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

Should you visit Sydney or Saint John?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sydney or Saint John, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Sydney or Saint John?

Sydney

Sydney, known as the harbour city, is the most famous and frequently visited city in Australia. It is at the economical and cultural heart of the country, and is one of the most beautiful and livable cities in the world. It's situated on the water with stunning views of the famous harbour throughout the city. It's most famous landmarks include the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is also very close wonderful beaches, parks, and nature.

Saint John

With the popularity of the Caribbean rising, many islands have become touristy and expensive – but not St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

At only nine miles long and five miles wide, St. John is the smallest of the Virgin Islands, and, many argue, the prettiest. It's the kind of place that has maintained it's cultural identity, but still welcomes visitors from all over the world. With a population of just 5,000, the residents of St. John know everyone and everything happening on the island.

This island is perfect for people who want an undisturbed island getaway at any price. Between resorts and campgrounds there is a spot for everyone on St. John.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia.


Which place is cheaper, Saint John or Sydney?

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 Sydney is $207, while the average daily cost in Saint John is $233. 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 Sydney and Saint John in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sydney $103
    Saint John $106
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sydney $206
    Saint John $212
Compare Hotels in Sydney and Saint John

Looking for a hotel in Sydney or Saint John? 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 Sydney


Hotels in Saint John


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: Sydney Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sydney $15
    Saint John $49
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sydney

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Sydney:


  • Taxi Ride
    $13
  • Taxi to Airport
    $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sydney

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sydney:

  • 11:30AM Sydney Airport-Hotel transfer with Bondi Tour: $125
  • 9:30AM Sydney Airport-Hotel transfer with City Half Day Tour: $112
  • Airport Transfer: Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney by Business Car: $112
  • Airport Transfer: Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney by Luxury Van: $125
  • Arrival Transfer from Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney city by Sedan: $90
  • Arrival Transfer: Sydney Airport SYD to Sydney in Business Car: $112
  • Chauffeur Airport Transfers Sydney - Up to 15 Passengers: $99
  • Chauffeur Service Sydney For Luxury Airport Transfers: $112
  • Departing Luxury Transfer to Airport or Cruise Port: $67
  • Departure Transfer: Sydney to Sydney Airport SYD in Business Car: $112
  • Featherdale Wildlife Park with Exclusive Private Transfers: $235
  • From Sydney Hotels - Hotel Transfer to Airport: $355

Is it cheaper to fly into Sydney or Saint John?

Prices for flights to both Saint John and Sydney 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
    Sydney $77
    Saint John $97
Typical Food Prices in Sydney

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Sydney:


  • Tea
    $2.62
  • Lunch Special
    $9.81
  • Food/Drink Coogie Beach
    $9.81
  • Meat Pies
    $3.27

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sydney

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

  • Vivid Festival of Light Harbor Cruise with Dinner: $36
  • City Highlights Walking Food Tour with Harbor Cruise: $45
  • Roti Making Class with 5-Course Dinner: $50
  • Harbour Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $50
  • Foraging Food Tour Sydney Native Aussie Food: $53
  • Sydney's Little Italy Food Tour: $54
  • Harbor Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $59
  • Twilight Dinner Cruise on Coral Trekker: $59
  • Sydney Harbour Tall Ship Twilight Dinner Cruise: $60
  • Kids Cooking Classes: $64
  • Tall Ship Harbour Twilight Dinner Cruise: $72
  • Sydney Harbour: Latin Fiesta Dinner Cruise: $73

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sydney $31
    Saint John $23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sydney

Here are a few typical costs in Sydney for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Theatre Show
    $29
  • Sydney Tower Visit (for 2)
    $30
  • Blue Mountain Tour/Featherdale Park (for 2)
    $125
  • Powerhouse Museum
    $9.85

