A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint John vs. Martha's Vineyard for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Saint John or Martha's Vineyard?

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 Martha's Vineyard. 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 Martha's Vineyard?

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.

Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard is a famous destination for CEO's, celebrities, and executives. It's an island that's just 8 miles from the Cape Cod peninsula and it is a popular place to "summer" for many recognizable people. Martha's Vineyard has become so popular among the stars, that it's no longer surprising to see a celebrity hanging around.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint John and Martha's Vineyard, we can see that Martha's Vineyard is more expensive. And not only is Saint John much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint John is in Caribbean Islands and Martha's Vineyard is in North America, 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 John would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint John 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 Martha's Vineyard would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Martha's Vineyard than you might in Saint John.

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 Martha's Vineyard Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Saint John or Martha's Vineyard?

Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard in the Summer?

Both Martha's Vineyard 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, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Martha's Vineyard this time of year.

In July, Saint John is generally a little warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Daily temperatures in Saint John average around 29°C (83°F), and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

Saint John usually gets less rain in July than Martha's Vineyard. Saint John gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint John or Martha's Vineyard in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John and Martha's Vineyard. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round. Also, many travelers come to Martha's Vineyard for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Saint John is much warmer than Martha's Vineyard in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint John averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

Saint John gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Saint John usually receives more rain than Martha's Vineyard. Saint John gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint John or Martha's Vineyard in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint John as well as Martha's Vineyard. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Martha's Vineyard in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Martha's Vineyard can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Saint John is much warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint John in January average around 26°C (78°F), and Martha's Vineyard averages at about 28°F (-2°C).

Saint John usually gets less rain in January than Martha's Vineyard. Saint John gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint John or Martha's Vineyard in the Spring?

Both Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Saint John is generally much warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Daily temperatures in Saint John average around 27°C (80°F), and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

In April, Saint John usually receives less rain than Martha's Vineyard. Saint John gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Martha's Vineyard and Saint John