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

Should you visit Saint John's or Kauai?

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

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

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.

Kauai

Hawaii is certainly a bucket list destination, but what if you want to do it without being surrounded by tourists? You want the adventure of the land of volcanoes and less of the kids in water wings. Then Kaua'i is the island for you.

Kaua'i, or the "garden island," is full of tropical forests, little villages and even more laid back lifestyle – if you can imagine. It's a smaller island at 560 square miles with a population of only 68,000.

With more coastline miles than any other island, Kaua'i is the result of massive erosion forming awe-inspiring sights like the Waimea Canyon and Na Pali Coast. The island experiences more rainfall every year – keeping it lush and green all year.

You'll feel like you've walked into another world in Kaua'i. Because of height restrictions, this island's buildings are no taller than the coconut trees. So if you're looking for an escape from civilization, you'll want to head straight for Kaua'i.

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


Which place is cheaper, Kauai 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 Kauai is $231. 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 Kauai in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint John's $120
    Kauai $113
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint John's $240
    Kauai $226
Compare Hotels in Saint John's and Kauai

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


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: Kauai Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint John's $17
    Kauai $34
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:

  • 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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kauai

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

  • Private SUV Transfer- Lihue Airport to Lihue/Kapaa : $149
  • Private SUV Transfer-LIH Airport to Koloa/Poipu : $179

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

Prices for flights to both Kauai 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
    Kauai $96

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 Kauai

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

  • Allerton Garden and Estate Tour with Sunset Dinner: $106
  • Local Tastes Small Group Food Tour: $121
  • Walking Food Tour of Hanalei, Kauaʻi : $129
  • Local Dishes Cooking Class: $174
  • Luau Kalamaku on Kauai with Buffet Dinner and Show: $179
  • Luau Ka Hikina Admission Ticket with Dinner and Lei Greeting: $189
  • Luau Kalamaku – Elevated Seating, Dinner & Show: $198
  • Napali Coast Sunset Sailboat Tour with Dinner: $226
  • Napali Sunset Dinner Cruise: $226
  • VIP Manor House Dinner & Luau Kalamaku Show: $237
  • Luau Kalamaku on Kauai with Manor House 4-Course Dinner & Show: $251
  • Leila Na Pali Sunset Dinner Sail: $264

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint John's $103
    Kauai $17
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 Kauai

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kauai.

  • Ultimate Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour of Kauai (Na Pali, Waimea), Hawaii: $15
  • North Shore Kauai Self-Guided Audio Tour: $20
  • Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Kauai: $20
  • Kauai Poipu and Koloa Town Self-Guided Audio Tour: $20
  • Kauai Wailua Valley & Waterfalls Audio Driving Tour: $20
  • Waimea Canyon & Na Pali Driving Tour app: $23
  • Allerton Garden Guided Group Walking Tour: $64
  • Kauai Cruise Ship Shore Excursion Journey to Waimea Canyon: $97
  • Kauai Cruise Ship Excursion: Wailua River & Fern Grotto: $109
  • Kalapaki Kai Sunset Catamaran Cruise: $109
  • Kauai Adventure: Kayak & Hike to Secret Falls with Expert Guide: $112
  • Catamaran Sunset Cruise: $114

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint John's $18
    Kauai $14


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

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 Kauai Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Saint John's or Kauai?

Kauai 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 Kauai in the Summer?

Both Kauai 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. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Kauai because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saint John's is around the same temperature as Kauai. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint John's in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Kauai averages at about 78°F (25°C).

In Kauai, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint John's. In the summer, Saint John's often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kauai. Saint John's gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kauai receives 255 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 July than Kauai. Saint John's gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Kauai receives 0.6 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint John's 27°C (81°F) 
    Kauai 78°F (25°C)

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John's and Kauai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Kauai this time of year.

In October, Saint John's is generally around the same temperature as Kauai. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 27°C (80°F), and Kauai fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kauai this time of the year. In Saint John's, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint John's usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kauai during autumn. Saint John's gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Kauai receives 208 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Kauai. Saint John's gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Kauai receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint John's 27°C (80°F) 
    Kauai 78°F (25°C)

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

The winter brings many poeple to Saint John's as well as Kauai. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Kauai for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Saint John's is a little warmer than Kauai in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Kauai fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint John's this time of the year. In the winter, Saint John's often gets more sunshine than Kauai. Saint John's gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kauai receives 174 hours of full sun.

Saint John's usually gets less rain in January than Kauai. Saint John's gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Kauai receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint John's 24°C (76°F) 
    Kauai 71°F (22°C)

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

Both Kauai 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, many visitors come to Kauai in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Saint John's is a little warmer than Kauai. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint John's in April average around 26°C (78°F), and Kauai averages at about 73°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Kauai. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually receives more sunshine than Kauai during spring. Saint John's gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Kauai receives 206 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Saint John's. In April, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Kauai. Saint John's gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Kauai receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint John's 26°C (78°F) 
    Kauai 73°F (23°C)

Typical Weather for Kauai and Saint John's

Saint John's Kauai
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 71°F (22°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 71°F (22°C) 1.3 inches (32 mm)
Mar 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 73°F (23°C) 2 inches (52 mm)
Apr 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in) 73°F (23°C) 1.1 inches (27 mm)
May 27°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 74°F (24°C) 0.4 inches (10 mm)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 76°F (25°C) 0.4 inches (9 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 78°F (25°C) 0.6 inches (17 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in) 78°F (26°C) 0.6 inches (16 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in) 78°F (26°C) 1 inches (26 mm)
Oct 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in) 78°F (25°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in) 75°F (24°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 72°F (22°C) 2.5 inches (62 mm)