Which place is cheaper, Saint John's or Bilbao?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bilbao 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 Bilbao 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: Bilbao or Saint John's?
Bilbao
The industrial city of Bilbao is located on a port of the Nervión River in northern Spain, an important location of Basque country. While the downtown is filled with skyscrapers and innovative architecture, it sits between a river and mountains of natural allure. A city of hard-workers to the core, Bilbao displays remnants of its industrial past, though in more recent years it has transformed into a center for art. It is now a popular location for visitors looking to experience art galleries and museums.
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 G Adventures Tours to Spain, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBilbao €137Saint John's €206
The average daily cost (per person) in Bilbao is €137, while the average daily cost in Saint John's is €206. 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 Bilbao and Saint John's in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBilbao €72Saint John's €111
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBilbao €144Saint John's €222
Compare Hotels in Bilbao and Saint John's
Looking for a hotel in Bilbao 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: Bilbao Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bilbao €26Saint John's €16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bilbao
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bilbao:
- Arrival Private Transfer from Bilbao airport BIO to Bilbao City by Business Car: $60
- Arrival Private Transfer from Bilbao airport BIO to Bilbao City by Luxury Van: $80
- Bilbao Airport Private Arrival Transfer to Various Cities : $45
- Bilbao Airport Transfers : Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Business Car: $50
- Bilbao Airport Transfers : Bilbao City to Bilbao Airport BIO in Luxury Van: $66
- Bilbao Airport Transfers to Pamplona: $420
- Bilbao Airport Transfers to San Sebastian: $318
- Bilbao Airport Transfers to Santander: $318
- Bilbao Airport Transfers to Vitoria-Gasteiz: $210
- Bilbao Airport to the Basque Country: Private Transfers: $91
- Bilbao city to Bilbao Airport (BIO) - Departure Private Transfer: $49
- Departure Private Transfer from Bilbao City to Bilbao airport BIO by Luxury Van: $80
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint John's
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint John's:
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Local Bus€1.41
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Taxi From Airport€6.49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint John's
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint John's:
- 3-Hours Stingray City - Transfer, Spanish-Italian Guide Included: $155
- Airport Transfer from/to all resorts in Antigua - Water Inc.: $60
- Airport Transfers to Antigua Hotels/Resorts: $170
- Antigua - VIP Fast Track On Arrival ONLY And Round Trip Transfer : $99
- Antigua Airport Private Roundtrip Transfer to and from Royalton Antigua Resort: $60
- Antigua V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to Island - Round-Trip Transfer : $156
- Antigua&Barbuda V.C.Bird Airport(ANU) to island Private Transfer: $78
- Antigua&BarbudaV.C.Bird Airport(ANU)to island hotels-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $255
- Biggvee Airport Roundtrip Transfer: $70
- Biggvee Premium Airport One Way Transfer: $200
- Island to Antigua&Barbuda V.C.Bird Airport(ANU)- Private Transfer: $78
- Luxury Airport transfer from or to Antigua Airport : $85
Is it cheaper to fly into Bilbao or Saint John's?
Prices for flights to both Saint John's and Bilbao 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
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Food Meals for one dayBilbao €45Saint John's €63
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bilbao
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bilbao.
