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

Should you visit Saint John or Columbia River Gorge?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Saint John and Columbia River Gorge. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Saint John or Columbia River Gorge?

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.

Columbia River Gorge

Columbia River Gorge is a popular destination in the Cascade Mountains in the Pacific Northwest. The region's close proximity to Portland, which is just 30 minutes away, makes it a popular weekend destination.

The gorge is formed by the Columbia River, with an 80 mile stretch designated as a National Scenic Area. The area has many beautiful cliffs with a number of tall waterfalls and its protected status means that most new development must occur within one of the already established towns.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

When comparing the travel costs between Saint John and Columbia River Gorge, we can see that Saint John 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. Even though Saint John is in Caribbean Islands and Columbia River Gorge is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

When is the best time to visit Saint John or Columbia River Gorge?

Columbia River Gorge 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 John or Columbia River Gorge in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John and Columbia River Gorge. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round. Also, most visitors come to Columbia River Gorge for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Saint John is a little warmer than Columbia River Gorge in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint John averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In July, Saint John usually receives more rain than Columbia River Gorge. Saint John gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint John or Columbia River Gorge in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint John as well as Columbia River Gorge. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Columbia River Gorge because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Saint John is much warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint John in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Columbia River Gorge averages at about 55°F (13°C).

Saint John receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Saint John usually gets more rain in October than Columbia River Gorge. Saint John gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint John or Columbia River Gorge in the Winter?

Both Columbia River Gorge and Saint John are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Columbia River Gorge this time of year.

It's quite cold in Columbia River Gorge in the winter. In January, Saint John is generally much warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Daily temperatures in Saint John average around 26°C (78°F), and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Columbia River Gorge. In January, Saint John usually receives less rain than Columbia River Gorge. Saint John gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint John or Columbia River Gorge in the Spring?

Both Columbia River Gorge and Saint John during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Columbia River Gorge for the natural beauty.

Saint John is much warmer than Columbia River Gorge in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint John averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Saint John usually gets more rain in April than Columbia River Gorge. Saint John gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Columbia River Gorge and Saint John