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

Should you visit Marathon or Saint John?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marathon or Saint John, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Marathon or Saint John?

Marathon

You step outside your deluxe suite onto the balcony and are greeted with nothing less than tropical perfection. The hum of the ocean, the whispers of the palm trees, the songs of the seagulls - you bask in this paradise otherwise known as Marathon, Florida. A 10-mile-long island, the chain contains Vaca Key, Fat Deer Key and Grassy Key, along with Duck Key just another few minutes up the road.

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 Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Marathon and Saint John, we can see that Saint John is more expensive. And not only is Marathon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Marathon 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 Marathon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Marathon 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 John would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John than you might in Marathon.

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

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

Marathon 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 Marathon or Saint John in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Marathon as well as Saint John. Many travelers come to Marathon for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.

Marathon is around the same temperature as Saint John in the summer. The daily temperature in Marathon averages around 84°F (29°C) in July, and Saint John fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

Marathon usually gets more rain in July than Saint John. Marathon gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marathon or Saint John in the Autumn?

Both Saint John and Marathon are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Marathon in the autumn for the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the autumn, Marathon is around the same temperature as Saint John. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Marathon in October average around 80°F (27°C), and Saint John averages at about 28°C (82°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John. It's quite rainy in Marathon. In October, Marathon usually receives less rain than Saint John. Marathon gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Marathon or Saint John in the Winter?

Both Saint John and Marathon during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Marathon for the cuisine during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.

In January, Marathon is generally cooler than Saint John. Daily temperatures in Marathon average around 70°F (21°C), and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Marathon usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Saint John. Marathon gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marathon or Saint John in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Marathon and Saint John. The spring months attract visitors to Marathon because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Marathon is around the same temperature as Saint John in the spring. The daily temperature in Marathon averages around 77°F (25°C) in April, and Saint John fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

In April, Marathon usually receives less rain than Saint John. Marathon gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Saint John and Marathon