Which place is cheaper, Saint John or Mombasa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Mombasa 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 Mombasa 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: Mombasa or Saint John?
Mombasa
Mombasa is a beautiful, large city on the eastern coast of Kenya, bordering the Indian Ocean. The city is famous for its stunning beaches, friendly locals, and diverse marine life. Mombasa experiences a tropical climate year round, meaning temperatures rarely drop below 70° Fahrenheit. The rainiest months of the year are April and May and the driest months are January and February. Temperatures tend to be more mild from May through October, usually in the 70's and 80's. Temperatures get much warmer from November through April, with daily averages reaching the high 90's.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya.
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Mombasa Prices
Kenya PricesSaint John Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMombasa $80Saint John $233
The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $80, while the average daily cost in Saint John is $233. 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 Mombasa and Saint John in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMombasa $26Saint John $106
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMombasa $52Saint John $212
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and Saint John
Looking for a hotel in Mombasa 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: Mombasa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mombasa $18Saint John $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa
Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- DianiBeach: Private Transfer from Airport or Railway Station: $70
- Mombasa Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $74
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To Watamu Hotels: $114
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer to Diani Beach: $81
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfers To Vipingo & Kilifi Hotels: $95
- Mombasa Airport Transfers : $129
- Mombasa Airport Transfers to Mtwapa: $130
- Mombasa Moi Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Arrival Private Transfer: $37
- Private Day Tour of Mombasa City with Transfers: $104
- Private Transfer from Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA) to Mombasa City: $43
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City Hotels to Mombasa Cruise Port: $79
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City to Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA): $43
Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or Saint John?
Prices for flights to both Saint John and Mombasa 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 dayMombasa $41Saint John $97
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Special African Dinner: $46
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mombasa $18Saint John $23
Tours and Activities in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Mombasa Guided City Tour Experience: $25
- Tusks, Fort Jesus, Old Town, Beach and City Tour: $30
- Mombasa city tour: $30
- Fort Jesus Museum Walking Tour in Mombasa: $35
- Private Mombasa Food & Sightseeing Tour: $35
- Mombasa City Tour : $40
- Half day Mombasa City Tour: $42
- Haller Park Tour observing hippos, giraffes, birds, monkeys, crocs & others: $45
- Half-Day Scenic Bike Tour: $48
- Private Mombasa City Tour Watamu Diani and Malindi: $50
- Walking Tour Through Old Town Mombasa and Fort Jesus: $50
- Bus Tickets from Mombasa to Nairobi: $55
Tours and Activities in Saint John
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- St. John: A Private Island Adventure Tour & Trunk Bay Beach: $627
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMombasa $8.79Saint John $44
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mombasa and Saint John, we can see that Saint John is more expensive. And not only is Mombasa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mombasa is in Africa 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 Mombasa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mombasa 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 Mombasa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mombasa Expensive? and Is Saint John Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Mombasa or Saint John?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Mombasa or Saint John in the Summer?
Both Saint John and Mombasa during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mombasa because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.
Mombasa usually gets more rain in July than Saint John. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In July, Mombasa is generally cooler than Saint John. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 24°C (75°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMombasa 24°C (75°F)Saint John 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Saint John in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and Saint John. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa year-round. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Saint John receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Mombasa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Mombasa usually receives less rain than Saint John. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Mombasa is around the same temperature as Saint John in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Saint John fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMombasa 26°C (79°F)Saint John 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Saint John in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as Saint John. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.
Mombasa usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Saint John. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the winter, Mombasa is around the same temperature as Saint John. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mombasa in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint John averages at about 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMombasa 27°C (81°F)Saint John 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Saint John in the Spring?
Both Saint John and Mombasa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mombasa throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Mombasa. In April, Mombasa usually receives more rain than Saint John. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In April, Mombasa is generally around the same temperature as Saint John. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMombasa 27°C (81°F)Saint John 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John and Mombasa
| Mombasa | Saint John | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 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.