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

Should you visit Saint John or Pocono Mountains?

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 Pocono Mountains. 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 Pocono Mountains?

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.

Pocono Mountains

The Poconos are a region of mountains, small towns, and natural areas in Eastern Pennsylvania. Located just a few hours from both New York City and Philadelphia, this region of 4 counties (Wayne, Pike, Monroe, & Carbon) consists of plenty of mountain scenery, gorgeous lakes, historic small towns, ski resorts, state parks, water parks, and more.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Pocono Mountains or Saint John?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint John is $192, while the average daily cost in Pocono Mountains is $174. 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 Pocono Mountains in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint John $106
    Pocono Mountains $89
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint John $212
    Pocono Mountains $178
Compare Hotels in Saint John and Pocono Mountains

Looking for a hotel in Saint John or Pocono Mountains? 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.

Hotels in Saint John


Hotels in Pocono Mountains


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint John $49
    Pocono Mountains $49

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint John or Pocono Mountains?

Prices for flights to both Pocono Mountains 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Saint John $56
    Pocono Mountains $53

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint John $23
    Pocono Mountains $30

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 Pocono Mountains

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pocono Mountains are as follows:

  • Private Mount Pocono Observation Air Tour: $64
  • Delaware Water Gap Air Tour: $141

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint John $44
    Pocono Mountains $13


When comparing the travel costs between Saint John and Pocono Mountains, we can see that Saint John 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 Pocono Mountains 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 Pocono Mountains Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Saint John or Pocono Mountains?

Pocono Mountains 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 Pocono Mountains in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John and Pocono Mountains. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Pocono Mountains because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saint John is a little warmer than Pocono Mountains. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint John in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Pocono Mountains averages at about 75°F (24°C).

Pocono Mountains receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Saint John usually receives less rain than Pocono Mountains. Saint John gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Pocono Mountains receives 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint John 29°C (83°F) 
    Pocono Mountains 75°F (24°C)

Should I visit Saint John or Pocono Mountains in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint John as well as Pocono Mountains. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Pocono Mountains this time of year.

In October, Saint John is generally much warmer than Pocono Mountains. Daily temperatures in Saint John average around 28°C (82°F), and Pocono Mountains fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

Saint John receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Saint John usually gets more rain in October than Pocono Mountains. Saint John gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Pocono Mountains receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint John 28°C (82°F) 
    Pocono Mountains 55°F (13°C)

Should I visit Saint John or Pocono Mountains in the Winter?

Both Pocono Mountains 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 Pocono Mountains for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Pocono Mountains. Saint John is much warmer than Pocono Mountains in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint John averages around 26°C (78°F) in January, and Pocono Mountains fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

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


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint John 26°C (78°F) 
    Pocono Mountains 28°F (-2°C)

Should I visit Saint John or Pocono Mountains in the Spring?

Both Pocono Mountains 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. Also, many visitors come to Pocono Mountains in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Saint John is much warmer than Pocono Mountains. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint John in April average around 27°C (80°F), and Pocono Mountains averages at about 51°F (11°C).

Saint John usually gets less rain in April than Pocono Mountains. Saint John gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Pocono Mountains receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint John 27°C (80°F) 
    Pocono Mountains 51°F (11°C)

Typical Weather for Pocono Mountains and Saint John

Saint John Pocono Mountains
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 28°F (-2°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Feb 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 31°F (-1°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Mar 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 41°F (5°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Apr 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 51°F (11°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
May 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 62°F (17°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 71°F (22°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 75°F (24°C) 4.4 inches (111 mm)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in) 73°F (23°C) 4.2 inches (106 mm)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in) 66°F (19°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in) 55°F (13°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
Nov 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in) 45°F (7°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Dec 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 33°F (1°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)