchars return typically costs £14–20. Anytime fares are higher.

From Glasgow

By train and bus

Trains from Glasgow Queen Street or Glasgow Central to Edinburgh Waverley take around 50 minutes, then change to the Leuchars service. Alternatively, trains run from Glasgow to Dundee (via Edinburgh or via Stirling, depending on service) and you can pick up the Leuchars connection onwards.

The most common route: Glasgow → Edinburgh Waverley (change) → Leuchars → bus to St Andrews. Total journey time approximately 2 hours 15 to 2 hours 45 minutes.

Direct bus

No direct bus service from Glasgow to St Andrews. The train-plus-bus connection via Edinburgh or Dundee is the practical option.

Driving comparison

Glasgow to St Andrews is around 1 hour 45 minutes by car via M80 and M90. Train plus bus adds around 30–45 minutes but removes the parking problem and the driving.

From Dundee

This is the quickest and simplest journey of the three.

By train and bus

Dundee to Leuchars by train is 13–15 minutes, with trains running very regularly throughout the day on the mainline. Then the X59 bus to St Andrews is another 15 minutes. Total journey: approximately 30–35 minutes.

This is a significantly easier journey than most visitors expect.

By bus (direct)

Direct bus services also operate between Dundee and St Andrews. Journey time around 45–55 minutes, fewer departures than the train connection. The train is generally faster.

At Leuchars station

Leuchars is a small station. The bus stop for the X59 to St Andrews is directly outside the station entrance — there's no walking or navigation required. Buses run frequently enough that you rarely wait more than 15 minutes after a train arrives.

There is a small car park at Leuchars if you're driving from elsewhere and want to leave your car. Parking is free, though limited.

In St Andrews

The bus drops you at the St Andrews bus station on City Road, approximately a 5-minute walk from the Old Course and 10 minutes from most of the town centre.

There is no need to arrange transport from the bus station — everything of interest in St Andrews is walkable.

Getting to the courses from the bus station:

• Old Course — 5-minute walk west along The Scores or along the seafront
• New Course, Jubilee, Eden — adjacent to the Old Course, same walk
• Castle Course — 2 miles east of the town centre; a taxi from the bus station takes around 5 minutes. No direct bus service to the Castle Course
• Kingsbarns — 7 miles south of St Andrews; no direct public transport. Taxi from St Andrews takes around 15 minutes. Kingsbarns does not provide a shuttle from town

Taxis and transfers

Several taxi firms operate in St Andrews. For getting to the Castle Course or Kingsbarns, a taxi is the practical option from town.

Pre-book if you want a specific pick-up time after your round. The taxi rank on Market Street usually has cars available, but after a busy morning on the Old Course it can be depleted.

If you're arriving with clubs

Golf bags are allowed on ScotRail trains. Stagecoach buses will generally allow golf bags in the luggage hold below. On busy summer services, it's worth letting the bus driver know when you board.

An alternative worth knowing: several companies offer club hire in St Andrews if you're arriving by public transport and don't want to manage a bag on trains and buses. The R&A runs a club hire service adjacent to the Old Course starter's hut, and local hire companies operate from the town centre.

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For playing the Old Course itself once you're there: Old Course Ballot Odds and Tips. For budget ways to play St Andrews beyond the Old Course: the Balgove and Strathtyrum are the affordable entry points.