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

Should you visit Saint John's or Columbus?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Saint John's or Columbus? 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 Columbus?

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.

Columbus

The capital city of Ohio, Columbus sits at the meeting point of America's Rust Belt, Bible Belt, Appalachia, and the Plains. It is also home of Ohio State University, which is a major financial and economic force in the city. While not always famous for it's sights and attractions, visitors will be pleasantly surprised by what they find here.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Columbus 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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint John's is $272, while the average daily cost in Columbus is $193. 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 Columbus in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint John's $120
    Columbus $72
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint John's $240
    Columbus $144
Compare Hotels in Saint John's and Columbus

Looking for a hotel in Saint John's or Columbus? 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 Johns


Hotels in Columbus


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: Columbus Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint John's $17
    Columbus $50
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint John's

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint John's:


  • Local Bus
    $1.52
  • Taxi From Airport
    $6.99

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint John's

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint John's:

  • VIP Meet and Greet Fast Track on Arrival at Antigua Airport - without Transfers : $77
  • Round-Trip Transfer between Antigua Airport and Antigua Hotels: $32
  • Private Transfer from Antigua island hotels to St. John's Port: $57
  • Private Transfer from Antigua Airport (ANU) to St. John's Port: $42
  • Private Transfer from Antigua & Barbuda V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to island: $123
  • Private Roundtrip Airport Transfers & Tour in Antigua & Barbuda: $200
  • Private Round Trip Transfer From Antigua Airport To NonSuch Bay: $84
  • Private Antigua Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Hammock Cove: $90
  • Private Airport Transfers to Antigua and Barbuda: $60
  • JTAT Private Transfers & Tours, Saint John's, Antigua and Barbuda: $160
  • Crystal Kayak & Snorkel Eco Tour (with transfer): $99
  • Biggvee Premium Airport One Way Transfer: $200

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Columbus

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

  • Columbus International Airport Private Transfer with Bus or Coach: $90
  • Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) to Columbus - Arrival Private Transfer: $106
  • Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) to Columbus - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $212
  • Columbus Ohio (CMH) Airport Arrival or Departure Private Transfer: $180
  • Columbus to Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) - Departure Private Transfer: $106

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint John's or Columbus?

Prices for flights to both Columbus 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Saint John's $117
    Columbus $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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Columbus

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

  • Short North Walking Food Tour : $89

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint John's $103
    Columbus $46
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:


  • 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

Tours and Activities in Columbus

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

  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Columbus by Crazy Dash: $10
  • Experience a Scavenger Hunt in A German Village: $15
  • Experience the season with a scavenger hunt in Columbus with Holly Jolly Hunt: $20
  • Columbus Ohio Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
  • LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus Admission Ticket: $26
  • Shared Yoga and Coffee Experience On The Trolley Pub: $39
  • Columbus Scavenger Hunt Adventure : $49
  • The Perfect Half Day Columbus Adventure: $59

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint John's $18
    Columbus $20

Sample the Local Flavors in Columbus

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Columbus:

  • Columbus Ohio Bar Crawl: $15


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint John's and Columbus, we can see that Saint John's is more expensive. And not only is Columbus much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint John's is in Caribbean Islands and Columbus 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 Columbus would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Columbus 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 Columbus.

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 Columbus Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Saint John's or Columbus?

Columbus has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Saint John's and Columbus, 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 Columbus?

Columbus 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 Columbus in the Summer?

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

In July, Saint John's is generally around the same temperature as Columbus. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 27°C (81°F), and Columbus fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbus. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint John's this time of the year. In the summer, Saint John's often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Columbus. Saint John's gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbus receives 254 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Columbus. Saint John's receives a lot of rain in the summer. Saint John's usually gets more rain in July than Columbus. Saint John's gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Columbus receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint John's 27°C (81°F) 
    Columbus 77°F (25°C)

Should I visit Saint John's or Columbus in the Autumn?

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

Saint John's is much warmer than Columbus in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 27°C (80°F) in October, and Columbus fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually receives more sunshine than Columbus during autumn. Saint John's gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Columbus receives 179 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Saint John's. In October, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Columbus. Saint John's gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Columbus receives 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint John's 27°C (80°F) 
    Columbus 57°F (14°C)

Should I visit Saint John's or Columbus in the Winter?

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

Columbus can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Saint John's is much warmer than Columbus. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint John's in January average around 24°C (76°F), and Columbus averages at about 30°F (-1°C).

It's quite sunny in Saint John's. In the winter, Saint John's often gets more sunshine than Columbus. Saint John's gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbus receives 105 hours of full sun.

Saint John's usually gets more rain in January than Columbus. Saint John's gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Columbus receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint John's 24°C (76°F) 
    Columbus 30°F (-1°C)

Should I visit Saint John's or Columbus in the Spring?

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

In April, Saint John's is generally much warmer than Columbus. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 26°C (78°F), and Columbus fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

In Saint John's, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint John's usually receives more sunshine than Columbus during spring. Saint John's gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Columbus receives 200 hours of full sun in the spring.

Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Columbus. Saint John's gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Columbus receives 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint John's 26°C (78°F) 
    Columbus 54°F (12°C)

Typical Weather for Columbus and Saint John's

Saint John's Columbus
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 30°F (-1°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 33°F (1°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm)
Mar 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 45°F (7°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Apr 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in) 54°F (12°C) 3.2 inches (81 mm)
May 27°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 65°F (18°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 73°F (23°C) 4 inches (102 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 77°F (25°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in) 75°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in) 69°F (20°C) 3 inches (76 mm)
Oct 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in) 57°F (14°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in) 47°F (8°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 35°F (2°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)