Which place is cheaper, Saint John or Destin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Destin or Saint John?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Destin and Saint John can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Destin or Saint John?
Destin
An upscale resort town located on the Florida Panhandle, Destin is best known for its white sand beaches and clear green waters, golfing opportunities, and world renowned fishing. The stretch of beach here (on a peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico and the Choctawhatchee Bay) is nicknamed Florida's Emerald Coast.
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 Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDestin $192Saint John $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Destin is $192, 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 Destin and Saint John in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDestin $111Saint John $106
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDestin $222Saint John $212
Compare Hotels in Destin and Saint John
Looking for a hotel in Destin 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: Destin Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Destin $50Saint John $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Destin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Destin:
- Destin, FL to Pensacola International Airport (PNS) - Departure Private Transfer: $71
Is it cheaper to fly into Destin or Saint John?
Prices for flights to both Saint John and Destin 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 dayDestin $51Saint John $56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Destin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Destin.
- 3 Hour Destin Dinner Cruise: Solaris Yacht in Miramar Beach: $128
- 3 Hour Sunset Dinner Cruise by Solaris Yacht in Miramar Beach: $128
- Mother's Day Sunset Dinner Cruise: SOLARIS Yacht Miramar Beach FL: $128
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Destin $17Saint John $23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Destin
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Destin are as follows:
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1 Day Rental Umbrella and Chairs$40
Tours and Activities in Destin
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Destin are as follows:
- Flippers Adventures Dolphin Cruise: $25
- Dolphin & Sunset Cruises: $32
- Spectacular Sunset Cruise: $33
- Destin Harbor Sunset Eco Dolphin Cruise: $35
- Guided Sunset Cruise Up to 22 Passengers in Florida: $35
- Kayak Adventure in Destin and Fort Walton Beach : $35
- Chakras Sound Bath Meditation Experience in Destin: $35
- Family Friendly Snorkeling and Dolphin Tour: $40
- Hydrojet Dolphin Cruise in Destin FL : $40
- Destin Harbor Fireworks Cruise: $40
- Fort Walton Beach: Fireworks Cruise on the Emerald Coast: $40
- Fireworks Cruise on the Emerald Coast: $40
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 dayDestin $49Saint John $44
When comparing the travel costs between Destin 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 Destin 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 Destin Expensive? and Is Saint John Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Destin or Saint John?
Destin 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 Destin or Saint John in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Destin and Saint John. Many visitors come to Destin in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Destin is around the same temperature as Saint John in the summer. The daily temperature in Destin averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Saint John fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
Destin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Destin usually receives more rain than Saint John. Destin gets 7.4 inches (189 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 JulyDestin 82°F (28°C)Saint John 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Destin or Saint John in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Destin as well as Saint John. Most visitors come to Destin for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.
In the autumn, Destin is cooler than Saint John. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Destin in October average around 69°F (21°C), and Saint John averages at about 28°C (82°F).
It's quite rainy in Saint John. Destin receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Destin usually gets less rain in October than Saint John. Destin gets 4.2 inches (107 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 OctoberDestin 69°F (21°C)Saint John 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Destin or Saint John in the Winter?
Both Saint John and Destin are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Destin because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Destin is generally much colder than Saint John. Daily temperatures in Destin average around 50°F (10°C), and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
It's quite rainy in Destin. In January, Destin usually receives more rain than Saint John. Destin gets 4.6 inches (117 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 JanuaryDestin 50°F (10°C)Saint John 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Destin or Saint John in the Spring?
Both Saint John and Destin during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Destin this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.
Destin is cooler than Saint John in the spring. The daily temperature in Destin averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Saint John fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
Destin usually gets more rain in April than Saint John. Destin gets 3.4 inches (87 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 AprilDestin 68°F (20°C)Saint John 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John and Destin
| Destin | Saint John | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 50°F (10°C) | 4.6 inches (117 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 54°F (12°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 60°F (16°C) | 5.6 inches (143 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 68°F (20°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 74°F (23°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 80°F (27°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 7.4 inches (189 mm) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 82°F (28°C) | 7.4 inches (188 mm) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 79°F (26°C) | 5.3 inches (135 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 69°F (21°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 61°F (16°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 54°F (12°C) | 4.3 inches (109 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.