Which place is cheaper, Saint John's or Malaga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Malaga or Saint John's?
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 Malaga and Saint John's. 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: Malaga or Saint John's?
Malaga
Malaga is a port city in the southern part of Spain. It is the 6th largest city in Spain and the southernmost large city in Europe. Malaga lies on the Mediterranean on the Costa del Sol, only 62 miles east of the Strait of Gibraltar, and 80 miles north of Africa. Malaga's history dates back about 2,800 years, which makes it one of the oldest cities in the world. The archaeological remains and monuments from the Phoenician, Roman, Arabic and Christian eras make the historic center of the city an "open museum", displaying its history of more than 3,000 years. Because of its important cultural infrastructure and the artistic heritage, Malaga has been nominated for the European Capital of Culture. Malaga's most important economic contributors include tourism, technology, and construction, but transportation and logistics are becoming increasingly important factors as well.
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 Budget Tours to Spain, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMalaga €140Saint John's €206
The average daily cost (per person) in Malaga is €140, while the average daily cost in Saint John's is €206. 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 Malaga and Saint John's in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMalaga €75Saint John's €111
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMalaga €150Saint John's €222
Compare Hotels in Malaga and Saint John's
Looking for a hotel in Malaga 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.
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: Malaga Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Malaga €31Saint John's €16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malaga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Malaga:
- Malaga Airport (AGP) to Marbella - Arrival Private Transfer: $44
- Airport Transfer: Malaga Airport AGP to Malaga by Luxury Van: $57
- Airport Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport AGP by Business Car: $51
- Arrival Transfer from Malaga airport AGP to Malaga City by Sedan: $46
- Departure Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport AGP by Business Car: $51
- Departure Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport AGP by Luxury Van: $57
- Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) to Malaga Port - Arrival private Transfer: $19
- Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) to Malaga Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $37
- Malaga Airport (AGP) to Marbella - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $88
- Malaga Airport (Costa del Sol) Private Arrival Transfer: $44
- Malaga Airport (Costa del Sol) Private Departure Transfer: $44
- Malaga Airport to Granada Hotel or Family House in Private Transfer: $189
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint John's
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint John's:
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Local Bus€1.41
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Taxi From Airport€6.49
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
- Shared Roundtrip Taxi Transfer from Antigua Airport to Royalton Antigua Resort: $45
- Private One-Way Antigua Airport Transfer To/From Antigua: $45
- Private Transfer from St. John's Port to Antigua Airport (ANU): $50
- Private Transfer from Antigua Airport (ANU) to St. John's Port: $50
- Airport Transfer from/to all resorts in Antigua - Water Inc.: $60
- Antigua Airport Private Roundtrip Transfer to and from Royalton Antigua Resort: $60
- Private Airport Transfers to Antigua and Barbuda: $60
- Biggvee Airport Roundtrip Transfer: $70
- VIP Meet and Greet Fast Track on Arrival at Antigua Airport - without Transfers : $74
- Island to Antigua&Barbuda V.C.Bird Airport(ANU)- Private Transfer: $78
- Antigua&Barbuda V.C.Bird Airport(ANU) to island Private Transfer: $78
Is it cheaper to fly into Malaga or Saint John's?
Prices for flights to both Saint John's and Malaga 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 dayMalaga €35Saint John's €63
Typical Food Prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Malaga are as follows:
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Dinner for 2€30
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Dinner for 2€44
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Breakfast for 2€8.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malaga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Malaga.
