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

Should you visit Saint Augustine or Williamsburg?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Augustine or Williamsburg, 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 food, beaches, and shopping. See Saint Augustine travel costs.

Williamsburg

Williamsburg is a quaint, well-preserved, and historic town. Williamsburg is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums. See Williamsburg travel costs.

Saint Augustine and Williamsburg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Augustine or Williamsburg?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Saint Augustine than Williamsburg, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. 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. Williamsburg is well known for its historic and colonial charm, its award winning amusement parks, and its historical reenactments.

How is Saint Augustine different from Williamsburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Saint Augustine and Williamsburg have great 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 Williamsburg. Colonial Williamsburg is like a living museum with reenactments and historic buildings that date back to the colonial days. In addition to the historic area, there are folk art museums and other historic sights in the area.

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

Both Saint Augustine and Williamsburg offer great 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.

Williamsburg has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Head to Historic Williamsburg if you want to try some colonial classics. There are historic taverns that maintain their old world charm and serve dishes such as peanut soup and stewed beef. Around town you'll also find casual restaurants with pizza, macaroni and cheese, and burgers.

Is Saint Augustine or Williamsburg Better for Nightlife?

Saint Augustine is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for nightlife.

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.

Williamsburg doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. Despite its student population, there isn't much of a nightlife scene in town. There are restaurants where you can enjoy fine wine or cocktails, but nightclubs and bars are limited.

Is Saint Augustine or Williamsburg Better for Beaches?

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

Many people visit Saint Augustine for it's beautiful 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.

Williamsburg is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Augustine or Williamsburg Better for its Old Town?

Saint Augustine and Williamsburg both have world-class historical old towns that attract visitors.

Saint Augustine has a world-famous historical 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.

The historic old town of Williamsburg is revered around the world. Colonial Williamsburg is an impressively maintained area with museums, shops, and taverns. There are live reenactments of historic events as well as blacksmiths, wig shops, and carriage rides. You can wander around without a ticket, but for access to many parts of the historic area you'll need to purchase a pass.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Augustine or Williamsburg?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Williamsburg 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.

Williamsburg is well-known for its shopping. Charming shops both in the historic area and just outside sell unique items that reflect the city's past. There are souvenirs, food items, cookbooks, and home decor to choose from.

Is Saint Augustine or Williamsburg More Beautiful?

Saint Augustine and Williamsburg 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.

Williamsburg is a beautiful place to visit, too. The area's colonial architecture gives it a historic and traditional beauty that appeals to visitors and residents alike.

Is Saint Augustine or Williamsburg Better for Families?

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

Williamsburg is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. Older kids will appreciate the history in the area. For kids of all ages there are a number of amusement parks and water parks such as Great Wolf Lodge, Busch Gardens, and the award winning Water Country USA.

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 Williamsburg Better for Couples?

Saint Augustine and Williamsburg are both great to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Saint Augustine frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Williamsburg is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Historic Williamsburg is filled with inns and charming restaurants that make this a beautiful destination for couples. There are quaint restaurants that serve colonial food and interesting southern shops with unique trinkets. You can also wander around the campus of William and Mary College.

Is Saint Augustine or Williamsburg Better for Students?

Williamsburg is very popular for students. However, Saint Augustine is not popular with students.

Williamsburg is a great destination for students. The College of William and Mary has a beautiful campus and students enjoy the charming atmosphere with colonial architecture around town. There are also good restaurants and a great collegiate vibe.

Saint Augustine is not popular with students.

Is Saint Augustine or Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg.

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 Williamsburg. There are buses around town, and they offer access to Historic Williamsburg, but for most places you'll need to have your own car.

Is Saint Augustine or Williamsburg a more walkable city?

Saint Augustine is a great destination for its ease of walking around. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options 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.

Williamsburg is generally not a very walkable city. Historic Williamsburg and the neighborhoods around the College of William and Mary are all walkable, but if you plan to visit the amusement parks then you'll absolutely need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Williamsburg or Saint Augustine?

How long in Saint Augustine or Williamsburg?

It's fun to spend time in either Saint Augustine or Williamsburg. In our opinion, Saint Augustine has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Saint Augustine than Williamsburg. In general, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Saint Augustine, and 2-4 days is enough time in Williamsburg.

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

Couples should spend more time in Saint Augustine than Williamsburg. 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 Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg?

In Saint Augustine, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this historic city offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

The quaint destination of Williamsburg offers shopping and museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Williamsburg?

Saint Augustine is a fun place to experience. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

The town of Williamsburg offers museums and food. 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 Williamsburg?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the notable destination of Saint Augustine. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Williamsburg is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. This town offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Saint Augustine or Williamsburg?

Saint Augustine is a popular place to visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Many people enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting Williamsburg. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Augustine and Williamsburg, we can see that Saint Augustine is more expensive. And not only is Williamsburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Williamsburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Williamsburg 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 Augustine would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Augustine than you might in Williamsburg.

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 Williamsburg Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Augustine or Williamsburg?

Saint Augustine has a larger population, and is about 6% larger than the population of Williamsburg. When comparing the sizes of Saint Augustine and Williamsburg, 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 Williamsburg?

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 Williamsburg in the Summer?

Both Williamsburg 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. Also, many visitors come to Williamsburg in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint Augustine is generally around the same temperature as Williamsburg. Daily temperatures in Saint Augustine average around 82°F (28°C), and Williamsburg fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Williamsburg. 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 Williamsburg during summer. Saint Augustine gets 286 hours of sunny skies, while Williamsburg receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Williamsburg. It's quite rainy in Saint Augustine. In July, Saint Augustine usually receives more rain than Williamsburg. Saint Augustine gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Williamsburg in the Autumn?

Both Williamsburg 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. Also, most visitors come to Williamsburg for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

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

In Williamsburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Augustine. In the autumn, Saint Augustine often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Williamsburg. Saint Augustine gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Williamsburg receives 211 hours of full sun.

Saint Augustine usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Williamsburg. Saint Augustine gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Augustine and Williamsburg. Most visitors come to Saint Augustine for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Williamsburg because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Williamsburg can be very cold. In the winter, Saint Augustine is much warmer than Williamsburg. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Augustine in January average around 53°F (12°C), and Williamsburg averages at about 38°F (4°C).

Saint Augustine usually receives more sunshine than Williamsburg during winter. Saint Augustine gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Williamsburg receives 168 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Augustine usually receives less rain than Williamsburg. Saint Augustine gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Williamsburg in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saint Augustine as well as Williamsburg. The spring months attract visitors to Saint Augustine because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Williamsburg this time of year.

In April, Saint Augustine is generally a little warmer than Williamsburg. Daily temperatures in Saint Augustine average around 68°F (20°C), and Williamsburg fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Williamsburg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Augustine this time of the year. In the spring, Saint Augustine often gets more sunshine than Williamsburg. Saint Augustine gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Williamsburg receives 253 hours of full sun.

Saint Augustine usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Williamsburg. Saint Augustine gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Saint Augustine is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Williamsburg and Saint Augustine