A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint John's vs. Beaufort for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Saint John's or Beaufort?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Saint John's or Beaufort? 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 Beaufort?

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.

Beaufort

The second oldest city in South Carolina (next to Charleston), Beaufort was charted in 1711 and grew from a shipbuilding community to a slave society of elite planters and finally to the small southern town as it sits today. Beaufort's historic character and architecture has made it a popular tourist destination with much to offer in sightseeing, seaside activities, and maritime history.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Beaufort or Saint John's?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint John's is $222, while the average daily cost in Beaufort is $131. 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 Beaufort in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint John's $120
    Beaufort $100
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint John's $240
    Beaufort $200
Compare Hotels in Saint John's and Beaufort

Looking for a hotel in Saint John's or Beaufort? 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 Johns


Hotels in Beaufort


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: Beaufort Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint John's $17
    Beaufort -
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
  • Private One-Way Antigua Airport Transfer To/From Antigua: $45
  • Shared Roundtrip Taxi Transfer from Antigua Airport to Royalton Antigua Resort: $45
  • Airport Transfer from/to all resorts in Antigua - Water Inc.: $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: $77
  • Antigua&Barbuda V.C.Bird Airport(ANU) to island Private Transfer: $77
  • Private Transfer from St. John's Port to Antigua Island Hotels: $78
  • Antigua VC Bird Airport to Island Hotels Private Arrival Transfer: $82
  • Antigua - VIP Fast Track On Arrival ONLY And Round Trip Transfer : $99

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint John's or Beaufort?

Prices for flights to both Beaufort 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 day
    Saint John's $68
    Beaufort $31

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint John's $103
    Beaufort -
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
  • 2-Hours Stingray City Experience in Antigua: $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

Tours and Activities in Beaufort

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

  • Historic City Tour by Bus: $29
  • Pat Conroy's Beaufort Tour by Golf Cart: $40
  • Gullah Heritage Tour: $49
  • Beaufort Tipsy Tour: $55

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint John's $18
    Beaufort -


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint John's and Beaufort, we can see that Saint John's is more expensive. And not only is Beaufort much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint John's is in Caribbean Islands and Beaufort 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 Beaufort would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beaufort 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 Saint John's would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John's than you might in Beaufort.

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 Beaufort Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Saint John's or Beaufort?

Saint John's has a larger population, and is about 98% larger than the population of Beaufort. When comparing the sizes of Saint John's and Beaufort, 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 Beaufort?

Beaufort 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 Beaufort in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John's and Beaufort. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Beaufort in the summer for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint John's is generally around the same temperature as Beaufort. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 27°C (81°F), and Beaufort fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beaufort this time of the year. In Saint John's, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint John's usually receives less sunshine than Beaufort during summer. Saint John's gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Beaufort receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.

Beaufort receives a lot of rain in the summer. Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Saint John's usually receives less rain than Beaufort. Saint John's gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Beaufort receives 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint John's 27°C (81°F) 
    Beaufort 82°F (28°C)

Should I visit Saint John's or Beaufort in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint John's as well as Beaufort. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Beaufort for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Saint John's is a little warmer than Beaufort in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 27°C (80°F) in October, and Beaufort fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beaufort. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint John's this time of the year. In the autumn, Saint John's often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Beaufort. Saint John's gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beaufort receives 223 hours of full sun.

Saint John's receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Saint John's usually gets more rain in October than Beaufort. Saint John's gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Beaufort receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint John's 27°C (80°F) 
    Beaufort 68°F (20°C)

Should I visit Saint John's or Beaufort in the Winter?

Both Beaufort 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 winter months attract visitors to Beaufort because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Saint John's is much warmer than Beaufort. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint John's in January average around 24°C (76°F), and Beaufort averages at about 48°F (9°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually receives more sunshine than Beaufort during winter. Saint John's gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Beaufort receives 176 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Beaufort. Saint John's gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Beaufort receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint John's 24°C (76°F) 
    Beaufort 48°F (9°C)

Should I visit Saint John's or Beaufort in the Spring?

Both Beaufort 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. Also, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Beaufort this time of year.

In April, Saint John's is generally a little warmer than Beaufort. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 26°C (78°F), and Beaufort fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

In Beaufort, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint John's. In the spring, Saint John's often gets less sunshine than Beaufort. Saint John's gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beaufort receives 275 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually gets more rain in April than Beaufort. Saint John's gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Beaufort receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint John's 26°C (78°F) 
    Beaufort 67°F (19°C)

Typical Weather for Beaufort and Saint John's

Saint John's Beaufort
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 48°F (9°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 52°F (11°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Mar 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 58°F (15°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm)
Apr 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in) 67°F (19°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm)
May 27°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 73°F (23°C) 4.2 inches (107 mm)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 80°F (26°C) 5.9 inches (150 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 82°F (28°C) 7.9 inches (200 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in) 81°F (27°C) 6.5 inches (164 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in) 77°F (25°C) 5.6 inches (141 mm)
Oct 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in) 68°F (20°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in) 59°F (15°C) 1.9 inches (49 mm)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 52°F (11°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)