A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Saint Augustine vs. Arlington for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Saint Augustine or Arlington?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Augustine or Arlington, 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.

Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine is a colonial, historic, and notable city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Arlington

Arlington is a international, historical, and educational city. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Saint Augustine and Arlington: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Popular beach
  • Scenic old town
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
  • Public transit not as usable
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
  • Good public transit
  • Home to Arlington National Cemetery


Is there more to do in Saint Augustine or Arlington?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Saint Augustine than Arlington, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Saint Augustine is better known for its beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Arlington is more popular for its nightlife. Saint Augustine is well known for being the oldest consistently inhabited city in the United States. Also, Saint Augustine is famous for the Colonial Quarter. Arlington is well known for its international connections, its biking and walking trails, and being the location of the Pentagon.

How is Saint Augustine different from Arlington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Arlington and Saint Augustine. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint Augustine or Arlington?

Saint Augustine
Arlington

Both Saint Augustine and Arlington have superb landmarks and museums for visitors.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Saint Augustine can be an interesting and educational experience. It's history is brought to life with many monuments and museums. The Lightner Museum, the Old Jail Museum, the Lincolnville Museum, and Castillo De San Marcos are among the city's most notable sights. Also worth a visit is the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Arlington. Arlington National Cemetery is where you'll find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as the tomb of John F. Kennedy Jr. There are many memorials around town, with the most famous being the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial. There are also several museums like the DEA Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art.


Is the Food Better in Saint Augustine or Arlington? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint Augustine
Arlington

Both Saint Augustine and Arlington offer superb local cuisine and restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Saint Augustine makes for a great culinary experience. The food scene is influenced by the long history of the city. You'll find flavors that are influenced by Spanish, African, and Native American cultures. There are several popular dishes around town such as fried shrimp, clam chowder, and shrimp and grits.

Arlington has a huge number of terrific restaurants. It's a global city, and the restaurants reflect that. You'll find amazing Thai, Japanese, and Mexican restaurants. There are also less common cuisines to choose from such as Ethiopian, Moroccan, and Peruvian.

Is Saint Augustine or Arlington Better for Nightlife?

Saint Augustine
Arlington

Arlington is a great destination for nightlife. Also, Saint Augustine is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

The people in Arlington know how to have a good time. The city has a huge young population that drives the nightlife scene. There are clubs, bars, and lounges in many neighborhoods. There are also comedy clubs and plenty of live music.

If you're looking for night time activities Saint Augustine has a few options to choose from. There are wineries, pubs, live music venues, and a number of activities that take advantage of the outdoor setting.

Is Saint Augustine or Arlington Better for Beaches?

Saint Augustine
Arlington

Saint Augustine is an excellent place to visit for the beach. However, Arlington is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Saint Augustine. Head to the beach to relax and swim. There are miles of sandy beach nearby, with some of the most popular being Ponte Vedra Beach, known for its golf courses, Vilano Beach, with its charming atmosphere, and the scenic Anastasia State Park.

Arlington is not a beach destination.


Is Saint Augustine or Arlington Better for its Old Town?

Saint Augustine
Arlington

Saint Augustine is terrific for its historic old town charm. However, Arlington does not have a historic old town.

Saint Augustine has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. As the longest running, continuously occupied city in the United States, the Historic Downtown is at the heart of the city. It's filled with quaint restaurants, historic hotels, and charming streets. You can take carriage rides or wander through the historic sites. Many of the buildings date back to the 1700s and offer a glimpse into Florida's past.

Arlington does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Augustine or Arlington?

Saint Augustine
Arlington

Saint Augustine is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Saint Augustine. The Historic Downtown has unique art galleries and boutiques. St. George Street is the perfect place to pick up a souvenir and Aviles Street is the oldest street in the United States. It's also filled with artisan boutiques. Plaza de la ConstituciĆ³n is known for its long running public market and it often has live entertainment.

Arlington is a great destination for shopping. Many neighborhoods have local shops or farmer's markets. There are also shopping centers and malls such as Ballston Quarter, The Crossing Clarendon, and The Village at Shirlington.

Is Saint Augustine or Arlington Better for Families?

