A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Gainesville vs. Saint Augustine for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Gainesville or Saint Augustine?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Gainesville or Saint Augustine, 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.

Gainesville

Gainesville is a active, vibrant, and high energy city. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine is a historic, notable, and colonial city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for museums, nightlife, and food.

Gainesville and Saint Augustine: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Gainesville or Saint Augustine?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Saint Augustine. Although Gainesville and Saint Augustine are both popular with visitors, Saint Augustine has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Saint Augustine is more popular for its food, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Gainesville is known for its nightlife. Saint Augustine is more touristy than Gainesville and is known for being the oldest consistently inhabited city in the United States. It is also home to the Colonial Quarter. Gainesville is popular for being the home of the University of Florida

How is Gainesville different from Saint Augustine?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Saint Augustine and Gainesville. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Gainesville or Saint Augustine?

Both Gainesville and Saint Augustine have superb landmarks and museums for visitors.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Gainesville can be an interesting and educational experience. There's a surprising number of museums around town such as the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art, and the Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention. Also fascinating is the Historic Haile Homestead, the Butterfly Rainforest, and the city's planetarium.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Saint Augustine. It's history is brought to life with many monuments and museums. The Lightner Museum, the Old Jail Museum, the Lincolnville Museum, and Castillo De San Marcos are among the city's most notable sights. Also worth a visit is the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum.

Is the Food Better in Gainesville or Saint Augustine? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint Augustine is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Gainesville is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Saint Augustine makes for a great culinary experience. The food scene is influenced by the long history of the city. You'll find flavors that are influenced by Spanish, African, and Native American cultures. There are several popular dishes around town such as fried shrimp, clam chowder, and shrimp and grits.

Gainesville has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Casual eateries are popular around town, particularly with the student population. There are grills, diners, and bistros that serve local dishes at affordable prices.

Is Gainesville or Saint Augustine Better for Nightlife?

Gainesville is a great destination for nightlife. Also, Saint Augustine is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

The people in Gainesville know how to have a good time. The nightlife centers around the student population. The two main party areas are Midtown and Downtown. Midtown is between Northwest 17th Street and Northwest 18th Street and it's convenient for students who live on campus. The area has a great stretch of bars and clubs. The Downtown area has many of the city's top clubs, and it's popular with upperclassmen and students who live off campus.

If you're looking for night time activities Saint Augustine has a few options to choose from. There are wineries, pubs, live music venues, and a number of activities that take advantage of the outdoor setting.

Is Gainesville or Saint Augustine Better for Beaches?

Saint Augustine is notable for its beaches. However, Gainesville is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Saint Augustine. Head to the beach to relax and swim. There are miles of sandy beach nearby, with some of the most popular being Ponte Vedra Beach, known for its golf courses, Vilano Beach, with its charming atmosphere, and the scenic Anastasia State Park.

Gainesville is not a beach destination.

Is Gainesville or Saint Augustine Better for its Old Town?

Saint Augustine is very popular for its historic old town. However, Gainesville does not have a historic old town.

Saint Augustine has a world-famous historical area. As the longest running, continuously occupied city in the United States, the Historic Downtown is at the heart of the city. It's filled with quaint restaurants, historic hotels, and charming streets. You can take carriage rides or wander through the historic sites. Many of the buildings date back to the 1700s and offer a glimpse into Florida's past.

Gainesville does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Gainesville or Saint Augustine?

Saint Augustine is notable for shopping. Also, Gainesville is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Saint Augustine is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The Historic Downtown has unique art galleries and boutiques. St. George Street is the perfect place to pick up a souvenir and Aviles Street is the oldest street in the United States. It's also filled with artisan boutiques. Plaza de la Constitución is known for its long running public market and it often has live entertainment.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Gainesville. You'll find all of the standard shopping options around town such as malls, shopping centers, and retail outlets. Two popular areas are the Neighborhoods at Butler and Celebration Pointe.

Is Gainesville or Saint Augustine Better for Families?

Saint Augustine is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Gainesville is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Saint Augustine is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Alligator Farm but there's also a surprisingly fascinating archaeological park - The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. The Colonial Quarter is fun for all ages as well, as is a visit to Fort Castillo De San Marcos. If you have some time, head outside of town to the Marineland Dolphin Adventure, which is well worth the trip.

Gainesville is a family-friendly city. You'll find outdoor activities, nature parks, and a couple of museums that will appeal to all ages. Highlights for families include A. Quinn Jones Museum and Cultural Center, the Adventure Outpost, and Alfred A. Ring Park.

