A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Cape Canaveral vs. Saint Augustine for Attractions, Families, Food, and Beaches

Should you visit Cape Canaveral or Saint Augustine?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cape Canaveral or Saint Augustine, 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.

Cape Canaveral

Cape Canaveral is a unique, iconic, and fascinating town. It's also known for shopping, museums, and food.

Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine is a colonial, historic, and notable city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Cape Canaveral and Saint Augustine: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cape Canaveral or Saint Augustine?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Saint Augustine than Cape Canaveral, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Saint Augustine is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Cape Canaveral is more popular for its museums and resorts. Cape Canaveral is well known for being the location of the Kennedy Space Center and at the heart of space exploration in the United States. Saint Augustine is well known for being the oldest consistently inhabited city in the United States. Also, Saint Augustine is famous for the Colonial Quarter.

How is Cape Canaveral different from Saint Augustine?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Saint Augustine and Cape Canaveral. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cape Canaveral or Saint Augustine?

Cape Canaveral is very popular for its museums and landmarks. Also, Saint Augustine is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Cape Canaveral that are not to be missed. The area has become synonymous with the Kennedy Space Center. Visitors head to the Space Coast to see the museums, learn about the space program, or possibly even see a rocket launch. The attractions are world class and offer a truly unique glimpse into the evolution of space travel.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Saint Augustine. It's history is brought to life with many monuments and museums. The Lightner Museum, the Old Jail Museum, the Lincolnville Museum, and Castillo De San Marcos are among the city's most notable sights. Also worth a visit is the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum.

Is the Food Better in Cape Canaveral or Saint Augustine? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint Augustine is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Cape Canaveral is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Saint Augustine has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The food scene is influenced by the long history of the city. You'll find flavors that are influenced by Spanish, African, and Native American cultures. There are several popular dishes around town such as fried shrimp, clam chowder, and shrimp and grits.

Cape Canaveral offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. It's a small town but there's no shortage of excellent seafood in the area. Many restaurants have outdoor seating and patios that let you take advantage of the Florida sunshine. You'll find crab, mussels, shrimp, and clams on many menus around town.

Is Cape Canaveral or Saint Augustine Better for Nightlife?

Saint Augustine is a nice place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Cape Canaveral is not known for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Saint Augustine has a few options to choose from. There are wineries, pubs, live music venues, and a number of activities that take advantage of the outdoor setting.

Most people don't head to Cape Canaveral specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The area isn't known for its nightlife scene, but there are enough places that you can go out for a good meal and drink.

Is Cape Canaveral or Saint Augustine Better for Resorts?

Cape Canaveral is a nice place to visit for its resorts. However, Saint Augustine is not a resort destination.

Cape Canaveral has a handful of resorts to choose from. There are a number of resorts in the area that attract visitors. Some of the most popular are the Holiday Inn Club Vacations Resort and the Radisson Resort.

Saint Augustine is not a resort destination.

Is Cape Canaveral or Saint Augustine Better for Beaches?

Saint Augustine is a great city for the beach. Also, Cape Canaveral is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its beaches.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Saint Augustine. Head to the beach to relax and swim. There are miles of sandy beach nearby, with some of the most popular being Ponte Vedra Beach, known for its golf courses, Vilano Beach, with its charming atmosphere, and the scenic Anastasia State Park.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Cape Canaveral. You'll likely want to head to the Cocoa Beach area for the best beaches. Jetty Park Beach and Pier is one of the most popular nearby areas for fishing and camping, but visitors must purchase a pass. Other popular beaches include Playalinda Beach and Cherie Down Park.

Is Cape Canaveral or Saint Augustine Better for its Old Town?

Saint Augustine is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. However, Cape Canaveral does not have a historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Saint Augustine offers plenty to see. As the longest running, continuously occupied city in the United States, the Historic Downtown is at the heart of the city. It's filled with quaint restaurants, historic hotels, and charming streets. You can take carriage rides or wander through the historic sites. Many of the buildings date back to the 1700s and offer a glimpse into Florida's past.

Cape Canaveral does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Cape Canaveral or Saint Augustine?

Saint Augustine is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Cape Canaveral is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Saint Augustine. The Historic Downtown has unique art galleries and boutiques. St. George Street is the perfect place to pick up a souvenir and Aviles Street is the oldest street in the United States. It's also filled with artisan boutiques. Plaza de la Constitución is known for its long running public market and it often has live entertainment.

Cape Canaveral is a great destination for shopping. There are some nice local shopping areas around town. For a little retail therapy, head to Banana River Square, White Rose Shopping Center, or Belair Courtyard.

Is Cape Canaveral or Saint Augustine Better for Families?

Cape Canaveral is very popular for its family-friendly activities. Also, Saint Augustine is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Cape Canaveral is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. What sets this area apart is the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. There are many kid-friendly activities that outer space enthusiasts will love. Planet Play is a highlight, and if your timing is right, you might even see a rocket launch. In addition to the Kennedy Space Center, the area is a quintessential beach town. There are parks and outdoor areas as well as places where kids can interact with animals.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Saint Augustine is very family-friendly. Kids will love the Alligator Farm but there's also a surprisingly fascinating archaeological park - The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. The Colonial Quarter is fun for all ages as well, as is a visit to Fort Castillo De San Marcos. If you have some time, head outside of town to the Marineland Dolphin Adventure, which is well worth the trip.

