A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Everglades National Park vs. Saint Simons for Food, Hiking, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Everglades National Park or Saint Simons?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Everglades National Park and Saint Simons can help you decide which place is right for you.

Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park is a pristine, adventure-filled, and unique national park. Everglades National Park is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for hiking. See Everglades National Park travel costs.

Saint Simons

Saint Simons is a scenic, relaxing, and laid back island. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Saint Simons offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the shopping, food, and beaches. See Saint Simons travel costs.

Everglades National Park and Saint Simons: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular for shopping
Pros
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Nice resorts
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Small town charm
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Everglades National Park or Saint Simons?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Saint Simons than Everglades National Park, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Saint Simons is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, shopping, and small town charm, while Everglades National Park is more popular for its hiking. Everglades National Park is well known for its unique habitats and wildlife such as the friendly manatees. Saint Simons is well known for its beaches, charter fishing, and golf courses. Also, Saint Simons is famous for East Beach.

How is Everglades National Park different from Saint Simons?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Saint Simons and Everglades National Park. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Everglades National Park or Saint Simons?

Everglades National Park
Saint Simons

You'll find a number of respectable museums and attractions in both Saint Simons and Everglades National Park.

While most people don't head to Everglades National Park specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. It's worth checking out the Museum of the Everglades, but most visitors prefer to spend their time outdoors exploring the habitats.

Saint Simons offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. St. Simons Lighthouse is a highlight for many visitors. There's a maritime museum attached to the lighthouse as well. Fort Frederica National Monument is another historic site that is worth a visit.


Is the Food Better in Everglades National Park or Saint Simons? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Everglades National Park
Saint Simons

Saint Simons is a great island for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Everglades National Park is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Saint Simons has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are more than 70 restaurants on the island that range from cafes to fine dining. You can enjoy an eggs benedict for brunch, crab cakes for lunch, and shrimp and grits for dinner. Many restaurants take advantage of the mild climate by offering outdoor seating. There are also several dessert places with ice cream or donuts.

Everglades National Park offers some easy restaurants to choose from. There are a few casual eateries near the park. The options include taquerias and grills. You'll also find some farm fresh fruit stands on the side of the road and it's definitely worth stopping to pick up a snack.

Is Everglades National Park or Saint Simons Better for Nightlife?

Everglades National Park
Saint Simons

Saint Simons is adequate for its evening party scene. However, Everglades National Park is not known for nightlife.

Saint Simons doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are several family-friendly bars with laid back atmospheres around town, but if you're looking for a wild night out, there aren't a lot of places to go.

People don't go to Everglades National Park for the nightlife. There are a couple of grills outside of the park, but the nightlife scene is very limited.

Is Everglades National Park or Saint Simons Better for Resorts?

Everglades National Park
Saint Simons

Saint Simons is very good for its luxury resorts. However, Everglades National Park is not a resort destination.

Saint Simons has a few great resort options. There are a handful of nice resorts with pools and beachfront settings.

Everglades National Park is not a resort destination.


Is Everglades National Park or Saint Simons Better for Beaches?

Everglades National Park
Saint Simons

Saint Simons is a great island for the beach. However, Everglades National Park is not a beach destination.

Saint Simons is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There's golden sand and a beautiful setting. Visitors enjoy swimming or walking along the coastline. You'll also find piers and playgrounds. East Beach is one of the most popular.

Everglades National Park is not a beach destination.

Is Everglades National Park or Saint Simons Better for Hiking?

Everglades National Park
Saint Simons

Everglades National Park is a great destination for its hiking experiences. Also, Saint Simons is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Everglades National Park. The trails take you through a variety of habitats and range in length from short nature walks to longer, in depth hikes. Do be aware that the insects can be brutal. Mosquitos and biting flies are both common.

Many people include a hike when visiting Saint Simons. There are several parks and natural areas where you can enjoy a walk in nature. Cannon's Point Preserve has a nice trail system. Other trails on the island include John Gilbert Nature Trail, Earth Day Nature Trail, and Wanderer Memorial Trail.

Is the Shopping Better in Everglades National Park or Saint Simons?

Everglades National Park
Saint Simons

Saint Simons is a great island for its shopping areas. However, Everglades National Park is not known for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Saint Simons. You'll find a good concentration of gift shops and clothing boutiques on the island. Antiquing is also popular. Head to Pier Village for a nice mix of shops.

Everglades National Park has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There's a park store, but otherwise the shopping is very limited.


