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

Should you visit Saint John's or Victoria?

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

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

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.

Victoria

The capital city of British Columbia, Canada, Victoria is positioned near the southern edge of Vancouver Island. It's a wonderfully pleasant city and has been nicknamed the Garden City because of its vast green space and public gardens. There is a population of just over 80,000 in the city proper and almost 350,000 in the greater metropolitan area. Dating back to 1843, it's also one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest. As such, it has many historic buildings and beautiful architecture. It also has the second oldest Chinatown in North America, following San Francisco's.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Canada, and The Best Eco Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Victoria 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 Victoria is $201. 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 Victoria in more detail.



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

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


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: Victoria Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint John's $17
    Victoria $37
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:

  • VIP Meet and Greet Fast Track on Arrival at Antigua Airport - without Transfers : $77
  • Round-Trip Transfer between Antigua Airport and Antigua Hotels: $32
  • Private Transfer from Antigua island hotels to St. John's Port: $57
  • Private Transfer from Antigua Airport (ANU) to St. John's Port: $42
  • Private Transfer from Antigua & Barbuda V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to island: $123
  • Private Roundtrip Airport Transfers & Tour in Antigua & Barbuda: $200
  • Private Round Trip Transfer From Antigua Airport To NonSuch Bay: $84
  • Private Antigua Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Hammock Cove: $90
  • Private Airport Transfers to Antigua and Barbuda: $60
  • JTAT Private Transfers & Tours, Saint John's, Antigua and Barbuda: $160
  • Crystal Kayak & Snorkel Eco Tour (with transfer): $99
  • Biggvee Premium Airport One Way Transfer: $200

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Victoria

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

  • Private Transfer from Victoria City Hotels to Nanaimo Cruise Port: $131
  • Victoria to Vancouver - Coach Bus Transfer: $77
  • Victoria to Vancouver - Vancouver Airport (YVR) Drop Off - Coach Bus Transfer: $91
  • Victoria to Vancouver - Vancouver Cruise Terminal Drop Off - Coach Bus Transfer: $91
  • Victoria to Vancouver Ferry with Bus Transfer: $75
  • Victoria to Vancouver Scenic Seaplane Transfer: One Way: $289
  • Private Cruise Transfer with City Sightseeing Tour: $682

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

Prices for flights to both Victoria 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
    Victoria $47

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 Victoria

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

  • Chinatown and Old Town Food Tour with Tastings: $86
  • Hip & Hidden Chinatown + Old Town Food Tour Victoria: $88
  • Vistas and Views Food Tour with 3-Course Meal: $100
  • Indulge in a Wine & Food Tour - Cowichan Valley : $125
  • Sip, Savor, Stroll Evening Food Tour: $144
  • Gourmet Dinner Tour Including Local Beer, Wine and City Highlights: $221

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint John's $103
    Victoria $45
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 Victoria

For Victoria, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Tips-Based City Highlights Walking Tour | 2.5-Hour: $5.02
  • Butterfly Gardens Admission Ticket: $15
  • Ghostly Walking Tour in Victoria: $15
  • Iconic & Obscure Victoria Walking Tour: $16
  • Historical Chinatown Walking Tour: $16
  • Historical Victoria Walking Tour: $16
  • Ghost Tour of Old Town and Bastion Square: $17
  • Walking Tour through History and Heritage: $17
  • Halloween Ghostly Walking Tour in Victoria: $17
  • Royal B.C. Museum in Full-Day Admission Ticket: $21
  • Axe Throwing Experience: $24
  • Malahat SkyWalk Tickets: $32

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint John's $18
    Victoria $16

Sample the Local Flavors in Victoria

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Victoria:

  • Victoria BC: Tour & Tasting Around Award Winning Distillery: $21
  • Pickle Pub Crawl: Ferry Rides and Appetizers: $52
  • Local Brewery Tour with a Guide: $86
  • Victoria, BC: Food & Wine Tour to the Cowichan Valley: $118
  • 6-Hour Victoria to Cowichan Wine Tour: $126
  • Victoria Wine Tour with Wine Tastings and Charcuterie: $132
  • Private Saanich Peninsula Wine Tour : $144
  • Cowichan Valley Premium Wine Tour: $474


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

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 Victoria Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Saint John's or Victoria?

Victoria has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Saint John's and Victoria, 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 Victoria?

Victoria 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 Victoria in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint John's as well as Victoria. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Victoria because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saint John's is much warmer than Victoria. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint John's in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Victoria averages at about 16°C (60°F).

Saint John's receives a lot of rain in the summer. Saint John's usually gets more rain in July than Victoria. Saint John's gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint John's 27°C (81°F) 
    Victoria 16°C (60°F)

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

Both Victoria and Saint John's are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's throughout the year. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Victoria this time of year.

In October, Saint John's is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 27°C (80°F), and Victoria fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

It's quite rainy in Saint John's. In October, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Victoria. Saint John's gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint John's 27°C (80°F) 
    Victoria 11°C (52°F)

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

Both Victoria and Saint John's during the winter 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 travelers come to Victoria for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Victoria. Saint John's is much warmer than Victoria in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Victoria fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Victoria gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saint John's usually gets less rain in January than Victoria. Saint John's gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint John's 24°C (76°F) 
    Victoria 5°C (41°F)

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John's and Victoria. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round.

In the spring, Saint John's is much warmer than Victoria. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint John's in April average around 26°C (78°F), and Victoria averages at about 10°C (49°F).

Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Victoria. Saint John's gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint John's 26°C (78°F) 
    Victoria 10°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Victoria and Saint John's

Saint John's Victoria
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 5°C (41°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 7°C (44°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 8°C (46°F) 67 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in) 10°C (49°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
May 27°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 12°C (54°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 14°C (58°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 16°C (60°F) 13 mm (0.5 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in) 16°C (61°F) 19 mm (0.8 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in) 15°C (58°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Oct 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in) 11°C (52°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in) 8°C (46°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 5°C (42°F) 153 mm (6 in)