Which place is cheaper, Portland or Saint John?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint John or Portland?
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 Portland. 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 Portland?
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.
Portland
Referred to as "The City of Roses", Portland is the largest city in Oregon. It sits on the banks of the Columbia River and offers breathtaking views of Mount Hood when the weather allows. Portland is famous for its alternative vibe, live music scene, and popular microbreweries. It's also a mecca for environmentally conscious urban planning. The downtown area is quite compact and walkable. While the city itself may be smaller than you expect, it is still the largest metropolitan area between San Francisco and Seattle.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint John $192Portland $180
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint John is $192, while the average daily cost in Portland is $180. 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 Portland in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint John $106Portland $97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint John $212Portland $194
Compare Hotels in Saint John and Portland
Looking for a hotel in Saint John or Portland? 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: Portland Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint John $49Portland $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Portland
Also for Portland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Lake Oswego to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $71
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Beaverton hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $75
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Lake Oswego - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $142
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Tigard hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $151
- Portland International Airport - Private transfer from/to Oregon City: $127
- Portland downtown to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $61
- Private Transfer from Portland Airport (PDX) to Astoria Port: $88
- Tigard hotel or address to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $75
- Waterfall Express -PDX: Waterfall Trolley Tickets + Transfer: $60
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint John or Portland?
Prices for flights to both Portland 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 $56Portland $43
Typical Food Prices in Portland
For Portland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Afternoon Drinks (for 2)$9.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Portland
For Portland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Walking Pizza Tour: $75
- Secret Food Tour with Local Guide: $94
- Brunch on Mississippi Food Tour: $95
- Downtown Portland Food Tour : $99
- Downtown Food Tour: $102
- Mississippi Avenue Walking Food Tour: $105
- The Vibrant Kerns Hood Food Tour: $105
- The Bustling Buckman Hood Food Tour: $105
- Portland Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $109
- Mississippi Avenue Walking Food Tour: $110
- All-Inclusive Downtown Portland Food Tour: $119
- All-Inclusive Walking Food Tour: $119
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint John $23Portland $24
Tours and Activities in Saint John
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- St. John: A Private Island Adventure Tour & Trunk Bay Beach: $627
- USVI: Island & Beach Tours in St. Thomas & St. John (2 Days): $199
Tours and Activities in Portland
For Portland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Smartphone Old Port Portland, ME Audio Walking Tour APP/GPS: $6.75
- Portland, Maine: Walking Tour Audio Guide: $8.49
- Downtown Portland In-App Audio Tour (ENG): $9.00
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure Smartphone Audio Guide: $10
- Waterfront Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $13
- Downtown Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Walking Tour: $13
- Portland (Along the Waterfront) Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Tour: $13
- Portland Exploration: Self-Guided Driving & Walking Tour: $14
- Self-Guided Sightseeing Driving Audio Tour: $15
- Portland Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
- Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Portland, Oregon: $23
- Smartphone-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Portland: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint John $44Portland $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Portland
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Portland:
- Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Brewery Tastings: $40
- Portland Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $40
- Weird Bar Crawl with Fanatical Local: $59
- Guided Bike Tour with Brewery Visits: $65
- Portland, Maine: Old Port Brewery & Pub Walking Tour: $89
- Portland, Maine: Local Brewery & Spirits Bus Tour: $99
- Afternoon Tour in Columbia Gorge Waterfall with Free Wine Tasting: $111
- Waterfalls, Mt Hood, and Wine Tour (Tasting Fees Included): $135
- Silver Falls Hike and Wine Tour: $179
- Willamette Valley Wine Tasting from Portland: $189
- Bed and Breakfast Wine Tour - Small Group, Joinable/Sharable: $198
- From Willamette Valley Full-Day Wine Tour: $210
When comparing the travel costs between Saint John and Portland, 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 Portland 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 Portland Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Saint John or Portland?
Portland 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 Portland in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Saint John as well as Portland. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Portland because of the hiking, the small town charm, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Saint John is a little warmer than Portland in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint John averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Portland fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
Saint John usually gets more rain in July than Portland. Saint John gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Portland receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint John 29°C (83°F)Portland 68°F (20°C)
Should I visit Saint John or Portland in the Autumn?
Both Portland and Saint John are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Portland this time of year.
In the autumn, Saint John is much warmer than Portland. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint John in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Portland averages at about 55°F (13°C).
It's quite rainy in Saint John. In October, Saint John usually receives more rain than Portland. Saint John gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Portland receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint John 28°C (82°F)Portland 55°F (13°C)
Should I visit Saint John or Portland in the Winter?
Both Portland and Saint John during the winter 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 travelers come to Portland for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Portland. In January, Saint John is generally much warmer than Portland. Daily temperatures in Saint John average around 26°C (78°F), and Portland fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).
Portland gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saint John usually gets less rain in January than Portland. Saint John gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Portland receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint John 26°C (78°F)Portland 40°F (4°C)
Should I visit Saint John or Portland in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John and Portland. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Portland in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.
Saint John is much warmer than Portland in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint John averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and Portland fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
In April, Saint John usually receives more rain than Portland. Saint John gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Portland receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint John 27°C (80°F)Portland 51°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Portland and Saint John
| Saint John | Portland | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 40°F (4°C) | 5.2 inches (132 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 47°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 69°F (20°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.7 inches (44 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) | 46°F (8°C) | 5.4 inches (136 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 40°F (5°C) | 6.1 inches (156 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.