Which place is cheaper, Bar Harbor or Saint John's?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Saint John's or Bar Harbor?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint John's or Bar Harbor? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Saint John's or Bar Harbor?
Saint John's
If you've been to St. John's, Antigua, you were likely on a cruise - which means you likely did not have enough time to truly experience the magic of this tiny island getaway.
St. Johns is the capital of the tiny islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Located on Antigua, this tropical city lives up to its status as a tropical paradise. With 365 beaches on the island, you can enjoy the luxury of lounging in the sand every day of the year.
Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor is a seafront town located on Mount Desert Island just off the coast of Maine. The Wabanaki Indians who seasonally fished, hunted and gathered berries, clams, and other shellfish in the area, called it the ‘clam-gathering' or ‘clambake' place. Eventually the area was settled by Europeans who established industries in fishing, lumbering, shipbuilding, and agriculture. Its maritime scenery even attracted artists of the Hudson River School like Thomas Cole, and the area soon became a seasonal resort for the affluent, comparable to that of Newport, Rhode Island.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint John's $222Bar Harbor $202
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint John's is $222, while the average daily cost in Bar Harbor is $202. 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's and Bar Harbor in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint John's $120Bar Harbor $117
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint John's $240Bar Harbor $234
Compare Hotels in Saint John's and Bar Harbor
Looking for a hotel in Saint John's or Bar Harbor? 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: Bar Harbor Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint John's $17Bar Harbor $35
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint John's
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint John's:
-
Local Bus$1.52
-
Taxi From Airport$6.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint John's
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint John's:
- Round-Trip Transfer between Antigua Airport and Antigua Hotels: $32
- Shared Roundtrip Taxi Transfer from Antigua Airport to Royalton Antigua Resort: $45
- Private One-Way Antigua Airport Transfer To/From Antigua: $45
- Private Transfer from St. John's Port to Antigua Airport (ANU): $50
- Private Transfer from Antigua Airport (ANU) to St. John's Port: $50
- Airport Transfer from/to all resorts in Antigua - Water Inc.: $60
- Antigua Airport Private Roundtrip Transfer to and from Royalton Antigua Resort: $60
- Private Airport Transfers to Antigua and Barbuda: $60
- Biggvee Airport Roundtrip Transfer: $70
- VIP Meet and Greet Fast Track on Arrival at Antigua Airport - without Transfers : $74
- Island to Antigua&Barbuda V.C.Bird Airport(ANU)- Private Transfer: $78
- Antigua&Barbuda V.C.Bird Airport(ANU) to island Private Transfer: $78
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint John's or Bar Harbor?
Prices for flights to both Bar Harbor and Saint John's 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 daySaint John's $68Bar Harbor $57
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint John's
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint John's.
- City Lime Food Tour: Taste our culture on Antigua's only food tour in the city!: $105
- Discover the Flavors of St. Johns Food Tour: $125
- Private Art Tour or Food Tour: $150
Typical Food Prices in Bar Harbor
Some typical examples of dining costs in Bar Harbor are as follows:
-
West Street Cafe (for 4)$70
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint John's $103Bar Harbor $39
Typical Entertainment Prices in Saint John's
Here are a few typical costs in Saint John's for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Entrance to the Museum of Antigua & Barbu$3.00
Tours and Activities in Saint John's
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John's for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Chariot City Tour Antigua: $20
- Antigua Shore Excursion: City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
- City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
- Cultural and Historical Home Tour in The Antiguan Experience : $66
- Glenmon taxi and tours: $70
- Small-Group Hiking Experience in Antigua: $70
- Stingray City Experience Antigua - ONLY TICKET: $73
- Antigua Historical Sites Island Tour: $75
- Kayak Eco Adventures Glass Kayak Nature and Snorkeling Tour: $75
- Authentic Antiguan Experience: $79
- Nightlife Tour of Antigua and Barbuda: $80
- TRIPLE ACTIVITY TOUR, Bike Kayak Hike, ANTIGUA : $80
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bar Harbor
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bar Harbor are as follows:
-
Acadia National Park Entrance Fee$25
-
Sunset Cruise (for 4)$96
Tours and Activities in Bar Harbor
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bar Harbor are as follows:
- Self Guided GPS Audio Driving Tour Acadia NP From Hulls Cove VC: $7.60
- Ocean Path: Acadia Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $12
- Historic Self-Guided Audio Guide Tour: $13
- Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Acadia National Park: $13
- Acadia Mount Desert Island Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
- Acadia National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour: $15
- Acadia's Ocean Path Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $15
- Historic Bar Harbor Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour Guide: $15
- Ultimate Acadia National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $17
- Acadia NP & Bar Harbor Self-Guided Driving and Walking Tour: $21
- Acadia National Park & Bar Harbor Self-Guided Driving & Walking Tour: $25
- 90-minute Ghost Walking Tour in Bar Harbor: $30
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint John's $18Bar Harbor $30
When comparing the travel costs between Saint John's and Bar Harbor, we can see that Saint John's 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's is in Caribbean Islands and Bar Harbor 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's Expensive? and Is Bar Harbor Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint John's or Bar Harbor?
Saint John's has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Saint John's and Bar Harbor, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Saint John's or Bar Harbor?
Bar Harbor has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John's experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Saint John's or Bar Harbor in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John's and Bar Harbor. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round. Also, most visitors come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Saint John's is generally a little warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 27°C (81°F), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).
Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Bar Harbor. Saint John's gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint John's 27°C (81°F)Bar Harbor 69°F (21°C)
Should I visit Saint John's or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Saint John's as well as Bar Harbor. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Bar Harbor because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
Saint John's is much warmer than Bar Harbor in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 27°C (80°F) in October, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).
Saint John's receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Saint John's usually gets more rain in October than Bar Harbor. Saint John's gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint John's 27°C (80°F)Bar Harbor 48°F (9°C)
Should I visit Saint John's or Bar Harbor in the Winter?
Both Bar Harbor and Saint John's are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's throughout the year. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Bar Harbor this time of year.
It's quite cold in Bar Harbor in the winter. In the winter, Saint John's is much warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint John's in January average around 24°C (76°F), and Bar Harbor averages at about 18°F (-8°C).
In January, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Bar Harbor. Saint John's gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint John's 24°C (76°F)Bar Harbor 18°F (-8°C)
Should I visit Saint John's or Bar Harbor in the Spring?
Both Bar Harbor and Saint John's during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John's because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.
In April, Saint John's is generally much warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 26°C (78°F), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually gets more rain in April than Bar Harbor. Saint John's gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint John's 26°C (78°F)Bar Harbor 43°F (6°C)
Typical Weather for Bar Harbor and Saint John's
| Saint John's | Bar Harbor | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 18°F (-8°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 20°F (-6°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 3.4 inches (85 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 69°F (21°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) | 67°F (20°C) | 3.4 inches (85 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 48°F (9°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 37°F (3°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 24°F (-5°C) | 4 inches (100 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.