Which place is cheaper, Fairbanks or Saint John's?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint John's or Fairbanks?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint John's or Fairbanks? 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 Fairbanks?
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.
Fairbanks
Fairbanks is the only 'city' in the interior region of Alaska, and the largest settlement for hundreds of miles, but it has many characteristics of a small town where everyone seems to know everyone. Because the city sits at the nexus of some truly epic routes - north to the Arctic, east to Canada and south to Denali - you'll almost inevitably end up spending time here, and that time is rarely boring. The residential streets of compact downtown are pretty as a picture, and during winter, this is ground zero for viewing the aurora borealis.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint John's $222Fairbanks $272
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint John's is $222, while the average daily cost in Fairbanks is $272. 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 Fairbanks in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint John's $120Fairbanks $154
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint John's $240Fairbanks $308
Compare Hotels in Saint John's and Fairbanks
Looking for a hotel in Saint John's or Fairbanks? 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: Fairbanks Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint John's $17Fairbanks $66
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint John's
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint John's:
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Local Bus$1.52
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Taxi From Airport$6.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint John's
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint John's:
- VIP Meet and Greet Fast Track on Arrival at Antigua Airport - without Transfers : $74
- Shared Roundtrip Taxi Transfer from Antigua Airport to Royalton Antigua Resort: $45
- Round-Trip Transfer between Antigua Airport and Antigua Hotels: $32
- Private Transfer from St. John's Port to Antigua Island Hotels: $79
- Private Transfer from St. John's Port to Antigua Airport (ANU): $50
- Private Transfer from Antigua Airport (ANU) to St. John's Port: $50
- Private Transfer from Antigua & Barbuda V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to island: $113
- Private Roundtrip Airport Transfers & Tour in Antigua & Barbuda: $200
- Private Round Trip Transfer From Antigua Airport To NonSuch Bay: $99
- Private One-Way Antigua Airport Transfer To/From Antigua: $45
- Private Airport Transfers to Antigua and Barbuda: $60
- Private Airport Transfers 1- 2 Pax. Zone C: Hotels: $120
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Fairbanks
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Fairbanks:
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Full Tank of Gas$90
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint John's or Fairbanks?
Prices for flights to both Fairbanks 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
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Food Meals for one daySaint John's $68Fairbanks $63
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 Fairbanks
For Fairbanks, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two at Pike's Landing$63
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Totem Inn Breakfast for Two$46
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fairbanks
For Fairbanks, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Best Northern Lights Aurora Adventure FREE Portraits & Hot Pizza : $300
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint John's $103Fairbanks $65
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:
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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:
- 6-Hours Guided Stingray Tour in the East Coast of Antigua: $161
- Adventure Antigua - Eli's Original Eco Tour: $125
- Adventure Antigua - The Xtreme Circumnavigation: $190
- Adventure Power Boat Tour Antigua and Private Laviscount Island: $170
- Animal Lovers Dream Tour: $180
- Antigua Historical Sites Island Tour: $75
- Antigua Reef Riders Self-Drive Boat and Snorkeling Tour: $180
- Antigua Round Island Tour: $85
- Antigua Seafood Lunch Cruise From St. John's: $135
- Antigua Shore Excursion: City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
- Antigua Shore Excursion: Round Island Tour: $110
- Antigua Sunset Catamaran Cruise From St. John's: $116
Typical Entertainment Prices in Fairbanks
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Fairbanks's activities, tours, and tickets:
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The Riverboat Discovery Trip$55
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1 Day Mountain Bike Rental$27
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Canoe Rental with Pickup$56
Tours and Activities in Fairbanks
For Fairbanks, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Fairbanks, AK: Murder Mystery Detective Experience: $15
- Gold Dredge 8 Historic Train Tour: $58
- Riverboat Cruise and Local Village Tour: $95
- Dog Sledding and Mushing Experience in North Pole: $99
- Summer Mushing Cart Ride & Kennel Tour: $100
- Dog Sledding and Mushing Experience: $105
- From Northern Lights & Murphy Dome Tour: $120
- Aurora Chaser Tour: $125
- Budget Aurora Borealis tour, Fairbanks, Alaska : $125
- 3 Hour Ice Fishing Experience: $135
- Fairbanks Heritage Sightseeing Tour: $140
- Fairbanks Autumn/Winter City Tour: $140
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint John's $18Fairbanks $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint John's and Fairbanks, we can see that Fairbanks is more expensive. And not only is Saint John's much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint John's is in Caribbean Islands and Fairbanks 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 Saint John's would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint John's 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 Fairbanks would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fairbanks than you might in Saint John's.
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 Fairbanks Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint John's or Fairbanks?
Fairbanks has a larger population, and is about 25% larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Saint John's and Fairbanks, 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 Fairbanks?
Fairbanks 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 Fairbanks in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Saint John's as well as Fairbanks. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Fairbanks this time of year.
In the summer, Saint John's is much warmer than Fairbanks. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint John's in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Fairbanks averages at about 64°F (18°C).
Saint John's receives a lot of rain in the summer. Saint John's usually gets more rain in July than Fairbanks. Saint John's gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 2 inches (51 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint John's 27°C (81°F)Fairbanks 64°F (18°C)
Should I visit Saint John's or Fairbanks in the Autumn?
Both Fairbanks and Saint John's are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Fairbanks for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Fairbanks. In October, Saint John's is generally much warmer than Fairbanks. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 27°C (80°F), and Fairbanks fluctuates around 27°F (-3°C).
It's quite rainy in Saint John's. In October, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Fairbanks. Saint John's gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint John's 27°C (80°F)Fairbanks 27°F (-3°C)
Should I visit Saint John's or Fairbanks in the Winter?
Both Fairbanks and Saint John's during the winter 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 visitors come to Fairbanks in the winter for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Fairbanks can get quite cold in the winter. Saint John's is much warmer than Fairbanks in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Fairbanks fluctuates around -9°F (-23°C).
Saint John's usually gets more rain in January than Fairbanks. Saint John's gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint John's 24°C (76°F)Fairbanks -9°F (-23°C)
Should I visit Saint John's or Fairbanks in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John's and Fairbanks. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Fairbanks for the natural beauty during these months.
Fairbanks can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Saint John's is much warmer than Fairbanks. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint John's in April average around 26°C (78°F), and Fairbanks averages at about 32°F (0°C).
Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Fairbanks. Saint John's gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint John's 26°C (78°F)Fairbanks 32°F (0°C)
Typical Weather for Fairbanks and Saint John's
| Saint John's | Fairbanks | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | -9°F (-23°C) | 0.5 inches (13 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | -2°F (-19°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 13°F (-11°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) | 32°F (0°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 50°F (10°C) | 0.6 inches (16 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 62°F (16°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 4°F (-15°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | -5°F (-21°C) | 0.9 inches (23 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.