Which place is cheaper, Big Sur or Saint John's?
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's or Big Sur?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint John's or Big Sur? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Saint John's or Big Sur?
Saint John's
If you've been to St. John's, Antigua, you were likely on a cruise - which means you likely did not have enough time to truly experience the magic of this tiny island getaway.
St. Johns is the capital of the tiny islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Located on Antigua, this tropical city lives up to its status as a tropical paradise. With 365 beaches on the island, you can enjoy the luxury of lounging in the sand every day of the year.
Big Sur
Big Sur is the 90-mile stretch of the California Central Coast which runs from the Carmel River in Monterey County south to San Carpoforo Creek in San Luis Obispo County and 20 miles east into the Santa Lucius Foothills.
However you look at it, California's Central Coast is beautiful and undoubtedly a huge tourist trap. If you're not willing to fork over big bucks for overnight stays on coastal hotels, be prepared ahead of time with your camping gear and get ready to go off the beaten track to avoid crowds as best you can and save your wallet.
While the weather in Central Coast is overall, mild and temperate, between 50 and 70 degrees year-round. The highs and lows during the year are in August and January, respectively, with dry summers and wet winters, making April through October the best times to visit but be warned: there will be crowds.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.
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Saint John's Prices
Antigua and Barbuda PricesBig Sur Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint John's $272Big Sur $0.00
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint John's is $272, while the average daily cost in Big Sur is $0.00. 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's and Big Sur in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint John's $120Big Sur $165
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint John's $240Big Sur $330
Compare Hotels in Saint John's and Big Sur
Looking for a hotel in Saint John's or Big Sur? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint John's $17Big Sur -
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint John's
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint John's:
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Local Bus$1.52
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Taxi From Airport$6.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint John's
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint John's:
- Private Roundtrip Airport Transfers & Tour in Antigua & Barbuda: $200
- Biggvee Premium Airport One Way Transfer: $200
- JTAT Private Transfers & Tours, Saint John's, Antigua and Barbuda: $160
- 3-Hours Eye-Opening Stingray City Antigua - Transfer R/T included: $133
- Private Transfer from Antigua & Barbuda V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to island: $123
- Antigua - VIP Fast Track On Arrival ONLY And Round Trip Transfer : $109
- Crystal Kayak & Snorkel Eco Tour (with transfer): $99
- Antigua V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to Island - Round-Trip Transfer : $93
- Private Antigua Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Hammock Cove: $90
- Private Round Trip Transfer From Antigua Airport To NonSuch Bay: $84
- VIP Meet and Greet Fast Track on Arrival at Antigua Airport - without Transfers : $77
- Biggvee Airport Roundtrip Transfer: $70
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint John's or Big Sur?
Prices for flights to both Big Sur and Saint John's 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's $117Big Sur -
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint John's
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint John's.
- City Lime Food Tour: Taste our culture on Antigua's only food tour in the city!: $105
- Discover the Flavors of St. Johns Food Tour: $125
- Private Art Tour or Food Tour: $150
- Nicole's Table - Cooking with Rum: $165
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint John's $103Big Sur -
Typical Entertainment Prices in Saint John's
Here are a few typical costs in Saint John's for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entrance to the Museum of Antigua & Barbu$3.00
Tours and Activities in Saint John's
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John's for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Island Flava Discovery Tour: $150
- 6-Hours Tour East Coast of Antigua: Stingray City, Lunch & Beach: $195
- Adventure Antigua - Eli's Original Eco Tour: $143
- Adventure Antigua - The Xtreme Circumnavigation: $221
- Antigua Eco Island Tour (City, Country, Beach, & Heritage Sites): $199
- Antigua Historical Sites Island Tour: $110
- Antigua Reef Riders Self-Drive Boat and Snorkeling Tour: $180
- Antigua Round Island Tour: $85
- Antigua Seafood Lunch Cruise From St. John's: $172
- Antigua Shore Excursion: Round Island Tour: $110
- Antigua VIP Tours - Private Platinum Tour: $170
- Antigua VIP Tours - Semi-Private Gold Tour: $135
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint John's $18Big Sur -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint John's and Big Sur, we can see that Saint John's is more expensive. And not only is Big Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint John's is in Caribbean Islands and Big Sur 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 Big Sur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Big Sur 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's would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John's than you might in Big Sur.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint John's Expensive? and Is Big Sur Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Saint John's or Big Sur?
Big Sur has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John's experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Saint John's or Big Sur in the Summer?
Both Big Sur and Saint John's during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John's because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Big Sur for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Saint John's is much warmer than Big Sur. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint John's in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Big Sur averages at about 63°F (17°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually gets more rain in July than Big Sur. Saint John's gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint John's 27°C (81°F)Big Sur 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Saint John's or Big Sur in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John's and Big Sur. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Big Sur in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Saint John's is generally much warmer than Big Sur. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 27°C (80°F), and Big Sur fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Saint John's gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint John's 27°C (80°F)Big Sur 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit Saint John's or Big Sur in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Saint John's as well as Big Sur. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Big Sur for the cuisine during these months.
Saint John's is much warmer than Big Sur in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Big Sur fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
Saint John's usually gets more rain in January than Big Sur. Saint John's gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint John's 24°C (76°F)Big Sur 51°F (11°C)
Should I visit Saint John's or Big Sur in the Spring?
Both Big Sur and Saint John's are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Big Sur because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Saint John's is much warmer than Big Sur. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint John's in April average around 26°C (78°F), and Big Sur averages at about 56°F (13°C).
It's quite rainy in Saint John's. In April, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Saint John's gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Big Sur receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint John's 26°C (78°F)Big Sur 56°F (13°C)
Typical Weather for Big Sur and Saint John's
| Saint John's | Big Sur | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 53°F (12°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.1 inches (55 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 62°F (16°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.6 inches (14 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 51°F (10°C) | 2 inches (51 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.