A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint John vs. Bangor for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Saint John or Bangor?

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 Saint John and Bangor. 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: Saint John or Bangor?

Saint John

With the popularity of the Caribbean rising, many islands have become touristy and expensive – but not St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

At only nine miles long and five miles wide, St. John is the smallest of the Virgin Islands, and, many argue, the prettiest. It's the kind of place that has maintained it's cultural identity, but still welcomes visitors from all over the world. With a population of just 5,000, the residents of St. John know everyone and everything happening on the island.

This island is perfect for people who want an undisturbed island getaway at any price. Between resorts and campgrounds there is a spot for everyone on St. John.

Bangor

Located along the Penobscot River in the U.S. State of Maine, modern Bangor really took off as a center for lumber and shipbuilding industries. Logs could easily be floated down-river to be processed and shipped from port on the Atlantic Ocean 30 miles downstream. Eventually lumbering turned to pulp and paper and shipping turned to railroads, but Bangor remains a city symbolic of industry. The city also has much to offer in shopping and entertainment with bookstores, cafes, restaurants, galleries, and museums located in the downtown area.

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

When comparing the travel costs between Saint John and Bangor, we can see that Bangor 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. Even though Saint John is in Caribbean Islands and Bangor is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint John Expensive? and Is Bangor Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Saint John or Bangor?

Bangor has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Saint John or Bangor in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John and Bangor. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bangor because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint John is generally a little warmer than Bangor. Daily temperatures in Saint John average around 29°C (83°F), and Bangor fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

In July, Saint John usually receives less rain than Bangor. Saint John gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bangor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint John or Bangor in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint John as well as Bangor. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Bangor this time of year.

Saint John is much warmer than Bangor in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint John averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Bangor fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

Saint John receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Saint John usually gets more rain in October than Bangor. Saint John gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Bangor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint John or Bangor in the Winter?

Both Bangor and Saint John are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Bangor for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bangor. In the winter, Saint John is much warmer than Bangor. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint John in January average around 26°C (78°F), and Bangor averages at about 18°F (-8°C).

In January, Saint John usually receives less rain than Bangor. Saint John gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bangor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint John or Bangor in the Spring?

Both Bangor and Saint John during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bangor in the spring for the small town charm.

In April, Saint John is generally much warmer than Bangor. Daily temperatures in Saint John average around 27°C (80°F), and Bangor fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

Saint John usually gets less rain in April than Bangor. Saint John gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bangor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bangor and Saint John