A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Saint Augustine vs. Charlottesville for Old Town, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Saint Augustine or Charlottesville?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Augustine or Charlottesville, 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 notable, colonial, and historic city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and shopping.

Charlottesville

Charlottesville is a traditional, young, and collegiate university town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for nightlife, hiking, and museums.

Saint Augustine and Charlottesville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Augustine or Charlottesville?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Saint Augustine. Although Saint Augustine and Charlottesville are popular destinations, Saint Augustine has more sights and attractions for tourists. Saint Augustine is very popular for its museums, food, beaches, historical sights, and shopping, while Charlottesville attracts visitors for its hiking, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Saint Augustine is more touristy than Charlottesville and is popular for being the oldest consistently inhabited city in the United States. It is also well known for the Colonial Quarter. Charlottesville is famous for being home to the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and serving as a gateway to Shenandoah National Park.

How is Saint Augustine different from Charlottesville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville?

Saint Augustine is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Saint Augustine. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Charlottesville. A highlight of a trip to the area is a visit to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. The city is also famously home to the beautiful University of Virginia, which has a manicured and beautiful campus. History buffs will also appreciate visiting the Civil War Sites that are nearby as well.

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

Saint Augustine is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Charlottesville is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Saint Augustine has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

Charlottesville may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Head to the Historic Downtown Mall to enjoy an outdoor meal at a top rated restaurant. There are also restaurants that cater specifically to students and offer affordable and quick meals.

Is Saint Augustine or Charlottesville Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Saint Augustine or Charlottesville has a better nightlife scene.

Saint Augustine has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are wineries, pubs, live music venues, and a number of activities that take advantage of the outdoor setting.

If you're looking for night time activities Charlottesville has a few options to choose from. Charlottesville is a university town with an active nightlife. The best areas for nightlife are found around the Downtown Mall, Belmont neighborhood, the Corner, and University Ave west near the mall. Even though there are a number of activities to enjoy at night, this is still a small town and the nightlife scene reflects that.

Is Saint Augustine or Charlottesville Better for Beaches?

Saint Augustine is a great city for the beache. However, Charlottesville is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Saint Augustine for it's beautiful beaches. 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.

Charlottesville is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Augustine or Charlottesville Better for its Old Town?

Saint Augustine is terrific for its old town. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its historic old town charm.

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.

Charlottesville offers a nice historic old town area. The Historic Downtown Mall is filled with restaurants and shops. It's a pedestrian only area with a lot of character and energy.

Is Saint Augustine or Charlottesville Better for Hiking?

Charlottesville is a nice place to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Saint Augustine is not a hiking destination.

Charlottesville has hiking trails worth exploring. Just outside of town there are plenty of hiking opportunities including in and around Shenandoah National Park. Hiking is at its best during the fall season when the leaves are changing.

Saint Augustine is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Augustine or Charlottesville?

Saint Augustine is a great city for its shopping opportunities. However, Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Saint Augustine is well-known for its shopping. 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 Constitución is known for its long running public market and it often has live entertainment.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saint Augustine or Charlottesville Better for Christmas?

Charlottesville is a great destination for its Christmas activities. However, Saint Augustine does not offer Christmas activities.

Visitors come from all around to experience the Christmas activities in Charlottesville. From Christmas lights on campus to a festive atmosphere at the Monticello, the town is beautiful for Christmas.

Saint Augustine does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Saint Augustine or Charlottesville Better for Families?

Saint Augustine is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Saint Augustine is very family-friendly. 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.

Charlottesville is a family-friendly place to visit. Wandering the campus of UVA, picking fruit at Carter Mountain Orchard or exploring the downtown mall, including the Virginia Discovery Museum are all activities that everyone can enjoy. There are also great hiking trails just outside of town.

Is Saint Augustine or Charlottesville Better for Couples?

Saint Augustine is a great city for its romantic activities. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for couples.

Saint Augustine is a great city if you're traveling as 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.

