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

Should you visit Saint John's or Marathon?

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

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

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.

Marathon

You step outside your deluxe suite onto the balcony and are greeted with nothing less than tropical perfection. The hum of the ocean, the whispers of the palm trees, the songs of the seagulls - you bask in this paradise otherwise known as Marathon, Florida. A 10-mile-long island, the chain contains Vaca Key, Fat Deer Key and Grassy Key, along with Duck Key just another few minutes up the road.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Marathon 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 Marathon is $195. 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 Marathon in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint John's $120
    Marathon $76
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint John's $240
    Marathon $152
Compare Hotels in Saint John's and Marathon

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


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: Marathon Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint John's $17
    Marathon $47
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

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

Prices for flights to both Marathon 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
    Marathon $89

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
    Marathon $27
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 Marathon

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

  • Rhum Runner Aqua Park Adventure: $38
  • Florida: Sunset Champagne Cruise on the Marathon Mermaid: $82
  • Snorkeling Adventure by Boat at Sombrero Reef: $89
  • Intro to Foilboarding Experience: $214

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint John's $18
    Marathon $24


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

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 Marathon Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Saint John's or Marathon?

Saint John's has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Marathon. When comparing the sizes of Saint John's and Marathon, 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 Marathon?

Marathon 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 Marathon in the Summer?

Both Marathon 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 visitors come to Marathon in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint John's is generally around the same temperature as Marathon. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 27°C (81°F), and Marathon fluctuates around 84°F (29°C).

In Marathon, 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 less sunshine than Marathon. Saint John's gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marathon receives 328 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 Marathon. Saint John's gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Marathon receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint John's 27°C (81°F) 
    Marathon 84°F (29°C)

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John's and Marathon. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Marathon for the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Saint John's is around the same temperature as Marathon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 27°C (80°F) in October, and Marathon fluctuates around 80°F (27°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marathon 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 Marathon during autumn. Saint John's gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Marathon receives 258 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Marathon receives a lot of rain 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 Marathon. Saint John's gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Marathon receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


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

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

The winter brings many poeple to Saint John's as well as Marathon. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Marathon because of the cuisine.

In the winter, Saint John's is a little warmer than Marathon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint John's in January average around 24°C (76°F), and Marathon averages at about 70°F (21°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marathon. 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 around the same amount of sunshine as Marathon. Saint John's gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marathon receives 252 hours of full sun.

Saint John's usually gets more rain in January than Marathon. Saint John's gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Marathon receives 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint John's 24°C (76°F) 
    Marathon 70°F (21°C)

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

Both Marathon 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 beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Marathon this time of year.

In April, Saint John's is generally around the same temperature as Marathon. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 26°C (78°F), and Marathon fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

It's quite sunny in Marathon. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually receives less sunshine than Marathon during spring. Saint John's gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Marathon receives 326 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 Marathon. Saint John's gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Marathon receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint John's 26°C (78°F) 
    Marathon 77°F (25°C)

Typical Weather for Marathon and Saint John's

Saint John's Marathon
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 70°F (21°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 71°F (21°C) 1.4 inches (36 mm)
Mar 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 74°F (23°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm)
Apr 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in) 77°F (25°C) 0.8 inches (21 mm)
May 27°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 81°F (27°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 83°F (28°C) 4.5 inches (114 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 84°F (29°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in) 84°F (29°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in) 83°F (29°C) 5.7 inches (144 mm)
Oct 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in) 80°F (27°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in) 76°F (24°C) 2 inches (50 mm)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 72°F (22°C) 1.4 inches (35 mm)