A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Big Pine Key vs. Saint Augustine for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Big Pine Key or Saint Augustine?

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 Big Pine Key and Saint Augustine. 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: Big Pine Key or Saint Augustine?

Big Pine Key

If you are yearning for a slice of paradise without the hustle and bustle of an ever-growing tourist population, the calm, turquoise waters and the untouched sands of Big Pine Key will surely do. Located 100 miles south of Miami and 30 miles north of Key West, this small community huddled in the family of Florida keys is often overlooked by many. However, Big Pine Key is truly a gem for all who seek a tropical vacation as activities like boating, fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling are found throughout the town. Besides its oceanic wonders, Big Pine Key also boasts in containing some of the United States' best seafood restaurants. Enjoy the aquatic wonders of the Keys and stop at Big Pine Key!

Saint Augustine

St. Augustine is the oldest European-established settlement in the United States. Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon landed nearby and claimed the land now known as Florida in the name of Spain in 1513. They had originally named the land La Florida, which means "Land of Flowers". The city was founded by Spanish explorer Pedro Menendez de Aviles in 1565. Sir Francis Drake and John Davis burnt the city to the ground in 1586 and 1665 respectively, but St. Augustine soon became strong enough to fend off such attacks. Florida was purchased by the United States from Spain in 1819; it seceded during the Civil War, during which St. Augustine was occupied by Union forces.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Big Pine Key and Saint Augustine, we can see that Saint Augustine 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. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Big Pine Key or Saint Augustine?

Saint Augustine has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Big Pine Key. When comparing the sizes of Big Pine Key and Saint Augustine, 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 Big Pine Key or Saint Augustine?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Saint Augustine in the Summer?

Both Saint Augustine and Big Pine Key during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Saint Augustine for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Big Pine Key is generally around the same temperature as Saint Augustine. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 84°F (29°C), and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

In Saint Augustine, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Big Pine Key. In the summer, Big Pine Key often gets more sunshine than Saint Augustine. Big Pine Key gets 328 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Augustine receives 286 hours of full sun.

Saint Augustine gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Big Pine Key usually gets less rain in July than Saint Augustine. Big Pine Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Saint Augustine in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Pine Key and Saint Augustine. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Saint Augustine because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Big Pine Key is a little warmer than Saint Augustine in the autumn. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 80°F (27°C) in October, and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Augustine this time of the year. In Big Pine Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. Big Pine Key usually receives more sunshine than Saint Augustine during autumn. Big Pine Key gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Augustine receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Big Pine Key gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Big Pine Key usually receives more rain than Saint Augustine. Big Pine Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Saint Augustine is June to November.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Saint Augustine in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Big Pine Key as well as Saint Augustine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Saint Augustine this time of year.

In the winter, Big Pine Key is much warmer than Saint Augustine. Typically, the winter temperatures in Big Pine Key in January average around 70°F (21°C), and Saint Augustine averages at about 53°F (12°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Big Pine Key this time of the year. In the winter, Big Pine Key often gets more sunshine than Saint Augustine. Big Pine Key gets 252 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Augustine receives 191 hours of full sun.

Big Pine Key usually gets less rain in January than Saint Augustine. Big Pine Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Saint Augustine in the Spring?

Both Saint Augustine and Big Pine Key are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Saint Augustine for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Big Pine Key is generally a little warmer than Saint Augustine. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 77°F (25°C), and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

It's quite sunny in Saint Augustine. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Big Pine Key. Big Pine Key usually receives more sunshine than Saint Augustine during spring. Big Pine Key gets 326 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Augustine receives 285 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than Saint Augustine. Big Pine Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Saint Augustine.

Typical Weather for Saint Augustine and Big Pine Key