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

Should you visit Saint John or Wisconsin Dells?

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 Wisconsin Dells. 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 Wisconsin Dells?

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.

Wisconsin Dells

Located in central Wisconsin, Wisconsin Dells offers natural beauty, fun rivers, and some of the area's most famous theme parks. Wisconsin Dells is one of the two towns that make up "The Dells." The other town, Lake Delton, is another popular Midwestern tourist spot.

Wisconsin Dells is about an hour north of Madison and two hours from Milwaukee. It's famous for its striking rock formations and scenic bluffs. The town's name comes from the Dells of the Wisconsin River, which is an impressive gorge that was originally formed by a glacier.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, and The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America.

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

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 Wisconsin Dells Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Saint John or Wisconsin Dells?

Wisconsin Dells 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 Wisconsin Dells in the Summer?

Both Wisconsin Dells and Saint John are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Wisconsin Dells for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saint John is a little warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint John in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Wisconsin Dells averages at about 74°F (24°C).

In July, Saint John usually receives less rain than Wisconsin Dells. Saint John gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint John or Wisconsin Dells in the Autumn?

Both Wisconsin Dells and Saint John during the autumn 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, many visitors come to Wisconsin Dells in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Saint John is generally much warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Daily temperatures in Saint John average around 28°C (82°F), and Wisconsin Dells fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John. Saint John usually gets more rain in October than Wisconsin Dells. Saint John gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint John or Wisconsin Dells in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John and Wisconsin Dells. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round. Also, most visitors come to Wisconsin Dells for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Wisconsin Dells can be very cold during winter. Saint John is much warmer than Wisconsin Dells in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint John averages around 26°C (78°F) in January, and Wisconsin Dells fluctuates around 19°F (-7°C).

In January, Saint John usually receives more rain than Wisconsin Dells. Saint John gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 1 inches (25 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint John or Wisconsin Dells in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saint John as well as Wisconsin Dells. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the spring, Saint John is much warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint John in April average around 27°C (80°F), and Wisconsin Dells averages at about 49°F (10°C).

Saint John usually gets more rain in April than Wisconsin Dells. Saint John gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Wisconsin Dells and Saint John