- Horse and Flamenco Show in Malaga with Dinner: $76
- Malaga Tapas Cooking Class: $89
- Andalucia by Sunset - half day tour including dinner and Ronda pickup: $93
- Sardines On Skewers Show Cooking in Malaga beach: $147
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Malaga €31Saint John's €96
Typical Entertainment Prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Malaga are as follows:
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Entrance to Castillos€7.10
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Concert€31
Tours and Activities in Malaga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Malaga are as follows:
- Skip the Line: Picasso's Birthplace Museum Entrance Ticket: $4.37
- Sightseeing Outdoor Escape Game in Malaga: $7.09
- Ronda Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.89
- Guided tour of Castillo Colomares: $9.83
- Alcazaba Malaga Guided Tour: $11
- Guided tour in Ronda: $13
- Andalucia's City Of Dreams: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Ronda: $15
- Essential Malaga City Tour: $16
- City Sightseeing Benalmadena Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $16
- Private Guided Tour to the only coffee farm in Europe: $16
- Tour around the Central Market of Malaga: $16
- 1.5-Hour Roman Theater and Alcazaba Castle Walking Tour: $16
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:
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Entrance to the Museum of Antigua & Barbu€2.78
Tours and Activities in Saint John's
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John's for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Chariot City Tour Antigua: $20
- Antigua Shore Excursion: City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
- City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
- Cultural and Historical Home Tour in The Antiguan Experience : $66
- Small-Group Hiking Experience in Antigua: $70
- Glenmon taxi and tours: $70
- Stingray City Experience Antigua - ONLY TICKET: $73
- Antigua Historical Sites Island Tour: $75
- Kayak Eco Adventures Glass Kayak Nature and Snorkeling Tour: $75
- Authentic Antiguan Experience: $79
- Nightlife Tour of Antigua and Barbuda: $80
- TRIPLE ACTIVITY TOUR, Bike Kayak Hike, ANTIGUA : $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMalaga €22Saint John's €17
Sample the Local Flavors in Malaga
Also in Malaga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Malaga Nightlife Pub Crawl Tour with Drinks and Clubs Entry: $17
- Sun and Wine Route - Small group, wine tasting and lunch included: $76
- Malaga City Wine Tour: $94
- Flamenco, Tapas and Wine Tour: Best of Málaga in one Evening: $104
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Malaga and Saint John's, we can see that Saint John's is more expensive. And not only is Malaga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Malaga 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 Malaga would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Malaga 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 Malaga.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Malaga Expensive? and Is Saint John's Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Malaga or Saint John's?
Malaga has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Malaga 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 Malaga or Saint John's?
Malaga 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 Malaga or Saint John's in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and Saint John's. The beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Malaga this time of year. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Malaga is around the same temperature as Saint John's in the summer. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Saint John's fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint John's this time of the year. In Malaga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Saint John's during summer. Malaga gets 348 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, Malaga usually receives less rain than Saint John's. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMalaga 25°C (77°F)Saint John's 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Saint John's in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Malaga as well as Saint John's. Many travelers come to Malaga for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's throughout the year.
In the autumn, Malaga is cooler than Saint John's. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Malaga in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Saint John's averages at about 27°C (80°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Malaga this time of the year. In the autumn, Malaga often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint John's. Malaga gets 213 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. Malaga usually gets less rain in October than Saint John's. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMalaga 19°C (67°F)Saint John's 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Saint John's in the Winter?
Both Saint John's and Malaga are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Malaga in the winter for 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.
In January, Malaga is generally much colder than Saint John's. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 12°C (54°F), and Saint John's fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint John's. Malaga usually receives less sunshine than Saint John's during winter. Malaga gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Saint John's receives 236 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Malaga usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint John's. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMalaga 12°C (54°F)Saint John's 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Saint John's in the Spring?
Both Saint John's and Malaga during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Malaga for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round.
Malaga is much colder than Saint John's in the spring. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Saint John's fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
In Saint John's, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Malaga. In the spring, Malaga often gets less sunshine than Saint John's. Malaga gets 220 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. Malaga usually gets less rain in April than Saint John's. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMalaga 16°C (60°F)Saint John's 26°C (78°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John's and Malaga
| Malaga | Saint John's | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (54°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (57°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (60°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) |
| Dec | 13°C (55°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 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.