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

Should you visit Ghent or Saint John?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Ghent and Saint John. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Ghent or Saint John?

Ghent

Ghent is a large city in the northern part of Belgium (the Flanders region) with a population of about 250,000. This city was one of the most powerful cities in Europe during the Middle Ages, which is portrayed today, mostly through architecture. There is a large university in Ghent with over 60,000 students, and a large portion of the population are young students. However, among the natives and students, there are also many foreigners and artists that you will find walking the streets of the city. Ghent is also Belgium's second largest port city.

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 Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Budget Tours to Belgium.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ghent and Saint John, we can see that Saint John is more expensive. And not only is Ghent much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ghent is in Europe and Saint John is in Caribbean Islands, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Ghent would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ghent 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 Saint John would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John than you might in Ghent.

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

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

Ghent 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 Ghent or Saint John in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ghent and Saint John. The summer months attract visitors to Ghent because of the family-friendly experiences. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Ghent is much colder than Saint John in the summer. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Saint John fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

In July, Ghent usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint John. Ghent gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ghent or Saint John in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Ghent as well as Saint John. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Ghent this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.

In the autumn, Ghent is much colder than Saint John. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ghent in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Saint John averages at about 28°C (82°F).

It's quite rainy in Saint John. Ghent usually gets less rain in October than Saint John. Ghent gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ghent or Saint John in the Winter?

Both Saint John and Ghent are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Ghent for the museums, 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.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Ghent. In January, Ghent is generally much colder than Saint John. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 3°C (38°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

In January, Ghent usually receives more rain than Saint John. Ghent gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ghent or Saint John in the Spring?

Both Saint John and Ghent during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Ghent in the spring for the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.

Ghent is much colder than Saint John in the spring. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Saint John fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

Ghent usually gets less rain in April than Saint John. Ghent gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Saint John and Ghent