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

Should you visit Saint John's or Santa Monica?

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

Should I visit Saint John's or Santa Monica? 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 Santa Monica?

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.

Santa Monica

When it comes to visiting Los Angeles, Santa Monica is high on the must-see-and-do list. Chances are you'll recognize the iconic ferris wheel from Pacific Park in films and TV shows, and nothing beats the relaxed yet bustling vibe of this laid-back city.

Santa Monica is a popular and diverse beach town, cultural hub, fitness venue, shopping district, and neighborhood full of unique and trendy restaurants, all rolled into one. Visited by more than 6 million people a year, it's no wonder you'll always find a crowd there.

So whether you're up for a high-end shopping spree, bicycling down the waterfront, an eclectic food crawl or simply a stroll down the promenade, Santa Monica is sure to have something in store for you.

The weather in Santa Monica is moderate, with average summer highs in the low to mid 70s and winter climate that rests comfortably around the low 50s. Though flip flops and sandals are considered year-round footwear in Los Angeles, bring comfortable walking shoes for browsing galleries, malls, and boutiques. Santa Monica is the perfect place to break out your California-casual wardrobe.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica is $248. 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 Santa Monica in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint John's $120
    Santa Monica $123
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint John's $240
    Santa Monica $246
Compare Hotels in Saint John's and Santa Monica

Looking for a hotel in Saint John's or Santa Monica? 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 Santa Monica


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: Santa Monica Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint John's $17
    Santa Monica $50
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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Monica

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santa Monica:

  • Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport (LAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $63
  • Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport Departure Private Transfer: $191

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

Prices for flights to both Santa Monica 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
    Santa Monica $91

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 Santa Monica

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santa Monica.

  • City Cruises Los Angeles Dinner Cruise from Marina del Rey: $132
  • Romantic-Surprise Dinner-Wine & Cheese or Sushi Boat Cruise: $149
  • Gourmet Santa Monica Walking Food Tour with Delicious Dish: $159

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint John's $103
    Santa Monica $38
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

Tours and Activities in Santa Monica

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santa Monica are as follows:

  • Santa Monica Superhero Exploration Game and Tour: $5.96
  • Santa Monica Pier Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $8.49
  • Santa Monica Sinister Sins & Sorrow Ghost Tour: $26
  • Santa Monica Art Museum: General Admission Ticket: $28
  • LA & Self-Guided Aerospace Legacy Audio Tour: $30
  • Highway 1 Pacific Coast Highway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $30
  • Santa Monica Puzzling Adventure: $35
  • Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Celebrity Home Tour: $49
  • 3 ½-Hour Sea to the Stars Hollywood Hopper Tour: $55
  • Hollywood Tour with Walk of Fame Stop: $55
  • Venice Beach and Santa Monica eBike Tour : $56
  • Best of LA Tour with 3 Iconic Stops: $59

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint John's $18
    Santa Monica $21

Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Monica

Also in Santa Monica, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Santa Monica Bar Crawl: $15


When comparing the travel costs between Saint John's and Santa Monica, we can see that Saint John's is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Saint John's is in Caribbean Islands and Santa Monica is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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 Santa Monica Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Saint John's or Santa Monica?

Santa Monica has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Saint John's and Santa Monica, 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 Santa Monica?

Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John's and Santa Monica. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round. Furthermore, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Monica this time of year.

Saint John's is a little warmer than Santa Monica in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Saint John's gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint John's 27°C (81°F) 
    Santa Monica 70°F (21°C)

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint John's as well as Santa Monica. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Santa Monica for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Saint John's is a little warmer than Santa Monica. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint John's in October average around 27°C (80°F), and Santa Monica averages at about 67°F (20°C).

Saint John's receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Saint John's usually gets more rain in October than Santa Monica. Saint John's gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint John's 27°C (80°F) 
    Santa Monica 67°F (20°C)

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

Both Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Saint John's is generally much warmer than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 24°C (76°F), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

In January, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Saint John's gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint John's 24°C (76°F) 
    Santa Monica 57°F (14°C)

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

Both Santa Monica 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. Also, most visitors come to Santa Monica for the beaches during these months.

Saint John's is much warmer than Santa Monica in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 26°C (78°F) in April, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually gets more rain in April than Santa Monica. Saint John's gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (4 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint John's 26°C (78°F) 
    Santa Monica 61°F (16°C)

Typical Weather for Santa Monica and Saint John's

Saint John's Santa Monica
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 57°F (14°C) 0.7 inches (17 mm)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 58°F (15°C) 0.9 inches (24 mm)
Mar 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 58°F (15°C) 0.4 inches (10 mm)
Apr 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in) 61°F (16°C) 0.2 inches (4 mm)
May 27°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 63°F (17°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 66°F (19°C) 0 inches (0 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 70°F (21°C) 0 inches (0 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in) 71°F (22°C) 0 inches (0 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in) 70°F (21°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Oct 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in) 67°F (20°C) 0.2 inches (6 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in) 62°F (17°C) 0.2 inches (5 mm)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 58°F (14°C) 0.6 inches (15 mm)