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

Should you visit Istanbul or Saint John's?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul or Saint John's, 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: Istanbul or Saint John's?

Istanbul

Istanbul is strategically located on the Bosphorus and is split between Europe and Asia. It truly is a city where east meets west. Istanbul is the cultural and financial hub of Turkey, and also the most populous city. The sites are countless and there's something for everybody, whether you're interested in art, music, food, or adventure. You can pass many days exploring both the residential and commercial pockets of this city. Much of the appeal is hidden away along back alleys or within corner shops.

Saint John's

If you've been to St. John's, Antigua, you were likely on a cruise - which means you likely did not have enough time to truly experience the magic of this tiny island getaway.

St. Johns is the capital of the tiny islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Located on Antigua, this tropical city lives up to its status as a tropical paradise. With 365 beaches on the island, you can enjoy the luxury of lounging in the sand every day of the year.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey.


Which place is cheaper, Saint John's or Istanbul?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $179, while the average daily cost in Saint John's is $272. 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 Istanbul and Saint John's in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Istanbul $83
    Saint John's $120
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Istanbul $166
    Saint John's $240
Compare Hotels in Istanbul and Saint John's

Looking for a hotel in Istanbul or Saint John's? 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.

Hotels in Istanbul


Hotels in Saint Johns


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: Istanbul Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Istanbul $39
    Saint John's $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:

  • Full Day Sapanca Tour with Lunch and Transfer From Istanbul: $30
  • Istanbul Airport Private Transfer from Fatih Taksim Beşiktas: $42
  • Istanbul Airport Transfer by Private Minivan + Meet & Greet Service: $95
  • Airport - Otel Transfer and City Tours: $35
  • Airport Transfer: $66
  • Airport Transfer Hotel Transfer Istanbul Transfer: $66
  • Airport Transfer: Istanbul to New Airport IST by Business Car: $72
  • Arrival Private Transfer: New Airport IST to Istanbul in Luxury Van: $78
  • Arrival Transfer Istanbul New Airport(IST) to Istanbul European Side City Hotels: $43
  • Bosphorus Sunset Cruise on Luxury Yacht with Transfers: $60
  • Bursa Tour with Lunch, transfer and Cable Car: $45
  • Bursa Uludağ Mountain Tour From Istanbul w/Lunch & Hotel Transfer: $29

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint John's

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint John's:


  • Local Bus
    $1.52
  • Taxi From Airport
    $6.99

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint John's

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint John's:

  • Round-Trip Transfer between Antigua Airport and Antigua Hotels: $32
  • Private Transfer from Antigua Airport (ANU) to St. John's Port: $42
  • Antigua&Barbuda Airport (ANU) to Antigua&Barbuda Private Transfer: $46
  • Private Transfer from Antigua island hotels to St. John's Port: $57
  • Antigua Airport Private Roundtrip Transfer to and from Royalton Antigua Resort: $60
  • Private Airport Transfers to Antigua and Barbuda: $60
  • Antigua to Antigua V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) - Departure Transfer: $64
  • Biggvee Airport Roundtrip Transfer: $70
  • VIP Meet and Greet Fast Track on Arrival at Antigua Airport - without Transfers : $77
  • Private Round Trip Transfer From Antigua Airport To NonSuch Bay: $84
  • Private Antigua Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Hammock Cove: $90
  • Antigua V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to Island - Round-Trip Transfer : $93

Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or Saint John's?

Prices for flights to both Saint John's and Istanbul 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Istanbul $66
    Saint John's $117

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.

  • Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show: $24
  • Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Show and Private Table: $30
  • Bosphorus Night Cruise with Dinner, Shows and Party : $30
  • Budget Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Party: $30
  • Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Turkish Dance Shows with Private Table: $31
  • Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise Dinner, Drinks & Show with Pickup: $32
  • Dinner Cruise On The Bosphorus with Turkish night show: $34
  • Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Entertaintment & Private Table & Wi-Fi: $36
  • Bosphorus Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Private Table: $36
  • Luxury Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Shows Private Table & Free Wi-Fi: $36
  • Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Drinks and Shows: $41
  • Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Folk Dance and Live Performances: $42

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint John's

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint John's.