- Basque Food Tour with Guide: $86
- The Original Bilbao Food Tour with Wine Pairings: $102
- Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class in Bilbao : $109
- Basque Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class with Open Bar: $113
- Basque Pintxos and Tapas Cooking Class in Bilbao: $115
- The Original Bilbao Food Tour with Wine Pairing: $115
- The High End Food Tour of Bilbao with a Local: $120
- Paella Cooking Class with Sangria in Bilbao: $135
- Private Food Tour, Food Lovers with Tastings: $135
- Paella Cooking Class (with Basque Sangria) in Bilbao: $142
- Traditional Basque Cooking Class with Wine Tasting: $156
- Guggenheim Museum Visit & Private Walking Food Tour: $198
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bilbao €29Saint John's €96
Tours and Activities in Bilbao
Here are a few actual costs in Bilbao for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bilbao´s Old Town Responsible Free Walking Tour: $1.94
- Bilbao Cathedral and San Anton Church Entry Ticket: $4.31
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.45
- Panoramic boat tour through the bay of Abra: $6.46
- Bilbao Self-Guided Historical Walking Tour: $7.52
- VITORIA DE LEGEND night tour: $11
- Bilbao Confidential Tour: Crime and Punishment: $13
- 1- or 2-Hour Sightseeing Boat Tour: $15
- Tour of the Great Villas in Getxo and Hanging Bridge: $16
- Bilbao tour: $18
- San Mamés Museum and Stadium Tour: $18
- Bilbao Estuary and Abra Bay Boat Tour: $20
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:
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Entrance to the Museum of Antigua & Barbu€2.78
Tours and Activities in Saint John's
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John's for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Chariot City Tour Antigua: $20
- Antigua Shore Excursion: City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
- City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
- Cultural and Historical Home Tour in The Antiguan Experience : $66
- Small-Group Hiking Experience in Antigua: $70
- Glenmon taxi and tours: $70
- Stingray City Experience Antigua - ONLY TICKET: $73
- Antigua Historical Sites Island Tour: $75
- Kayak Eco Adventures Glass Kayak Nature and Snorkeling Tour: $75
- Authentic Antiguan Experience: $79
- Nightlife Tour of Antigua and Barbuda: $80
- TRIPLE ACTIVITY TOUR, Bike Kayak Hike, ANTIGUA : $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBilbao €21Saint John's €17
Sample the Local Flavors in Bilbao
Also in Bilbao, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Bilbao: $25
- Immersive Evening Spanish Wine Tasting w/ Sommelier: $53
- Spanish Wine Tasting with Sommelier (close to Guggenheim museum): $54
- Pintxos and Wine Tasting Tour with Local Guide: $80
- Txakoli, Gaztelugatxe, & Urdaibai with wine tasting: $81
- Guided tour of Txakoli wine tasting and tasting of wine and typical products: $148
- Bilbao Txakoli Wine Tour: $178
- Guided Txacoli Wine Tasting: $188
- Rioja Wine Tour: Winery & Traditional Lunch From Bilbao: $201
- Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Bilbao: $217
- Rioja Wine Tour: 2 Wineries From Vitoria: $241
- From Rioja Architecture and Wine Tour: $242
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bilbao and Saint John's, we can see that Saint John's is more expensive. And not only is Bilbao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bilbao is in Europe 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 Bilbao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bilbao 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 Bilbao.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bilbao Expensive? and Is Saint John's Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bilbao or Saint John's?
Bilbao has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Bilbao 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 Bilbao or Saint John's?
Bilbao has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John's experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Bilbao or Saint John's in the Summer?
Both Saint John's and Bilbao are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John's because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Bilbao is cooler than Saint John's in the summer. The daily temperature in Bilbao averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Saint John's fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint John's. Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than Saint John's during summer. Bilbao gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Saint John's receives 245 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. In July, Bilbao usually receives less rain than Saint John's. Bilbao gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBilbao 20°C (68°F)Saint John's 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Bilbao or Saint John's in the Autumn?
Both Saint John's and Bilbao during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bilbao for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round.
In the autumn, Bilbao is much colder than Saint John's. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bilbao in October average around 16°C (62°F), and Saint John's averages at about 27°C (80°F).
In Saint John's, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than Saint John's. Bilbao gets 125 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint John's receives 217 hours of full sun.
Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. Bilbao usually gets less rain in October than Saint John's. Bilbao gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBilbao 16°C (62°F)Saint John's 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Bilbao or Saint John's in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bilbao and Saint John's. Many visitors come to Bilbao in the winter for the museums and the shopping scene. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Bilbao is generally much colder than Saint John's. Daily temperatures in Bilbao average around 9°C (48°F), and Saint John's fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint John's this time of the year. Bilbao usually receives less sunshine than Saint John's during winter. Bilbao gets 77 hours of sunny skies, while Saint John's receives 236 hours of full sun in the winter.
Bilbao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Bilbao usually receives more rain than Saint John's. Bilbao gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBilbao 9°C (48°F)Saint John's 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Bilbao or Saint John's in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Bilbao as well as Saint John's. Most visitors come to Bilbao for the activities around the city during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's throughout the year.
Bilbao is much colder than Saint John's in the spring. The daily temperature in Bilbao averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Saint John's fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. In the spring, Bilbao often gets less sunshine than Saint John's. Bilbao gets 117 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint John's receives 240 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Saint John's. Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the spring. Bilbao usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Saint John's. Bilbao gets 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBilbao 12°C (54°F)Saint John's 26°C (78°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John's and Bilbao
| Bilbao | Saint John's | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 9°C (48°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (51°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jul | 20°C (68°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (68°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Sep | 19°C (66°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (62°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) |
| Dec | 10°C (50°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.