Which place is cheaper, Kauai or Saint John?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Saint John or Kauai?
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 Kauai. 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 Kauai?
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.
Kauai
Hawaii is certainly a bucket list destination, but what if you want to do it without being surrounded by tourists? You want the adventure of the land of volcanoes and less of the kids in water wings. Then Kaua'i is the island for you.
Kaua'i, or the "garden island," is full of tropical forests, little villages and even more laid back lifestyle – if you can imagine. It's a smaller island at 560 square miles with a population of only 68,000.
With more coastline miles than any other island, Kaua'i is the result of massive erosion forming awe-inspiring sights like the Waimea Canyon and Na Pali Coast. The island experiences more rainfall every year – keeping it lush and green all year.
You'll feel like you've walked into another world in Kaua'i. Because of height restrictions, this island's buildings are no taller than the coconut trees. So if you're looking for an escape from civilization, you'll want to head straight for Kaua'i.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.
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Saint John Prices
USVI PricesKauai Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint John $233Kauai $231
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint John is $233, while the average daily cost in Kauai is $231. 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 John and Kauai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint John $106Kauai $113
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint John $212Kauai $226
Compare Hotels in Saint John and Kauai
Looking for a hotel in Saint John or Kauai? 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.
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: Kauai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint John $49Kauai $34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kauai
Also for Kauai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private SUV Transfer LIH to Hanalei-Princeville-Kilauea: $229
- Private SUV Transfer- Lihue Airport to Lihue/Kapaa : $149
- Private SUV Transfer-LIH Airport to Koloa/Poipu : $179
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint John or Kauai?
Prices for flights to both Kauai and Saint John 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
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Food Meals for one daySaint John $97Kauai $96
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kauai
For Kauai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Allerton Garden and Estate Tour with Sunset Dinner: $106
- Local Tastes Small Group Food Tour: $121
- Food Tour of Kaua'i: $125
- Walking Food Tour of Hanalei, Kauaʻi : $129
- Corner Store Kauai Cooking Class: $173
- Local Dishes Cooking Class: $174
- Luau Kalamaku on Kauai with Buffet Dinner and Show: $179
- Luau Ka Hikina Admission Ticket with Dinner and Lei Greeting: $189
- Luau Kalamaku – Elevated Seating, Dinner & Show: $198
- Napali Coast Sunset Sailboat Tour with Dinner: $226
- Napali Sunset Dinner Cruise: $226
- VIP Manor House Dinner & Luau Kalamaku Show: $237
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint John $23Kauai $17
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
Tours and Activities in Kauai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kauai.
- Ultimate Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour of Kauai (Na Pali, Waimea), Hawaii: $15
- Kauai Poipu and Koloa Town Self-Guided Audio Tour: $20
- Kauai Wailua Valley & Waterfalls Audio Driving Tour: $20
- Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Kauai: $20
- North Shore Kauai Self-Guided Audio Tour: $20
- Waimea Canyon & Na Pali Driving Tour app: $23
- Allerton Garden Guided Group Walking Tour: $64
- Kauai Cruise Ship Shore Excursion Journey to Waimea Canyon: $97
- Kauai Private Baby Farm Animal Experience & Micro Dairy Immersion: $105
- Kalapaki Kai Sunset Catamaran Cruise: $109
- Kauai Cruise Ship Excursion: Wailua River & Fern Grotto: $109
- Kauai Adventure: Kayak & Hike to Secret Falls with Expert Guide: $112
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint John $44Kauai $14
When comparing the travel costs between Saint John and Kauai, 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 Kauai 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 Kauai Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Saint John or Kauai?
Kauai 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 Kauai in the Summer?
Both Kauai and Saint John during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kauai this time of year.
In July, Saint John is generally a little warmer than Kauai. Daily temperatures in Saint John average around 29°C (83°F), and Kauai fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).
Saint John usually gets more rain in July than Kauai. Saint John gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Kauai receives 0.6 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint John 29°C (83°F)Kauai 78°F (25°C)
Should I visit Saint John or Kauai in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John and Kauai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round. Also, many travelers come to Kauai for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Saint John is a little warmer than Kauai in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint John averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Kauai fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).
Saint John gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Saint John usually receives more rain than Kauai. Saint John gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Kauai receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint John 28°C (82°F)Kauai 78°F (25°C)
Should I visit Saint John or Kauai in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Saint John as well as Kauai. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Kauai in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Saint John is a little warmer than Kauai. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint John in January average around 26°C (78°F), and Kauai averages at about 71°F (22°C).
Saint John usually gets less rain in January than Kauai. Saint John gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Kauai receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint John 26°C (78°F)Kauai 71°F (22°C)
Should I visit Saint John or Kauai in the Spring?
Both Kauai and Saint John are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Kauai for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Saint John is generally a little warmer than Kauai. Daily temperatures in Saint John average around 27°C (80°F), and Kauai fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
In April, Saint John usually receives more rain than Kauai. Saint John gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Kauai receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint John 27°C (80°F)Kauai 73°F (23°C)
Typical Weather for Kauai and Saint John
| Saint John | Kauai | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 1.3 inches (32 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2 inches (52 mm) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 0.4 inches (10 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 76°F (25°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 0.6 inches (17 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 0.6 inches (16 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 1 inches (26 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 2.5 inches (62 mm) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.