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

Should you visit Rome or Saint John?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Rome and Saint John can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Rome or Saint John?

Rome

Rome is the kind of city that refuses to stay in the past, even though history is everywhere you look. Ancient ruins rise beside buzzing cafes, scooters zip past Renaissance palaces, and quiet cobblestone lanes suddenly open onto grand piazzas filled with fountains, churches, and street performers. It is a city of layers: the Colosseum and Roman Forum, the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica, neighborhood trattorias, stylish boutiques, and late-night gelato walks all woven together into one unforgettable experience. Whether you come for the art, the food, the history, or the simple pleasure of wandering without a plan, Rome has a way of making every day feel like a discovery.

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 Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Saint John or Rome?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Rome Prices
    Italy Prices
    Saint John Prices
    USVI Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Rome $240
    Saint John $233

The average daily cost (per person) in Rome is $240, 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 Rome and Saint John in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Rome $104
    Saint John $106
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Rome $208
    Saint John $212
Compare Hotels in Rome and Saint John

Looking for a hotel in Rome 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.

Hotels in Rome


Hotels in Saint John


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: Rome Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Rome $25
    Saint John $49
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rome

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


  • Metro Ride (for Two)
    $2.32
  • Train to the Airport
    $17
  • Taxi to Airport
    $52
  • Bicycle Rental (Full Day)
    $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rome

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rome:

  • “Skip the Taxi Line : Private FCO ↔ Rome Transfer with Pro Driver”: $52
  • Airport Transfer: Ciampino Airport CIA to Rome by Business Car: $101
  • Airport Transfer: Fiumicino Airport FCO to Rome by Business Car: $122
  • Airport Transfer: Rome to Ciampino Airport CIA by Luxury Van: $109
  • Appian Catacombs Guided Tour with Transfere: $74
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Rome Train Station to Rome City: $57
  • Arrival Transfer: Fiumicino Airport FCO to Rome by Business Car: $122
  • Arrival in Airport Transfer & Exclusive City Introduction: $261
  • Bus Transfer from Fiumicino Airport to Vatican City: $7.00
  • Caracalla Baths Ticket with Transfer and Audio Guide App: $69
  • Ciampino Airport Rome (CIA) to Rome - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $128
  • Ciampino to Rome city transfers: $48

Is it cheaper to fly into Rome or Saint John?

Prices for flights to both Saint John and Rome 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
    Rome $97
    Saint John $97
Typical Food Prices in Rome

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rome:


  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $16
  • 4 Ice Cream Sandwiches
    $3.47
  • Cafe e doce
    $4.64
  • Pizza (Fast Food)
    $3.08
  • Sitdown Lunch (for Two)
    $37
  • Cheese and bread
    $12
  • Espresso
    $2.32
  • Dinner
    $67

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rome

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rome.

  • Pizzas and Piazzas: A Self-Guided Walk of Rome’s Culinary Culture: $20
  • Hard Rock Cafe Rome with Set Lunch or Dinner: $34
  • Rome Testaccio Market Food Tour Eat Like a Local: $40
  • Rome Food Tour for Breakfast Lovers: $41
  • Milan Street Food Tour and City Guided Sightseeing: $45
  • Rome Food Tour: Tastings in the Jewish Ghetto & Campo de' Fiori: $45
  • Rome Early Morning Breakfast and Sightseeing Food Tour: $45
  • Rome Pizza Making Class for Families in Trastevere: $45
  • Cappuccino, Moka and Tiramisù Cooking Class in Central Rome: $47
  • Rome Street Food Tour Eat Like a Local: $51
  • Rome's Street Food Tour with Local Tastings & Sightseeing: $52
  • Rome Food Tour with Local Guide & City Highlights: $52

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Rome $42
    Saint John $23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Rome

Here are a few typical costs in Rome for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Rome Museum Vaticano (for 2)
    $80
  • Coliseum Tickets (for Two)
    $38
  • Roma Pass
    $35
  • Hop on Hop Off Bus (All Day)
    $23
  • Segway Tour
    $87

