Which place is cheaper, Saint John or Gatlinburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg and Saint John can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Gatlinburg or Saint John?
Gatlinburg
Located in eastern Tennessee, Gatlinburg is a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and for many it is a destination in and of itself. It's anything but natural, and most of its entertainment is centered around amusement park rides and gimmicky sights. You'll find no shortage of cheap hotels and restaurant options, many of which are the typical chains you would find in most tourist towns. It is a convenient town to pick up any necessities you may have forgotten before your visit to the nearby national 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 Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGatlinburg $190Saint John $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Gatlinburg is $190, 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 Gatlinburg and Saint John in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGatlinburg $80Saint John $106
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGatlinburg $160Saint John $212
Compare Hotels in Gatlinburg and Saint John
Looking for a hotel in Gatlinburg 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: Gatlinburg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Gatlinburg $35Saint John $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Gatlinburg or Saint John?
Prices for flights to both Saint John and Gatlinburg 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 dayGatlinburg $85Saint John $56
Typical Food Prices in Gatlinburg
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Gatlinburg:
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Chinese Food Dinner (for 2)$21
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Gatlinburg $24Saint John $23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Gatlinburg
For Gatlinburg, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Horseback Riding Photos$22
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Horseback Riding (for 2)$55
Tours and Activities in Gatlinburg
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Gatlinburg.
- Museum of the Cherokee People Admission Ticket: $8.00
- Roaring Fork Trail Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $8.49
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Audio Driving Tour: $15
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour: $15
- Blue Ridge Parkway (Cherokee to Asheville) Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour: $17
- Rocky Top Mountain Coaster Admission Ticket in Pigeon Forge: $18
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Pigeon Forge by Zombie Scavengers: $20
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cades Cove Self-Driving Bundle Tours: $25
- Blue Ridge Parkway: Audio Driving Tour: $25
- Scenic Blue Ridge Parkway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $25
- Ghosts of the Smokies Haunted Walking Tour: $26
Tours and Activities in Saint John
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- St. John: A Private Island Adventure Tour & Trunk Bay Beach: $627
- USVI: Island & Beach Tours in St. Thomas & St. John (2 Days): $199
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGatlinburg $15Saint John $44
Sample the Local Flavors in Gatlinburg
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Gatlinburg:
- Famous Moonshine & Wine Tour From Pigeon Forge: $70
When comparing the travel costs between Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg Expensive? and Is Saint John Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Gatlinburg or Saint John?
Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg or Saint John in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Gatlinburg as well as Saint John. Many visitors come to Gatlinburg in the summer for the hiking. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.
Gatlinburg is around the same temperature as Saint John in the summer. The daily temperature in Gatlinburg averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Saint John fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
Gatlinburg receives a lot of rain in the summer. Gatlinburg usually gets more rain in July than Saint John. Gatlinburg gets 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGatlinburg 81°F (27°C)Saint John 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Gatlinburg or Saint John in the Autumn?
Both Saint John and Gatlinburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Gatlinburg for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Gatlinburg is much colder than Saint John. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Gatlinburg in October average around 63°F (17°C), and Saint John averages at about 28°C (82°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John. In October, Gatlinburg usually receives less rain than Saint John. Gatlinburg gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGatlinburg 63°F (17°C)Saint John 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Gatlinburg or Saint John in the Winter?
Both Saint John and Gatlinburg during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Gatlinburg because of the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.
The weather in Gatlinburg can be very cold. In January, Gatlinburg is generally much colder than Saint John. Daily temperatures in Gatlinburg average around 40°F (5°C), and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Gatlinburg. Gatlinburg usually gets more rain in January than Saint John. Gatlinburg gets 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGatlinburg 40°F (5°C)Saint John 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Gatlinburg or Saint John in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Gatlinburg and Saint John. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Gatlinburg is much colder than Saint John in the spring. The daily temperature in Gatlinburg averages around 62°F (17°C) in April, and Saint John fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
In April, Gatlinburg usually receives more rain than Saint John. Gatlinburg gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGatlinburg 62°F (17°C)Saint John 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John and Gatlinburg
| Gatlinburg | Saint John | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (5°C) | 4.7 inches (119 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 44°F (7°C) | 4.7 inches (120 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 54°F (12°C) | 4.8 inches (123 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 62°F (17°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 78°F (25°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 81°F (27°C) | 4.7 inches (119 mm) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 80°F (27°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 74°F (24°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 63°F (17°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 44°F (7°C) | 4.5 inches (114 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.