Which place is cheaper, Nags Head 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 Nags Head?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint John's or Nags Head? 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 Nags Head?
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.
Nags Head
Nags Head is a popular tourist destination in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The town, with a population of almost 3,000, has many nice beaches and is also where you'll find Jockey's Ridge, which has the tallest active sand dune system in the eastern United States. It's also the most visited park within the North Carolina park system.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.
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Saint John's Prices
Antigua and Barbuda PricesNags Head Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint John's $272Nags Head $179
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint John's is $272, while the average daily cost in Nags Head is $179. 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 Nags Head in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint John's $120Nags Head $80
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint John's $240Nags Head $160
Compare Hotels in Saint John's and Nags Head
Looking for a hotel in Saint John's or Nags Head? 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: Nags Head Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint John's $17Nags Head $40
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:
- 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 Nags Head?
Prices for flights to both Nags Head 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 $117Nags Head $71
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint John's $103Nags Head $14
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:
- 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 Nags Head
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nags Head.
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $15
- Wright Brothers Carolina Dunes Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
- Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Outer Banks: $17
- Outer Banks Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $25
- OBX Ghost Tours- The Original Ghost Tour of the Outer Banks: $25
- OBX Ghost Tours: Lighthouse Wraiths & Dune Shadows: $26
- Kitty Hawk Maritime Forest Kayak Tour: $49
- Nags Head Kayak Tour: $55
- Alligator River Kayak Adventure: $59
- Cape Hatteras Kayak Adventure in Rodanthe: $59
- Stand Up Paddleboard Adventure on the Outer Banks : $65
- 2-hour Outer Banks Wild Horse Tour by 4WD Truck: $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint John's $18Nags Head $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Nags Head
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nags Head:
- Wine Tasting And Boat Ride: $109
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint John's and Nags Head, we can see that Saint John's is more expensive. And not only is Nags Head much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint John's is in Caribbean Islands and Nags Head 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 Nags Head would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nags Head 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 Nags Head.
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 Nags Head Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint John's or Nags Head?
Saint John's has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Nags Head. When comparing the sizes of Saint John's and Nags Head, 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 Nags Head?
Nags Head 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 Nags Head in the Summer?
Both Nags Head 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, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nags Head this time of year.
In July, Saint John's is generally around the same temperature as Nags Head. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 27°C (81°F), and Nags Head fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).
In Nags Head, 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 Nags Head. Saint John's gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nags Head receives 274 hours of full sun.
Nags Head gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually gets more rain in July than Nags Head. Saint John's gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Nags Head receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint John's 27°C (81°F)Nags Head 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Saint John's or Nags Head in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John's and Nags Head. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round.
Saint John's is much warmer than Nags Head in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 27°C (80°F) in October, and Nags Head fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nags Head 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 Nags Head during autumn. Saint John's gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Nags Head receives 205 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 Nags Head. Saint John's gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Nags Head receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint John's 27°C (80°F)Nags Head 62°F (16°C)
Should I visit Saint John's or Nags Head in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Saint John's as well as Nags Head. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Nags Head in the winter for the cuisine.
Nags Head can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Saint John's is much warmer than Nags Head. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint John's in January average around 24°C (76°F), and Nags Head averages at about 41°F (5°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 Nags Head. Saint John's gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nags Head receives 147 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Nags Head. Saint John's usually gets less rain in January than Nags Head. Saint John's gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Nags Head receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint John's 24°C (76°F)Nags Head 41°F (5°C)
Should I visit Saint John's or Nags Head in the Spring?
Both Nags Head 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.
In April, Saint John's is generally much warmer than Nags Head. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 26°C (78°F), and Nags Head fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).
It's quite sunny in Nags Head. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually receives less sunshine than Nags Head during spring. Saint John's gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Nags Head receives 262 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 Nags Head. Saint John's gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Nags Head receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint John's 26°C (78°F)Nags Head 59°F (15°C)
Typical Weather for Nags Head and Saint John's
| Saint John's | Nags Head | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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) |
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.