Is Everglades National Park or Saint Simons More Beautiful?

Everglades National Park
Saint Simons

You'll find a similar quality of notable scenery and beauty in both Everglades National Park and Saint Simons.

Everglades National Park offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The natural beauty is impressive and it's easy to see why this is a highlight for many visitors to southern Florida.

Saint Simons is a gorgeous place to visit. Beautiful beaches and live oaks with Spanish moss give the island a southern charm.

Is Everglades National Park or Saint Simons Better for Families?

Everglades National Park
Saint Simons

Saint Simons is a great island for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Everglades National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice national park for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Saint Simons. The beaches are kid-friendly and there are many family-friendly restaurants in town. There's also the St. Simons Lighthouse, minigolf, and kayaking, as well as Neptune Park Fun Zone.

Everglades National Park is a family-friendly place to visit. An airboat ride is a highlight for many kids. There's also hiking, kayaking, and even Junior Ranger programs. Do be on the lookout for mosquitoes, which can be relentless in the park.

Is Everglades National Park or Saint Simons Better for Couples?

Everglades National Park
Saint Simons

Saint Simons is a great island for couples. Also, Everglades National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice national park for romance.

Saint Simons is a great island if you're traveling as a couple. There are romantic restaurants, beautiful beaches, and nice hotels. Sunset walks on the beach or a round of golf all make this a favorite couple's destination.

Everglades National Park is a nice destination for couples. Hiking and enjoying a bit of nature makes for a nice romantic getaway. Go kayaking or take an airboat ride and then enjoy some time exploring the natural setting.


Is Everglades National Park or Saint Simons Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Everglades National Park
Saint Simons

Everglades National Park is a great destination for backpackers. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Everglades National Park. There are two drive-in campgrounds (Long Pine Key Campground and Flamingo Campground) that you can reach from the Homestead entrance to the park.

Saint Simons is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are campgrounds in the area that offer access to the island.

Is Everglades National Park or Saint Simons Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Everglades National Park
Saint Simons

Neither Everglades National Park or Saint Simons offer decent public transit.

Public transit is quite limited in Everglades National Park. There is no real public transportation to the park so an organized tour is your best option if you don't have a vehicle.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Saint Simons. While there are trolley tours available, public transportation is basically non-existent.

Is Everglades National Park or Saint Simons a more walkable city?

Everglades National Park
Saint Simons

Saint Simons is very good for its ease of walking around. However, Everglades National Park is not known for its walkability.

Saint Simons is a somewhat walkable island. The downtown area is walkable, but to access much of what is available, you'll want to have a car.

Everglades National Park is generally not very walkable. While there are hiking trails, to really explore the park you'll want to have a car or take an organized tour.


For even more information, also check out Is Everglades National Park Worth Visiting? and Is Saint Simons Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saint Simons or Everglades National Park?

How long in Everglades National Park or Saint Simons?

It's fun to spend time in either Everglades National Park or Saint Simons. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Saint Simons due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Everglades National Park, and 2-4 days is enough time in Saint Simons.

Families should spend more time in Saint Simons than Everglades National Park. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Saint Simons, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Saint Simons than Everglades National Park. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Saint Simons that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.


  • How many days in Everglades National Park or Saint Simons? Ideal Length of Stay
    Everglades National Park 2-3 
    Saint Simons 2-4

One day in Everglades National Park or Saint Simons?

In Everglades National Park, many people enjoy the that this pristine national park offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Saint Simons is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A weekend in Everglades National Park or Saint Simons?

Everglades National Park is a fun place to experience. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Saint Simons is a small town with plenty to do. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. If you have a weekend, this island makes for a great vacation.A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Five days in Everglades National Park or Saint Simons?

You'll find around the unique destination of Everglades National Park. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Saint Simons is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people come for the beaches. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.


A week in Everglades National Park or Saint Simons?

Everglades National Park is a popular place to visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Saint Simons is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, and The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Saint Simons or Everglades National Park?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Everglades National Park Prices
    USA Prices
    Saint Simons Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Everglades National Park $169
    Saint Simons $211

The average daily cost (per person) in Everglades National Park is $169, while the average daily cost in Saint Simons is $211. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Everglades National Park and Saint Simons in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Everglades National Park $80
    Saint Simons $100
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Everglades National Park $160
    Saint Simons $200
Compare Hotels in Everglades National Park and Saint Simons

Looking for a hotel in Everglades National Park or Saint Simons? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Everglades National Park


Hotels in Saint Simons


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Saint Simons Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Everglades National Park $56
    Saint Simons $49

Is it cheaper to fly into Everglades National Park or Saint Simons?

