Which place is cheaper, Saint John's or Rotterdam?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam 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: Rotterdam or Saint John's?
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second largest city in the Netherlands and has the largest port in Europe. It's famously known as a city of architecture. In a few square kilometers of the city center you can get a complete overview of twentieth century architecture within Rotterdam.
Rotterdam is a very diverse, international, and hard working city. Nearly half of the city's population is not native to the Netherlands or have at least one parent from outside the country. Muslim's make up a significant portion of the population. Other area's represented include Cape Verde and the Dutch Antilles.
There's an air of optimism that permeates the entire city. There are frequent events, festivals and performances, making Rotterdam an enjoyable place to spend some time. Water is also an integral part of the city design.
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 River Cruises from Amsterdam, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRotterdam €152Saint John's €206
The average daily cost (per person) in Rotterdam is €152, 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 Rotterdam and Saint John's in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRotterdam €77Saint John's €111
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRotterdam €154Saint John's €222
Compare Hotels in Rotterdam and Saint John's
Looking for a hotel in Rotterdam 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: Rotterdam Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rotterdam €26Saint John's €16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rotterdam
Also for Rotterdam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Amsterdam Schiphol Airport(AMS) to Rotterdam- Round-Trip Transfer: $131
- Private Direct Transfer from Rotterdam to Amsterdam: $170
- Private Minivan Transfer from Rotterdam: $295
- Private Minivan Transfer from Rotterdam : $274
- Private Rotterdam Cruise Port Departure Transfer to AMS Schiphol Airport : $164
- Private Rotterdam Cruise Port Departure Transfer to Amsterdam: $170
- Private Transfer From Rotterdam to Amsterdam, With a 2 Hour Stop: $241
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam Airport (RTM) to IJmuiden Port: $61
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam City to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport: $208
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam Cruise Port to Amsterdam hotels: $98
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam Cruise Port to Rotterdam hotels: $38
- Private Transfer from Rotterdam Cruise Port to Rotterdam hotels: $60
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:
- Antigua&BarbudaV.C.Bird Airport(ANU)to island hotels-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $255
- Biggvee Premium Airport One Way Transfer: $200
- Private Roundtrip Airport Transfers & Tour in Antigua & Barbuda: $200
- Airport Transfers to Antigua Hotels/Resorts: $170
- Antigua V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to Island - Round-Trip Transfer : $156
- 3-Hours Stingray City - Transfer, Spanish-Italian Guide Included: $155
- Private Airport Transfers 1- 2 Pax Zone D: Hotels: $130
- Private Airport Transfers 1- 2 Pax. Zone C: Hotels: $120
- Private Transfer from Antigua & Barbuda V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to island: $113
- Antigua - VIP Fast Track On Arrival ONLY And Round Trip Transfer : $99
- Private Round Trip Transfer From Antigua Airport To NonSuch Bay: $99
- Luxury Airport transfer from or to Antigua Airport : $85
Is it cheaper to fly into Rotterdam or Saint John's?
Prices for flights to both Saint John's and Rotterdam 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 dayRotterdam €54Saint John's €63
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rotterdam
For Rotterdam, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Self-Guided Rotterdam BiteMe Food Tour: $43
- 4-Hour Food Tour - Self-guided: $48
- Guided Food Tour: $80
- Guided Walking Food Tour: $85
- Biking Rotterdam Food Tour with Local Guide: $86
- Walking Rotterdam Food Tour: $86
- WALKING DINNER ROTTERDAM | 3 courses + 3 drinks and a lot of fun: $87
- Food Tour by Bike: $91
- Private Walking Food Tour of Rotterdam: $120
- Rotterdam Walking Dutch Food Tour: $153
- Rotterdam Private 2-Hour Food Tour with Tastings: $161
- Private Multicultural Bike Food Tour: $274
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.Rotterdam €32Saint John's €96
Tours and Activities in Rotterdam
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rotterdam.
