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

Should you visit Saint John or Victoria?

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 Victoria. 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 Victoria?

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.

Victoria

The capital city of British Columbia, Canada, Victoria is positioned near the southern edge of Vancouver Island. It's a wonderfully pleasant city and has been nicknamed the Garden City because of its vast green space and public gardens. There is a population of just over 80,000 in the city proper and almost 350,000 in the greater metropolitan area. Dating back to 1843, it's also one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest. As such, it has many historic buildings and beautiful architecture. It also has the second oldest Chinatown in North America, following San Francisco's.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Canada, and The Best Eco Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Victoria 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.

  • Saint John Prices
    USVI Prices
    Victoria Prices
    Canada Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Saint John $233
    Victoria $201

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint John is $233, while the average daily cost in Victoria is $201. 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 Victoria in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint John $106
    Victoria $113
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint John $212
    Victoria $226
Compare Hotels in Saint John and Victoria

Looking for a hotel in Saint John or Victoria? 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.

Hotels in Saint John


Hotels in Victoria


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: Victoria Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint John $49
    Victoria $37

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Victoria

Also for Victoria, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Victoria City Hotels to Nanaimo Cruise Port: $130
  • Victoria to Vancouver - Coach Bus Transfer: $77
  • Victoria to Vancouver - Vancouver Airport (YVR) Drop Off - Coach Bus Transfer: $91
  • Victoria to Vancouver Ferry with Bus Transfer: $75
  • Victoria to Vancouver Scenic Seaplane Transfer: One Way: $289
  • Private Cruise Transfer with City Sightseeing Tour: $682

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint John or Victoria?

Prices for flights to both Victoria 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Saint John $97
    Victoria $47

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Victoria

For Victoria, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Chinatown and Old Town Food Tour with Tastings: $86
  • Hip & Hidden Chinatown + Old Town Food Tour Victoria: $88
  • Vistas and Views Food Tour with 3-Course Meal: $100
  • Sip, Savor, Stroll Evening Food Tour: $144
  • Gourmet Dinner Tour Including Local Beer, Wine and City Highlights: $219

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint John $23
    Victoria $45

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 Victoria

For Victoria, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Tips-Based City Highlights Walking Tour | 2.5-Hour: $5.02
  • Butterfly Gardens Admission Ticket: $15
  • Ghostly Walking Tour in Victoria: $15
  • Iconic & Obscure Victoria Walking Tour: $16
  • Walking Tour through History and Heritage: $17
  • Ghost Tour of Old Town and Bastion Square: $17
  • Halloween Ghostly Walking Tour in Victoria: $17
  • Royal B.C. Museum in Full-Day Admission Ticket: $21
  • Axe Throwing Experience: $24
  • Heritage Horse-Drawn Carriage Experience in Victoria: $26
  • Malahat SkyWalk Tickets: $32
  • Upper Gorge Waterway Paddle Boarding Tour: $36

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint John $44
    Victoria $16

Sample the Local Flavors in Victoria

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Victoria:

  • Victoria BC: Tour & Tasting Around Award Winning Distillery: $21
  • Pickle Pub Crawl: Ferry Rides and Appetizers: $52
  • Local Brewery Tour with a Guide: $86
  • Victoria, BC: Food & Wine Tour to the Cowichan Valley: $118
  • 6-Hour Victoria to Cowichan Wine Tour: $126
  • Victoria Wine Tour with Wine Tastings and Charcuterie: $132
  • Private Saanich Peninsula Wine Tour : $143
  • Cowichan Valley Premium Wine Tour: $474


When comparing the travel costs between Saint John and Victoria, 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 Victoria 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 Victoria Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Saint John or Victoria?

Victoria 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 Victoria in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint John as well as Victoria. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Victoria this time of year.

In July, Saint John is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Saint John average around 29°C (83°F), and Victoria fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Saint John usually gets more rain in July than Victoria. Saint John gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint John 29°C (83°F) 
    Victoria 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Saint John or Victoria in the Autumn?

Both Victoria and Saint John are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Victoria for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Saint John is much warmer than Victoria in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint John averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Victoria fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

It's quite rainy in Saint John. In October, Saint John usually receives more rain than Victoria. Saint John gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint John 28°C (82°F) 
    Victoria 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Saint John or Victoria in the Winter?

Both Victoria and Saint John during the winter 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 visitors come to Victoria in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Victoria can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Saint John is much warmer than Victoria. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint John in January average around 26°C (78°F), and Victoria averages at about 5°C (41°F).

Victoria gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saint John usually gets less rain in January than Victoria. Saint John gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint John 26°C (78°F) 
    Victoria 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Saint John or Victoria in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John and Victoria. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.

In April, Saint John is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Saint John average around 27°C (80°F), and Victoria fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In April, Saint John usually receives more rain than Victoria. Saint John gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint John 27°C (80°F) 
    Victoria 10°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Victoria and Saint John

Saint John Victoria
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 5°C (41°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Feb 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 7°C (44°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 8°C (46°F) 67 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 10°C (49°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 12°C (54°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 14°C (58°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 16°C (60°F) 13 mm (0.5 in)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in) 16°C (61°F) 19 mm (0.8 in)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in) 15°C (58°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in) 11°C (52°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Nov 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in) 8°C (46°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Dec 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 5°C (42°F) 153 mm (6 in)