Charlottesville is a good city for couples to visit. The UVA campus is beautiful to explore, as is Monticello. The Downtown Mall has many great restaurants and activities that make for a nice date night and during the day, there's also beautiful hikes nearby that are at their peak during the fall season.

Is Saint Augustine or Charlottesville Better for Students?

Charlottesville is very popular for students. However, Saint Augustine is not popular with students.

Charlottesville is a great destination for students. The town is home to the beautiful University of Virginia and it's a popular destination for international students as well as local students. Much of the town is focused around student life, and the city's proximity to Washington, DC means it has access to global opportunities.

Saint Augustine is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Saint Augustine and Charlottesville.

Public transit is generally 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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Charlottesville. There is a bus system that runs between campus, downtown, and several neighborhoods in Charlottesville.

Is Saint Augustine or Charlottesville a more walkable city?

Saint Augustine is a great city for its high level of walkability. However, Charlottesville is not known for its ease of walking around.

Saint Augustine is a very walkable city. 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.

Charlottesville is generally not very walkable. While the University of Virginia campus and the Downtown Mall are both very walkable, most of the town is not.

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

Should I spend more time in Charlottesville or Saint Augustine?

How long in Saint Augustine or Charlottesville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saint Augustine and Charlottesville. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Saint Augustine than in Charlottesville. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Saint Augustine, and 2-3 days is enough time in Charlottesville.

Families should spend more time in Saint Augustine than Charlottesville. 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 Charlottesville. 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 Saint Augustine than Charlottesville 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 Saint Augustine.

One day in Saint Augustine or Charlottesville?

The colonial destination of Saint Augustine offers nightlife and food. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

Charlottesville is a small town with plenty to do. 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 Charlottesville?

The city of Saint Augustine offers food and shopping. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Charlottesville might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. 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 Charlottesville?

Saint Augustine is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

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

A week in Saint Augustine or Charlottesville?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Saint Augustine. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

Since Charlottesville is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. 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.

When comparing the travel costs between Saint Augustine and Charlottesville, we can see that Saint Augustine 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. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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 Charlottesville Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Augustine or Charlottesville?

Charlottesville has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Saint Augustine. When comparing the sizes of Saint Augustine and Charlottesville, 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 Charlottesville?

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 Charlottesville in the Summer?

Both Charlottesville and Saint Augustine during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Saint Augustine for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Charlottesville in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saint Augustine is around the same temperature as Charlottesville. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Augustine in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Charlottesville averages at about 78°F (26°C).

In Charlottesville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Augustine. In the summer, Saint Augustine often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Charlottesville. Saint Augustine gets 286 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 305 hours of full sun.

Charlottesville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Augustine. Saint Augustine usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Charlottesville. Saint Augustine gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 5 inches (128 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Charlottesville in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Augustine and Charlottesville. Many visitors come to Saint Augustine in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Charlottesville for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Saint Augustine is generally a little warmer than Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in Saint Augustine average around 70°F (21°C), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlottesville this time of the year. In Saint Augustine, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Augustine usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Charlottesville during autumn. Saint Augustine gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 221 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Augustine usually receives less rain than Charlottesville. Saint Augustine gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Saint Augustine.

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Charlottesville in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint Augustine as well as Charlottesville. Most visitors come to Saint Augustine for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Charlottesville because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine.

The weather in Charlottesville can be very cold. Saint Augustine is much warmer than Charlottesville in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Augustine averages around 53°F (12°C) in January, and Charlottesville fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).

In the winter, Saint Augustine often gets more sunshine than Charlottesville. Saint Augustine gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 169 hours of full sun.

Saint Augustine usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Charlottesville. Saint Augustine gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Charlottesville in the Spring?

Both Charlottesville and Saint Augustine are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Saint Augustine because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year.

In the spring, Saint Augustine is a little warmer than Charlottesville. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Augustine in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Charlottesville averages at about 58°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Charlottesville. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Augustine. Saint Augustine usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Charlottesville during spring. Saint Augustine gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 265 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Augustine usually receives around the same amount of rain as Charlottesville. Saint Augustine gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Saint Augustine is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Charlottesville and Saint Augustine