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

Should you visit Williamsburg or Saint John?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Williamsburg and Saint John. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Williamsburg or Saint John?

Williamsburg

In southeast Virginia, Williamsburg is a historic city that was the capital of Virginia during the 1700's. It's now a popular tourist destination in the state because it has managed to recreate its past in a theme park like setting. Perhaps the most famous attraction in the city is "Colonial Williamsburg," an outdoor museum that recreates an 18th century town with working tradesmen and functioning jobs. You can purchase a one day pass to the area for $36 and multiple day passes at a slight discount. Exhibits in the area include observing a court proceeding, seeing the Governor's Palace, and witnessing the impact of the American Revolution on the area.

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 Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Williamsburg and Saint John, we can see that Saint John is more expensive. And not only is Williamsburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Williamsburg is in North America and Saint John is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Williamsburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Williamsburg 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 would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John than you might in Williamsburg.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Williamsburg Expensive? and Is Saint John Expensive?.

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

Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg or Saint John in the Summer?

Both Saint John and Williamsburg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Williamsburg because of 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, Williamsburg is cooler than Saint John. Typically, the summer temperatures in Williamsburg in July average around 78°F (26°C), and Saint John averages at about 29°C (83°F).

It's quite rainy in Williamsburg. In July, Williamsburg usually receives more rain than Saint John. Williamsburg gets 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Williamsburg or Saint John in the Autumn?

Both Saint John and Williamsburg during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Williamsburg this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.

In October, Williamsburg is generally much colder than Saint John. Daily temperatures in Williamsburg average around 61°F (16°C), and Saint John fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Saint John gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Williamsburg usually gets less rain in October than Saint John. Williamsburg gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Williamsburg or Saint John in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Williamsburg. Williamsburg is much colder than Saint John in the winter. The daily temperature in Williamsburg averages around 38°F (4°C) in January, and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

In January, Williamsburg usually receives more rain than Saint John. Williamsburg gets 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Williamsburg or Saint John in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Williamsburg as well as Saint John. Many visitors come to Williamsburg in the spring for the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.

In the spring, Williamsburg is much colder than Saint John. Typically, the spring temperatures in Williamsburg in April average around 57°F (14°C), and Saint John averages at about 27°C (80°F).

Williamsburg usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Saint John. Williamsburg gets 3 inches (76 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Saint John and Williamsburg