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

Should you visit Saint John's or Durham?

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

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

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.

Durham

Durham is a city in central North Carolina with about 230,000 residents. Together with Raleigh and Chapel Hill, it forms the Research Triangle area. Durham is often referred to as the "City of Medicine" and is home to the famous Duke University.

Durham's history is rooted in tobacco. The Duke family established American Tobacco, which controlled 90% of all cigarette production in the US during the second half of the 19th century. The family donated money to Trinity College, which changed its name to Duke University in 1924.

Today much of Durham's economy is centered around the university and Research Triangle Park. The area has many technology and pharmaceutical jobs and the economy continues to grow.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.


Which place is cheaper, Durham 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 Durham is $162. 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 Durham in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint John's $120
    Durham $92
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint John's $240
    Durham $184
Compare Hotels in Saint John's and Durham

Looking for a hotel in Saint John's or Durham? 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 Durham


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: Durham Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint John's $17
    Durham $33
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 Durham?

Prices for flights to both Durham 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
    Durham $44

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
    Durham $26
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

Tours and Activities in Durham

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

  • True Crime Tour: $13
  • Downtown Durham Historian-Guided Walking Tour: $16
  • Durham African American History Tour: $16
  • Durham NC: Art Walking Tour: $20

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint John's $18
    Durham $34


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint John's and Durham, we can see that Saint John's is more expensive. And not only is Durham much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint John's is in Caribbean Islands and Durham 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 Durham would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Durham 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 Durham.

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 Durham Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Saint John's or Durham?

Durham has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Saint John's and Durham, 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 Durham?

Durham 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 Durham in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John's and Durham. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round. Also, many travelers come to Durham for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saint John's is around the same temperature as Durham. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint John's in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Durham averages at about 79°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Durham this time of the year. In Saint John's, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint John's usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Durham during summer. Saint John's gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Durham receives 259 hours of full sun in the summer.

Durham 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 more rain than Durham. Saint John's gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Durham receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint John's 27°C (81°F) 
    Durham 79°F (26°C)

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint John's as well as Durham. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Durham in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, Saint John's is generally much warmer than Durham. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 27°C (80°F), and Durham fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Durham. 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 Durham. Saint John's gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Durham receives 211 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 Durham. Saint John's gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Durham receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint John's 27°C (80°F) 
    Durham 61°F (16°C)

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

Both Durham 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, most visitors come to Durham for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Durham can be very cold during winter. Saint John's is much warmer than Durham in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Durham fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually receives more sunshine than Durham during winter. Saint John's gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Durham receives 162 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint John's usually receives around the same amount of rain as Durham. Saint John's gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Durham receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint John's 24°C (76°F) 
    Durham 40°F (5°C)

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

Both Durham 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.

In the spring, Saint John's is much warmer than Durham. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint John's in April average around 26°C (78°F), and Durham averages at about 60°F (16°C).

In Durham, 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 around the same amount of sunshine as Durham. Saint John's gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Durham receives 251 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 Durham. Saint John's gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Durham receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint John's 26°C (78°F) 
    Durham 60°F (16°C)

Typical Weather for Durham and Saint John's

Saint John's Durham
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 40°F (5°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 43°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Mar 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 52°F (11°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Apr 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in) 60°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm)
May 27°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 68°F (20°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 76°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 79°F (26°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in) 78°F (26°C) 4.9 inches (125 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in) 73°F (23°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
Oct 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in) 61°F (16°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in) 53°F (11°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm)