Which place is cheaper, Saint John or Key West?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Key West or Saint John?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Key West or Saint John? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Key West or Saint John?
Key West
Key West is both a city and an island as well as the southern most Florida Key. It is also the southern most city in the continental United States. The island is only about four miles long and one mile wide. The total land mass covers just 4.2 square miles. The most famous street in town is Duval Street, which runs just 1.1 miles from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean. There are 14 blocks. The size of the island doubled during the 1950s when many of the salt ponds along the eastern side of the island were filled in.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKey West $551Saint John $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Key West is $551, 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 Key West and Saint John in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKey West $132Saint John $106
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKey West $264Saint John $212
Compare Hotels in Key West and Saint John
Looking for a hotel in Key West 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: Key West Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Key West $51Saint John $49
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Key West
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Key West:
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Rental Car for One Day$38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Key West
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Key West:
- Key West Airport (EYW) to Key West - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $129
- Key West Int Airport (EYW) to Key West - Arrival Private Transfer: $64
- Key West Int Airport (EYW) to Key West hotels Round-Trip Transfer: $129
- Key West hotels to Key West Int Airport (EYW) Departure Transfer: $64
- Key West to Key West Airport (EYW) - Departure Private Transfer: $64
- Marathon/ Key Largo to Fort Lauderdale Airport(FLL) - Departure Private Transfer: $109
- Private Arrival Transfer from Key West Airport EYW: $144
- Private Transfer from Key West Cruise Port to Key West hotels: $38
- Private Transfer from Key West Int Airport to Key West Port: $38
Is it cheaper to fly into Key West or Saint John?
Prices for flights to both Saint John and Key West 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 dayKey West $385Saint John $56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Key West
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Key West.
- Sunset Dinner Cruise with Open Bar & Live Music: $81
- Key West Sunset Cruise: Dinner and Drinks Included: $93
- Southernmost Food & Cultural Walking Tour by Key West Food Tours: $93
- Historic Seaport Food & Walking Tour by Key West Food Tours: $93
- Old Town Secret Food Tour: $107
- Sunset Sail Full Bar, Live Music & Dinner & Early Morning Snorkeling: $160
- Snorkeling, Sunset Dinner Cruise & Open Bar: $200
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Key West $33Saint John $23
Tours and Activities in Key West
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Key West are as follows:
- Self-guided old town treasures walking tour: $6.99
- Key West's Self Guided Ghost Walking Tours Smartphone Navigated on WalknTours: $7.75
- Florida Keys: Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.49
- Audio Tours to Walk, Bike, or Drive in Key West: $9.99
- Cruise Through Key West's Black History Audio Tour: $11
- Easy Stroll (or Bike) Through Downtown Key West Audio Tour: $11
- Key West’s Old Town Treasures: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Florida: Key West Overseas Highway Self-Driving Tour: $15
- Mel Fisher Maritime Museum Admission Ticket: $18
- Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum Tickets: $19
- Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum Admission Ticket: $19
- Key West Aquarium Admission Ticket: $23
Tours and Activities in Saint John
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- USVI: Island & Beach Tours in St. Thomas & St. John (2 Days): $199
- St. John: A Private Island Adventure Tour & Trunk Bay Beach: $627
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKey West $16Saint John $44
Sample the Local Flavors in Key West
Also in Key West, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $30
- Key West Haunted Pub Crawl and Ghost Tour with Free T-Shirt: $32
- Bone Island Haunted Pub Crawl: $32
- 2.5-Hour Duval Street Pub Crawl: $43
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Key West and Saint John, we can see that Key West is more expensive. And not only is Saint John much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Key West is in North America 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 Saint John would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint John 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 Key West would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Key West than you might in Saint John.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Key West Expensive? and Is Saint John Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Key West or Saint John?
Key West 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 Key West or Saint John in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Key West and Saint John. Most visitors come to Key West for the beaches, snorkeling, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Key West is generally around the same temperature as Saint John. Daily temperatures in Key West average around 84°F (29°C), and Saint John fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
In July, Key West usually receives more rain than Saint John. Key West gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKey West 84°F (29°C)Saint John 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Key West or Saint John in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Key West as well as Saint John. The autumn months attract visitors to Key West because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.
Key West is around the same temperature as Saint John in the autumn. The daily temperature in Key West averages around 80°F (27°C) in October, and Saint John fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite rainy in Saint John. Key West receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Key West usually gets less rain in October than Saint John. Key West gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Key West.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKey West 80°F (27°C)Saint John 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Key West or Saint John in the Winter?
Both Saint John and Key West are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Key West this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the winter, Key West is cooler than Saint John. Typically, the winter temperatures in Key West in January average around 70°F (21°C), and Saint John averages at about 26°C (78°F).
In January, Key West usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint John. Key West gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKey West 70°F (21°C)Saint John 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Key West or Saint John in the Spring?
Both Saint John and Key West during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Key West for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.
In April, Key West is generally around the same temperature as Saint John. Daily temperatures in Key West average around 77°F (25°C), and Saint John fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
Key West usually gets less rain in April than Saint John. Key West gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Key West is the hurricane season.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKey West 77°F (25°C)Saint John 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John and Key West
| Key West | Saint John | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 70°F (21°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 71°F (21°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 74°F (23°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 77°F (25°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 81°F (27°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 83°F (28°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 84°F (29°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 84°F (29°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 83°F (29°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 80°F (27°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 76°F (24°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 72°F (22°C) | 1.4 inches (35 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.