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

Should you visit Lisbon or Saint John's?

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

Should I visit Lisbon or Saint John's? 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: Lisbon or Saint John's?

Lisbon

Portugal's capital city of Lisbon continues to grow in popularity as a travel destination. The cultural scene has come to life in recent years and the city itself is stunningly beautiful. It sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and is made up of hills that create a dramatic and scenic layout. The city has many white-bleached limestone buildings, narrow alleyways, and a laidback charm that appeals to visitors.

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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal.


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

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 Lisbon is €167, while the average daily cost in Saint John's is €231. 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 Lisbon and Saint John's in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lisbon 63
    Saint John's 102
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lisbon 126
    Saint John's 204
Compare Hotels in Lisbon and Saint John's

Looking for a hotel in Lisbon 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 Lisbon


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: Lisbon Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lisbon 25
    Saint John's 15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lisbon

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:


  • Taxi Ride
    6.50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lisbon

Also for Lisbon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Lisbon Airport (LIS) to Lisbon Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $84
  • Airport Private Transfer to Óbidos | Caldas da Rainha: $114
  • Airport Private Transfer to Ericeira | Torres Vedras | Campo Real: $51
  • Airport Transfer - Lisbon: $66
  • Airport Transfer | Cruise Port - Estoril | Cascais | Sintra: $82
  • Airport transfer to any destination: $131
  • Algarve to Lisbon Airport Transfer: $470
  • Arrábida Snorkeling Adventure with Transfer from Lisbon: $96
  • Arrival Transfer by Sedan from Lisbon Airport LIS to Lisbon City: $46
  • Arrival Transfer: Lisbon Airport LIS to Lisbon in Business Car: $72
  • Cascais Aerodrome (CAT) to Lisbon city - Arrival Private Transfer: $64
  • Costa da Caparica Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $36

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
    1.29
  • Taxi From Airport
    5.95

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint John's

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

  • VIP Meet and Greet Fast Track on Arrival at Antigua Airport - without Transfers : $77
  • Round-Trip Transfer between Antigua Airport and Antigua Hotels: $32
  • Private Transfer from Antigua island hotels to St. John's Port: $57
  • Private Transfer from Antigua Airport (ANU) to St. John's Port: $42
  • Private Transfer from Antigua & Barbuda V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to island: $123
  • Private Roundtrip Airport Transfers & Tour in Antigua & Barbuda: $200
  • Private Round Trip Transfer From Antigua Airport To NonSuch Bay: $84
  • Private Antigua Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Hammock Cove: $90
  • Private Airport Transfers to Antigua and Barbuda: $60
  • JTAT Private Transfers & Tours, Saint John's, Antigua and Barbuda: $160
  • Crystal Kayak & Snorkel Eco Tour (with transfer): $99
  • Biggvee Premium Airport One Way Transfer: $200

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

Prices for flights to both Saint John's and Lisbon 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
    Lisbon 73
    Saint John's 100
Typical Food Prices in Lisbon

For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Coffee
    2.50

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lisbon

For Lisbon, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Pizza Cruise on a Luxury Boat with Open Bar: $29
  • Lisbon Sunset DJ Party – Luxury Boat, Pizza & Open Bar: $29
  • Lisbon Exclusive Sunset Cruise – Pizza, Open Bar & Dolphins: $29
  • Hard Rock Cafe Lisbon with Set Lunch or Dinner : $32
  • Sunset DJ Party – Sangria, Pizza & Open Bar : $35
  • Traditional Walking Food Tour: $50
  • Sangria DJ Party – Luxury Boat, Pizza & Open Bar: $54
  • Fado Show and Portuguese Dinner: $57
  • Alfama Tour and Live Fado with Traditional Dinner: $58
  • Lisbon Sangria – Exclusive Luxury Cruise with Pizza & Music: $59
  • Portuguese street food cooking class with Drinks: $59
  • Lisbon Fado Experience: Walking Tour, Dinner and Live Music Show: $59

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.
    Lisbon 24
    Saint John's 88

Tours and Activities in Lisbon

For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Unravel Lisbon an Outdoor Charms Self Guided Tour: $1.18
  • Alfama and Mouraria Tour - The oldest neighbourhoods in Lisbon: $1.24
  • Lisbon Walking Tour - The Perfect Introduction to the City: $1.24
  • Lisbon Walking Tour: Historic Strolls of the Old Town: $1.76
  • Lisbon Walking Tour - Discover Belém and the Discoveries Age: $1.79
  • Lisbon Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $3.37
  • Lisbon City Center Tour - The Unmissable Lisbon: $3.59
  • Self Guided Tour in Lisbon with 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.59
  • Lisbon Tour in Walled City and Alfama and Old Town: $3.59
  • The Moorish Beyond the Tourist Trail Quarter Free Walking Tour: $3.59
  • Lisbon Walking Tour: Historic Strolls of the Old Town: $3.61
  • Lisbon (Chiado-Baixa) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $4.52

