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

Should you visit Saint John's or Duck?

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

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

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.

Duck

Duck is a resort town in Dare County, North Carolina. The town is quite small, with a year around population of just 369, but during the peak summer months the tourist crowds can climb to over 20,000. Duck is also the northernmost incorporated town in the county, and also the newest town in the Outer Banks, having been incorporated on May 1st, 2002.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Duck 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 Duck is $221. 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 Duck in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint John's $120
    Duck $107
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint John's $240
    Duck $214
Compare Hotels in Saint John's and Duck

Looking for a hotel in Saint John's or Duck? 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 Duck


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint John's $17
    Duck $66
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:

  • Round-Trip Transfer between Antigua Airport and Antigua Hotels: $32
  • Private Transfer from Antigua Airport (ANU) to St. John's Port: $42
  • Antigua&Barbuda Airport (ANU) to Antigua&Barbuda Private Transfer: $46
  • Private Transfer from Antigua island hotels to St. John's Port: $57
  • Antigua Airport Private Roundtrip Transfer to and from Royalton Antigua Resort: $60
  • Private Airport Transfers to Antigua and Barbuda: $60
  • Antigua to Antigua V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) - Departure Transfer: $64
  • Biggvee Airport Roundtrip Transfer: $70
  • VIP Meet and Greet Fast Track on Arrival at Antigua Airport - without Transfers : $77
  • Private Round Trip Transfer From Antigua Airport To NonSuch Bay: $84
  • Private Antigua Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Hammock Cove: $90
  • Antigua V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to Island - Round-Trip Transfer : $93

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

Prices for flights to both Duck 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
    Duck $78

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint John's $103
    Duck $13
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:

  • 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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint John's $18
    Duck $45


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

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 Duck Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Saint John's or Duck?

Saint John's has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Duck. When comparing the sizes of Saint John's and Duck, 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 Duck?

Duck 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 Duck in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John's and Duck. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Duck this time of year.

In July, Saint John's is generally around the same temperature as Duck. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 27°C (81°F), and Duck fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Duck this time of the year. In Saint John's, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint John's usually receives less sunshine than Duck during summer. Saint John's gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Duck receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.

Duck receives a lot of rain in the summer. Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Duck. Saint John's gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Duck receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint John's 27°C (81°F) 
    Duck 78°F (26°C)

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint John's as well as Duck. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Duck for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Saint John's is much warmer than Duck in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 27°C (80°F) in October, and Duck fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Duck. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint John's this time of the year. In the autumn, Saint John's often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Duck. Saint John's gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Duck receives 211 hours of full sun.

Saint John's receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Saint John's usually gets more rain in October than Duck. Saint John's gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Duck receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint John's 27°C (80°F) 
    Duck 62°F (16°C)

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

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

Duck can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Saint John's is much warmer than Duck. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint John's in January average around 24°C (76°F), and Duck averages at about 41°F (5°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually receives more sunshine than Duck during winter. Saint John's gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Duck receives 168 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Duck. In January, Saint John's usually receives less rain than Duck. Saint John's gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Duck receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint John's 24°C (76°F) 
    Duck 41°F (5°C)

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

Both Duck and Saint John's during the spring 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, most visitors come to Duck for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Saint John's is generally much warmer than Duck. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 26°C (78°F), and Duck fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

In Duck, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint John's. In the spring, Saint John's often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Duck. Saint John's gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Duck receives 253 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 April than Duck. Saint John's gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Duck receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint John's 26°C (78°F) 
    Duck 59°F (15°C)

Typical Weather for Duck and Saint John's

Saint John's Duck
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 41°F (5°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 42°F (6°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Mar 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 50°F (10°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Apr 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in) 59°F (15°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
May 27°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 67°F (19°C) 4.6 inches (117 mm)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 74°F (23°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 78°F (26°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in) 78°F (25°C) 5 inches (127 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in) 72°F (22°C) 4.7 inches (119 mm)
Oct 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in) 62°F (16°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in) 53°F (12°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 45°F (7°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm)