Travel to and around St Andrews

Updated on: 31 October 2023

How to travel to or around St Andrews using bus, car, bike or walking.


The University encourages all staff and students to consider sustainable travel options as part of the University Strategy. These include walking, cycling, bus travel, and using car share schemes.  

The GoSEStran app, part of the Mobility as a Service (MaaS) initiative supported by the University, can help you plan journeys. Download the app and find out about options which can lower the carbon footprint of your travel. 

Travelling to and around St Andrews by bus

Night buses

Students and staff must show their ID cards to use the University night buses. 

St Andrews routes 

The University offers a free night bus that travels to and from various locations in St Andrews. Read the full timetables.

Dundee routes

There is also a night bus service which runs between St Andrews and Dundee. Some of these routes are free. Read the full timetables

Discounted bus travel 

The University has negotiated discounted travel with Stagecoach. The discount does not apply to people under 22 or over 60 years old, who already get free bus travel in Scotland. 

Find out how to get the bus travel discount

Cycling and walking

St Andrews is a small town so most people cycle or walk to travel within the town. 

The University’s sustainability group offers help for cyclists through its Bike Pool including: 

  • refurbished bikes for rent 
  • cargo bikes to transport large items 
  • adapted trikes for people with a range of physical abilities 
  • free bike fixing sessions 
  • bike fixing lessons 
  • bike lights for sale during the winter 
  • free Bike to Work breakfasts for commuter and postgraduate students. 

View interactive travel map.  

Travelling by car

There are only a small number of parking spaces in St Andrews, so the University asks students not to bring cars into the town unless absolutely necessary.

The University lists sustainable travel options for students who need to use a car.  

You can rent privately-owned cars by the hour or by the day from the St Andrews Car Club. Their cars are owned by local residents and the University.  

Staff and students can join the LiftShare scheme to be matched with drivers to get a lift into, from and around St Andrews. Drivers can join the scheme to offer lifts to students and staff. 

Parking

There are some free parking spaces in St Andrews at the Petheram Bridge roundabout and the East and West Sands beaches. Most on-street parking in the centre of town is metered and you will need coins or a parking app to pay.  

After matriculation, students who need a car can apply for a parking permit to use some University car parks in St Andrews for free. A parking permit does not guarantee a parking space. 

You can find Blue Badge spaces using the postcode KY16 9AJ on Fife Council’s disabled parking map


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