A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint John vs. Big Island of Hawaii for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Saint John or Big Island of Hawaii?

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 Big Island of Hawaii. 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 Big Island of Hawaii?

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.

Big Island of Hawaii

What comes to mind when someone says, "Hawaii"? Probably sandy beaches, coconut drinks and lazy days of tanning. It's a dream destination for those who want to get away, but the island of Hawai'i, or the Big Island as it's most commonly called, has so much more to offer than a place to catch up on your latest novel.

At 93 miles across, and a population of 185 thousand, the Big Island was once a large exporter of sugarcane. After its final plantation closed in 1996, tourism became the backbone of Hawai'i Island's economy. More recently, the Big Island has become the focus for sustainable tourism – visiting a place as a tourist and trying to make only a positive impact on your destination.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint John and Big Island of Hawaii, we can see that Big Island of Hawaii is more expensive. And not only is Saint John much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint John is in Caribbean Islands and Big Island of Hawaii is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Saint John would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint John 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 Big Island of Hawaii would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Big Island of Hawaii than you might in Saint John.

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 Big Island of Hawaii Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Saint John or Big Island of Hawaii?

Big Island of Hawaii 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 Big Island of Hawaii in the Summer?

Both Big Island of Hawaii and Saint John during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Big Island of Hawaii for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Saint John is a little warmer than Big Island of Hawaii in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint John averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Big Island of Hawaii fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

Big Island of Hawaii gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saint John usually gets less rain in July than Big Island of Hawaii. Saint John gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 9.7 inches (247 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint John or Big Island of Hawaii in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John and Big Island of Hawaii. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Big Island of Hawaii because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Saint John is a little warmer than Big Island of Hawaii. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint John in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Big Island of Hawaii averages at about 76°F (24°C).

Big Island of Hawaii receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Saint John gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Saint John usually receives less rain than Big Island of Hawaii. Saint John gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 9.8 inches (248 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint John or Big Island of Hawaii in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint John as well as Big Island of Hawaii. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Big Island of Hawaii this time of year.

In January, Saint John is generally a little warmer than Big Island of Hawaii. Daily temperatures in Saint John average around 26°C (78°F), and Big Island of Hawaii fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).

It's quite rainy in Big Island of Hawaii. Saint John usually gets less rain in January than Big Island of Hawaii. Saint John gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 8.7 inches (221 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint John or Big Island of Hawaii in the Spring?

Both Big Island of Hawaii and Saint John are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Big Island of Hawaii for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Saint John is a little warmer than Big Island of Hawaii in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint John averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and Big Island of Hawaii fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Big Island of Hawaii. In April, Saint John usually receives less rain than Big Island of Hawaii. Saint John gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 15.6 inches (395 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Big Island of Hawaii and Saint John