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

Should you visit Saint John's or Washington?

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

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

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.

Washington

Washington, DC is the capital city of the United States of America. It is also a city rich in history and culture. The city dates back to 1791 when the states of Maryland and Virginia donated the land to create the capital. In 1846, Congress returned the land that was ceded by Virginia and in 1871 it created a single municipal government with the remaining area. Today, Washington, DC has a population of over 600,000 people. The metropolitan area includes suburbs in Maryland and Virginia and has a population of about 5.8 million.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Washington 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 Washington is $226. 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 Washington in more detail.



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

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


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: Washington Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint John's $17
    Washington $47
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 Washington

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Washington are as follows:


  • Metro Day Pass
    $9.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Washington

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

  • Airport Transfer DCA to/from Washington DC Downtown Area only: $147
  • Airport Transfer from Dulles IAD Airport⇄ Washington Dc: $99
  • Airport Transfer from Ronald Reagan Airport DCA ⇄ Washington DC: $65
  • Airport Transfer from Ronald Reagan ⇄Airport DCA to Washington DC: $90
  • Arrival Private Transfer: National Airport DCA to Washington in Business Car: $155
  • Arrival Private Transfer: National Airport DCA to Washington in Luxury Car: $203
  • Arrival Transfer from Dulles Airport IAD to Washington DC by SUV: $188
  • Arrival Transfer: Airport DCA to Washington by Luxury SUV: $173
  • Baltimore Airport (BWI) to Washington - Arrival Private Transfer: $154
  • Departure Private Transfer: Washington to Dulles Airport IAD in Luxury Car: $232
  • Departure Private Transfer: Washington to Dulles Airport IAD in Luxury SUV: $173
  • Departure Private Transfer: Washington to Dulles Airport IAD in Luxury Van: $173

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

Prices for flights to both Washington 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
    Washington $66

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

Typical Food Prices in Washington

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Washington:


  • Water
    $2.00
  • Snacks on Monuments Tour
    $6.15

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Washington

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

  • DC: City Cruises Buffet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise: $60
  • DC: City Cruises Gourmet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise: $71
  • Little Ethiopia Food Tour: $71
  • Adams Morgan Food Tour: $78
  • Dupont Circle Food Tour: $84
  • Washington D.C: Acquired Taste Food Tour in Georgetown: $95
  • DC: Eastern Market Eats Food Tour (5 Food Stops + Dessert): $99
  • Washington D.C.: Georgetown Guided Secret Food Tour: $104
  • City Cruises Washington DC: Signature Dinner Cruise: $121
  • City Cruises Washington DC: Premier Dinner Cruise: $127
  • Eastern Market Neighborhood Food Tour (5 Food Stops + Dessert): $129
  • Washington D.C.: Taste of Georgetown Walking Food Tour: $129

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint John's $103
    Washington $24
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 Washington

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

  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Washington: $6.00
  • The Kennedy Homes: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Washington DC Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
  • Georgetown's Famous Ghosts Smartphone Guided Haunted Walking Tour: $9.75
  • Reflections on a Nation Self-Guided National Mall Highlights Tour: $9.99
  • Washington DC Mall Self Guided Audio Walking Tour: $12
  • National Mall Democracy Quest Experience in Washington DC: $12
  • Washington DC Audio Tour: Washington, D.C. Audio Tour Adventure: $15
  • DC - Historical: At your leisure and your pace. Downloadable audiovisual tour.: $15
  • Washington DC Monuments Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $15
  • City Cruises DC: Water Taxi from Wharf or Old Town Alexandria: $20
  • Washington D.C.: Washington Wizards Basketball Game Ticket: $20

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint John's $18
    Washington $19

Sample the Local Flavors in Washington

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Washington:

  • Epic Washington DC Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12
  • Washington DC: Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
  • DC Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl By US Ghost Adventures: $36
  • Washington, D.C.: History Tour Pub Crawl: $56
  • DC Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
  • DC: Guided Craft Brewery Tours with a Snack: $105


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

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 Washington Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Saint John's or Washington?

Washington 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 Washington, 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 Washington?

Washington 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 Washington in the Summer?

Both Washington 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 travelers come to Washington for the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint John's is generally around the same temperature as Washington. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 27°C (81°F), and Washington fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

In Washington, 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 Washington. Saint John's gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Washington receives 278 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually gets more rain in July than Washington. Saint John's gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Washington receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.


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

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John's and Washington. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Washington in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Saint John's is much warmer than Washington in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 27°C (80°F) in October, and Washington fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).

In Saint John's, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint John's usually receives more sunshine than Washington during autumn. Saint John's gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Washington receives 197 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 Washington. Saint John's gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Washington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint John's 27°C (80°F) 
    Washington 60°F (15°C)

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

The winter brings many poeple to Saint John's as well as Washington. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Washington for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.

Washington can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Saint John's is much warmer than Washington. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint John's in January average around 24°C (76°F), and Washington averages at about 35°F (1°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 Washington. Saint John's gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Washington receives 139 hours of full sun.

Saint John's usually gets more rain in January than Washington. Saint John's gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Washington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint John's 24°C (76°F) 
    Washington 35°F (1°C)

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

Both Washington 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 spring months attract visitors to Washington because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Saint John's is generally much warmer than Washington. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 26°C (78°F), and Washington fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Washington. 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 Washington during spring. Saint John's gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Washington receives 228 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 Washington. Saint John's gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Washington receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint John's 26°C (78°F) 
    Washington 56°F (14°C)

Typical Weather for Washington and Saint John's

Saint John's Washington
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 35°F (1°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 37°F (3°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
Mar 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 47°F (8°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Apr 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in) 56°F (14°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
May 27°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 66°F (19°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 79°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in) 78°F (26°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in) 71°F (22°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Oct 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in) 60°F (15°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in) 50°F (10°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 39°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)