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

Should you visit Saint Augustine or Vail?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Augustine or Vail, 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 notable, colonial, and historic city. Saint Augustine is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and museums. See Saint Augustine travel costs.

Vail

Vail is a charming, picturesque, and scenic ski town. This is also a fantastic small town with plenty of charm and local activities. Vail is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for skiing, nightlife, and live music. See Vail travel costs.

Saint Augustine and Vail: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Augustine or Vail?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Vail. Although Saint Augustine and Vail are popular destinations, Vail has more sights and attractions for tourists. Vail is very popular for its skiing, nightlife, music, resorts, hiking, christmas markets, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Saint Augustine attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, food, beaches, and historical sights. Vail is more touristy than Saint Augustine and is popular for its world-class skiing, charming mountain town atmosphere, and adventurous outdoor activities. It is also well known for The Vail Ski Resort. Saint Augustine is famous for being the oldest consistently inhabited city in the United States.

How is Saint Augustine different from Vail?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Saint Augustine or Vail Better for Skiing?

Vail is very popular for winter skiing. However, Saint Augustine is not a skiing destination.

The snow ski experience you'll have in Vail is among the best in the world. This ski town has produced its share of Olympians. Vail is the third largest ski resort in the US and it has 31 lifts and 195 runs. There are five different bowls that offer beautiful views.

Saint Augustine is not a skiing destination.

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

Saint Augustine is a great city for its historical sights. However, Vail does not have museums and landmarks.

Saint Augustine offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Vail does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Saint Augustine is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Vail is not as popular, but is still a nice ski town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Saint Augustine has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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 many up and coming restaurants in the Vail area. The town has a diverse sampling of restaurants that include different ethnic options as well as taverns with comfort food. It's easy to find mountain-friendly restaurants where you can refuel during your ski vacation.

Is Saint Augustine or Vail Better for Nightlife?

Vail is a great destination for nightlife. Also, Saint Augustine is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

The people in Vail know how to have a good time. Happy Hours start early, and then the partying can go late into the night. There are bars, lounges, breweries and live music that keep the atmosphere light and offer entertainment after your long day on the slopes. Do keep in mind that many places close or dramatically reduce their hours during the off-peak fall and spring months.

If you're looking for night time activities Saint Augustine has a few options to choose from. There are wineries, pubs, live music venues, and a number of activities that take advantage of the outdoor setting.

Is Saint Augustine or Vail Better for Music?

Vail is a nice place to visit for live music. However, Saint Augustine is not a live music destination.

The music scene helps keep Vail active and fun. You can often find live music at Shakedown Bar, Bridge Street Bar, and the Red Lion.

Saint Augustine is not a live music destination.

Is Saint Augustine or Vail Better for Resorts?

Vail is a great destination for its resorts. However, Saint Augustine is not a resort destination.

Vail is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. Designed as a resort town, Vail offers great accommodation. Nice resorts include Four Seasons Resort and Residences, the Ritz Carlton Club, and the Grand Hyatt.

Saint Augustine is not a resort destination.

Is Saint Augustine or Vail Better for Beaches?

Saint Augustine is a great city for the beach. However, Vail is not a beach destination.

Saint Augustine is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Vail is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Augustine or Vail Better for its Old Town?

Saint Augustine is a must-visit destination for its old town. However, Vail does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Saint Augustine can be explored in its historical center. 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.

Vail does not have a historic old town.

Is Saint Augustine or Vail Better for Hiking?

Vail is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Saint Augustine is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Vail. During the warmer months, this resort town is surrounded by world-class hiking trails. You can enjoy the wildflowers, search for wildlife, or take in the sweeping mountain views. Popular hikes near Vail include Booth Falls, Davos Trail, and Shrine Ridge.

Saint Augustine is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Augustine or Vail?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Vail 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.

Vail is well-known for its shopping. The cobblestone streets are lined with boutiques and ski shops that sell everything from evening dresses to outdoor gear. It's easy to pop into the many shops around downtown Vail and find anything you might need.

Is Saint Augustine or Vail More Beautiful?

Vail is a great destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Saint Augustine is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

Vail is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It is a beautiful town that has stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

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

Is Saint Augustine or Vail Better for Families?

Vail is very popular for its family-friendly activities. Also, Saint Augustine is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Vail is an amazing family-friendly ski town to visit. With its world class skiing, rock climbing, ice skating, and ice cream, kids love this ski resort. The resort town has two terrain parks - Golden Peak and Avanti. Avanti is perfect for kids. It has small jumps, wide rails, and kid-friendly amenities. Golden Peak is designed for more advanced athletes. Vail also has nice beginner slopes that are great for kids.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Saint Augustine is very family-friendly. 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.

Is Saint Augustine or Vail Better for Couples?

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

Vail has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Couples who enjoy skiing and outdoor adventure will appreciate everything that this ski town has to offer. There are nice restaurants, beautiful gardens, and plenty of romantic activities to choose from.

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 Vail Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Vail is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Saint Augustine is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Vail. This ski town isn't completely closed off to budget travelers as there are a couple of hostels around town.

Saint Augustine is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's a hostel in town as well as a couple of affordable inns.

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

Vail 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 Vail, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a free bus service through the area.

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 Vail a more walkable city?

Vail is very popular for its walkability. Also, Saint Augustine is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Getting around Vail on foot is easy. The main downtown is pedestrian-only and perfect for popping in shops and restaurants.

Saint Augustine is a very walkable city. 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.

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

Should I spend more time in Vail or Saint Augustine?

How long in Saint Augustine or Vail?

Both Saint Augustine and Vail have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Vail than in Saint Augustine. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Saint Augustine, and 3-7 days is enough time in Vail.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Vail than Saint Augustine 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 Vail.

One day in Saint Augustine or Vail?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Saint Augustine. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Vail is a small town with plenty to do. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. It's no surprise that skiing is why people visit. 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 Vail?

Saint Augustine is a fun place to experience. It's also a great beach destination, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Vail might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Saint Augustine or Vail?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the colonial destination of Saint Augustine. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Vail is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It's no surprise that skiing is why people visit. This ski 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 Vail?

The notable city of Saint Augustine offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Vail is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and skiing. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. For many, it makes a great getaway for one week. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Augustine and Vail, we can see that Vail is more expensive. And not only is Saint Augustine much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Vail would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vail 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 Vail Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Augustine or Vail?

Saint Augustine has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Vail. When comparing the sizes of Saint Augustine and Vail, 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.