Which place is cheaper, Ocean City 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 Ocean City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint John's or Ocean City? 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 Ocean City?
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.
Ocean City
One of the most popular vacation areas of the U.S. east coast, Ocean City is a long-time resort town, taking roots as a getaway when the first beach-front cottage was built in 1869. The destination sits on a strip of land between the Atlantic Ocean and the Isle of Wight Bay. The Atlantic Hotel was the first major hotel, built in 1875 and still in business today. It has been family owned and operated since Charles W. Purnell bought it in 1923.
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.
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Saint John's Prices
Antigua and Barbuda PricesOcean City Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint John's $272Ocean City $196
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint John's is $272, while the average daily cost in Ocean City is $196. 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 Ocean City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint John's $120Ocean City $83
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint John's $240Ocean City $166
Compare Hotels in Saint John's and Ocean City
Looking for a hotel in Saint John's or Ocean City? 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: Ocean City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint John's $17Ocean City $47
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:
- 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 Ocean City?
Prices for flights to both Ocean City 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 $117Ocean City $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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint John's $103Ocean City $18
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:
- 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
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint John's $18Ocean City $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint John's and Ocean City, we can see that Saint John's is more expensive. And not only is Ocean City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint John's is in Caribbean Islands and Ocean City 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 Ocean City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ocean City 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 Ocean City.
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 Ocean City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint John's or Ocean City?
Saint John's has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Ocean City. When comparing the sizes of Saint John's and Ocean City, 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 Ocean City?
Ocean City 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 Ocean City in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John's and Ocean City. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ocean City this time of year.
In the summer, Saint John's is around the same temperature as Ocean City. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint John's in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Ocean City averages at about 77°F (25°C).
Ocean City 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 Ocean City. Saint John's gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Ocean City receives 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint John's 27°C (81°F)Ocean City 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Saint John's or Ocean City in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Saint John's as well as Ocean City. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Ocean City for the shopping scene.
In October, Saint John's is generally much warmer than Ocean City. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 27°C (80°F), and Ocean City fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).
Saint John's receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Saint John's usually gets more rain in October than Ocean City. Saint John's gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Ocean City receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint John's 27°C (80°F)Ocean City 58°F (14°C)
Should I visit Saint John's or Ocean City in the Winter?
Both Ocean City 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 Ocean City in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Ocean City can get quite cold in the winter. Saint John's is much warmer than Ocean City in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Ocean City fluctuates around 35°F (2°C).
In January, Saint John's usually receives less rain than Ocean City. Saint John's gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Ocean City receives 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint John's 24°C (76°F)Ocean City 35°F (2°C)
Should I visit Saint John's or Ocean City in the Spring?
Both Ocean City 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 Ocean City for the beaches during these months.
In the spring, Saint John's is much warmer than Ocean City. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint John's in April average around 26°C (78°F), and Ocean City averages at about 54°F (12°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually gets more rain in April than Ocean City. Saint John's gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Ocean City receives 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint John's 26°C (78°F)Ocean City 54°F (12°C)
Typical Weather for Ocean City and Saint John's
| Saint John's | Ocean City | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 35°F (2°C) | 3.6 inches (93 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 37°F (3°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 45°F (7°C) | 4.1 inches (103 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) | 63°F (17°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 4.3 inches (110 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 5.3 inches (135 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 69°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 49°F (9°C) | 3.2 inches (80 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 39°F (4°C) | 3.7 inches (93 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.