Which place is cheaper, Palm Springs or Saint John?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint John or Palm Springs?
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 Palm Springs. 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 Palm Springs?
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.
Palm Springs
Palm Springs is a desert resort town located about two hours east of Los Angeles, most famously known as Hollywood's playground, where stars and starlets could escape for rest and relaxation but still be close enough to return for impromptu work.
It's no wonder that Palm Springs is increasingly popular as a weekend getaway for special occasions, and even for bachelor and bachelorette parties. Closer than the typical Las Vegas weekend for Southern California residents, Palm Springs provides a desert getaway with endless possibilities of activities, whether visitors want to gamble, shop, hike, or wander through an art gallery.
Climate in the high-desert is generally warm with highs in the 100s during the hot and dry summers, and lows in the mid 40s in the winter months, with sparse rainfall. However, if you're visiting during winter, be sure to pack versatile attire and layers as the days may be warm, but the nights in the low desert can get chilly enough to convince you to change into long pants.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint John $192Palm Springs $206
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint John is $192, while the average daily cost in Palm Springs is $206. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Saint John and Palm Springs in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint John $106Palm Springs $120
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint John $212Palm Springs $240
Compare Hotels in Saint John and Palm Springs
Looking for a hotel in Saint John or Palm Springs? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Palm Springs Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint John $49Palm Springs $52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Palm Springs
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Palm Springs:
- Desert Hot Springs to Palm Springs Airport Departure Transfer: $87
- Palm Springs Airport (PSP) to Desert Hot Springs Private Transfer: $87
- Palm Springs Airport (PSP) to INDIAN WELLS - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $162
- Palm Springs Airport (PSP) to LA QUINTA/INDIO - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $129
- Palm Springs Airport (PSP) to LOS ANGELES - Arrival Private Transfer: $171
- Palm Springs Airport PSP to Snow Summit-Arrival Private Transfer: $131
- Palm Springs Airport to Desert Hot Springs Round-Trip Transfer: $175
- Palm Springs Airport to Snow Summit - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $262
- Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) to ONTARIO - Arrival Private Transfer: $105
- Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) to SANTA ANA - Arrival Private Transfer: $128
- Private Airport Transfer in Palm Springs: $195
- Private Transfer from PSP to Palm Desert / Indian Wells: $135
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint John or Palm Springs?
Prices for flights to both Palm Springs and Saint John change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one daySaint John $56Palm Springs $53
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint John $23Palm Springs $29
Tours and Activities in Saint John
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- USVI: Island & Beach Tours in St. Thomas & St. John (2 Days): $199
- St. John: A Private Island Adventure Tour & Trunk Bay Beach: $627
Tours and Activities in Palm Springs
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Palm Springs are as follows:
- Joshua Tree National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour: $12
- Journey into Joshua Tree: Audio Tour + Free Locals Guide!: $12
- Self-Guided Audio Tour Joshua Tree: $13
- Joshua Tree National Park Self-Driving Audio Tour: $17
- Palm Springs Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $17
- City and Desert App-Guided Driving Tour: $17
- Death Valley National Park Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $17
- Palm Springs and Joshua Tree Self-Guided Driving Tours Bundle: $25
- Private 1-Hour Archery Experience around Joshua Tree National Park.: $28
- Self-Driving Windmill Tour: $30
- Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Admission Ticket: $30
- Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour: $49
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint John $44Palm Springs $13
When comparing the travel costs between Saint John and Palm Springs, we can see that Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Saint John or Palm Springs?
Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John and Palm Springs. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Palm Springs in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
Saint John is a little warmer than Palm Springs in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint John averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Palm Springs fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
In July, Saint John usually receives more rain than Palm Springs. Saint John gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint John 29°C (83°F)Palm Springs 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Saint John or Palm Springs in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Saint John as well as Palm Springs. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Palm Springs for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.
In the autumn, Saint John is a little warmer than Palm Springs. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint John in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Palm Springs averages at about 69°F (20°C).
Saint John receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Saint John usually gets more rain in October than Palm Springs. Saint John gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint John 28°C (82°F)Palm Springs 69°F (20°C)
Should I visit Saint John or Palm Springs in the Winter?
Both Palm Springs 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, the winter months attract visitors to Palm Springs because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Saint John is generally much warmer than Palm Springs. Daily temperatures in Saint John average around 26°C (78°F), and Palm Springs fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
In January, Saint John usually receives less rain than Palm Springs. Saint John gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 2 inches (52 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint John 26°C (78°F)Palm Springs 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Saint John or Palm Springs in the Spring?
Both Palm Springs 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.
Saint John is much warmer than Palm Springs in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint John averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and Palm Springs fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
Saint John usually gets more rain in April than Palm Springs. Saint John gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 0.9 inches (24 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint John 27°C (80°F)Palm Springs 62°F (17°C)
Typical Weather for Palm Springs and Saint John
| Saint John | Palm Springs | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2 inches (52 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 65°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 69°F (20°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 69°F (20°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.