Saint Augustine
Arlington

Saint Augustine is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Saint Augustine. Kids will love the Alligator Farm but there's also a surprisingly fascinating archaeological park - The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. The Colonial Quarter is fun for all ages as well, as is a visit to Fort Castillo De San Marcos. If you have some time, head outside of town to the Marineland Dolphin Adventure, which is well worth the trip.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Arlington. Kids will enjoy seeing the planes talk off from Gravelly Point park. There are also plenty of outdoor spaces and educational opportunities in the area, including world class museums.


Is Saint Augustine or Arlington Better for Couples?

Saint Augustine
Arlington

Saint Augustine is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Saint Augustine makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The Ancient City has a charm that is unique in Florida. There is beautiful architecture and a historical atmosphere that is romantic and genuine. You can enjoy a carriage ride and then sample some local cuisine before heading to the beach.

Arlington is a nice destination for couples. There's a vibrant cultural scene and many international restaurants that couples can enjoy. It's also a great place to take in a show or concert.

Is Saint Augustine or Arlington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Saint Augustine
Arlington

Arlington is a great destination for backpackers. However, Saint Augustine is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Arlington. There are a couple of hostels and many free activities nearby. There's also great public transportation that makes for a convenient backpacker destination.

Saint Augustine is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's a hostel in town as well as a couple of affordable inns.

Is Saint Augustine or Arlington Better for Students?

Saint Augustine
Arlington

Arlington is a great destination for students. However, Saint Augustine is not popular with students.

Arlington is a great city to visit as a student. There are a huge number of colleges and museums in the area as well as many great internship and educational opportunities.

Saint Augustine is not popular with students.


Is Saint Augustine or Arlington Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Saint Augustine
Arlington

Arlington is very popular for its public transit. However, Saint Augustine is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

Arlington has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. There is a reliable bus system around town as well as many metro connections.

Public transit is mostly limited in Saint Augustine. The Old Town Trolley travels through the historic center. There's also a bus service through the region, but you really need a private vehicle to explore everything.

Is Saint Augustine or Arlington a more walkable city?

Saint Augustine
Arlington

Saint Augustine and Arlington both are superb when exploring on foot.

Saint Augustine is very walkable. It's one of the more walkable cities in the area. Downtown, Uptown, and even near the beach have accessible areas with sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly zones.

Arlington is a very walkable city. There are many pedestrian-friendly areas around town, particularly in the neighborhoods that are concentrated around metro stations.

For even more information, also check out Is Saint Augustine Worth Visiting? and Is Arlington Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arlington or Saint Augustine?

How long in Saint Augustine or Arlington?

It's fun to spend time in either Saint Augustine or Arlington. In our opinion, Saint Augustine has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Saint Augustine than Arlington. In general, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Saint Augustine, and 2-4 days is enough time in Arlington.

Families should spend more time in Saint Augustine than Arlington. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Saint Augustine, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Saint Augustine than Arlington. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Saint Augustine that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Arlington than Saint Augustine if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Arlington.


  • How many days in Saint Augustine or Arlington? Ideal Length of Stay
    Saint Augustine 3-4 
    Arlington 2-4

One day in Saint Augustine or Arlington?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Saint Augustine. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The educational destination of Arlington offers nightlife and food. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.


A weekend in Saint Augustine or Arlington?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the notable destination of Saint Augustine. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

The city of Arlington offers food and shopping. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Saint Augustine or Arlington?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the colonial city of Saint Augustine. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Arlington is a great place to explore. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Saint Augustine or Arlington?

Saint Augustine is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Arlington. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Arlington or Saint Augustine?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Augustine is $159, while the average daily cost in Arlington is $264. 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 Saint Augustine and Arlington in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Augustine $86
    Arlington $131
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Augustine $172
    Arlington $262
Compare Hotels in Saint Augustine and Arlington

Looking for a hotel in Saint Augustine or Arlington? 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 Saint Augustine


Hotels in Arlington


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: Saint Augustine Hotel Prices and Arlington Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Augustine $39
    Arlington $49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arlington

Also for Arlington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Ronald Reagan DCA Airport Transfers: $160

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Augustine or Arlington?

