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

Should you visit Saint Augustine or Saint John?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Augustine 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: Saint Augustine or Saint John?

Saint Augustine

St. Augustine is the oldest European-established settlement in the United States. Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon landed nearby and claimed the land now known as Florida in the name of Spain in 1513. They had originally named the land La Florida, which means "Land of Flowers". The city was founded by Spanish explorer Pedro Menendez de Aviles in 1565. Sir Francis Drake and John Davis burnt the city to the ground in 1586 and 1665 respectively, but St. Augustine soon became strong enough to fend off such attacks. Florida was purchased by the United States from Spain in 1819; it seceded during the Civil War, during which St. Augustine was occupied by Union forces.

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 Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Saint John 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
    Saint John Prices
    USVI Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Saint Augustine $195
    Saint John $233

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Augustine is $195, 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 Saint Augustine and Saint John in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Augustine $86
    Saint John $106
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Augustine $172
    Saint John $212
Compare Hotels in Saint Augustine and Saint John

Looking for a hotel in Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine


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: Saint Augustine Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Augustine $39
    Saint John $49

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Augustine or Saint John?

Prices for flights to both Saint John 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
    Saint John $97

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint Augustine $18
    Saint John $23

Tours and Activities in Saint Augustine

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

  • St Augustine Haunted History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Historic St Augustine Audio Self Guided App GPS Tour: $9.75
  • A Self-Guided Audio Tour of St Augustine's Twisted History: $15
  • St. Augustine City Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $15
  • Haunting Hour Walking Ghost Tour: $18
  • Old Jail Museum Tour in St. Augustine: $18
  • Historic Museum Tour Ticket: $19
  • America‘s Oldest City: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of St Augustine: $20
  • Walking Guided History Tour of Old St. Augustine: $25
  • Castillo after Dark 1 Hour Guided Exterior Tour: $25
  • Guardian Angels of St. Augustine Walking Tour: $27
  • Dolphin and Wildlife Adventure of St. Augustine: $29

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
    Saint Augustine $25
    Saint John $44

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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Augustine and Saint John, we can see that Saint John is more expensive. And not only is Saint Augustine much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint Augustine 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 Augustine would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine.

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 Saint John Expensive?.



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

Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine or Saint John in the Summer?

Both Saint John and Saint Augustine are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Saint Augustine for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Saint Augustine is around the same temperature as Saint John in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Augustine averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Saint John fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

It's quite rainy in Saint Augustine. In July, Saint Augustine usually receives more rain than Saint John. Saint Augustine gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint Augustine 82°F (28°C) 
    Saint John 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Saint John in the Autumn?

Both Saint John and Saint Augustine during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Saint Augustine in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.

In the autumn, Saint Augustine is cooler than Saint John. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Augustine in October average around 70°F (21°C), and Saint John averages at about 28°C (82°F).

Saint John gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saint Augustine usually gets less rain in October than Saint John. Saint Augustine gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Saint Augustine is June to November.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint Augustine 70°F (21°C) 
    Saint John 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Saint John in the Winter?

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

In January, Saint Augustine is generally much colder than Saint John. Daily temperatures in Saint Augustine average around 53°F (12°C), and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

In January, Saint Augustine usually receives more rain than Saint John. Saint Augustine gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint Augustine 53°F (12°C) 
    Saint John 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Saint John in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saint Augustine as well as Saint John. The spring months attract visitors to Saint Augustine because of the beaches and the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.

Saint Augustine is cooler than Saint John in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Augustine averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Saint John fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

Saint Augustine usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Saint John. Saint Augustine gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Saint Augustine.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint Augustine 68°F (20°C) 
    Saint John 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Saint John and Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine Saint John
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 53°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 56°F (13°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 62°F (17°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 68°F (20°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
May 74°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 80°F (27°C) 5.7 inches (146 mm) 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 82°F (28°C) 7.8 inches (199 mm) 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 79°F (26°C) 7.1 inches (180 mm) 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Oct 70°F (21°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Nov 62°F (17°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm) 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in)
Dec 56°F (13°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)