Which place is cheaper, Saint John or Charleston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Charleston or Saint John?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Charleston or Saint John, 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.
Where Should I go: Charleston or Saint John?
Charleston
Charleston is a beautiful, southern city and seaport town in South Carolina. It has a wonderful, historic downtown area that the city government works hard to maintain. Located on a peninsula that is created by two rivers, the city is a stunning setting with much character. It is a popular place to visit for its culture, architecture and cuisine. In recent years Charleston has gained popularity and it continues to grow as both a regional and international travel destination. With its rising popularity comes increasing costs. Travel costs continue to go up as restaurants and hotels raise their prices, particularly during the peak travel season and holiday periods.
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 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCharleston $170Saint John $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Charleston is $170, while the average daily cost in Saint John is $192. 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 Charleston and Saint John in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCharleston $90Saint John $106
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCharleston $180Saint John $212
Compare Hotels in Charleston and Saint John
Looking for a hotel in Charleston 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: Charleston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Charleston $33Saint John $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charleston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Charleston:
- Charleston Airport (CHS) to Charleston city – Arrival Private Transfer: $87
- Charleston Airport (CHS) to Folly Beach - Arrival Private Transfer: $104
- Charleston Airport (CHS) to Folly Beach - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $207
- Charleston Airport to Isle of Palms/Sullivans Island -Roundtrip Private Transfer: $207
- Charleston Airport to Isle of Palms/Sullivans Island– Arrival Private Transfer: $104
- Charleston Airport: One-Way Transfer to Charleston: $153
- Charleston city to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $87
- Folly Beach to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $104
- From Boone Hall Plantation Entry with Transfers: $71
- Isle of Palms/Sullivans Island to Charleston Airport –Departure Private Transfer: $104
- Private Transfer from Charleston Airport (CHS) to Charleston Port: $59
- Private Transfer from Charleston City to Charleston Cruise Port: $55
Is it cheaper to fly into Charleston or Saint John?
Prices for flights to both Saint John and Charleston 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 dayCharleston $58Saint John $56
Typical Food Prices in Charleston
Some typical examples of dining costs in Charleston are as follows:
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Lunch in downtown Charleston for two$21
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Breakfast$26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Charleston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Charleston.
- Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise: $72
- Charleston Harbor Luxury Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $88
- Luxury Harbor Dinner Cruise: $93
- Savor the Flavors Upper King Street Food Tour: $95
- Charleston Food Tour: $99
- Historic Downtown Food Tour with Tastings: $99
- 3-Hour Secret Food Tour: $108
- Charleston Farm-to-Table Food Tour and Chef's Challenge: $109
- Charleston Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $110
- Downtown Charleston Food Tour: $110
- Savor the Flavors of Charleston Walking Food Tour: $110
- Charleston's Savor the Flavors of Upper King Street Walking Food Tour: $110
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Charleston $22Saint John $23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Charleston
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Charleston are as follows:
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Patriots Point (for 2)$60
Tours and Activities in Charleston
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Charleston are as follows:
- The French Quarter: GPS Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $5.99
- Self-Guided Ghost Tour: $6.99
- Self-Guided "The French Quarter Charleston" Solo Walking Tour: $7.50
- Self Guided Audio Ghost Tour in Charleston: $9.00
- Cinematic, Self Guided Audio Ghost Tour in Charleston: $10
- Self-Guided Highlights Walking Audio Tour: $12
- 300 Years of War and Peacetime in A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Self-Guided Audio History Walking Tour: $12
- Charleston Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $15
- Trolley Tour in Wadmalaw Island of South Carolina: $17
- Charleston Water Taxi Cruise with Dolphin Sighting: $17
- Evening History Tour: $20
Tours and Activities in Saint John
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- USVI: Island & Beach Tours in St. Thomas & St. John (2 Days): $199
- St. John: A Private Island Adventure Tour & Trunk Bay Beach: $627
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCharleston $36Saint John $44
Sample the Local Flavors in Charleston
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Charleston:
- Charleston Women and Wine Tour: $20
- Women and Wine Tour: $20
- Charleston Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Guided Pub Crawl and Haunted History Tour: $30
- Bay Street Bastards Pub Crawl Shared Tour in Charleston : $35
- Speakeasy Sagas Prohibition Pub Crawl: $35
- Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $35
- Historic District Haunted Pub Crawl Tour: $40
- Charleston Brewery District Cruise (Public Tour): $95
- Wadmalaw Island Wine Tasting and Tea Garden Trip: $135
- Half Day Party Bus Brewery Tour of Charleston: $140
When comparing the travel costs between Charleston and Saint John, we can see that Saint John 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. Even though Charleston is in North America and Saint John is in Caribbean Islands, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Charleston Expensive? and Is Saint John Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Charleston or Saint John?
Charleston 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 Charleston or Saint John in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Charleston and Saint John. Many travelers come to Charleston for the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Charleston is around the same temperature as Saint John. Typically, the summer temperatures in Charleston in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Saint John averages at about 29°C (83°F).
Charleston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Charleston usually receives more rain than Saint John. Charleston gets 6.9 inches (176 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCharleston 82°F (28°C)Saint John 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Charleston or Saint John in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Charleston as well as Saint John. Many visitors come to Charleston in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.
In October, Charleston is generally cooler than Saint John. Daily temperatures in Charleston average around 67°F (19°C), and Saint John fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite rainy in Saint John. Charleston usually gets less rain in October than Saint John. Charleston gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCharleston 67°F (19°C)Saint John 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Charleston or Saint John in the Winter?
Both Saint John and Charleston are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Charleston for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Charleston is much colder than Saint John in the winter. The daily temperature in Charleston averages around 47°F (9°C) in January, and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
In January, Charleston usually receives more rain than Saint John. Charleston gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCharleston 47°F (9°C)Saint John 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Charleston or Saint John in the Spring?
Both Saint John and Charleston during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Charleston because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.
In the spring, Charleston is cooler than Saint John. Typically, the spring temperatures in Charleston in April average around 64°F (18°C), and Saint John averages at about 27°C (80°F).
Charleston usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Saint John. Charleston gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCharleston 64°F (18°C)Saint John 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John and Charleston
| Charleston | Saint John | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 47°F (9°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 50°F (10°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 58°F (14°C) | 4.3 inches (110 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 64°F (18°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 72°F (22°C) | 4.2 inches (106 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 78°F (26°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 6.9 inches (176 mm) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 76°F (25°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 67°F (19°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 58°F (15°C) | 2.5 inches (63 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 51°F (10°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 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.