Should I Visit Addis Ababa or Saint John's for Vacation? Which is Better? Which is Cheaper? Which is More Expensive?

Should you visit Addis Ababa or Saint John's?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Addis Ababa or Saint John's, 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: Addis Ababa or Saint John's?

Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia and also the nation's largest when ranked by its population of over three million. There are also more than 120 international missions and embassies in Addis Ababa, making the city a hub for international diplomacy concerning Africa. Other draws include its thriving marketplaces, spicy food, and rich coffee.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Antigua and Barbuda, and The Best Adventure Tours to Antigua and Barbuda.

Which place is cheaper, Saint John's or Addis Ababa?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

Addis Ababa Prices
Ethiopia Prices

Saint John's Prices
Antigua and Barbuda Prices
Average Daily Cost Per person, per day

Addis Ababa $28

Saint John's $272

The average daily cost (per person) in Addis Ababa is $28, while the average daily cost in Saint John's is $272. 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 Addis Ababa and Saint John's in more detail.

Accommodation

Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person

Addis Ababa $15

Saint John's $120
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room

Addis Ababa $30

Saint John's $240

Compare Hotels in Addis Ababa and Saint John's

Looking for a hotel in Addis Ababa or Saint John's? 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.

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: Addis Ababa Hotel Prices and Saint John's Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation

Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.

Addis Ababa $2.75

Saint John's $17

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Addis Ababa

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Addis Ababa are as follows:

Short Taxi Ride

$0.19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Addis Ababa

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

4 Hours Addis Airport Transfer with Ethiopian Cultural Tour: $299
Addis Ababa Airport in/out transfer: $49
Addis Ababa Airport pickup and Transfer: $29
Addis Ababa Airport transfer and shuttle service(privet): $23
Airport Pickup and transfer: $18
Cultural Show and Jazz Night with Transfers: $44
Customizable Layover Tour with Transfers: $55
Golf Club Experience with Hotel Transfer: $100
Photography Tour with Guide & Transfer: $62
Private Tour with Local Guide and Transfers: $65
Bole Airport Transfer: $25
City/Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa - Shuttles: $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:

Biggvee Premium Airport One Way Transfer: $200
JTAT Private Transfers & Tours, Saint John's, Antigua and Barbuda: $160
Private Airport Transfers 1- 2 Pax Zone D: Hotels: $130
Discover the Best of Antigua Sightseeing Tour - Eagle Transfers: $125
Antigua - VIP Fast Track On Arrival ONLY And Round Trip Transfer: $109
Antigua Airport(ANU) to Antigua island Roundtrip Private Transfer: $93
Clear Boat & Offshore Islands Experience (with transfer): $89
Crystal Kayak & Snorkel Eco Tour (with transfer - 8:15am): $89
Private Round Trip Transfer From Antigua Airport To NonSuch Bay: $89
Private Round Trip Transfer From Antigua Airport to St. James's Club & Villas: $83
Antigua Private Airport Transfer (ANU) Round-Trip to All Resorts: $80
Private Antigua Airport Round Trip Transfer: $80

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

Prices for flights to both Saint John's and Addis Ababa 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

Addis Ababa $11

Saint John's $117

Typical Food Prices in Addis Ababa

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

Slice of Cake

$0.04

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Addis Ababa

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

Authentic Ethiopian Cooking Class with a Local Host: $47
Berbere Bites Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $49
Addis Eats Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $49
Addis Ababa Food Tour: Ethiopian Cuisine, Coffee & Drinks: $50
Berbere Bites Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $50
Addis Eats Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $50
Flavors of Ethiopia: Hands-On Cooking Class in Addis Ababa: $55
Food tour in Addis Ababa with airport pick-up.: $56
Totot Cultural Feast & Rhythm Show With Dinner: $60
Addis Ababa Ethiopian Food Cooking Class and Kitchen Tour: $60
Local Ethiopian Food Tour Addis Ababa: $62
Addis Ababa Cooking, Coffee & Traditional Drink Tasting: $65

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

Entertainment

Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.

Addis Ababa $2.84

Saint John's $103

Tours and Activities in Addis Ababa

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

Addis Ababa City Tour & Coffee Ceremony with Shopping areas: $18
National Museum Guided Tour with Lucy Fossil: $28
Guided Walking Tour with Coffee & Food: $28
Traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony Tour: $30
Guided City Tour with Coffee Break & Entry fee: $30
Kebena to Entoto Green Corridor Discovery Tour: $30
Best Addis Ababa Half-Day Tour: $32
Premium Addis Ababa Piassa Walking Tour with Coffee Ceremony: $32
Mercato Market Guided Tour with Hotel Pickup: $32
Red Terror Memorial Storytelling Experience: $35
Flexible City tour Museum's,other layover vist: $35
Coffee Ceremony & Traditional Clothing Tour: $36

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:

**Cruise Ship**E-Paddle Boarding Experience with Snorkel & Lunch: $195
6h Bucket List Tour: Stingray City, Beach & Local Lunch: $195
6h Ultimate Antigua Tour: Stingray City, Beach & Local Lunch: $205
Adventure Antigua - Eli's Original Eco Tour: $145
Adventure Antigua - The Xtreme Circumnavigation tour: $248
Adventure Power Boat Tour Antigua and Private Laviscount Island: $218
Antigua Explorer Tour: $130
Antigua Girls Trip Tour: $130
Antigua Heritage and Horizon Tour: $125
Antigua Historical Sites Island Tour: $111
Antigua Island Tour Top Attractions and Hidden Gems: $110
Antigua Island and Beach Tour: $130

Alcohol

Alcohol Drinks for one day

Addis Ababa $2.35

Saint John's $18

Sample the Local Flavors in Addis Ababa

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Addis Ababa:

Pastry, Chocolate, and Wine Tour with Pickup: $60

How are these travel costs calculated?

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

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

Which is Bigger, Addis Ababa or Saint John's?

Addis Ababa has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Addis Ababa and Saint John's, 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.

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