Prices for flights to both Arlington and Saint Augustine 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
    Saint Augustine $49
    Arlington $81

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint Augustine $18
    Arlington $11

Tours and Activities in Saint Augustine

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

  • Arcimoto Electric Vehicle Adventure Rental in St. Augustine: $96
  • 1-Hour Your Studiyo Admission Ticket: $34
  • : Step back in time with pastime private historical tours: $38
  • A Self-Guided Audio Tour of St Augustine's Twisted History: $20
  • Adventure Boat Tours - Ghost Boat - Boo Cruise: $40
  • Adventure Boat Tours - Sunset Water Tour in St. Augustine: $38
  • Adventure Meets History Tour in St Augustine: $89
  • Afterlife Tours- Beyond the Grave Tour: $25
  • Airboat Adventure in Saint Augustine with a Guide: $80
  • America‘s Oldest City: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of St Augustine: $20
  • Bay to City Nights of Lights Tour by Boat and Cart: $150
  • Best of St. Augustine with Scenic Cruise: $193

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint Augustine $25
    Arlington $17

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 Saint Augustine and Arlington, we can see that Arlington is more expensive. And not only is Saint Augustine much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Arlington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arlington 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 Saint Augustine Expensive? and Is Arlington Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Saint Augustine or Arlington?

Arlington has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Saint Augustine. When comparing the sizes of Saint Augustine and Arlington, 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 Saint Augustine or Arlington?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Arlington in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint Augustine as well as Arlington. The summer months attract visitors to Saint Augustine because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Arlington this time of year.

In July, Saint Augustine is generally around the same temperature as Arlington. Daily temperatures in Saint Augustine average around 82°F (28°C), and Arlington fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arlington. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Augustine this time of the year. In the summer, Saint Augustine often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Arlington. Saint Augustine gets 286 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 278 hours of full sun.

Saint Augustine receives a lot of rain in the summer. Saint Augustine usually gets more rain in July than Arlington. Saint Augustine gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint Augustine 82°F (28°C) 
    Arlington 79°F (26°C)

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Arlington in the Autumn?

Both Arlington and Saint Augustine are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saint Augustine this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Arlington for the shopping scene.

Saint Augustine is a little warmer than Arlington in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Augustine averages around 70°F (21°C) in October, and Arlington fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Augustine. Saint Augustine usually receives more sunshine than Arlington during autumn. Saint Augustine gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 197 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Augustine usually receives around the same amount of rain as Arlington. Saint Augustine gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Saint Augustine is June to November.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint Augustine 70°F (21°C) 
    Arlington 60°F (15°C)

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Arlington in the Winter?

Both Arlington and Saint Augustine during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Saint Augustine for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Arlington in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Arlington can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Saint Augustine is much warmer than Arlington. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Augustine in January average around 53°F (12°C), and Arlington averages at about 35°F (1°C).

In the winter, Saint Augustine often gets more sunshine than Arlington. Saint Augustine gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 139 hours of full sun.

Saint Augustine usually gets more rain in January than Arlington. Saint Augustine gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint Augustine 53°F (12°C) 
    Arlington 35°F (1°C)

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Arlington in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Augustine and Arlington. Many visitors come to Saint Augustine in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Saint Augustine is generally a little warmer than Arlington. Daily temperatures in Saint Augustine average around 68°F (20°C), and Arlington fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arlington this time of the year. In Saint Augustine, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Augustine usually receives more sunshine than Arlington during spring. Saint Augustine gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 228 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Augustine usually receives around the same amount of rain as Arlington. Saint Augustine gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Saint Augustine.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint Augustine 68°F (20°C) 
    Arlington 56°F (14°C)

Typical Weather for Arlington and Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine Arlington
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 53°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 35°F (1°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Feb 56°F (13°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) 37°F (3°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
Mar 62°F (17°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 47°F (8°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Apr 68°F (20°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 56°F (14°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
May 74°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 66°F (19°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Jun 80°F (27°C) 5.7 inches (146 mm) 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 79°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Aug 82°F (28°C) 7.8 inches (199 mm) 78°F (26°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Sep 79°F (26°C) 7.1 inches (180 mm) 71°F (22°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Oct 70°F (21°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 60°F (15°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Nov 62°F (17°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm) 50°F (10°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Dec 56°F (13°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 39°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)