Which place is cheaper, Chicago 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 Chicago?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint John's or Chicago? 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 Chicago?
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.
Chicago
Located in the Midwest, Chicago is the third largest city in the United States. It has a population of almost 3 million and a metropolitan area that covers more than 10,000 square kilometers. It is also a hub for music, comedy and theater. It's skyline is beautiful with modern skyscrapers and Lake Michigan as a backdrop. It is easy to stay entertained in Chicago for weeks. There are world class museums, upscale or eclectic shopping opportunities, and impressive architecture.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.
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Saint John's Prices
Antigua and Barbuda PricesChicago Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint John's $272Chicago $323
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint John's is $272, while the average daily cost in Chicago is $323. 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 Chicago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint John's $120Chicago $198
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint John's $240Chicago $396
Compare Hotels in Saint John's and Chicago
Looking for a hotel in Saint John's or Chicago? 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: Chicago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint John's $17Chicago $37
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:
- 3-Hours Eye-Opening Stingray City Antigua - Transfer R/T included: $133
- Antigua - VIP Fast Track On Arrival ONLY And Round Trip Transfer : $109
- Antigua Airport Private Roundtrip Transfer to and from Royalton Antigua Resort: $60
- Antigua V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to Island - Round-Trip Transfer : $93
- Antigua to Antigua V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) - Departure Transfer: $64
- Antigua&Barbuda Airport (ANU) to Antigua&Barbuda Private Transfer: $46
- Biggvee Airport Roundtrip Transfer: $70
- Biggvee Premium Airport One Way Transfer: $200
- Crystal Kayak & Snorkel Eco Tour (with transfer): $99
- JTAT Private Transfers & Tours, Saint John's, Antigua and Barbuda: $160
- Private Airport Transfers to Antigua and Barbuda: $60
- Private Antigua Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Hammock Cove: $90
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chicago
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Chicago:
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Parking$19
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Taxi Ride$10
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Taxi from Airport$45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chicago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chicago:
- Chicago Private Airport Transfer (ORD) to City: $99
- Chicago to Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD): Departure Transfer: $103
- Airport Transfer: O'Hare Airport ORD to Chicago by Luxury SUV: $222
- Airport transfer between Chicago O'Hare and Milwaukee: $38
- Arrival Private Transfer: O'Hare Airport ORD to Chicago in Business Car: $165
- Arrival Private Transfer: O'Hare Airport ORD to Chicago in Luxury Car: $255
- Arrival Transfer: O'Hare Airport ORD to Chicago by Luxury SUV: $177
- Chicago ↔ Midway Airport, Top Rated Private Sedan Transfer: $133
- Chicago Airport (MDW) to Chicago - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $150
- Chicago Airport Transfer: Chicago to O'Hare Airport ORD in Business Car: $167
- Chicago Airport Transfer: Chicago to O'Hare Airport ORD in Luxury SUV: $222
- Chicago Airport Transfer: Chicago to O'Hare Airport in Luxury SUV: $150
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint John's or Chicago?
Prices for flights to both Chicago 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 $117Chicago $85
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
Typical Food Prices in Chicago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Chicago:
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Dinner for 1$24
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Dinner for 3$118
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chicago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chicago.
