Which place is cheaper, Saint John's or Christchurch?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Christchurch or Saint John's?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Christchurch or Saint John's? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Christchurch or Saint John's?
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city on the South Island of New Zealand, right beside the Canterbury Plains. Most people begin their South Island travels here. The city itself can be fascinating to explore so it is worth allowing yourself several days in town as an introduction to the region.
The River Avon flows through the city center, twisting through the old buildings. Christchurch is referred to in New Zealand as the Garden City and it is easy to see why. It's quite a nice city with trees spread throughout. The economy is centered around international tourism as well as foreign education. There is a high Asian student population here, giving the city a diverse feel.
Christchurch's climate is temperate and the city receives moderate rainfall. In January average high temperatures are around 73 degrees Fahrenheit with averages around 52 degrees Fahrenheit in July. There is a sea breeze during the summer months that keep temperatures pleasant. Temperatures can drop below freezing at night during the winter months. Snow may also fall several times a year.
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 New Zealand, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChristchurch $96Saint John's $222
The average daily cost (per person) in Christchurch is $96, while the average daily cost in Saint John's is $222. 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 Christchurch and Saint John's in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChristchurch $50Saint John's $120
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChristchurch $100Saint John's $240
Compare Hotels in Christchurch and Saint John's
Looking for a hotel in Christchurch 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: Christchurch Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Christchurch $15Saint John's $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Christchurch
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Christchurch:
- Arrival Private Transfer from Airport CHC to Christchurch in Business Car: $66
- Christchurch Airport (CHC): Transfer to Christchurch hotels: $130
- Christchurch Airport Transfers : Christchurch to Airport CHC in Business Car: $66
- Christchurch Airport Transfers : Christchurch to Airport CHC in Luxury Van: $91
- Christchurch Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Christchurch: $69
- Christchurch City Hotels to Airport Transfer - Lowest price 1 to 9 Passengers: $78
- Christchurch Hotels to Airport Transfer: $51
- Christchurch to Christchurch Airport(CHC)- Departure Transfer: $32
- Departure Private Transfers from Christchurch to Airport CHC in Business Car: $66
- Departure Private Transfers from Christchurch to Airport CHC in Luxury Van: $91
- Private Transfer from Lyttelton Port to Christchurch Airport CHC: $29
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$1.52
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Taxi From Airport$6.99
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 Christchurch or Saint John's?
Prices for flights to both Saint John's and Christchurch 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 dayChristchurch $31Saint John's $68
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.Christchurch $18Saint John's $103
Tours and Activities in Christchurch
Here are a few actual costs in Christchurch for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Hop-On Hop-Off Tour by Vintage Tram: $21
- Christchurch Gondola Ride Ticket: $25
- Christchurch International Antarctic Centre Entry Tickets: $35
- International Antarctic Center General Admission Ticket: $36
- Christchurch Gondola and Tram City Tour Combo: $42
- Christchurch Tram City Tour & Punting Combo: $46
- Gondola Ticket and Punt Ride on the Avon River: $47
- Tram, Punt and Gondola Ride Combo Ticket: $63
- Waipara Wine Trail Afternoon Tour from Christchurch: $75
- Waipara Wine Experience for 2 or more, inc tastings and lunch: $108
- Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch Sightseeing with Antarctic Center: $109
- Akaroa Day Tour From Christchurch: $114
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$3.00
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 dayChristchurch $11Saint John's $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Christchurch
Also in Christchurch, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- From Full-Day Wine Tour with Lunch: $102
- All-Inclusive Waipara Region Wine Tour from Christchurch: $106
- From Guided Local Wine Tours in Waipara: $120
- Akaroa Craft Distillery HeliGin Experience: $538
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Christchurch and Saint John's, we can see that Saint John's is more expensive. And not only is Christchurch much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Christchurch is in Pacific 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 Christchurch would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Christchurch 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 Christchurch.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Christchurch Expensive? and Is Saint John's Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Christchurch or Saint John's?
Christchurch has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Christchurch 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 Christchurch or Saint John's?
Christchurch 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 Christchurch or Saint John's in the Summer?
Both Saint John's and Christchurch are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Christchurch because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John's because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Christchurch is much colder than Saint John's in the summer. The daily temperature in Christchurch averages around 18°C (64°F) in January, and Saint John's fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in July.
It's quite sunny in Saint John's. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Christchurch. Christchurch usually receives less sunshine than Saint John's during summer. Christchurch gets 224 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 January, Christchurch usually receives less rain than Saint John'sin July. Christchurch gets 46 mm (1.8 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 January and JulyChristchurch 18°C (64°F)Saint John's 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Christchurch or Saint John's in the Autumn?
Both Saint John's and Christchurch during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Christchurch this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round.
In the autumn, Christchurch is much colder than Saint John's. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Christchurch in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Saint John's averages at about 27°C (80°F)in October.
In Saint John's, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Christchurch often gets less sunshine than Saint John'sin October. Christchurch gets 161 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. Christchurch usually gets less rain in April than Saint John'sin October. Christchurch gets 53 mm (2.1 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 April and OctoberChristchurch 12°C (54°F)Saint John's 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Christchurch or Saint John's in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Christchurch and Saint John's. Many travelers come to Christchurch for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Christchurch is generally much colder than Saint John'sin January. Daily temperatures in Christchurch average around 6°C (43°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. Christchurch usually receives less sunshine than Saint John's during winter. Christchurch gets 122 hours of sunny skies, while Saint John's receives 236 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Christchurch usually receives less rain than Saint John'sin January. Christchurch gets 68 mm (2.7 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 July and JanuaryChristchurch 6°C (43°F)Saint John's 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Christchurch or Saint John's in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Christchurch as well as Saint John's. Many visitors come to Christchurch in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's throughout the year.
Christchurch is much colder than Saint John's in the spring. The daily temperature in Christchurch averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Saint John's fluctuates around 26°C (78°F)in April.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Christchurch this time of the year. In the spring, Christchurch often gets less sunshine than Saint John'sin April. Christchurch gets 204 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. Christchurch usually gets less rain in October than Saint John'sin April. Christchurch gets 45 mm (1.8 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 October and AprilChristchurch 12°C (54°F)Saint John's 26°C (78°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John's and Christchurch
| Christchurch | Saint John's | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (63°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (60°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) |
| May | 9°C (49°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Jun | 6°C (44°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jul | 6°C (43°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Aug | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Sep | 10°C (49°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (58°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 45 mm (1.8 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.