A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Saint Augustine vs. Virginia Beach for Food, Beaches, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Saint Augustine or Virginia Beach?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Augustine or Virginia Beach, 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 museums, nightlife, and food.

Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is a relaxing, bustling, and fun-filled coastal city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife and beaches.

Saint Augustine and Virginia Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Augustine or Virginia Beach?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Saint Augustine. Although Saint Augustine and Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach attracts visitors for its resorts. Saint Augustine is more touristy than Virginia Beach and is popular for being the oldest consistently inhabited city in the United States. It is also well known for the Colonial Quarter. Virginia Beach is famous for its fun boardwalk, many seafood restaurants, and classic beach town vibe.

How is Saint Augustine different from Virginia Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Saint Augustine is great for its historical sights. However, Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Saint Augustine is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination 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.

Virginia Beach may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Seafood is plentiful around town and there are all-you-can-eat buffets as well as high end, waterfront seafood restaurants. Make sure you try the She Crab Soup, soft shell crabs, and oysters.

Is Saint Augustine or Virginia Beach Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Saint Augustine or Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach has a few options to choose from. While it's a family-friendly beach, there's still a great nightlife scene with many bars and clubs in the area. Popular places to hang out at night include Omega Bar, Peabody's Nightclub, and Sky Bar.

Is Saint Augustine or Virginia Beach Better for Resorts?

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

Virginia Beach has a handful of resorts to choose from. Some of the best resorts in the area include the Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club, the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, and The Founders Inn and Spa.

Saint Augustine is not a resort destination.

Is Saint Augustine or Virginia Beach Better for Beaches?

Saint Augustine is great for the beache. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for the beach.

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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Virginia Beach. The beaches are long and sandy, but they can get crowded during the summer months. The waves are just the right size for playing in the surf and the water temperature is usually warm enough to swim well into the fall months.

Is Saint Augustine or Virginia Beach Better for its Old Town?

Saint Augustine is terrific for its old town. However, Virginia Beach 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.

Virginia Beach does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Augustine or Virginia Beach?

Saint Augustine is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Virginia Beach 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.

Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saint Augustine or Virginia Beach Better for Families?

Saint Augustine and Virginia Beach are both superb 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, Virginia Beach is very family-friendly. This is a popular family-friendly beach with a nice boardwalk, a fun waterpark, aquarium, and nice beaches. It attracts families in the area for its long beaches and fun atmosphere. Most restaurants have kid's menus and there are ice cream shops and minigolf around.

Is Saint Augustine or Virginia Beach Better for Couples?

Saint Augustine is great for its romantic activities. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city 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.

Virginia Beach is a good city for couples to visit. Couples will enjoy a nice escape to the beaches and boardwalk. There are many great seafood restaurants, some with waterfront settings. There's also a variety of activities ranging from many golf to dance clubs.

Is Saint Augustine or Virginia Beach Better for Students?

Virginia Beach is a nice place to visit for students. However, Saint Augustine is not popular with students.

Virginia Beach is popular with students. It's not as popular as more southern beach towns, but you'll still find students heading here for the spring break holidays.

Saint Augustine is not popular with students.

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

Saint Augustine is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its public transit.

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.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Virginia Beach. There is very limited public transit in the area so you'll need to have a car to get around.

Is Saint Augustine or Virginia Beach a more walkable city?

Saint Augustine is great for its high level of walkability. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination 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.

Virginia Beach is generally not very walkable. Most people prefer to have a car but do note that parking can be a nightmare, particularly during the summer season.

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

Should I spend more time in Virginia Beach or Saint Augustine?

How long in Saint Augustine or Virginia Beach?

Both Saint Augustine and Virginia Beach have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Virginia Beach than in Saint Augustine. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Saint Augustine, and 5-7 days is enough time in Virginia Beach.

Families should spend more time in Saint Augustine than Virginia Beach. 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 Virginia Beach. 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 Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach?

In Saint Augustine, you'll find museums and nightlife. Visiting the old town is also a must. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The fun-filled destination of Virginia Beach offers nightlife. 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 Virginia Beach?

Saint Augustine is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

The coastal city of Virginia Beach offers nightlife. 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.

Five days in Saint Augustine or Virginia Beach?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Augustine. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Virginia Beach is a great place to explore. This coastal city offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Saint Augustine or Virginia Beach?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Saint Augustine. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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.

The relaxing coastal city of Virginia Beach offers nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. For many, it makes a great getaway for one week. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Augustine and Virginia Beach, we can see that Saint Augustine is more expensive. And not only is Virginia Beach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Virginia Beach would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Virginia Beach 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 Augustine would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Augustine than you might in Virginia Beach.

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 Virginia Beach Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Augustine or Virginia Beach?

Virginia Beach has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Saint Augustine. When comparing the sizes of Saint Augustine and Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach?

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 Virginia Beach in the Summer?

Both Virginia Beach and Saint Augustine during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Saint Augustine because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Virginia Beach this time of year.

In the summer, Saint Augustine is around the same temperature as Virginia Beach. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Augustine in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Virginia Beach averages at about 79°F (26°C).

In Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach. Saint Augustine gets 286 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 279 hours of full sun.

Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach. Saint Augustine gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Virginia Beach in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Augustine and Virginia Beach. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saint Augustine this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Virginia Beach for the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Saint Augustine is generally a little warmer than Virginia Beach. Daily temperatures in Saint Augustine average around 70°F (21°C), and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach during autumn. Saint Augustine gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Augustine usually receives around the same amount of rain as Virginia Beach. Saint Augustine gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Saint Augustine.

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Virginia Beach in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint Augustine as well as Virginia Beach. Many travelers come to Saint Augustine for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Virginia Beach in the winter for the cuisine.

Virginia Beach can get quite cold in the winter. Saint Augustine is much warmer than Virginia Beach in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Augustine averages around 53°F (12°C) in January, and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 39°F (4°C).

In the winter, Saint Augustine often gets more sunshine than Virginia Beach. Saint Augustine gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 168 hours of full sun.

Saint Augustine usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Virginia Beach. Saint Augustine gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Virginia Beach in the Spring?

Both Virginia Beach and Saint Augustine are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Saint Augustine in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Virginia Beach for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

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

It's quite sunny in Virginia Beach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Augustine. Saint Augustine usually receives more sunshine than Virginia Beach during spring. Saint Augustine gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Augustine usually receives around the same amount of rain as Virginia Beach. Saint Augustine gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Saint Augustine is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Virginia Beach and Saint Augustine