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

Should you visit Beirut or Saint John's?

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 Beirut and Saint John's. 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: Beirut or Saint John's?

Beirut

Some travelers are seeking the hustle, bustle and posh atmosphere that only comes from a big city. Those travelers should have Beirut, Lebanon at the top of their list. The capital city is jam packed with 2.1 million people that are constantly on the go. As the commercial and financial hub of Lebanon, this city is fast-paced, fashion conscious and always ready for a night on the town.

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.

Which place is cheaper, Saint John's or Beirut?

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

Beirut Prices
Lebanon Prices

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

Beirut $2.78

Saint John's $272

The average daily cost (per person) in Beirut is $2.78, 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 Beirut and Saint John's in more detail.

Accommodation

Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person

Beirut $1.26

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

Beirut $2.52

Saint John's $240

Compare Hotels in Beirut and Saint John's

Looking for a hotel in Beirut 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: Beirut Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation

Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.

Beirut $0.44

Saint John's $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beirut

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

Airport Arrival Transfer to Your Beirut Hotel: $10
Airport Departure Transfer From Your Beirut Hotel: $10
Beirut Airport Transfer in a Limousine: $201
Beirut Arrival Airport Transfer Pickup: $9.89
Departure Transfer:From Hotel To Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY): $10
Private Arrival Transfer: Beirut International Airport to Hotel: $18
Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Beirut International Airport: $18
Private Transfer from Beirut Hotels to the Beirut Airport: $10

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:

VIP Meet and Greet Fast Track on Arrival at Antigua Airport - without Transfers : $74
VATS Antigua Airport Transfers: $90
Shared Roundtrip Taxi Transfer from Antigua Airport to Royalton Antigua Resort: $48
Round-Trip Transfer between Antigua Airport and Antigua Hotels: $32
Private Transfer from St. John's Port to Antigua Island Hotels: $78
Private Transfer from Antigua island hotels to St. John's Port: $78
Private Transfer from Antigua Airport (ANU) to St. John's Port: $50
Private Transfer from Antigua & Barbuda V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to island: $111
Private Roundtrip Airport Transfers & Tour in Antigua & Barbuda: $200
Private Airport Transfers to Antigua and Barbuda: $60
Luxury Airport transfer from or to Antigua Airport : $65
JTAT Private Transfers & Tours, Saint John's, Antigua and Barbuda: $160

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

Prices for flights to both Saint John's and Beirut 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

Beirut $1.23

Saint John's $117

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beirut

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

Authentic Lebanese Virtual Cooking Class Live from Lebanon: $30
Traveling Spoon Lebanese Mezze Private Online Cooking Class : $40
Motorbike Tour in Beirut with Local Street Food Dinner: $50
Motorbike Tour with Local Street Food Dinner: $50
Private, Traditional Lebanese Cooking Class with a Contemporary Twist: $72
Beirut Street Food Tour, Lebanon: $74
Private Lebanese Home Cooking Class in Byblos with a Local Family: $86
Authentic Lebanese Cooking Lesson and Meal with Tania's Family in Beirut: $100
Private Lebanese Cooking Class in Beirut with Amal + Transfers: $142

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

Entertainment

Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.

Beirut $0.26

Saint John's $103

Tours and Activities in Beirut

For Beirut, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

Small Group Tour to Jeita Grotto, Harisa & Byblos with Hotel pickup: $10
Discovering Lebanon: Jeita Grotto, Harissa, and Byblos Tour: $15
City Sightseeing Beirut Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $25
Beirut Walking Tour - Discover Beirut by foot: $25
Hidden Gems of Hamra and Ras A Walking Tour: $30
Beirut Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
Private Tour - Explore Anjar Lebanon: $35
Jeitta Grotto, Harissa and Byblos Tour: $40
Private Walking Tour With A Guide (Private tour): $48
Historical Beirut Tour (AM) Half Day - (4G on Board): $50
Full-Day Private Tour to Sidon, Tyre and Maghdouche: $50
Discover Lebanon's Finest Wine: Full Day Tour of the Bekaa Valley: $50

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:

6-Hours Guided Stingray Tour in the East Coast of Antigua: $190
Adventure Antigua - Eli's Original Eco Tour: $134
Adventure Antigua - The Xtreme Circumnavigation: $203
Animal Lovers Dream Tour: $200
Antigua Historical Sites Island Tour: $75
Antigua Reef Riders Self-Drive Boat and Snorkeling Tour: $180
Antigua Round Island Tour: $85
Antigua Shore Excursion: Round Island Tour: $110
Antigua Sunset Catamaran Cruise From St. John's: $130
Antigua VIP Tours - Platinum Group Tour : $155
Antigua VIP Tours - Private Platinum Tour: $170
Antigua VIP Tours - Semi-Private Gold Tour: $135

