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

Should you visit Gainesville or Saint John?

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

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

Where Should I go: Gainesville or Saint John?

Gainesville

Home to the University of Florida as well as Santa Fe College, the town of Gainesville has all of the shopping, entertainment, and restaurants that you could want in a college town - plus easy access to a number of outdoor adventures from canoeing, diving, and kayaking to birding, fishing, hiking, and biking. Some of the top features include the Butterfly Rainforest, the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, and Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park.

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 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Gainesville and Saint John, we can see that Gainesville 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 Gainesville 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 Gainesville Expensive? and Is Saint John Expensive?.

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

Gainesville 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 Gainesville or Saint John in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Gainesville and Saint John. Many travelers come to Gainesville for the family-friendly experiences. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Gainesville is around the same temperature as Saint John in the summer. The daily temperature in Gainesville averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Saint John fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

Gainesville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Gainesville usually receives more rain than Saint John. Gainesville gets 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Gainesville or Saint John in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Gainesville as well as Saint John. Many visitors come to Gainesville in the autumn for the shopping scene. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.

In the autumn, Gainesville is cooler than Saint John. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Gainesville in October average around 71°F (22°C), and Saint John averages at about 28°C (82°F).

It's quite rainy in Saint John. Gainesville usually gets less rain in October than Saint John. Gainesville gets 2 inches (51 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Gainesville is June to November.

Should I visit Gainesville or Saint John in the Winter?

Both Saint John and Gainesville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Gainesville for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In January, Gainesville is generally much colder than Saint John. Daily temperatures in Gainesville average around 54°F (12°C), and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

In January, Gainesville usually receives more rain than Saint John. Gainesville gets 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Gainesville or Saint John in the Spring?

Both Saint John and Gainesville during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.

Gainesville is cooler than Saint John in the spring. The daily temperature in Gainesville averages around 69°F (20°C) in April, and Saint John fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

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

Typical Weather for Saint John and Gainesville