A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Saint Augustine vs. Durham for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Saint Augustine or Durham?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Augustine or Durham, 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.

Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine is a colonial, historic, and notable city. Saint Augustine offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Saint Augustine travel costs.

Durham

Durham is a student-filled, sports oriented, and diverse city. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Durham travel costs.

Saint Augustine and Durham: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Augustine or Durham?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Saint Augustine than Durham, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Saint Augustine is more touristy than Durham and is known for being the oldest consistently inhabited city in the United States. Also, Saint Augustine is famous for the Colonial Quarter. Durham is well known for its college town vibe as well as being the home of the famous Blue Devil basketball team.

How is Saint Augustine different from Durham?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint Augustine or Durham?

Both Saint Augustine and Durham have excellent landmarks and museums for visitors.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Saint Augustine can be an interesting and educational experience. It's history is brought to life with many monuments and museums. The Lightner Museum, the Old Jail Museum, the Lincolnville Museum, and Castillo De San Marcos are among the city's most notable sights. Also worth a visit is the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Durham. Duke University is one of the most popular destinations in town. There are several museums on campus as well as the famous Duke Chapel. Elsewhere in Durham there's the Durham Museum of Life and Science.

Is the Food Better in Saint Augustine or Durham? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint Augustine is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Saint Augustine is an experience not to be missed. The food scene is influenced by the long history of the city. You'll find flavors that are influenced by Spanish, African, and Native American cultures. There are several popular dishes around town such as fried shrimp, clam chowder, and shrimp and grits.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Durham. Barbecue is a favorite around town. You'll also find plenty of restaurants that cater to the student population, particularly along Nineth Street near Duke's campus.

Is Saint Augustine or Durham Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Saint Augustine or Durham has a better nightlife scene.

Saint Augustine has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are wineries, pubs, live music venues, and a number of activities that take advantage of the outdoor setting.

If you're looking for night time activities Durham has a few options to choose from. The younger population tends to hang out near campus and along Nineth Street. If you're looking for something less student oriented, head to downtown Durham.

Is Saint Augustine or Durham Better for Beaches?

Saint Augustine is a well-known place for the beach. However, Durham is not a beach destination.

Saint Augustine is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. Head to the beach to relax and swim. There are miles of sandy beach nearby, with some of the most popular being Ponte Vedra Beach, known for its golf courses, Vilano Beach, with its charming atmosphere, and the scenic Anastasia State Park.

Durham is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Augustine or Durham Better for its Old Town?

Saint Augustine is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Durham does not have a historic old town.

Saint Augustine offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. As the longest running, continuously occupied city in the United States, the Historic Downtown is at the heart of the city. It's filled with quaint restaurants, historic hotels, and charming streets. You can take carriage rides or wander through the historic sites. Many of the buildings date back to the 1700s and offer a glimpse into Florida's past.

Durham does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Augustine or Durham?

Saint Augustine is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Saint Augustine. The Historic Downtown has unique art galleries and boutiques. St. George Street is the perfect place to pick up a souvenir and Aviles Street is the oldest street in the United States. It's also filled with artisan boutiques. Plaza de la Constitución is known for its long running public market and it often has live entertainment.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Durham. The Streets of Southpoint is the best mall in the area. Other shopping areas include Brightleaf Square and Nineth Street.

Is Saint Augustine or Durham More Beautiful?

Saint Augustine is very good for its scenery and beauty. However, Durham is not a destination known for its beauty.

Saint Augustine offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Colonial architecture and a charming atmosphere give this historic town a unique beauty.

Durham is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Saint Augustine or Durham Better for Families?

Saint Augustine is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Saint Augustine is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Alligator Farm but there's also a surprisingly fascinating archaeological park - The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. The Colonial Quarter is fun for all ages as well, as is a visit to Fort Castillo De San Marcos. If you have some time, head outside of town to the Marineland Dolphin Adventure, which is well worth the trip.

Durham is a family-friendly city. A highlight for kids is a visit to the Durham Museum of Life and Science. It has both an indoor and an outdoor section and brings science to life for families. There's also an impressive playground and climbing area. Other activities in town include the Notasium and Eno River State Park. If you plan ahead you could also organize a trip to the Duke Lemur Center.

Is Saint Augustine or Durham Better for Couples?

