A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Saint Augustine vs. Newport for Old Town, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Saint Augustine or Newport?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Augustine or Newport, 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. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Saint Augustine travel costs.

Newport

Newport is a historical, charming, and coastal town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. Newport is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for museums, nightlife, and food. See Newport travel costs.

Saint Augustine and Newport: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Popular beach
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Popular beach
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Saint Augustine or Newport?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Saint Augustine than Newport, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Saint Augustine is better known for its historical sights, while Newport is more popular for its small town charm. Saint Augustine is well known for being the oldest consistently inhabited city in the United States. Also, Saint Augustine is famous for the Colonial Quarter. Newport is well known for its sailing regattas, its mansions along Bellevue Avenue, and its maritime history.

How is Saint Augustine different from Newport?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Newport 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 Newport?

Saint Augustine
Newport

Both Saint Augustine and Newport 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 Newport. The historic mansions and local museums educate visitors on the town's maritime past and colonial roots. Some of the more popular places to visit include The Breakers, The Elms Mansion, The Marble House, and Chateau-sur-mer Mansion.


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

Saint Augustine
Newport

Both Saint Augustine and Newport offer excellent local cuisine and restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Saint Augustine makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Newport has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Find a waterfront restaurant and enjoy fresh seafood and a charming atmosphere. Many restaurants are influenced by the town's Portuguese and Irish roots. You'll find classic pubs as well as brunch cafes and traditional taverns.

Is Saint Augustine or Newport Better for Nightlife?

Saint Augustine
Newport

It's hard to distinguish whether Saint Augustine or Newport 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 Newport has a few options to choose from. There's a lively atmosphere in the evening with many pubs, taverns, and bars that keep the energy high.

Is Saint Augustine or Newport Better for Beaches?

Saint Augustine
Newport

Both Saint Augustine and Newport have excellent beaches worth visiting.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Saint Augustine. 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.

The beaches at Newport attract visitors from all over. Tucked in along the rocky coastline are many beautiful sandy beaches. You'll find popular and active beaches where you can lounge in a chair and people watch, as well as more secluded spots where you can enjoy a more peaceful setting. The largest beach is Easton's Beach (also known as First Beach). Surfers and boaters enjoy Sachuest Beach (or Second Beach), and a less popular, but very rewarding beach is also King Park Beach.


Is Saint Augustine or Newport Better for its Old Town?

Saint Augustine
Newport

Saint Augustine is terrific for its historic old town charm. Also, Newport is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

Saint Augustine has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. 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.

Many visitors go to Newport to see the historical old town. The Historic District is filled with colonial buildings and impressive mansions. There are cobblestone streets and a charming loop through the town's Old Quarter.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Augustine or Newport?

Saint Augustine
Newport

Shopping is a popular activity in both Newport and Saint Augustine.

Saint Augustine is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Newport is well-known for its shopping. Walk along the charming cobblestone streets and pop in the many local boutiques and shops.

Is Saint Augustine or Newport More Beautiful?

Saint Augustine
Newport

Saint Augustine and Newport both are comparable with their notable scenery and beauty.

Saint Augustine is a gorgeous place to visit. Colonial architecture and a charming atmosphere give this historic town a unique beauty.

Newport is a beautiful place to visit, too. The coastal setting and charming architecture give it a lot of character.


Is Saint Augustine or Newport Better for Families?

Saint Augustine
Newport

Saint Augustine and Newport are both excellent destinations for the whole family.

Saint Augustine is 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.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Newport is very family-friendly. For an educational and interactive experience, head to Save The Bay Exploration Center & Aquarium. The Norman Bird Sanctuary also has a lot of land and places to explore. Kids will enjoy a visit to the beach or running around Breton Point State Park as well. On a rainy day, Ryans Family Amusements is the perfect way to pass some time.

Is Saint Augustine or Newport Better for Couples?