  • City Lime Food Tour: Taste our culture on Antigua's only food tour in the city!: $105
  • Discover the Flavors of St. Johns Food Tour: $125
  • Private Art Tour or Food Tour: $150
  • Nicole's Table - Cooking with Rum: $165

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Istanbul $43
    Saint John's $103

Tours and Activities in Istanbul

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:

  • Istanbul Culture History and UNESCO Treasures Kickstart Tour: $3.59
  • Highlights of Istanbul Walking Tour: $3.61
  • Istanbul Self Guided Walking Tour : $5.00
  • Alternative Tour; Daily Life, Customs, Stories - Tip Based Tour: $5.00
  • Istanbul Sites: Peel back the layers of Turkish history a self-guided audio tour: $5.40
  • Bosphorus Explorer: 3-Hour Cruise with Asian Side Visit: $7.21
  • Bosphorus Boat Tour 3 Hour with Asian Side Stop in Istanbul: $7.21
  • Istanbul Bosphorus Tour With Whirling Dervish Show: $7.55
  • Kadikoy's history, theatres and sweet shops: a self-guided audio tour: $8.99
  • Istanbul Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Istanbul Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Audio Guide: $9.02
  • Istanbul, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar Walk Tour: $9.61

Typical Entertainment Prices in Saint John's

Here are a few typical costs in Saint John's for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entrance to the Museum of Antigua & Barbu
    $3.00

Tours and Activities in Saint John's

Here are a few actual costs in Saint John's for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
  • Shore Excursion: City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
  • Cultural and Historical Home Tour in The Antiguan Experience : $66
  • Half Day Historical Tour in Antigua with Beach: $70
  • Glenmon taxi and tours: $70
  • Nightlife Tour of Antigua and Barbuda: $80
  • SoCoHo Eco Kayak and Snorkel Tour: $85
  • Antigua Round Island Tour: $85
  • Biggvee Bus Adventure: $90
  • Clear Kayak Tour in Mangrove Antigua: $90
  • Trek Tours Hiking Experience in Antigua: $90
  • Circumnavigate Tour: $95

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Istanbul $12
    Saint John's $18

Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:

  • Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience: $28
  • Istanbul Nightlife Pub Crawl Pub and İstanbul Club Adventure: $30
  • Pub Crawl Istanbul / Rooftop Clubs & Party Bus: $30
  • Istanbul Pub Crawl: Adults-Only Nightlife Adventure: $31
  • Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $78
  • Istanbul Private Wine Tasting Tour Through 3 City Wineries : $210


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

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


Which is Bigger, Istanbul or Saint John's?

Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 460 times larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Istanbul and Saint John's, 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 Istanbul or Saint John's?

Istanbul has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John's experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Istanbul or Saint John's in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Istanbul is cooler than Saint John's. Typically, the summer temperatures in Istanbul in July average around 24°C (74°F), and Saint John's averages at about 27°C (81°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint John's this time of the year. In Istanbul, it's very sunny this time of the year. Istanbul usually receives more sunshine than Saint John's during summer. Istanbul gets 333 hours of sunny skies, while Saint John's receives 245 hours of full sun in the summer.

Saint John's receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Istanbul usually receives less rain than Saint John's. Istanbul gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Istanbul 24°C (74°F) 
    Saint John's 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Istanbul or Saint John's in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Istanbul as well as Saint John's. Most visitors come to Istanbul for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's throughout the year.

In October, Istanbul is generally much colder than Saint John's. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 16°C (61°F), and Saint John's fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. In the autumn, Istanbul often gets less sunshine than Saint John's. Istanbul gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint John's receives 217 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Saint John's. Istanbul usually gets less rain in October than Saint John's. Istanbul gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Istanbul 16°C (61°F) 
    Saint John's 27°C (80°F)

Should I visit Istanbul or Saint John's in the Winter?

Both Saint John's and Istanbul are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Istanbul because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John's because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Istanbul is much colder than Saint John's in the winter. The daily temperature in Istanbul averages around 6°C (43°F) in January, and Saint John's fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

It's quite sunny in Saint John's. Istanbul usually receives less sunshine than Saint John's during winter. Istanbul gets 75 hours of sunny skies, while Saint John's receives 236 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Istanbul usually receives more rain than Saint John's. Istanbul gets 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Istanbul 6°C (43°F) 
    Saint John's 24°C (76°F)

Should I visit Istanbul or Saint John's in the Spring?

Both Saint John's and Istanbul during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Istanbul this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round.

In the spring, Istanbul is much colder than Saint John's. Typically, the spring temperatures in Istanbul in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Saint John's averages at about 26°C (78°F).

In Saint John's, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Istanbul often gets less sunshine than Saint John's. Istanbul gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint John's receives 240 hours of full sun.

Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Istanbul usually gets less rain in April than Saint John's. Istanbul gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Istanbul 13°C (55°F) 
    Saint John's 26°C (78°F)

Typical Weather for Saint John's and Istanbul

Istanbul Saint John's
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 6°C (43°F) 99 mm (3.9 in) 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Feb 6°C (44°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Mar 8°C (47°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Apr 13°C (55°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in)
May 17°C (63°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 27°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in)
Jun 21°C (71°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Jul 24°C (74°F) 19 mm (0.7 in) 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Aug 24°C (74°F) 26 mm (1 in) 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in)
Sep 20°C (69°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in)
Oct 16°C (61°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in)
Nov 12°C (54°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in)
Dec 9°C (47°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in)