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

Should you visit Duck or Saint John?

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

Should I visit Duck or Saint John? 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: Duck or Saint John?

Duck

Duck is a resort town in Dare County, North Carolina. The town is quite small, with a year around population of just 369, but during the peak summer months the tourist crowds can climb to over 20,000. Duck is also the northernmost incorporated town in the county, and also the newest town in the Outer Banks, having been incorporated on May 1st, 2002.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.

When comparing the travel costs between Duck 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 Duck 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 Duck Expensive? and Is Saint John Expensive?.

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

Duck 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 Duck or Saint John in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Duck and Saint John. Most visitors come to Duck for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Duck is cooler than Saint John in the summer. The daily temperature in Duck averages around 78°F (26°C) in July, and Saint John fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

Duck gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Duck usually receives more rain than Saint John. Duck gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Duck or Saint John in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Duck as well as Saint John. The autumn months attract visitors to Duck because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.

In the autumn, Duck is much colder than Saint John. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Duck in October average around 62°F (16°C), and Saint John averages at about 28°C (82°F).

It's quite rainy in Saint John. Duck usually gets less rain in October than Saint John. Duck gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Duck or Saint John in the Winter?

Both Saint John and Duck are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Duck this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It's quite cold in Duck in the winter. In January, Duck is generally much colder than Saint John. Daily temperatures in Duck average around 41°F (5°C), and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

It's quite rainy in Duck. In January, Duck usually receives more rain than Saint John. Duck gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Duck or Saint John in the Spring?

Both Saint John and Duck during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Duck for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.

Duck is much colder than Saint John in the spring. The daily temperature in Duck averages around 59°F (15°C) in April, and Saint John fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

Duck usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Saint John. Duck gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Saint John and Duck