Which place is cheaper, Saint John or Bruges?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Bruges 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 Bruges 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: Bruges or Saint John?
Bruges
Located in the northern part of Belgium, in Flanders, Bruges is one of the most charming and well preserved cities in Europe. With its stone streets and charming shops, it is a postcard perfect city that seems to have jumped out of the pages of a Disney fairytale. The city itself is quite compact, adding to the charm and making it easily walkable. Even given its old world charm, it manages to present a cosmopolitan air as well. There's an active nightlife, but during the day the historical city center is best enjoyed at a leisurely pace. You can take a carriage ride through the cobblestone streets or you can wander around on your own. Be sure to swing into some of the museums, cathedrals, and churches you'll see along the way. There are now shops everywhere that are designed to appeal to tourists. While some may be easy to walk by, it takes the strongest souls to ignore the chocolate shops you'll see on your way.
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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Belgium, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Belgium.
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Bruges Prices
Belgium PricesSaint John Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBruges $189Saint John $233
The average daily cost (per person) in Bruges is $189, while the average daily cost in Saint John is $233. 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 Bruges and Saint John in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBruges $69Saint John $106
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBruges $138Saint John $212
Compare Hotels in Bruges and Saint John
Looking for a hotel in Bruges or Saint John? 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: Bruges Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bruges $19Saint John $49
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bruges
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Bruges:
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Five Day Bus Pass$18
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Bike Rental for Day$9.39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bruges
Also for Bruges, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bruges hotel to Ostend Airport (OST) - Departure Private Transfer: $71
- Bruges to Ostend Bruges Airport(OST) - Departure Private Transfer: $72
- Ostend Airport (OST) to Bruges hotel - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $144
- Ostend Airport (OST) to Bruges hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $72
- Ostend Bruges Airport (OST) to Bruges - Arrival Private Transfer: $71
- Private Transfer from Bruges City Hotels to Zeebrugge Cruise Port: $75
- Private Transfer from Ostend Bruges Airport OST to Zeebrugge Port: $240
- Private Transfer from Zeebrugge Cruise Port to Bruges hotels: $75
- Private Transfert from Bruges to Brussels Airport By Business car: $238
- Private direct transfer from Bruges to Amsterdam: $262
- Private direct transfer from Bruges to Brussels: $154
- Private direct transfer from Bruges to The Hague: $293
Is it cheaper to fly into Bruges or Saint John?
Prices for flights to both Saint John and Bruges 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 dayBruges $105Saint John $97
Typical Food Prices in Bruges
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Bruges:
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Cup of Tea$2.35
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Sandwich for Lunch$3.81
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bruges
For Bruges, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The 10 Tastings of Bruges With Locals: Private Food Tour : $161
- Bruges Food Tour with Full Meal & Drinks by Do Eat Better: $165
- Bruges Food Tour: 8 Tastings of Local Delicacies: $184
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bruges $18Saint John $23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bruges
For Bruges, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Groeninge Museum Entrance$9.39
Tours and Activities in Bruges
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bruges.
- THE Storytelling Tour of Bruges | First Day Must | History & Tips: $3.56
- Gastronomic Tour: A Taste of Bruges: $3.56
- Walking Tour Exciting Stories, Mysteries, People: $3.57
- Historical Walking Tour: Legends of Bruges: $3.58
- 2-Hour Historical Walking Tour in Bruges with Praline Included: $3.59
- Bruges Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $7.13
- Bruges Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $8.32
- Salvador Dalí Exhibition in Bruges Admission Ticket: $12
- Historium Virtual Reality Ticket: $12
- Unknown A Self-Guided Audio Tour to the Heart of the Medieval Metropole: $12
- Frietmuseum Entrance Ticket: $13
- Bruges’ Legends and Hidden Treasures: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
Tours and Activities in Saint John
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- St. John: A Private Island Adventure Tour & Trunk Bay Beach: $627
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBruges $13Saint John $44
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bruges and Saint John, we can see that Saint John is more expensive. And not only is Bruges much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bruges is in Europe 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 Bruges would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bruges 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 Bruges.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bruges Expensive? and Is Saint John Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Bruges or Saint John?
Bruges 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 Bruges or Saint John in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Bruges as well as Saint John. The summer months attract visitors to Bruges because of the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.
In the summer, Bruges is much colder than Saint John. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bruges in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Saint John averages at about 29°C (83°F).
Bruges usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Saint John. Bruges gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBruges 17°C (63°F)Saint John 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Bruges or Saint John in the Autumn?
Both Saint John and Bruges are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bruges this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Bruges is generally much colder than Saint John. Daily temperatures in Bruges average around 12°C (54°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John. In October, Bruges usually receives less rain than Saint John. Bruges gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBruges 12°C (54°F)Saint John 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Bruges or Saint John in the Winter?
Both Saint John and Bruges during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bruges for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Bruges. Bruges is much colder than Saint John in the winter. The daily temperature in Bruges averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
Bruges usually gets more rain in January than Saint John. Bruges gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBruges 3°C (38°F)Saint John 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Bruges or Saint John in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bruges and Saint John. Many visitors come to Bruges in the spring for the natural beauty. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Bruges is much colder than Saint John. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bruges in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Saint John averages at about 27°C (80°F).
In April, Bruges usually receives less rain than Saint John. Bruges gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBruges 8°C (47°F)Saint John 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John and Bruges
| Bruges | Saint John | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (38°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (47°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (64°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (40°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.