Which place is cheaper, Saint Augustine or Nassau?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Nassau or Saint Augustine?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nassau or Saint Augustine, 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: Nassau or Saint Augustine?
Nassau
There are few vacation destinations more famous than the Bahamian city of Nassau. This capital city is full of laid back locals, relaxed tourists and the iconic pastel pink government houses.
As the largest city in the Bahamas, Nassau can hold plenty of people. Not only are there hundreds of tourists on any given day, the city is also home to 260,000 people – that is 80 percent of the Bahamas' total population.
Founded around 1650, Nassau's location made it a great spot on the trade route. So great, in fact, that it also became a popular destination for pirates – including the infamous Blackbeard.
Pack light because it's going to be pretty steamy in Nassau. The climate is essentially identical to southern Florida. It is warm and humid all year with the occasional cold snap in the winter.
Saint Augustine
St. Augustine is the oldest European-established settlement in the United States. Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon landed nearby and claimed the land now known as Florida in the name of Spain in 1513. They had originally named the land La Florida, which means "Land of Flowers". The city was founded by Spanish explorer Pedro Menendez de Aviles in 1565. Sir Francis Drake and John Davis burnt the city to the ground in 1586 and 1665 respectively, but St. Augustine soon became strong enough to fend off such attacks. Florida was purchased by the United States from Spain in 1819; it seceded during the Civil War, during which St. Augustine was occupied by Union forces.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNassau $189Saint Augustine $159
The average daily cost (per person) in Nassau is $189, while the average daily cost in Saint Augustine is $159. 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 Nassau and Saint Augustine in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNassau $109Saint Augustine $86
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNassau $218Saint Augustine $172
Compare Hotels in Nassau and Saint Augustine
Looking for a hotel in Nassau or Saint Augustine? 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: Nassau Hotel Prices and Saint Augustine Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nassau $32Saint Augustine $39
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nassau
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Nassau are as follows:
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Water Taxi$8.02
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Taxi to Cable Beach$25
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Taxi from Airport$30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nassau
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nassau:
- (Private) Nassau Bahamas Airport Round-Trip Transfers (1-4ppl One Flat Rate): $160
- Airport Transfer: $190
- Atlantis Private Luxury Roundtrip Airport Transfer: $190
- Baha Mar ( Grand Hyatt, SLS, Rosewood Hotels) Private Airport Transfers : $160
- Chippies Airport/Hotel Transfers Transportation: $55
- Group transfer: $68
- Low Cost Airport Transfers: $185
- Luxury MKT Town Car Private Roundtrip Transfer : $140
- Lynden Pindling Airport (NAS): Round-Trip Nassau Transfer: $252
- Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $40
- Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $55
- Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau hotels -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
Is it cheaper to fly into Nassau or Saint Augustine?
Prices for flights to both Saint Augustine and Nassau 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 dayNassau $53Saint Augustine $49
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nassau
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nassau.
- Nassau Food Tour and Beach Break: $65
- Conch Salad Cooking Lesson and Tasting in Nassau: $80
- Sail Catamaran Sunset Dinner Cruise: $116
- All Inclusive Sunset Dinner Cruise in Nassau Bahamas: $125
- Dinner and Dancing: $130
- Authentic Bahamian Cooking Class: $135
- Bahamian Cooking Class Lunch Experience by Tru Bahamian Food Tour: $140
- Island Food Tour: $140
- Gourmet dinner & sunset cruise on luxury catamaran: $375
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Augustine
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint Augustine.
