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

Should you visit Saint Augustine or Saint Simons?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Augustine or Saint Simons, 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 historic, notable, and colonial city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for beaches, shopping, and museums.

Saint Simons

Saint Simons is a relaxing, laid back, and scenic island. 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's also known for hiking, shopping, and food.

Saint Augustine and Saint Simons: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Augustine or Saint Simons?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Saint Augustine. Although Saint Augustine and Saint Simons are both popular with visitors, Saint Augustine has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Saint Augustine is more popular for its museums, nightlife, and historical sights, while Saint Simons is known for its resorts, hiking, and small town charm. Saint Augustine is popular for being the oldest consistently inhabited city in the United States. It is also home to the Colonial Quarter. Saint Simons is popular for its beaches, charter fishing, and golf courses.

How is Saint Augustine different from Saint Simons?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Saint Augustine is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for its historical sights.

Saint Augustine offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

While most people don't head to Saint Simons specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. St. Simons Lighthouse is a highlight for many visitors. There's a maritime museum attached to the lighthouse as well. Fort Frederica National Monument is another historic site that is worth a visit.

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

Both Saint Augustine and Saint Simons offer very good 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.

Saint Simons has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There are more than 70 restaurants on the island that range from cafes to fine dining. You can enjoy an eggs benedict for brunch, crab cakes for lunch, and shrimp and grits for dinner. Many restaurants take advantage of the mild climate by offering outdoor seating. There are also several dessert places with ice cream or donuts.

Is Saint Augustine or Saint Simons Better for Nightlife?

Saint Augustine is a popular place for nightlife. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for nightlife and partying.

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.

Saint Simons doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. There are several family-friendly bars with laid back atmospheres around town, but if you're looking for a wild night out, there aren't a lot of places to go.

Is Saint Augustine or Saint Simons Better for Resorts?

Saint Simons is a nice place to visit for its resorts. However, Saint Augustine is not a resort destination.

Saint Simons has a handful of resorts to choose from. There are a handful of nice resorts with pools and beachfront settings.

Saint Augustine is not a resort destination.

Is Saint Augustine or Saint Simons Better for Beaches?

Both Saint Augustine and Saint Simons have very good beaches worth visiting.

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.

The beaches at Saint Simons attract visitors from all over. There's golden sand and a beautiful setting. Visitors enjoy swimming or walking along the coastline. You'll also find piers and playgrounds. East Beach is one of the most popular.

Is Saint Augustine or Saint Simons Better for its Old Town?

Saint Augustine is an unbeatable place for its historic old town. However, Saint Simons does not have a historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Saint Augustine offers plenty to see. 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.

Saint Simons does not have a historic old town.

Is Saint Augustine or Saint Simons Better for Hiking?

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

Saint Simons has hiking trails worth exploring. There are several parks and natural areas where you can enjoy a walk in nature. Cannon's Point Preserve has a nice trail system. Other trails on the island include John Gilbert Nature Trail, Earth Day Nature Trail, and Wanderer Memorial Trail.

Saint Augustine is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Augustine or Saint Simons?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Saint Simons and Saint Augustine.

Saint Augustine is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Saint Simons is well-known for its shopping. You'll find a good concentration of gift shops and clothing boutiques on the island. Antiquing is also popular. Head to Pier Village for a nice mix of shops.

Is Saint Augustine or Saint Simons Better for Families?

Saint Augustine and Saint Simons are both very good destinations for the whole family.

Saint Augustine is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Saint Simons is very family-friendly. The beaches are kid-friendly and there are many family-friendly restaurants in town. There's also the St. Simons Lighthouse, minigolf, and kayaking, as well as Neptune Park Fun Zone.

Is Saint Augustine or Saint Simons Better for Couples?

Saint Augustine and Saint Simons are both very good to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Saint Augustine frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Saint Simons is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There are romantic restaurants, beautiful beaches, and nice hotels. Sunset walks on the beach or a round of golf all make this a favorite couple's destination.

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

Saint Augustine is a city with a few options for its public transit. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

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 quite limited in Saint Simons. While there are trolley tours available, public transportation is basically non-existent.

Is Saint Augustine or Saint Simons a more walkable city?

Saint Augustine is a great destination for its walkability. Also, Saint Simons is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

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.

Saint Simons is a somewhat walkable place. The downtown area is walkable, but to access much of what is available, you'll want to have a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Saint Simons or Saint Augustine?

How long in Saint Augustine or Saint Simons?

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

Families should spend more time in Saint Augustine than Saint Simons. 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 Saint Simons. 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 Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons?

In Saint Augustine, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this historic city offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Saint Simons is a small town with plenty to do. 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.

A weekend in Saint Augustine or Saint Simons?

Saint Augustine is a fun place to experience. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

Saint Simons might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Saint Simons?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the notable destination of Saint Augustine. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

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

A week in Saint Augustine or Saint Simons?

Saint Augustine is a popular place to visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

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 Saint Simons, we can see that Saint Simons 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 Saint Simons Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Augustine or Saint Simons?

Saint Simons has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of Saint Augustine. When comparing the sizes of Saint Augustine and Saint Simons, 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 Saint Simons?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Saint Simons in the Summer?

Both Saint Simons and Saint Augustine are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Saint Augustine in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Saint Simons for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Saint Augustine is around the same temperature as Saint Simons in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Augustine averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Saint Simons fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

It's quite sunny in Saint Simons. 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 Saint Simons during summer. Saint Augustine gets 286 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Simons receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Simons. It's quite rainy in Saint Augustine. In July, Saint Augustine usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint Simons. Saint Augustine gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Saint Simons receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Saint Simons in the Autumn?

Both Saint Simons and Saint Augustine during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Saint Augustine for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Saint Simons because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Saint Augustine is around the same temperature as Saint Simons. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Augustine in October average around 70°F (21°C), and Saint Simons averages at about 70°F (21°C).

In Saint Simons, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Augustine. In the autumn, Saint Augustine often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Simons. Saint Augustine gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Simons receives 214 hours of full sun.

Saint Augustine usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Saint Simons. Saint Augustine gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Saint Simons receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Saint Augustine is June to November.

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Saint Simons in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Augustine and Saint Simons. The winter months attract visitors to Saint Augustine because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Saint Simons this time of year.

In January, Saint Augustine is generally around the same temperature as Saint Simons. Daily temperatures in Saint Augustine average around 53°F (12°C), and Saint Simons fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

Saint Augustine usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Simons during winter. Saint Augustine gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Simons receives 191 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Augustine usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint Simons. Saint Augustine gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Saint Simons receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Saint Simons in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saint Augustine as well as Saint Simons. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Saint Augustine this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Saint Simons for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Saint Augustine is around the same temperature as Saint Simons in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Augustine averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Saint Simons fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Simons. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Augustine this time of the year. In the spring, Saint Augustine often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Simons. Saint Augustine gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Simons receives 285 hours of full sun.

Saint Augustine usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Saint Simons. Saint Augustine gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Saint Simons 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.

Typical Weather for Saint Simons and Saint Augustine