Is Cape Canaveral or Saint Augustine Better for Couples?

Cape Canaveral and Saint Augustine are both superb to visit as a couple.

Cape Canaveral is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. The beautiful Florida beaches, combined with the unique opportunity to visit the Kennedy Space Center, make this a fascinating couple's destination. There are also many nice restaurants and great places to relax and enjoy the Florida sunshine.

Saint Augustine is a very popular place to visit for couples. The Ancient City has a charm that is unique in Florida. There is beautiful architecture and a historical atmosphere that is romantic and genuine. You can enjoy a carriage ride and then sample some local cuisine before heading to the beach.

Is Cape Canaveral or Saint Augustine Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Saint Augustine is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Cape Canaveral is not known for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Saint Augustine. The Old Town Trolley travels through the historic center. There's also a bus service through the region, but you really need a private vehicle to explore everything.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Cape Canaveral. There are very limited public transportation options, but there are a few shuttle buses and SCAT (the Space Coast Area Transit). Route 9 travels from Cocoa to Port Canaveral with service available Monday through Saturday.

Is Cape Canaveral or Saint Augustine a more walkable city?

Saint Augustine is a great city for its ease of walking around. However, Cape Canaveral is not known for its walkability.

Saint Augustine is a very walkable destination. It's one of the more walkable cities in the area. Downtown, Uptown, and even near the beach have accessible areas with sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly zones.

Cape Canaveral is not a walkable town. It's not a walkable area, which can be particularly challenging if you're arriving by cruise ship.

For even more information, also check out Is Cape Canaveral Worth Visiting? and Is Saint Augustine Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saint Augustine or Cape Canaveral?

How long in Cape Canaveral or Saint Augustine?

It's fun to spend time in either Cape Canaveral or Saint Augustine. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Saint Augustine due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Cape Canaveral, and 3-4 days is enough time in Saint Augustine.

Families should spend more time in Cape Canaveral than Saint Augustine. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Cape Canaveral, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Saint Augustine than Cape Canaveral. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Saint Augustine that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Saint Augustine than Cape Canaveral if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Saint Augustine.

One day in Cape Canaveral or Saint Augustine?

The fascinating destination of Cape Canaveral offers shopping and museums. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Saint Augustine, you'll find museums and nightlife. Visiting the old town is also a must. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Cape Canaveral or Saint Augustine?

The town of Cape Canaveral offers museums and food. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Saint Augustine is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Cape Canaveral or Saint Augustine?

Cape Canaveral is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. This town offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Augustine. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Cape Canaveral or Saint Augustine?

Many people enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting Cape Canaveral. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Saint Augustine. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cape Canaveral and Saint Augustine, we can see that Cape Canaveral is more expensive. And not only is Saint Augustine much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint Augustine would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Augustine 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 Cape Canaveral would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cape Canaveral than you might in Saint Augustine.

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

Which is Bigger, Cape Canaveral or Saint Augustine?

Saint Augustine has a larger population, and is about 20% larger than the population of Cape Canaveral. When comparing the sizes of Cape Canaveral 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 Cape Canaveral 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 Cape Canaveral or Saint Augustine in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cape Canaveral as well as Saint Augustine. The summer months attract visitors to Cape Canaveral because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saint Augustine this time of year.

In the summer, Cape Canaveral is around the same temperature as Saint Augustine. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cape Canaveral in July average around 80°F (27°C), and Saint Augustine averages at about 82°F (28°C).

It's quite rainy in Saint Augustine. Cape Canaveral receives a lot of rain in the summer. Cape Canaveral usually gets more rain in July than Saint Augustine. Cape Canaveral gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cape Canaveral or Saint Augustine in the Autumn?

Both Saint Augustine and Cape Canaveral are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene are the main draw to Cape Canaveral this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Saint Augustine for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Cape Canaveral is generally a little warmer than Saint Augustine. Daily temperatures in Cape Canaveral average around 74°F (24°C), and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

It's quite rainy in Cape Canaveral. In October, Cape Canaveral usually receives more rain than Saint Augustine. Cape Canaveral gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Cape Canaveral. June to November is the hurricane season in Saint Augustine.

Should I visit Cape Canaveral or Saint Augustine in the Winter?

Both Saint Augustine and Cape Canaveral during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Cape Canaveral for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Saint Augustine in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Cape Canaveral is a little warmer than Saint Augustine in the winter. The daily temperature in Cape Canaveral averages around 60°F (15°C) in January, and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

Cape Canaveral usually gets less rain in January than Saint Augustine. Cape Canaveral gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cape Canaveral or Saint Augustine in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cape Canaveral and Saint Augustine. Many visitors come to Cape Canaveral in the spring for the beaches. Also, most visitors come to Saint Augustine for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Cape Canaveral is around the same temperature as Saint Augustine. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cape Canaveral in April average around 70°F (21°C), and Saint Augustine averages at about 68°F (20°C).

In April, Cape Canaveral usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint Augustine. Cape Canaveral gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Cape Canaveral is the hurricane season. June to November in Saint Augustine is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Saint Augustine and Cape Canaveral