Saint Augustine
Newport

Newport is very popular for romance. Also, Saint Augustine is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Newport has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It's a coastal town with a lot of charm that makes for a perfect romantic escape. Enjoy dining and shopping along Thames Street or take a walk along the coast. There are many local restaurants and evening activities for couples as well.

Saint Augustine is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

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

Saint Augustine
Newport

Newport is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Saint Augustine is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Newport, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses operated by RIPTA. You can visit most of the attractions in the downtown area by catching a ride on one of the classic green and gold hybrid trolley buses.

Public transit is mostly 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.


Is Saint Augustine or Newport a more walkable city?

Saint Augustine
Newport

Saint Augustine and Newport both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Saint Augustine is very walkable. 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.

Newport is a very walkable city. The town's downtown are compact and fun to explore on foot. There is a nice concentration of shops, restaurants, hotels and sights.

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

Should I spend more time in Newport or Saint Augustine?

How long in Saint Augustine or Newport?

In either Saint Augustine or Newport, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Newport than Saint Augustine because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Saint Augustine, and 2-5 days is enough time in Newport.

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


  • How many days in Saint Augustine or Newport? Ideal Length of Stay
    Saint Augustine 3-4 
    Newport 2-5

One day in Saint Augustine or Newport?

In Saint Augustine, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The seaside destination of Newport offers nightlife and food. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Saint Augustine or Newport?

In Saint Augustine, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

The town of Newport offers food and shopping. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Newport?

Saint Augustine is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Newport is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. This town offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Saint Augustine or Newport?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Augustine. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Saint Augustine. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Newport. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.


Which place is cheaper, Newport or Saint Augustine?

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

  • Saint Augustine Prices
    USA Prices
    Newport Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Saint Augustine $195
    Newport $192

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Augustine is $195, while the average daily cost in Newport is $192. 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 Saint Augustine and Newport in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Augustine $86
    Newport $92
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Augustine $172
    Newport $184
Compare Hotels in Saint Augustine and Newport

Looking for a hotel in Saint Augustine or Newport? 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 Saint Augustine


Hotels in Newport


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 Augustine Hotel Prices and Newport Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Augustine $39
    Newport $36

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Augustine or Newport?

Prices for flights to both Newport and Saint Augustine 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
    Saint Augustine $85
    Newport $78

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Augustine

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

  • Cooking Class/Dinner W/ Celebrity French Chef OR Private Chef Ser: $115
  • St. Augustine Historical FOOD Tour on Electric Cart with Pick Up : $129
  • The Ghoulish Gourmet Haunted Food Tour: $129
  • Feast of Saint Augustine Historical Walking Food Tour: $139

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Newport

For Newport, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Newport Neighborhood Food Tour: $99

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint Augustine $18
    Newport $17

Tours and Activities in Saint Augustine

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

  • St. Augustine Ghost Tour on Premium Golf Cart with PiCk Up : $39
  • 1 Hour Historical Tour of Saint Augustine Florida & FREE Parking: $36
  • 1 Hour Private Historical Tour of Saint Augustine, Florida : $250
  • : Step back in time with pastime private historical tours: $38
  • A Self-Guided Audio Tour of St Augustine's Twisted History: $15
  • Adventure Boat Tours - Sunset Water Tour in St. Augustine: $40
  • Airboat Adventure in Saint Augustine with a Guide: $80
  • America‘s Oldest City: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of St Augustine: $20
  • Blood On The Cobblestones True Crime Tour of St Augustine: $35
  • Booze and Boos Haunted St. Augustine Ghost Walking Tour: $34
  • Bourbon and Whiskey History Tour in St Augustine : $209
  • Castillo after Dark 1 Hour Guided Exterior Tour: $25