Prices for flights to both Saint Simons and Everglades National Park change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Everglades National Park $54
    Saint Simons $83

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Everglades National Park $28
    Saint Simons $16

Tours and Activities in Everglades National Park

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Everglades National Park.

  • Flamingo Everglades Boat Tours: $52

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Everglades National Park $7.86
    Saint Simons $60


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Everglades National Park and Saint Simons, we can see that Saint Simons is more expensive. And not only is Everglades National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Everglades National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Everglades National Park and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Saint Simons would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Simons than you might in Everglades National Park.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Everglades National Park Expensive? and Is Saint Simons Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Everglades National Park or Saint Simons?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Saint Simons in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Everglades National Park as well as Saint Simons. Most visitors come to Everglades National Park for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Saint Simons because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Everglades National Park is around the same temperature as Saint Simons. Typically, the summer temperatures in Everglades National Park in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Saint Simons averages at about 82°F (28°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Simons. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Everglades National Park this time of the year. In the summer, Everglades National Park often gets more sunshine than Saint Simons. Everglades National Park gets 316 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Simons receives 286 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Saint Simons. Everglades National Park receives a lot of rain in the summer. Everglades National Park usually gets more rain in July than Saint Simons. Everglades National Park gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Saint Simons receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Everglades National Park 82°F (28°C) 
    Saint Simons 82°F (28°C)

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Saint Simons in the Autumn?

Both Saint Simons and Everglades National Park are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Everglades National Park because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saint Simons this time of year.

In October, Everglades National Park is generally a little warmer than Saint Simons. Daily temperatures in Everglades National Park average around 78°F (26°C), and Saint Simons fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

It's quite sunny in Saint Simons. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Everglades National Park. Everglades National Park usually receives more sunshine than Saint Simons during autumn. Everglades National Park gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Simons receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Everglades National Park. In October, Everglades National Park usually receives more rain than Saint Simons. Everglades National Park gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Saint Simons receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Everglades National Park.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Everglades National Park 78°F (26°C) 
    Saint Simons 70°F (21°C)

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Saint Simons in the Winter?

Both Saint Simons and Everglades National Park during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Everglades National Park this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Saint Simons for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Everglades National Park is much warmer than Saint Simons in the winter. The daily temperature in Everglades National Park averages around 67°F (19°C) in January, and Saint Simons fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

It's quite sunny in Everglades National Park. In the winter, Everglades National Park often gets more sunshine than Saint Simons. Everglades National Park gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Simons receives 191 hours of full sun.

Everglades National Park usually gets less rain in January than Saint Simons. Everglades National Park gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Saint Simons receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Everglades National Park 67°F (19°C) 
    Saint Simons 53°F (12°C)

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Saint Simons in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Everglades National Park and Saint Simons. Many travelers come to Everglades National Park for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Saint Simons in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Everglades National Park is a little warmer than Saint Simons. Typically, the spring temperatures in Everglades National Park in April average around 74°F (24°C), and Saint Simons averages at about 68°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Simons this time of the year. In Everglades National Park, it's very sunny this time of the year. Everglades National Park usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Simons during spring. Everglades National Park gets 300 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Simons receives 285 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Everglades National Park usually receives more rain than Saint Simons. Everglades National Park gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Saint Simons receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Everglades National Park is the hurricane season.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Everglades National Park 74°F (24°C) 
    Saint Simons 68°F (20°C)

Typical Weather for Saint Simons and Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park Saint Simons
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 67°F (19°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm) 53°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Feb 68°F (20°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm) 56°F (13°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm)
Mar 71°F (22°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm) 62°F (17°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)
Apr 74°F (24°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 68°F (20°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
May 78°F (26°C) 6.4 inches (162 mm) 74°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)
Jun 81°F (27°C) 9.4 inches (238 mm) 80°F (27°C) 5.7 inches (146 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 5.9 inches (149 mm) 82°F (28°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm)
Aug 83°F (28°C) 7.5 inches (191 mm) 82°F (28°C) 7.8 inches (199 mm)
Sep 82°F (28°C) 7.6 inches (194 mm) 79°F (26°C) 7.1 inches (180 mm)
Oct 78°F (26°C) 5.6 inches (143 mm) 70°F (21°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Nov 73°F (23°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 62°F (17°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm)
Dec 69°F (21°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm) 56°F (13°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)