Alcohol

Alcohol Drinks for one day

Beirut $0.23

Saint John's $18

Sample the Local Flavors in Beirut

Also in Beirut, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

Bekaa Valley Wine Tour: Savour Lebanon's Finest: $50
Full-Day Private Wine Tasting Tour: $56
Uncorking Splendor: A Journey Through Private Wine Tasting Tours: $60
Full-Day Private Wine Tour in Bekaa Valley with Tasting : $60
Byblos & Chateau Musar: History and Wine Tour: $65
Wine Tasting and Culture : $69
Half-Day Private Chateau Musar and Ixsir Wine Tour from Beirut: $80
Private Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch from Beirut: $82
Lebanon Wine Tasting Tour From Beirut: $91

How are these travel costs calculated?

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

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

Which is Bigger, Beirut or Saint John's?

Beirut has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Beirut 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.

When is the best time to visit Beirut or Saint John's?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Beirut or Saint John's in the Summer?

Both Saint John's and Beirut during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Beirut because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round.

Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Beirut usually gets less rain in July than Saint John's. Beirut gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Saint John's, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Beirut. In the summer, Beirut often gets more sunshine than Saint John's. Beirut gets 369 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint John's receives 245 hours of full sun.

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

Summer Average Temperatures July

Beirut 27°C (81°F)

Saint John's 27°C (81°F)

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Beirut and Saint John's. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Beirut year-round. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Saint John's receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Beirut usually receives less rain than Saint John's. Beirut gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint John's this time of the year. In Beirut, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beirut usually receives more sunshine than Saint John's during autumn. Beirut gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Saint John's receives 217 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In the autumn, Beirut is around the same temperature as Saint John's. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Beirut in October average around 25°C (77°F), and Saint John's averages at about 27°C (80°F).

Autumn Average Temperatures October

Beirut 25°C (77°F)

Saint John's 27°C (80°F)

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

The winter brings many poeple to Beirut as well as Saint John's. Beirut attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's throughout the year.

Beirut receives a lot of rain in the winter. Beirut usually gets more rain in January than Saint John's. Beirut gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. In the winter, Beirut often gets less sunshine than Saint John's. Beirut gets 149 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint John's receives 236 hours of full sun.

In January, Beirut is generally much colder than Saint John's. Daily temperatures in Beirut average around 13°C (55°F), and Saint John's fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

Winter Average Temperatures January

Beirut 13°C (55°F)

Saint John's 24°C (76°F)

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

Both Saint John's and Beirut are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Beirut throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John's because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. In April, Beirut usually receives less rain than Saint John's. Beirut gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

It's quite sunny in Saint John's. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beirut. Beirut usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint John's during spring. Beirut gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Saint John's receives 240 hours of full sun in the spring.

Beirut is cooler than Saint John's in the spring. The daily temperature in Beirut averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Saint John's fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Spring Average Temperatures April

Beirut 17°C (63°F)

Saint John's 26°C (78°F)

Typical Weather for Saint John's and Beirut

	Beirut		Saint John's
	Temp (°C)	Rain (mm)	Temp (°C)	Rain (mm)
Jan	13°C (55°F)	130 mm (5.1 in)	24°C (76°F)	84 mm (3.3 in)
Feb	13°C (55°F)	110 mm (4.3 in)	24°C (76°F)	64 mm (2.5 in)
Mar	15°C (59°F)	60 mm (2.4 in)	25°C (76°F)	73 mm (2.9 in)
Apr	17°C (63°F)	50 mm (2 in)	26°C (78°F)	123 mm (4.8 in)
May	22°C (72°F)	10 mm (0.4 in)	27°C (80°F)	148 mm (5.8 in)
Jun	25°C (77°F)	10 mm (0.4 in)	28°C (82°F)	118 mm (4.6 in)
Jul	27°C (81°F)	10 mm (0.4 in)	27°C (81°F)	150 mm (5.9 in)
Aug	28°C (82°F)	10 mm (0.4 in)	27°C (81°F)	198 mm (7.8 in)
Sep	27°C (81°F)	10 mm (0.4 in)	27°C (81°F)	236 mm (9.3 in)
Oct	25°C (77°F)	60 mm (2.4 in)	27°C (80°F)	228 mm (9 in)
Nov	19°C (66°F)	50 mm (2 in)	26°C (79°F)	220 mm (8.7 in)
Dec	15°C (59°F)	130 mm (5.1 in)	25°C (77°F)	137 mm (5.4 in)

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