- Feast of Saint Augustine Walking Food Tour: $139
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nassau $37Saint Augustine $18
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nassau
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Nassau are as follows:
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Jet Ski$50
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4 Hr Kayak Tour$70
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1/2 Day Snorkel Trip$75
Tours and Activities in Nassau
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nassau are as follows:
- All New Weekend Tour with Seafood Snack Portuguese & Spanish : $7.00
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Nassau Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Jewel of the Bahamas: $15
- Heritage Museum of The Bahamas Nassau Guided Tour: $20
- Jekyll Island Dolphin Tours: $28
- Roundtrip Shuttle from Cruise Terminal at Prince George Wharf: $29
- Nassau Sightseeing Bus Tour: $35
- Big Bus Private Tour (minimum of 15): $43
- Bahamas Ghost Walking Tour: $44
- Island Tour: $44
- Dis We Culture Tour (At least 6 passengers): $50
- Banana Boat Adventure: $50
Tours and Activities in Saint Augustine
Here are a few actual costs in Saint Augustine for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- St Augustine Haunted History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Child Friendly Pirate Walking Tour: $10
- Historic Museum Tour Ticket: $16
- Haunting Hour Walking Ghost Tour: $18
- Old Jail Museum Tour in St. Augustine: $18
- A Self-Guided Audio Tour of St Augustine's Twisted History: $20
- America‘s Oldest City: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of St Augustine: $20
- Walking History Tour of St. Augustine's Historic District: $25
- Walking Tour in North City Cemeteries of St. Augustine: $25
- St. Augustine Ghost Tour: A Ghostly Encounter: $25
- Afterlife Tours- Beyond the Grave Tour: $25
- Ghost Tour of St. Augustine: The Original Haunted History Tour: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNassau $19Saint Augustine $25
Typical Alcohol Prices in Nassau
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Nassau are as follows:
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Cocktail$6.52
Sample the Local Flavors in Nassau
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nassau:
- Rum Runners Pub Crawl: $135
- Rum Runners Pub Crawl: $140
Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Augustine
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Augustine:
- The Original Haunted Pub Tour: $24
- Ghosts and Spirits of St Augustine Pub Crawl Tour: $39
- Toast of St. Augustine Walking Pub Crawl - drinks included: $63
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nassau and Saint Augustine, we can see that Nassau is more expensive. And not only is Saint Augustine much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nassau is in Caribbean Islands and Saint Augustine is in North America, 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 Augustine would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Augustine 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 Nassau would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nassau than you might in Saint Augustine.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nassau Expensive? and Is Saint Augustine Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nassau or Saint Augustine?
Nassau has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Saint Augustine. When comparing the sizes of Nassau and Saint Augustine, 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 Nassau or Saint Augustine?
Saint Augustine has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Nassau experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Nassau or Saint Augustine in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Nassau and Saint Augustine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nassau year-round. Furthermore, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saint Augustine this time of year.
Nassau is around the same temperature as Saint Augustine in the summer. The daily temperature in Nassau averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Augustine this time of the year. In Nassau, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nassau usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Augustine during summer. Nassau gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Augustine receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.
Saint Augustine receives a lot of rain in the summer. Nassau gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Nassau usually receives more rain than Saint Augustine. Nassau gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNassau 28°C (82°F)Saint Augustine 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Nassau or Saint Augustine in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Nassau as well as Saint Augustine. Nassau attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Saint Augustine for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Nassau is a little warmer than Saint Augustine. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nassau in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Saint Augustine averages at about 70°F (21°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Augustine. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nassau this time of the year. In the autumn, Nassau often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Augustine. Nassau gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Augustine receives 214 hours of full sun.
Nassau receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nassau usually gets more rain in October than Saint Augustine. Nassau gets 184 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Saint Augustine is June to November.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNassau 26°C (79°F)Saint Augustine 70°F (21°C)
Should I visit Nassau or Saint Augustine in the Winter?
Both Saint Augustine and Nassau are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nassau throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Saint Augustine in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Nassau is generally much warmer than Saint Augustine. Daily temperatures in Nassau average around 21°C (70°F), and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nassau. Nassau usually receives more sunshine than Saint Augustine during winter. Nassau gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Augustine receives 191 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Nassau usually receives less rain than Saint Augustine. Nassau gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNassau 21°C (70°F)Saint Augustine 53°F (12°C)
Should I visit Nassau or Saint Augustine in the Spring?
Both Saint Augustine and Nassau during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Nassau because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Saint Augustine for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
Nassau is a little warmer than Saint Augustine in the spring. The daily temperature in Nassau averages around 23°C (74°F) in April, and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
In Saint Augustine, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Nassau. In the spring, Nassau often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Augustine. Nassau gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Augustine receives 285 hours of full sun.
Nassau usually gets less rain in April than Saint Augustine. Nassau gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Saint Augustine.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNassau 23°C (74°F)Saint Augustine 68°F (20°C)
Typical Weather for Saint Augustine and Nassau
| Nassau | Saint Augustine | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Feb | 21°C (70°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Mar | 22°C (72°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Apr | 23°C (74°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (80°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 5.7 inches (146 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 7.8 inches (199 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 7.1 inches (180 mm) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 184 mm (7.2 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) |
| Dec | 22°C (71°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
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.