Tours and Activities in Sydney

Here are a few actual costs in Sydney for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Haunted Sydney Self-Guided Audio Ghost Tour: $5.00
  • Sydney Cockatoo Island Escape: Convict Adventure Game: $7.16
  • Sydney Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $7.16
  • Sydney Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $8.35
  • Self Guided Electric Bike Tour of Sydney Beaches: $10
  • Sydney Half Day Tour with a Local: 100% Personalized & Private : $14
  • Experience Sydney Audio Tour Adventure: $15
  • Discover Self-Guided Audio Tour: $16
  • Razor Gangs True Crime Tour: $17
  • Aboriginal Art Exhibition Ticket, Art Gallery of NSW: $17
  • Tickets & Tours at Art Gallery of New South Wales: $17
  • Allianz Stadium Guided Tour: $18

Tours and Activities in Saint John

Here are a few actual costs in Saint John for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • St. John: A Private Island Adventure Tour & Trunk Bay Beach: $627

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sydney $15
    Saint John $44
Typical Alcohol Prices in Sydney

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Sydney:


  • Wine
    $10

Sample the Local Flavors in Sydney

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

  • Big Night Out Pub Crawl with Local Party Hosts: $32
  • Private Wine Tasting at The Rocks: $46
  • Sydney Cellar Door - Old Vine Expressions Wine Tasting: $47
  • From: Sydney - Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Guided Day Tour: $89
  • Sydney Beer and Brewery Tour: $104
  • Brewery, Winery, and Distillery Tasting Tour: $112
  • Shared Sydney City Walking Tour and Wine Tasting: $124
  • From Full-Day Hunter Valley Wine Tour & Lunch: $145
  • From Hunter Valley Wine Tasting Day Tour: $145
  • From Hunter Valley Multi-Brewery Tour with Lunch: $149
  • Small Group Hunter Valley Wine Tour + Lunch, Gin & Choc ex Sydney: $151
  • From All Inclusive Boutique Hunter Valley Wine Tour: $155


When comparing the travel costs between Sydney and Saint John, we can see that Saint John 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 Sydney is in Pacific and Saint John is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Sydney Expensive? and Is Saint John Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Sydney or Saint John?

Sydney has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Sydney or Saint John in the Summer?

Both Saint John and Sydney are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Sydney for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the summer, Sydney is cooler than Saint John. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sydney in January average around 23°C (73°F), and Saint John averages at about 29°C (83°F)in July.

It's quite rainy in Sydney. In January, Sydney usually receives more rain than Saint Johnin July. Sydney gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Sydney 23°C (73°F) 
    Saint John 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Sydney or Saint John in the Autumn?

Both Saint John and Sydney during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Sydney in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.

In April, Sydney is generally much colder than Saint Johnin October. Daily temperatures in Sydney average around 19°C (65°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Saint John gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sydney. Sydney usually gets less rain in April than Saint Johnin October. Sydney gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Sydney 19°C (65°F) 
    Saint John 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Sydney or Saint John in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sydney and Saint John. Most visitors come to Sydney for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Sydney is much colder than Saint John in the winter. The daily temperature in Sydney averages around 12°C (53°F) in July, and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F)in January.

In July, Sydney usually receives more rain than Saint Johnin January. Sydney gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Sydney 12°C (53°F) 
    Saint John 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Sydney or Saint John in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Sydney as well as Saint John. The spring months attract visitors to Sydney because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.

In the spring, Sydney is cooler than Saint John. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sydney in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Saint John averages at about 27°C (80°F)in April.

Sydney usually gets more rain in October than Saint Johnin April. Sydney gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Sydney 18°C (64°F) 
    Saint John 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Saint John and Sydney

Sydney Saint John
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 23°C (73°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 23°C (73°F) 113 mm (4.4 in) 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 21°C (70°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 19°C (65°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
May 15°C (60°F) 88 mm (3.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 13°C (55°F) 128 mm (5 in) 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 12°C (53°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 13°C (55°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 15°C (59°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Oct 18°C (64°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Nov 20°C (67°F) 101 mm (4 in) 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in)
Dec 22°C (71°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)