A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Charlottesville vs. Saint John for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville 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: Charlottesville or Saint John?

Charlottesville

Located in central Virginia, Charlottesville is a little university town steeped in history and culture. Home to Thomas Jefferson, much of the town's architecture is heavily influenced by his hand, while the people scene is full of activities, dining, and entertainment. Many visitors are drawn to the area for the University of Virginia, the Historic Downtown Mall, plus many quaint vineyards and farms in the surrounding countryside.

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 Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, and The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Charlottesville and Saint John, we can see that Saint John is more expensive. And not only is Charlottesville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Charlottesville is in North America 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 Charlottesville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville.

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

When is the best time to visit Charlottesville or Saint John?

Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville or Saint John in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Charlottesville as well as Saint John. The summer months attract visitors to Charlottesville because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.

In July, Charlottesville is generally cooler than Saint John. Daily temperatures in Charlottesville average around 78°F (26°C), and Saint John fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

Charlottesville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Charlottesville usually gets more rain in July than Saint John. Charlottesville gets 5 inches (128 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Saint John in the Autumn?

Both Saint John and Charlottesville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Charlottesville is much colder than Saint John in the autumn. The daily temperature in Charlottesville averages around 59°F (15°C) in October, and Saint John fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John. In October, Charlottesville usually receives less rain than Saint John. Charlottesville gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Saint John in the Winter?

Both Saint John and Charlottesville during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Charlottesville for the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Charlottesville. In the winter, Charlottesville is much colder than Saint John. Typically, the winter temperatures in Charlottesville in January average around 36°F (2°C), and Saint John averages at about 26°C (78°F).

Charlottesville usually gets more rain in January than Saint John. Charlottesville gets 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Saint John in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlottesville and Saint John. Many visitors come to Charlottesville in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Charlottesville is generally much colder than Saint John. Daily temperatures in Charlottesville average around 58°F (14°C), and Saint John fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

In April, Charlottesville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint John. Charlottesville gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Saint John and Charlottesville