Which place is cheaper, Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint John's or Ketchikan? 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 Ketchikan?
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.
Ketchikan
Ketchikan, Alaska is located at the southern end of the well-known Alaskan inside passage. It is often called the beginning of the last frontier, because of it's location near the southern entrance of Alaska. It is a beautiful and quaint town, that leaves you feeling like you may have gone back in time with its storefront lined streets and natural beauty. Ketchikan has been called some of the most beautifully stunning wilderness area in the world. It is known as the Salmon Capital of the World due to the superior century old fishing industry in the area. The Native Culture in Ketchikan is extremely rich and it is home to the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian tribes. The nearby Tongass rainforest provides red cedar trees for the popular totem poles, which are abundant in the area.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint John's $222Ketchikan $220
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint John's is $222, while the average daily cost in Ketchikan is $220. 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 Ketchikan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint John's $120Ketchikan $136
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint John's $240Ketchikan $272
Compare Hotels in Saint John's and Ketchikan
Looking for a hotel in Saint John's or Ketchikan? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint John's $17Ketchikan $39
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:
- 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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ketchikan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ketchikan are as follows:
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Bus Ride$1.00
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint John's or Ketchikan?
Prices for flights to both Ketchikan 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 $68Ketchikan $53
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 Ketchikan
Some typical examples of dining costs in Ketchikan are as follows:
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Slice of Pie & Drink$5.00
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint John's $103Ketchikan $46
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:
- 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 Ketchikan
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Ketchikan are as follows:
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Ticket to Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show$35
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Duck Tour (one person)$38
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Bear Viewing Tour$83
Tours and Activities in Ketchikan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ketchikan are as follows:
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Husky Walking Tour: $49
- City Highlights Totem Parks and Sightseeing: $59
- Saxman Native Village and Ketchikan Highlights Private Tour: $69
- 2.5 Hour Tour in Ketchikan on the Tongass Trolley: $72
- Ketchikan Duck Tour: $75
- Totem Pole, Wildlife & City Trolley Tour: $85
- 2 Hour Alaska Rainforest Walk and Totem Park Small Group Tour: $85
- From Potlatch Totem Park and Herring Cove Tour: $85
- Alaska Native Cultural Immersion Experience and Ketchikan Tour: $89
- Alaska Native Cultural Immersion Experience: $89
- Cruisin' and Boozin' - 90 minute Historical Walking Tour of Sites and Bars: $95
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint John's $18Ketchikan $23
When comparing the travel costs between Saint John's and Ketchikan, 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 Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint John's or Ketchikan?
Saint John's has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Ketchikan. When comparing the sizes of Saint John's and Ketchikan, 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 Ketchikan?
Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John's and Ketchikan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Ketchikan for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Saint John's is generally much warmer than Ketchikan. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 27°C (81°F), and Ketchikan fluctuates around 58°F (15°C).
Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan. Saint John's gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 7.6 inches (193 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint John's 27°C (81°F)Ketchikan 58°F (15°C)
Should I visit Saint John's or Ketchikan in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Saint John's as well as Ketchikan. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Ketchikan in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
Saint John's is much warmer than Ketchikan in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 27°C (80°F) in October, and Ketchikan fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).
It's quite rainy in Ketchikan. Saint John's receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Saint John's usually gets less rain in October than Ketchikan. Saint John's gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 22.9 inches (581 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint John's 27°C (80°F)Ketchikan 46°F (8°C)
Should I visit Saint John's or Ketchikan in the Winter?
Both Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Ketchikan can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Saint John's is much warmer than Ketchikan. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint John's in January average around 24°C (76°F), and Ketchikan averages at about 34°F (1°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Ketchikan. In January, Saint John's usually receives less rain than Ketchikan. Saint John's gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 14.9 inches (379 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint John's 24°C (76°F)Ketchikan 34°F (1°C)
Should I visit Saint John's or Ketchikan in the Spring?
Both Ketchikan 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 spring months attract visitors to Ketchikan because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.
In April, Saint John's is generally much warmer than Ketchikan. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 26°C (78°F), and Ketchikan fluctuates around 44°F (6°C).
Ketchikan 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 April than Ketchikan. Saint John's gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 11.3 inches (286 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint John's 26°C (78°F)Ketchikan 44°F (6°C)
Typical Weather for Ketchikan and Saint John's
| Saint John's | Ketchikan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 34°F (1°C) | 14.9 inches (379 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 38°F (3°C) | 13.2 inches (335 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 39°F (4°C) | 10.6 inches (270 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) | 44°F (6°C) | 11.3 inches (286 mm) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 49°F (9°C) | 9.3 inches (237 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 8.2 inches (209 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 7.6 inches (193 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 11.1 inches (281 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 13.2 inches (335 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 46°F (8°C) | 22.9 inches (581 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 40°F (4°C) | 17.3 inches (441 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 36°F (2°C) | 15.7 inches (398 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.