Tours and Activities in Rome

Here are a few actual costs in Rome for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Rome Best Kept Secrets: Self-Guided City Tour: $3.49
  • Ancient City Walking Tour at Twilight: $4.08
  • Rome Art Walking Tour Who Killed Caravaggio: $4.67
  • Colosseum and Roman Forum Sightseeing Area Walking Tour: $4.67
  • Historical Walking Tour in Rome City Center with Hidden Gems: $4.67
  • Audio guided tour of the historic center of Rome: $4.67
  • Tour of Rome to Visit the Most Iconic Monuments: $5.00
  • Rome Timeless Trail Self Guided Walking Tour with App: $5.50
  • Rome Pantheon Entry Experience With Audio: $5.83
  • Pantheon Rome Timed Entry Ticket and optional Minerva: $5.83
  • Best of Rome Walking Tour including Trevi Fountain: $5.83
  • Pantheon Rome Entry Ticket: $5.83

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Rome $21
    Saint John $44
Typical Alcohol Prices in Rome

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rome:


  • Bottle of Wine
    $7.54
  • Pint of Beer
    $7.36
  • Beer
    $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Rome

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

  • Cabaret and Burlesque Show: $35
  • Cabaret and Burlesque Show at Rome: $35
  • Rome’s Exclusive Wine Tasting: Sip Near the Colosseum!: $38
  • Wine Tasting and Food Pairing with gelato in Trastevere: $45
  • Art, Wine & Food Experience–The Ultimate Roman Wine Tasting: $47
  • Dolce Vita Burlesque show: $58
  • Burlesque lessons with the best Italian stars: $58
  • Frascati Wine Tasting Experience in the Old Town: $61
  • Trastevere and Jewish Ghetto Food and Wine Tour: $61
  • Wine Tasting and Food Pairing in Underground Cellar in Rome: $63
  • Wine Tasting Cold cuts and Rare Cheeses in Grotta a Testaccio: $70
  • Private Wine Tasting in Trastevere: $76


When comparing the travel costs between Rome and Saint John, we can see that Rome is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Rome is in Europe and Saint John is in Caribbean Islands, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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



When is the best time to visit Rome or Saint John?

Rome 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 Rome or Saint John in the Summer?

Both Saint John and Rome are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rome 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 summer, Rome is cooler than Saint John. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rome in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Saint John averages at about 29°C (83°F).

In July, Rome usually receives less rain than Saint John. Rome gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Rome 25°C (77°F) 
    Saint John 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Rome or Saint John in the Autumn?

Both Saint John and Rome during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Rome for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.

In October, Rome is generally much colder than Saint John. Daily temperatures in Rome average around 17°C (63°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Saint John gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Rome usually gets less rain in October than Saint John. Rome gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Rome 17°C (63°F) 
    Saint John 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Rome or Saint John in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Rome and Saint John. Many visitors come to Rome in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Rome is much colder than Saint John in the winter. The daily temperature in Rome averages around 8°C (47°F) in January, and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

In January, Rome usually receives more rain than Saint John. Rome gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Rome 8°C (47°F) 
    Saint John 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Rome or Saint John in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Rome as well as Saint John. Most visitors come to Rome for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.

In the spring, Rome is much colder than Saint John. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rome in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Saint John averages at about 27°C (80°F).

Rome usually gets less rain in April than Saint John. Rome gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Rome 14°C (57°F) 
    Saint John 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Saint John and Rome

Rome Saint John
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 8°C (47°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 9°C (49°F) 76 mm (3 in) 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 11°C (52°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 14°C (57°F) 50 mm (2 in) 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 42 mm (1.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 22°C (71°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 19 mm (0.7 in) 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 25°C (77°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 22°C (71°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Oct 17°C (63°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Nov 12°C (54°F) 105 mm (4.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in)
Dec 9°C (49°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)