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

Should you visit Saint John's or Virginia Beach?

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

Should I visit Saint John's or Virginia Beach? 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 Virginia Beach?

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.

Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay. It's a popular beach destination and has many of the characteristics of most southeastern beach towns. There are many activities that you can enjoy and there's a concrete boardwalk that runs parallel to the water for about three miles. The boardwalk is a fun place to walk or bicycle. The beach itself is wide and sandy and is a great place to soak up some sun. During the summer months and school holidays it can get quite crowded and you might struggle to find a place for your towel and beach chairs. There are also many beach side resorts that line the water front. Most have pools and hot tubs where you can relax and some hotels have indoor pools as well, which can be nice during the cool winter months.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach is $148. 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 Virginia Beach in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint John's $120
    Virginia Beach $71
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint John's $240
    Virginia Beach $142
Compare Hotels in Saint John's and Virginia Beach

Looking for a hotel in Saint John's or Virginia Beach? 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 Virginia Beach


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: Virginia Beach Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint John's $17
    Virginia Beach $39
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

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Virginia Beach

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Virginia Beach:


  • Beach Parking
    $10

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

Prices for flights to both Virginia Beach 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
    Virginia Beach $52

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
    Virginia Beach $21
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 Virginia Beach

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

  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Virginia Beach by Wacky Walks: $10
  • Buried Beneath the Boardwalk: Neptune Ghouls and Ghost Tours: $24
  • Buried Beneath the Boardwalk: Neptune Ghouls and Ghost Tours: $32
  • Small Group Dolphin Kayak Eco-Tour: $63
  • Ziplining and Climbing at The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium: $64
  • Wetland Zip Tour: $65
  • Sunset Dolphin Kayak Tours: $68
  • Dolphin Kayak Tour: This is a Workout!: $90

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint John's $18
    Virginia Beach $11


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

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 Virginia Beach Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Saint John's or Virginia Beach?

Virginia Beach has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Saint John's and Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach?

Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach in the Summer?

Both Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Saint John's is around the same temperature as Virginia Beach in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

In Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach. Saint John's gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 279 hours of full sun.

Virginia Beach 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 around the same amount of rain in July as Virginia Beach. Saint John's gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint John's 27°C (81°F) 
    Virginia Beach 79°F (26°C)

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

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

In the autumn, Saint John's is much warmer than Virginia Beach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint John's in October average around 27°C (80°F), and Virginia Beach averages at about 62°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach during autumn. Saint John's gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 211 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 Virginia Beach. Saint John's gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint John's 27°C (80°F) 
    Virginia Beach 62°F (16°C)

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

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

The weather in Virginia Beach can be very cold. In January, Saint John's is generally much warmer than Virginia Beach. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 24°C (76°F), and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 39°F (4°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 Virginia Beach. Saint John's gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 168 hours of full sun.

Saint John's usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Virginia Beach. Saint John's gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint John's 24°C (76°F) 
    Virginia Beach 39°F (4°C)

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

Both Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach this time of year.

Saint John's is much warmer than Virginia Beach in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 26°C (78°F) in April, and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Virginia Beach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Virginia Beach during spring. Saint John's gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 253 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 Virginia Beach. Saint John's gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint John's 26°C (78°F) 
    Virginia Beach 58°F (14°C)

Typical Weather for Virginia Beach and Saint John's

Saint John's Virginia Beach
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 39°F (4°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 41°F (5°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Mar 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 49°F (10°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Apr 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in) 58°F (14°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
May 27°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 67°F (19°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 74°F (24°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 79°F (26°C) 5.7 inches (145 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in) 78°F (25°C) 5.9 inches (150 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in) 72°F (22°C) 4.2 inches (107 mm)
Oct 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in) 62°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in) 53°F (12°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)