- Hightlights City Centre Walking Tour: $1.08
- 2 hour Guided Walking Tour Rotterdam: $3.23
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Rotterdam Spanish Tour 2 Hours: $3.27
- Rotterdam Walking Tour in 2 Hours : $3.27
- Escape Game and Tour: $4.31
- Rotterdam Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.56
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $7.00
- Breda: Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $7.29
- Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $7.29
- Dordrecht: Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $7.31
- Rotterdam Walking Audio Tour on Your Phone (ENG): $7.65
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:
- 6-Hours Guided Stingray Tour in the East Coast of Antigua: $161
- Adventure Antigua - Eli's Original Eco Tour: $125
- Adventure Antigua - The Xtreme Circumnavigation: $190
- Adventure Power Boat Tour Antigua and Private Laviscount Island: $170
- Animal Lovers Dream Tour: $180
- Antigua Historical Sites Island Tour: $75
- Antigua Reef Riders Self-Drive Boat and Snorkeling Tour: $180
- Antigua Round Island Tour: $85
- Antigua Seafood Lunch Cruise From St. John's: $135
- Antigua Shore Excursion: City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
- Antigua Shore Excursion: Round Island Tour: $110
- Antigua Sunset Catamaran Cruise From St. John's: $116
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRotterdam €19Saint John's €17
Sample the Local Flavors in Rotterdam
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rotterdam:
- Beer Brewery Noordt Tastings with Optional Tour: $8.07
- Heineken Building former brewery | Guided Tour: $8.07
- Stadshaven Brewery Tour with Beer Tastings: $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rotterdam and Saint John's, we can see that Saint John's is more expensive. And not only is Rotterdam much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rotterdam Expensive? and Is Saint John's Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rotterdam or Saint John's?
Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam or Saint John's?
Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam or Saint John's in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Rotterdam as well as Saint John's. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's throughout the year.
In July, Rotterdam is generally much colder than Saint John's. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 17°C (62°F), and Saint John's fluctuates around 27°C (81°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 Rotterdam this time of the year. In the summer, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Saint John's. Rotterdam gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint John's receives 245 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Saint John's. Rotterdam usually gets less rain in July than Saint John's. Rotterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRotterdam 17°C (62°F)Saint John's 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Rotterdam or Saint John's in the Autumn?
Both Saint John's and Rotterdam are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Rotterdam for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John's because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Rotterdam is much colder than Saint John's in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rotterdam averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Saint John's fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint John's. Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Saint John's during autumn. Rotterdam gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Saint John's receives 217 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. In October, Rotterdam usually receives less rain than Saint John's. Rotterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRotterdam 11°C (51°F)Saint John's 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Rotterdam or Saint John's in the Winter?
Both Saint John's and Rotterdam during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Rotterdam in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round.
Rotterdam can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Rotterdam is much colder than Saint John's. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rotterdam in January average around 2°C (36°F), and Saint John's averages at about 24°C (76°F).
In Saint John's, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Rotterdam often gets less sunshine than Saint John's. Rotterdam gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint John's receives 236 hours of full sun.
Rotterdam usually gets less rain in January than Saint John's. Rotterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRotterdam 2°C (36°F)Saint John's 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Rotterdam or Saint John's in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rotterdam and Saint John's. Most visitors come to Rotterdam for the activities around the city during these months. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Rotterdam is generally much colder than Saint John's. Daily temperatures in Rotterdam average around 8°C (46°F), and Saint John's fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint John's this time of the year. Rotterdam usually receives less sunshine than Saint John's during spring. Rotterdam gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Saint John's receives 240 hours of full sun in the spring.
Saint John's receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Rotterdam usually receives less rain than Saint John's. Rotterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRotterdam 8°C (46°F)Saint John's 26°C (78°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John's and Rotterdam
| Rotterdam | Saint John's | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 2°C (36°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (43°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (38°F) | 80 mm (3.1 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.