- Traveling Spoon Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza Private Online Cooking Class : $59
- Downtown Pizza Guided Walking Tour with Tastings: $73
- Sushi Making Cooking Class at a Local Distillery in Chicago: $75
- Pasta Making Cooking Class at a Local Distillery: $75
- Sushi Making Cooking Class at a Local Distillery: $75
- Pasta Making Cooking Class at a Local Distillery in Chicago: $75
- Downtown Family Food Tour by Bike with Sightseeing: $80
- Chicago Food Tour & Solve a Murder: Interactive True Crime Tour: $82
- Taste of Chicago's Chinatown Food Tours: $85
- Vito's Vault Chicago finest dinner theatre speakeasy: $85
- Downtown Classics Food Tour: Deep Dish, Beef Sandwich & More: $89
- City Cruises Lake Michigan Lunch or Dinner Cruise: $93
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint John's $103Chicago $47
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:
- City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
- Shore Excursion: City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
- Cultural and Historical Home Tour in The Antiguan Experience : $66
- Half Day Historical Tour in Antigua with Beach: $70
- Glenmon taxi and tours: $70
- Nightlife Tour of Antigua and Barbuda: $80
- SoCoHo Eco Kayak and Snorkel Tour: $85
- Antigua Round Island Tour: $85
- Biggvee Bus Adventure: $90
- Clear Kayak Tour in Mangrove Antigua: $90
- Trek Tours Hiking Experience in Antigua: $90
- Circumnavigate Tour: $95
Typical Entertainment Prices in Chicago
Here are a few typical costs in Chicago for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Sears Tower (family of 4)$102
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Aquarium for 4$118
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Water Taxi (family of 4)$22
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IMAX Movie for Two$35
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Shakespeare Play (2)$116
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Art Institute (2)$36
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U-Boat Tour (2)$8.00
Tours and Activities in Chicago
Here are a few actual costs in Chicago for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Eastside Chicago The Heist Exploration Game and Tour: $7.13
- Dragon Kings Quest Experience in Chinatown Chicago: $7.13
- Haunted Chicago Exploration Game and Tour: $7.13
- Chicago Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $7.82
- Chicago Chocolate Tour: $8.00
- Lincoln Park Zoo Adventure: $8.00
- Chicago Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Chicago’s Millennium Park Self Guided Audio GPS Walking Tour: $9.75
- Chicago Haunted Ghost Tour GPS Self-Guided Walking Tour: $9.75
- Chicago’s Ragtime & Jazz Eras: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Illinois Holocaust Museum presents Experience360 Ticket: $12
- Chicago Millennium Park Self-Guided Walking Tour: $13
For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Free Things to Do in Chicago, Chicago Bucket List: The Best Places to See, and The Best Museums in Chicago.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint John's $18Chicago $25
Sample the Local Flavors in Chicago
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Chicago:
- Chicago Bar Crawl: Chi-Town Showdown: $15
- Chicago Local Brewery Expedition with Homemade Guacamole: $63
- Chicago Craft Brewery Barrel Bus Tour: $100
- Craft Brewery Tour by Barrel Bus: $100
- Chicago:Milwaukee City Highlights Day Trip with Brewery Tour: $106
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint John's and Chicago, we can see that Chicago is more expensive. And not only is Saint John's much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint John's is in Caribbean Islands and Chicago 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's would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint John's 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 Chicago would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chicago than you might in Saint John's.
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 Chicago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint John's or Chicago?
Chicago has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Saint John's and Chicago, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Saint John's or Chicago?
Chicago 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 Chicago in the Summer?
Both Chicago and Saint John's are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Chicago for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Saint John's is around the same temperature as Chicago. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint John's in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Chicago averages at about 77°F (25°C).
It's quite sunny in Chicago. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually receives less sunshine than Chicago during summer. Saint John's gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 326 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Chicago. It's quite rainy in Saint John's. In July, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Chicago. Saint John's gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint John's 27°C (81°F)Chicago 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Saint John's or Chicago in the Autumn?
Both Chicago and Saint John's during the autumn 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. Also, many visitors come to Chicago in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Saint John's is generally much warmer than Chicago. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 27°C (80°F), and Chicago fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).
It's quite sunny in Saint John's. In the autumn, Saint John's often gets more sunshine than Chicago. Saint John's gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 195 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually gets more rain in October than Chicago. Saint John's gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint John's 27°C (80°F)Chicago 56°F (14°C)
Should I visit Saint John's or Chicago in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John's and Chicago. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round. Also, most visitors come to Chicago for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.
Chicago can be very cold during winter. Saint John's is much warmer than Chicago in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Chicago fluctuates around 25°F (-4°C).
In Saint John's, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint John's usually receives more sunshine than Chicago during winter. Saint John's gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 134 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Chicago. Saint John's gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 1.9 inches (47 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint John's 24°C (76°F)Chicago 25°F (-4°C)
Should I visit Saint John's or Chicago in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Saint John's as well as Chicago. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Chicago because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Saint John's is much warmer than Chicago. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint John's in April average around 26°C (78°F), and Chicago averages at about 52°F (11°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chicago. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint John's this time of the year. In the spring, Saint John's often gets more sunshine than Chicago. Saint John's gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 218 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Chicago. Saint John's receives a lot of rain in the spring. Saint John's usually gets more rain in April than Chicago. Saint John's gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 4.3 inches (108 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint John's 26°C (78°F)Chicago 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Chicago and Saint John's
| Saint John's | Chicago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 41°F (5°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 56°F (14°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 31°F (-1°C) | 2.8 inches (71 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.