Is Gainesville or Saint Augustine Better for Couples?

Saint Augustine is notable for romance. Also, Gainesville is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Saint Augustine is a very popular place to visit for couples. The Ancient City has a charm that is unique in Florida. There is beautiful architecture and a historical atmosphere that is romantic and genuine. You can enjoy a carriage ride and then sample some local cuisine before heading to the beach.

Gainesville makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can enjoy wine tasting and fine dining or enjoying the city's many outdoor activities. Go on a picnic or explore one of the museums in Downtown Gainesville.

Is Gainesville or Saint Augustine Better for Students?

Gainesville is a great destination for students. However, Saint Augustine is not popular with students.

Gainesville is a great city to visit as a student. As the location of the University of Florida, you'll find many students around town. This keeps the energy high with plenty of evening activities and affordable entertainment options.

Saint Augustine is not popular with students.

Is Gainesville or Saint Augustine Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Gainesville is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Saint Augustine is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Gainesville, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a decent bus system that's free to students and employees of the university.

Public transit is mostly limited in Saint Augustine. The Old Town Trolley travels through the historic center. There's also a bus service through the region, but you really need a private vehicle to explore everything.

Is Gainesville or Saint Augustine a more walkable city?

Saint Augustine is notable for its walkability. Also, Gainesville is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

Saint Augustine is very walkable. It's one of the more walkable cities in the area. Downtown, Uptown, and even near the beach have accessible areas with sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly zones.

Gainesville is a somewhat walkable place. Biking is actually a popular way to get around town and some areas are pedestrian-friendly.

For even more information, also check out Is Gainesville Worth Visiting? and Is Saint Augustine Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saint Augustine or Gainesville?

How long in Gainesville or Saint Augustine?

It's fun to spend time in either Gainesville or Saint Augustine. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Saint Augustine due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Gainesville, and 3-4 days is enough time in Saint Augustine.

Families should spend more time in Saint Augustine than Gainesville. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Saint Augustine, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Saint Augustine than Gainesville. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Saint Augustine that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Saint Augustine than Gainesville if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Saint Augustine.

One day in Gainesville or Saint Augustine?

The vibrant destination of Gainesville offers nightlife and food. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic city of Saint Augustine. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Gainesville or Saint Augustine?

The city of Gainesville offers food and shopping. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the notable destination of Saint Augustine. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Gainesville or Saint Augustine?

Gainesville is a great place to explore. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

The historic city of Saint Augustine offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Gainesville or Saint Augustine?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Gainesville. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Saint Augustine. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gainesville and Saint Augustine, we can see that Gainesville is more expensive. And not only is Saint Augustine much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint Augustine would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Augustine 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 Gainesville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gainesville than you might in Saint Augustine.

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

Which is Bigger, Gainesville or Saint Augustine?

Gainesville has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Saint Augustine. When comparing the sizes of Gainesville and Saint Augustine, 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 Gainesville or Saint Augustine?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Gainesville or Saint Augustine in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Gainesville and Saint Augustine. The summer months attract visitors to Gainesville because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saint Augustine this time of year.

Gainesville is around the same temperature as Saint Augustine in the summer. The daily temperature in Gainesville averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

Saint Augustine receives a lot of rain in the summer. Gainesville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Gainesville usually receives more rain than Saint Augustine. Gainesville gets 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Gainesville or Saint Augustine in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Gainesville as well as Saint Augustine. The shopping scene are the main draw to Gainesville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Saint Augustine for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Gainesville is around the same temperature as Saint Augustine. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Gainesville in October average around 71°F (22°C), and Saint Augustine averages at about 70°F (21°C).

Gainesville usually gets less rain in October than Saint Augustine. Gainesville gets 2 inches (51 mm) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Gainesville is June to November. Also, the hurricane season in Saint Augustine is June to November.

Should I visit Gainesville or Saint Augustine in the Winter?

Both Saint Augustine and Gainesville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Gainesville for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Saint Augustine in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Gainesville is generally around the same temperature as Saint Augustine. Daily temperatures in Gainesville average around 54°F (12°C), and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

In January, Gainesville usually receives less rain than Saint Augustine. Gainesville gets 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Gainesville or Saint Augustine in the Spring?

Both Saint Augustine and Gainesville during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Saint Augustine for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Gainesville is around the same temperature as Saint Augustine in the spring. The daily temperature in Gainesville averages around 69°F (20°C) in April, and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

Gainesville usually gets less rain in April than Saint Augustine. Gainesville gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Gainesville. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Saint Augustine.

Typical Weather for Saint Augustine and Gainesville