Tours and Activities in Newport

For Newport, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Ocean Drive Historic District: A Newport Self-Guided Driving Tour: $9.99
  • Explore Newport Cliff Walk Self Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
  • Newport's Opulent Gilded Age Homes: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Self guided Tour of the Old Colony House: $10
  • Newport Cliff Walk - Legends of the Gilded Age GPS Guided Audio Tour: $12
  • Newport Cliff Walk Self-Guided Walking Tour: $15
  • Scenic Newport, RI Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
  • Ultimate Newport Self-Guided Audio Tour Bundle: Walk & Drive: $18
  • Road to Independence Walking Tour: $20
  • Golden Age to Gilded Age Newport's Transformation Walking Tour: $20
  • Colonial Newport Walking Tour: $20
  • Walking Ghost Tour Through Newport RI: $23

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint Augustine $25
    Newport $14

Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Augustine

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Augustine:

  • St. Augustine's Booze & Boos Haunted Pub Crawl: $36
  • Wine Tasting Cruise in St. Augustine : $49
  • Toast of St. Augustine Walking Pub Crawl - drinks included: $63
  • Mobile Wine Tasting and Food Pairing Tour St. Augustine: $129


When comparing the travel costs between Saint Augustine and Newport, 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 Newport Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Saint Augustine or Newport?

Newport has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Saint Augustine. When comparing the sizes of Saint Augustine and Newport, 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 Newport?

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 Saint Augustine or Newport in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint Augustine as well as Newport. Most visitors come to Saint Augustine for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Newport because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint Augustine is generally a little warmer than Newport. Daily temperatures in Saint Augustine average around 82°F (28°C), and Newport fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Newport. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Augustine this time of the year. In the summer, Saint Augustine often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Newport. Saint Augustine gets 286 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Newport receives 293 hours of full sun.

Saint Augustine receives a lot of rain in the summer. Saint Augustine usually gets more rain in July than Newport. Saint Augustine gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Newport receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint Augustine 82°F (28°C) 
    Newport 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Newport in the Autumn?

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

Saint Augustine is much warmer than Newport in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Augustine averages around 70°F (21°C) in October, and Newport fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

It's quite sunny in Newport. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Augustine. Saint Augustine usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Newport during autumn. Saint Augustine gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Newport receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Augustine usually receives less rain than Newport. Saint Augustine gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Newport receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Saint Augustine is June to November.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint Augustine 70°F (21°C) 
    Newport 53°F (12°C)

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Newport in the Winter?

Both Newport and Saint Augustine during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Saint Augustine this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Newport for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Newport. In the winter, Saint Augustine is much warmer than Newport. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Augustine in January average around 53°F (12°C), and Newport averages at about 28°F (-2°C).

In the winter, Saint Augustine often gets more sunshine than Newport. Saint Augustine gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Newport receives 170 hours of full sun.

Saint Augustine usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Newport. Saint Augustine gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Newport receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint Augustine 53°F (12°C) 
    Newport 28°F (-2°C)

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Newport in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Augustine and Newport. Many travelers come to Saint Augustine for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Newport in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, Saint Augustine is generally much warmer than Newport. Daily temperatures in Saint Augustine average around 68°F (20°C), and Newport fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Newport this time of the year. In Saint Augustine, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Augustine usually receives more sunshine than Newport during spring. Saint Augustine gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Newport receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Augustine usually receives less rain than Newport. Saint Augustine gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Newport receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Saint Augustine.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint Augustine 68°F (20°C) 
    Newport 48°F (9°C)

Typical Weather for Newport and Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine Newport
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 53°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 28°F (-2°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Feb 56°F (13°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) 30°F (-1°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Mar 62°F (17°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 38°F (3°C) 4 inches (101 mm)
Apr 68°F (20°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 48°F (9°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
May 74°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 58°F (15°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Jun 80°F (27°C) 5.7 inches (146 mm) 67°F (20°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 73°F (23°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
Aug 82°F (28°C) 7.8 inches (199 mm) 72°F (22°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Sep 79°F (26°C) 7.1 inches (180 mm) 64°F (18°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Oct 70°F (21°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 53°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Nov 62°F (17°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm) 44°F (7°C) 4.5 inches (115 mm)
Dec 56°F (13°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 33°F (0°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)