A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Houston vs. Saint John for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Houston or Saint John?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Houston and Saint John. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Houston or Saint John?

Houston

The largest city in Texas and the fourth largest in the United States, Houston is a sprawling urban center that has grown from its wealth in the oil industry. Visitors today are drawn to its cultural diversity which has additionally made Houston a foodie destination. Other attractions to Houston include its proximity to NASA's Space Center Houston on the Gulf coast, and its Downtown which features a vibrant museum and arts scene, shopping, and dining.

Saint John

With the popularity of the Caribbean rising, many islands have become touristy and expensive – but not St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

At only nine miles long and five miles wide, St. John is the smallest of the Virgin Islands, and, many argue, the prettiest. It's the kind of place that has maintained it's cultural identity, but still welcomes visitors from all over the world. With a population of just 5,000, the residents of St. John know everyone and everything happening on the island.

This island is perfect for people who want an undisturbed island getaway at any price. Between resorts and campgrounds there is a spot for everyone on St. John.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Saint John or Houston?

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

  • Houston Prices
    USA Prices
    Saint John Prices
    USVI Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Houston $287
    Saint John $233

The average daily cost (per person) in Houston is $287, while the average daily cost in Saint John is $233. 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 Houston and Saint John in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Houston $142
    Saint John $106
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Houston $284
    Saint John $212
Compare Hotels in Houston and Saint John

Looking for a hotel in Houston or Saint John? 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 Houston


Hotels in Saint John


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: Houston Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Houston $72
    Saint John $49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Houston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Houston:

  • William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) to Port of Galveston - Arrival Private Transfer: $156
  • Arrival Private Transfer: George Bush Airport IAH to Houston in Business Car: $119
  • Arrival Private Transfer: George Bush Airport IAH to Houston in Luxury SUV: $120
  • Departure Transfer: Houston to George Bush Airport IAH by Sedan: $119
  • Houston Airport (HOU) to Galveston Round-Trip Private Transfer: $108
  • Houston George Bush Airport (IAH) to Houston - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $115
  • Houston William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) to Houston - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $108
  • Houston to Houston William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) - Departure Private Transfer: $54
  • Privat Transfer from Houston Airport (HOU) to Port of Galveston: $246
  • Private Departure Transfer from Galveston to HOU Airport: $54
  • Private Departure Transfer to Houston William P. Hobby Airport HOU: $48
  • Private One-way Transfer from George Bush Airport to Houston: $77

Is it cheaper to fly into Houston or Saint John?

Prices for flights to both Saint John and Houston 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
    Houston $60
    Saint John $97

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Houston

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Houston.

  • Astroville Food Tour of Downtown Houston: $75
  • Fun Pasta Making Cooking Class With Local Chef: $75
  • The Heights Food Tour in Houston: $80
  • Downtown Houston Food Tour: $80
  • Houston Downtown Food Tour with 6 Tastings of Tradition & Fusion: $85
  • East Downtown Food Tour: $90
  • Houston Downtown: Secret Food Tours: $93
  • French Cooking Class in Houston (Includes 3-Course Meal): $125

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Houston $14
    Saint John $23

Tours and Activities in Houston

Here are a few actual costs in Houston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Entry Ticket: $10
  • Houston Botanic Garden Entry Ticket: $12
  • Houston Museum of Natural Sciences: Planetarium Ticket: $12
  • Burke Baker Planetarium Admission Ticket: $12
  • Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern History Tour: $15
  • Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern Experiential Tour: $15
  • The Cistern Experience in Spanish and English Bilingual: $15
  • Children's Museum Houston Entry Ticket: $20
  • HTX Adventure Park Admission – ATV Rental Fee Not Included : $20
  • Holocaust Museum Houston Entry Ticket: $22
  • Houston Hollow Heart Hauntings Ghost Tour: $24
  • Houston Museum of Natural Science General Admission Ticket: $25

Tours and Activities in Saint John

Here are a few actual costs in Saint John for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • St. John: A Private Island Adventure Tour & Trunk Bay Beach: $627

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Houston $13
    Saint John $44

Sample the Local Flavors in Houston

Also in Houston, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Houston Hustle Bar Crawl: $15
  • Brewery Pass with Beer Tastings: $50
  • Private Houston Brewery Tour by Cart: $57
  • 2-Hour Downtown Brewery Tour by Electric Cart: $70


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Houston and Saint John, we can see that Houston is more expensive. And not only is Saint John much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Houston is in North America and Saint John is in Caribbean Islands, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Saint John would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint John 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 Houston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Houston than you might in Saint John.

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



When is the best time to visit Houston or Saint John?

Houston has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Houston or Saint John in the Summer?

Both Saint John and Houston are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Houston because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In July, Houston is generally around the same temperature as Saint John. Daily temperatures in Houston average around 84°F (29°C), and Saint John fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

It's quite rainy in Houston. In July, Houston usually receives more rain than Saint John. Houston gets 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Houston 84°F (29°C) 
    Saint John 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Houston or Saint John in the Autumn?

Both Saint John and Houston during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Houston this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.

Houston is cooler than Saint John in the autumn. The daily temperature in Houston averages around 71°F (22°C) in October, and Saint John fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Saint John gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Houston. Houston usually gets less rain in October than Saint John. Houston gets 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Houston 71°F (22°C) 
    Saint John 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Houston or Saint John in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Houston and Saint John. Many travelers come to Houston for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the winter, Houston is much colder than Saint John. Typically, the winter temperatures in Houston in January average around 52°F (11°C), and Saint John averages at about 26°C (78°F).

In January, Houston usually receives more rain than Saint John. Houston gets 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Houston 52°F (11°C) 
    Saint John 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Houston or Saint John in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Houston as well as Saint John. Many visitors come to Houston in the spring for the activities around the city. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.

In April, Houston is generally cooler than Saint John. Daily temperatures in Houston average around 70°F (21°C), and Saint John fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

Houston usually gets more rain in April than Saint John. Houston gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Houston 70°F (21°C) 
    Saint John 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Saint John and Houston

Houston Saint John
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 52°F (11°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm) 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 55°F (13°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm) 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 63°F (17°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 70°F (21°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
May 76°F (25°C) 5.2 inches (132 mm) 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 81°F (27°C) 6.4 inches (163 mm) 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 84°F (29°C) 4.8 inches (122 mm) 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 83°F (29°C) 4.4 inches (113 mm) 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 80°F (27°C) 5.6 inches (143 mm) 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Oct 71°F (22°C) 4.2 inches (107 mm) 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Nov 63°F (17°C) 4.1 inches (104 mm) 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in)
Dec 55°F (13°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)