Saint Augustine is a well-known place for couples. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Saint Augustine is a very popular place to visit for couples. The Ancient City has a charm that is unique in Florida. There is beautiful architecture and a historical atmosphere that is romantic and genuine. You can enjoy a carriage ride and then sample some local cuisine before heading to the beach.

Durham is a nice destination for couples. Have a picnic at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens or spend the day hiking at Eno River State Park. In the evening there's a wonderful selection of restaurants around town. Then you can check out a show at the Durham Performing Arts Center or see a Durham Bulls game.

Is Saint Augustine or Durham Better for Students?

Durham is a great destination for students. However, Saint Augustine is not popular with students.

Durham is a great city to visit as a student. Duke University has a stunning campus with a world class garden. There's also nearby Nineth Street, which has shops, restaurants, and bars that are geared toward the student population.

Saint Augustine is not popular with students.

Is Saint Augustine or Durham Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Saint Augustine and Durham.

Public transit is generally limited in Saint Augustine. The Old Town Trolley travels through the historic center. There's also a bus service through the region, but you really need a private vehicle to explore everything.

Public transit is mostly limited in Durham. There are buses around town, but you really need a car to explore the area.

Is Saint Augustine or Durham a more walkable city?

Saint Augustine is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. However, Durham is not a good city for its walkability.

Saint Augustine is a very walkable destination. It's one of the more walkable cities in the area. Downtown, Uptown, and even near the beach have accessible areas with sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly zones.

Durham is generally not a very walkable city. Downtown Durham and a few areas near Duke University are the most walkable areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Saint Augustine Worth Visiting? and Is Durham Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Durham or Saint Augustine?

How long in Saint Augustine or Durham?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saint Augustine and Durham. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Saint Augustine than in Durham. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Saint Augustine, and 1-3 days is enough time in Durham.

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

Couples should spend more time in Saint Augustine than Durham. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Saint Augustine that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Saint Augustine than Durham if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Saint Augustine.

One day in Saint Augustine or Durham?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Saint Augustine. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The sports oriented destination of Durham offers nightlife and food. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Saint Augustine or Durham?

Saint Augustine is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

The city of Durham offers food and shopping. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Saint Augustine or Durham?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Augustine. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Durham is a great place to explore. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Saint Augustine or Durham?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the colonial destination of Saint Augustine. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Durham. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, and The Best Camping Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Saint Augustine and Durham, we can see that Saint Augustine is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Augustine or Durham?

Durham has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Saint Augustine. When comparing the sizes of Saint Augustine and Durham, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Saint Augustine or Durham?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Durham in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Augustine and Durham. Most visitors come to Saint Augustine for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Durham because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint Augustine is generally around the same temperature as Durham. Daily temperatures in Saint Augustine average around 82°F (28°C), and Durham fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Durham this time of the year. In Saint Augustine, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Augustine usually receives more sunshine than Durham during summer. Saint Augustine gets 286 hours of sunny skies, while Durham receives 259 hours of full sun in the summer.

Durham receives a lot of rain in the summer. Saint Augustine gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Saint Augustine usually receives around the same amount of rain as Durham. Saint Augustine gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Durham in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Augustine as well as Durham. The autumn months attract visitors to Saint Augustine because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Durham this time of year.

Saint Augustine is a little warmer than Durham in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Augustine averages around 70°F (21°C) in October, and Durham fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Durham. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Augustine this time of the year. In the autumn, Saint Augustine often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Durham. Saint Augustine gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Durham receives 211 hours of full sun.

Saint Augustine usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Durham. Saint Augustine gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Saint Augustine.

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Durham in the Winter?

Both Durham and Saint Augustine are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Saint Augustine this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Durham for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Durham. In the winter, Saint Augustine is much warmer than Durham. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Augustine in January average around 53°F (12°C), and Durham averages at about 40°F (5°C).

Saint Augustine usually receives more sunshine than Durham during winter. Saint Augustine gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Durham receives 162 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Augustine usually receives around the same amount of rain as Durham. Saint Augustine gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Durham in the Spring?

Both Durham and Saint Augustine during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Saint Augustine for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Saint Augustine is generally a little warmer than Durham. Daily temperatures in Saint Augustine average around 68°F (20°C), and Durham fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

In Durham, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Augustine. In the spring, Saint Augustine often gets more sunshine than Durham. Saint Augustine gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Durham receives 251 hours of full sun.

Saint Augustine usually gets less rain in April than Durham. Saint Augustine gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Saint Augustine is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Durham and Saint Augustine