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
    2.55

Tours and Activities in Saint John's

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

  • Island Flava Discovery Tour: $150
  • 6-Hours Tour East Coast of Antigua: Stingray City, Lunch & Beach: $195
  • Adventure Antigua - Eli's Original Eco Tour: $143
  • Adventure Antigua - The Xtreme Circumnavigation: $221
  • Antigua Eco Island Tour (City, Country, Beach, & Heritage Sites): $199
  • Antigua Historical Sites Island Tour: $110
  • Antigua Reef Riders Self-Drive Boat and Snorkeling Tour: $180
  • Antigua Round Island Tour: $85
  • Antigua Seafood Lunch Cruise From St. John's: $172
  • Antigua Shore Excursion: Round Island Tour: $110
  • Antigua VIP Tours - Private Platinum Tour: $170
  • Antigua VIP Tours - Semi-Private Gold Tour: $135

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lisbon 18
    Saint John's 15

Sample the Local Flavors in Lisbon

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lisbon:

  • Lisbon Port Wine Tasting at Taylors Shop and Tasting Room: $19
  • 1-Hour Portuguese Wine Tasting Session: $22
  • Pub Crawl with Open Bar, Shots & VIP Club Entry: $23
  • Pub Crawl with Open Bar (Premium Upgrade Available): $23
  • Lisbon Pub Crawl: Unlimited Drinks, Shots & V.I.P Club Entry: $23
  • Lisbon Pub Crawl: $24
  • Lisbon Pub Crawl: $24
  • Portuguese Wine Tasting: $25
  • Guided Port Wine Tasting Apéritif/Digestif: $28
  • Port Wine Tasting Apéritif/Digestif at Portuguese Wine Bar: $29
  • Lisbon Wine Tasting: $29
  • A Taste of Wine Tasting Experience: $42


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lisbon and Saint John's, we can see that Saint John's is more expensive. And not only is Lisbon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Lisbon 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 Lisbon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lisbon 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 Lisbon.

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


Which is Bigger, Lisbon or Saint John's?

Lisbon has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Lisbon 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 Lisbon or Saint John's?

Lisbon 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 Lisbon or Saint John's in the Summer?

Both Saint John's and Lisbon during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Lisbon because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round.

In July, Lisbon is generally cooler than Saint John's. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 23°C (73°F), and Saint John's fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In Saint John's, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Lisbon. In the summer, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Saint John's. Lisbon gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint John's receives 245 hours of full sun.

Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Lisbon usually gets less rain in July than Saint John's. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Lisbon 23°C (73°F) 
    Saint John's 27°C (81°F)

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and Saint John's. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lisbon this time of year. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Lisbon is cooler than Saint John's in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Saint John's fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint John's this time of the year. In Lisbon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lisbon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint John's during autumn. Lisbon gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Saint John's receives 217 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Saint John's receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Lisbon usually receives less rain than Saint John's. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Lisbon 19°C (66°F) 
    Saint John's 27°C (80°F)

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

The winter brings many poeple to Lisbon as well as Saint John's. Many travelers come to Lisbon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's throughout the year.

In the winter, Lisbon is much colder than Saint John's. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lisbon in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Saint John's averages at about 24°C (76°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. In the winter, Lisbon often gets less sunshine than Saint John's. Lisbon gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint John's receives 236 hours of full sun.

Lisbon receives a lot of rain in the winter. Lisbon usually gets more rain in January than Saint John's. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Lisbon 12°C (53°F) 
    Saint John's 24°C (76°F)

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

Both Saint John's and Lisbon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Lisbon in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John's because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Lisbon is generally much colder than Saint John's. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 16°C (60°F), and Saint John's fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

It's quite sunny in Saint John's. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. Lisbon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint John's during spring. Lisbon gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Saint John's receives 240 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. In April, Lisbon usually receives less rain than Saint John's. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Lisbon 16°C (60°F) 
    Saint John's 26°C (78°F)

Typical Weather for Saint John's and Lisbon

Lisbon Saint John's
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 27°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in)