Which place is cheaper, Providence 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 Providence?
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 Providence. 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 Providence?
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.
Providence
Providence is the state capital and the largest city in Rhode Island. It's a fascinating city to visit with diverse neighborhoods, beautiful parks, and a rich history. Like much of New England, the winters are cold and snowy with milder summers. It's a great year round destination that has a beautiful setting whether it's covered in snow or in full bloom.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, and The Best Camping Tours in United States of America.
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Saint John Prices
USVI PricesProvidence Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint John $233Providence $245
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint John is $233, while the average daily cost in Providence is $245. 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 Providence in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint John $106Providence $114
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint John $212Providence $228
Compare Hotels in Saint John and Providence
Looking for a hotel in Saint John or Providence? 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: Providence Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint John $49Providence $46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Providence
Also for Providence, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport Transfer TO/FROM Providence TF Green Airport PVD: $32
- Private Transfer from Providence Airport (PVD) to Newport Port : $125
- Private Transfer from Providence City Hotels to Newport Port: $133
- Providence to Boston Airport (BOS) - Departure Private Transfer: $69
- Providence to Rhode Island Airport PVD Departure Transfer : $40
- T. F. Green State Airport (PVD) to Providence – Arrival Private Transfer : $40
- T. F. Green State Airport (PVD) to Providence - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $81
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint John or Providence?
Prices for flights to both Providence 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 $97Providence $82
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Providence
For Providence, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Downcity Providence Food Tour: $99
- Federal Hill Dinner Stroll A Guided Italian Culinary Experience: $150
- Federal Hill Dinner Stroll with Italian Dinner: $150
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint John $23Providence $26
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 Providence
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Providence.
- Providence Downtown and Brown Self Guided App GPS Walking Tour: $9.75
- Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt: Providence Adventure: $12
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience in Providence RI: $15
- Providence Ghost Tours: Phantoms, Poltergeists, & Pestilence: $24
- Dark Tales: The Haunted Authors of Providence Tour: $30
- Voices of Resilience: Hidden History of Providence Tour: $30
- The Creative Capital: An Art and Architecture Tour of Providence: $30
- Benefit Street History Guided Walking Tour: $30
- Parasols and Pocket Watches: A History Tour: $30
- Haunted History Walking Tour of Providence: $30
- Providence Ghost Tours: Phantoms, Poltergeists, & Pestilence: $32
- Dark Tales: Haunted Authors of Providence Tour: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint John $44Providence $13
When comparing the travel costs between Saint John and Providence, we can see that Providence 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 Providence 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 Providence Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Saint John or Providence?
Providence 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 Providence in the Summer?
Both Providence 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 family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Providence this time of year.
In July, Saint John is generally a little warmer than Providence. Daily temperatures in Saint John average around 29°C (83°F), and Providence fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
Saint John usually gets less rain in July than Providence. Saint John gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Providence receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint John 29°C (83°F)Providence 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Saint John or Providence in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John and Providence. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round. Also, many travelers come to Providence for the shopping scene.
Saint John is much warmer than Providence in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint John averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Providence 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 Providence. Saint John gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Providence 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)Providence 53°F (12°C)
Should I visit Saint John or Providence in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Saint John as well as Providence. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Providence in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Providence can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Saint John is much warmer than Providence. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint John in January average around 26°C (78°F), and Providence averages at about 28°F (-2°C).
Saint John usually gets less rain in January than Providence. Saint John gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Providence receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint John 26°C (78°F)Providence 28°F (-2°C)
Should I visit Saint John or Providence in the Spring?
Both Providence 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.
In April, Saint John is generally much warmer than Providence. Daily temperatures in Saint John average around 27°C (80°F), and Providence fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).
In April, Saint John usually receives less rain than Providence. Saint John gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Providence receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint John 27°C (80°F)Providence 48°F (9°C)
Typical Weather for Providence and Saint John
| Saint John | Providence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 28°F (-2°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 38°F (3°C) | 4 inches (101 mm) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 48°F (9°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 67°F (20°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 33°F (0°C) | 4.1 inches (105 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.