Which place is cheaper, Hilo 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 Hilo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint John's or Hilo? 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 Hilo?
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.
Hilo
Hilo is a town on the Big Island of Hawaii. It is also the county seat and largest city in Hawaii County, so many people use it as the starting point to explore the eastern half of the island. The town has a population of just over 40,000 people. It looks out over Hilo Bay and most of the town's development is between Hilo Bay and Waiakea-Uka near the active volcano of Mauna Loa. Hilo is where you will find the University of Hawaii at Hilo, Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii, the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corportation and Hilo International Airport.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint John's $222Hilo $171
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint John's is $222, while the average daily cost in Hilo is $171. 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 Hilo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint John's $120Hilo $71
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint John's $240Hilo $142
Compare Hotels in Saint John's and Hilo
Looking for a hotel in Saint John's or Hilo? 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: Hilo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint John's $17Hilo $25
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:
- Antigua&BarbudaV.C.Bird Airport(ANU)to island hotels-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $255
- Biggvee Premium Airport One Way Transfer: $200
- Private Roundtrip Airport Transfers & Tour in Antigua & Barbuda: $200
- Airport Transfers to Antigua Hotels/Resorts: $170
- Antigua V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to Island - Round-Trip Transfer : $156
- 3-Hours Stingray City - Transfer, Spanish-Italian Guide Included: $155
- Private Airport Transfers 1- 2 Pax Zone D: Hotels: $130
- Private Airport Transfers 1- 2 Pax. Zone C: Hotels: $120
- Private Transfer from Antigua & Barbuda V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to island: $113
- Antigua - VIP Fast Track On Arrival ONLY And Round Trip Transfer : $99
- Private Round Trip Transfer From Antigua Airport To NonSuch Bay: $99
- Luxury Airport transfer from or to Antigua Airport : $85
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hilo
Also for Hilo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Transfer: Kona International Airport (KOA) to Hotels - Big Island: $15
- Departure Transfer from Hotels to Kona International Airport: $15
- Kailua-Kona to Kona Airport at Keahole Private Departure Transfer: $58
- Kona International Airport (KOA) to Kailua-Kona - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $116
- Kona Intl Airport (KOA) to Waikoloa beach hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $151
- Kona Intl. Airport (KOA) to Waikoloa beach hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $75
- Luxury Private Airport Transfer : $75
- Private Arrival Transfer: Kona International Airport to Big Island Hotels: $169
- Private Departure Transfer: Big Island Hotels to Kona International Airport: $169
- Private Transfer From Hotels in Kailua-Kona to Kona International Airport: $70
- Private Transfer From Hotels in Waikoloa & Waimea to Kona International Airport: $85
- Private Transfer From Kona International Airport to Hotels in Kailua-Kona: $75
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint John's or Hilo?
Prices for flights to both Hilo 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 $68Hilo $70
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hilo
For Hilo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Farm to Table Cooking Class at Kulaniapia Falls: $169
- French Hawaiian Fusion Cooking Class: $175
- Historical Dinner Cruise to Kealakekua Bay: $183
- Farm-to-Table Chef's Dinner at Kulaniapia Falls: $199
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint John's $103Hilo $32
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
Tours and Activities in Hilo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Hilo.
- Baumkuchen Farm Tour: $5.00
- History and Legends Walking Tour with a Smartphone App: $6.50
- Big Island - Kohala Coast & Backcountry Driving Tour: $9.99
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $17
- Big Island Hawaii Self-Guided Driving Tour: $17
- Big Island - North Island Jungle Driving Tour: $20
- Big Island - South Island Coastal Loop Driving Tour: $20
- Big Island - Kona Big Kahuna GPS Driving Tour: $20
- Hawaiian Rainforest Banana Cultivation Experience: $20
- Abalone Farm Tour: $25
- Big Island Farms Tour in Hawaii: $30
- Experience Our Honey Farm And Beekeeping Tour: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint John's $18Hilo $10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint John's and Hilo, we can see that Saint John's is more expensive. And not only is Hilo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint John's is in Caribbean Islands and Hilo 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 Hilo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hilo 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 Hilo.
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 Hilo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint John's or Hilo?
Hilo has a larger population, and is about 78% larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Saint John's and Hilo, 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 Hilo?
Hilo 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 Hilo in the Summer?
Both Hilo and Saint John's during the summer 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, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Hilo this time of year.
In the summer, Saint John's is a little warmer than Hilo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint John's in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Hilo averages at about 76°F (24°C).
It's quite sunny in Saint John's. In the summer, Saint John's often gets more sunshine than Hilo. Saint John's gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hilo receives 169 hours of full sun.
Hilo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually gets less rain in July than Hilo. Saint John's gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Hilo receives 9.7 inches (247 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint John's 27°C (81°F)Hilo 76°F (24°C)
Should I visit Saint John's or Hilo in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John's and Hilo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round. Also, many travelers come to Hilo for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Saint John's is generally around the same temperature as Hilo. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 27°C (80°F), and Hilo fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).
In Saint John's, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint John's usually receives more sunshine than Hilo during autumn. Saint John's gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Hilo receives 138 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Hilo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Saint John's usually receives less rain than Hilo. Saint John's gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Hilo receives 9.8 inches (248 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint John's 27°C (80°F)Hilo 76°F (24°C)
Should I visit Saint John's or Hilo in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Saint John's as well as Hilo. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Hilo in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Saint John's is around the same temperature as Hilo in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Hilo fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint John's this time of the year. In the winter, Saint John's often gets more sunshine than Hilo. Saint John's gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hilo receives 158 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Hilo. Saint John's usually gets less rain in January than Hilo. Saint John's gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Hilo receives 8.7 inches (221 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint John's 24°C (76°F)Hilo 72°F (22°C)
Should I visit Saint John's or Hilo in the Spring?
Both Hilo and Saint John's are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Hilo for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Saint John's is a little warmer than Hilo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint John's in April average around 26°C (78°F), and Hilo averages at about 73°F (23°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually receives more sunshine than Hilo during spring. Saint John's gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Hilo receives 134 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Hilo. It's quite rainy in Saint John's. In April, Saint John's usually receives less rain than Hilo. Saint John's gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Hilo receives 15.6 inches (395 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint John's 26°C (78°F)Hilo 73°F (23°C)
Typical Weather for Hilo and Saint John's
| Saint John's | Hilo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 8.7 inches (221 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 10.8 inches (274 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 13.6 inches (345 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 15.6 inches (395 mm) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 10.7 inches (272 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 9.7 inches (247 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) | 76°F (25°C) | 9.7 inches (247 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 76°F (25°C) | 8.5 inches (215 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 9.8 inches (248 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 14.8 inches (375 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 12.6 inches (321 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.