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

Should you visit Saint John's or Key West?

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

Should I visit Saint John's or Key West? 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 Key West?

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.

Key West

Key West is both a city and an island as well as the southern most Florida Key. It is also the southern most city in the continental United States. The island is only about four miles long and one mile wide. The total land mass covers just 4.2 square miles. The most famous street in town is Duval Street, which runs just 1.1 miles from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean. There are 14 blocks. The size of the island doubled during the 1950s when many of the salt ponds along the eastern side of the island were filled in.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.


Which place is cheaper, Key West 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 Key West is $551. 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 Key West in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint John's $120
    Key West $132
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint John's $240
    Key West $264
Compare Hotels in Saint John's and Key West

Looking for a hotel in Saint John's or Key West? 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 Key West


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: Key West Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint John's $17
    Key West $51
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

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Key West

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Key West:


  • Rental Car for One Day
    $38

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Key West

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Key West:

  • Key West Airport (EYW) to Key West - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $129
  • Key West Int Airport (EYW) to Key West - Arrival Private Transfer: $64
  • Key West Int Airport (EYW) to Key West hotels Round-Trip Transfer: $129
  • Key West hotels to Key West Int Airport (EYW) Departure Transfer: $64
  • Key West to Key West Airport (EYW) - Departure Private Transfer: $64
  • Marathon/ Key Largo to Fort Lauderdale Airport(FLL) - Departure Private Transfer: $109
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Key West Airport EYW: $144
  • Private Transfer from Key West Cruise Port to Key West hotels: $38
  • Private Transfer from Key West Int Airport to Key West Port: $38

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

Prices for flights to both Key West 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
    Key West $385

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 Key West

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Key West.

  • Sunset Dinner Cruise with Open Bar & Live Music: $81
  • Key West Sunset Cruise: Dinner and Drinks Included: $93
  • Southernmost Food & Cultural Walking Tour by Key West Food Tours: $93
  • Historic Seaport Food & Walking Tour by Key West Food Tours: $93
  • Old Town Secret Food Tour: $107
  • Sunset Sail Full Bar, Live Music & Dinner & Early Morning Snorkeling: $160
  • Snorkeling, Sunset Dinner Cruise & Open Bar: $200

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint John's $103
    Key West $33
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 Key West

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

  • Self-guided old town treasures walking tour: $6.99
  • Key West's Self Guided Ghost Walking Tours Smartphone Navigated on WalknTours: $7.75
  • Florida Keys: Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.49
  • Audio Tours to Walk, Bike, or Drive in Key West: $9.99
  • Cruise Through Key West's Black History Audio Tour: $11
  • Easy Stroll (or Bike) Through Downtown Key West Audio Tour: $11
  • Key West’s Old Town Treasures: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Florida: Key West Overseas Highway Self-Driving Tour: $15
  • Mel Fisher Maritime Museum Admission Ticket: $18
  • Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum Tickets: $19
  • Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum Admission Ticket: $19
  • Key West Aquarium Admission Ticket: $23

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint John's $18
    Key West $16

Sample the Local Flavors in Key West

Also in Key West, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $30
  • Key West Haunted Pub Crawl and Ghost Tour with Free T-Shirt: $32
  • Bone Island Haunted Pub Crawl: $32
  • 2.5-Hour Duval Street Pub Crawl: $43


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint John's and Key West, we can see that Key West 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 Key West 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 Key West would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Key West 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 Key West Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Saint John's or Key West?

Key West has a larger population, and is about 2% larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Saint John's and Key West, 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 Key West?

Key West 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 Key West in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John's and Key West. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round. Furthermore, the beaches, snorkeling, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Key West this time of year.

Saint John's is around the same temperature as Key West in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Key West fluctuates around 84°F (29°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Key West 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 Key West during summer. Saint John's gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Key West receives 328 hours of full sun 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 Key West. Saint John's gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Key West receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint John's 27°C (81°F) 
    Key West 84°F (29°C)

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

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

In the autumn, Saint John's is around the same temperature as Key West. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint John's in October average around 27°C (80°F), and Key West averages at about 80°F (27°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Key West. 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 less sunshine than Key West. Saint John's gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Key West receives 258 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Key West. Saint John's receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Saint John's usually gets more rain in October than Key West. Saint John's gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Key West receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Key West is June to November.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint John's 27°C (80°F) 
    Key West 80°F (27°C)

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

Both Key West 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, many visitors come to Key West in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In January, Saint John's is generally a little warmer than Key West. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 24°C (76°F), and Key West fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

It's quite sunny in Key West. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Key West during winter. Saint John's gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Key West receives 252 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Key West. Saint John's gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Key West receives 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint John's 24°C (76°F) 
    Key West 70°F (21°C)

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

Both Key West 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, most visitors come to Key West for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

Saint John's is around the same temperature as Key West in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 26°C (78°F) in April, and Key West fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

In Key West, 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 Key West. Saint John's gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Key West receives 326 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 Key West. Saint John's gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Key West receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Key West.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint John's 26°C (78°F) 
    Key West 77°F (25°C)

Typical Weather for Key West and Saint John's

Saint John's Key West
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 70°F (21°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 71°F (21°C) 1.4 inches (36 mm)
Mar 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 74°F (23°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm)
Apr 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in) 77°F (25°C) 0.8 inches (21 mm)
May 27°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 81°F (27°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 83°F (28°C) 4.5 inches (114 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 84°F (29°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in) 84°F (29°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in) 83°F (29°C) 5.7 inches (144 mm)
Oct 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in) 80°F (27°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in) 76°F (24°C) 2 inches (50 mm)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 72°F (22°C) 1.4 inches (35 mm)