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

Should you visit Saint John's or New York City?

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

Should I visit Saint John's or New York City? 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 New York City?

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.

New York City

The most populated city in the United States, New York City, sits at the mouth of the Hudson River and encompasses both the island of Manhattan as well as the surrounding land on Long Island, most of which is known as Brooklyn. It's a cultural, culinary, theatrical, and art center that has much to offer domestic and international travelers alike. The city covers an area of 305 square miles and has a population of about 8.2 million people in the city proper with 18.7 million in the metropolitan area.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.


Which place is cheaper, New York City or Saint John's?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint John's is $272, while the average daily cost in New York City is $363. 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 New York City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint John's $120
    New York City $175
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint John's $240
    New York City $350
Compare Hotels in Saint John's and New York City

Looking for a hotel in Saint John's or New York City? 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 New York City


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: Saint John's Hotel Prices and New York City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint John's $17
    New York City $49
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:

  • VIP Meet and Greet Fast Track on Arrival at Antigua Airport - without Transfers: $77
  • Shirley's Heights Sunset Party Transfer: $80
  • Shared Roundtrip Taxi Transfer from Antigua Airport to Royalton Antigua Resort: $41
  • Round-Trip Transfer between Antigua Airport and Antigua Hotels: $36
  • Round-Trip Transfer between Antigua Airport and Antigua Hotel: $60
  • RJT Airport Transfer to Hotel of Choice: $100
  • Private and Group Airport Transfers in Antigua and Barbuda: $60
  • Private Transfer Service in Antigua: $80
  • Private Round Trip Transfer From Antigua Airport to St. James's Club & Villas: $83
  • Private One-Way Transfer From Antigua Airport To Antigua: $48
  • Private Antigua Airport Round Trip Transfer: $80
  • Private Airport Transfers to Antigua and Barbuda: $60

Typical Local Transportation Prices in New York City

Some typical examples of transportation costs in New York City are as follows:


  • Subway
    $4.50
  • Taxi Ride
    $8.00
  • Subway
    $2.50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in New York City

Also for New York City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport Limousine Transfer one-way - LaGuardia Airport - Lincoln MKT: $275
  • Brooklyn Cruise Terminal One-Way Transfer to/from Manhattan: $155
  • Cape Cruise Port to J.F. Kennedy Airport (JFK)-Departure Transfer: $43
  • Central Park Private Walking Tour with Transfers: $171
  • Central Park Zoo Skip-the-line Tickets & Private Transfers: $291
  • Empire State Building NYC Tour, Pre-booked Tickets, Transfer: $300
  • J.F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) to Cape Cruise Port - Arrival Transfer: $43
  • J.F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) to Cape Liberty Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $217
  • JFK or LGA package only (Round trip transfer plus VIP Contrasts): $195
  • JFK to Manhattan: One Way Shared Arrival Transfer: $28
  • La Guardia Airport to Manhattan Private Transfer by Sedan SUV: $130
  • LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to Cape Cruise Port - Arrival Transfer: $43

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint John's or New York City?

Prices for flights to both New York City 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 $117
    New York City $87

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.

  • Local Antigua Rum and Food Tour: $130

Typical Food Prices in New York City

For New York City, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Gelato
    $7.50
  • Snacks for Two at Yankees Game
    $34
  • Coffee
    $6.53
  • Smoothie
    $6.95

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in New York City

For New York City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • The Lower East Side Food Tour: $34
  • New York Union Square Sweetest Food Tour: Choose Your Own Donuts: $35
  • The Greenwich Village Food Tour: $39
  • Private Pizza Experience (5 tastings) in Manhattan: $45
  • Brooklyn's must-try Pizza Crawl experience (5 top rated slices!): $46
  • NYC Chinatown & Little Italy Food Tour | Tastings & Local Stories: $59
  • Homemade Pizza Party: $63
  • Italian Food Tour of New York: $63
  • New York City's Best Pizza tour - You be the judge!: $65
  • East Village Food Tour | Tasty Tours NYC: $68
  • Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO Food Tour: Local Eats & Iconic Views: $70
  • East Village Food Tour: $70

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint John's $103
    New York City $180
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:

  • **Cruise Ship**E-Paddle Boarding Experience with Snorkel & Lunch: $195
  • 6h Bucket List Tour: Stingray City, Beach & Local Lunch: $195
  • 6h Ultimate Antigua Tour: Stingray City, Beach & Local Lunch: $195
  • Adventure Antigua - Eli's Original Eco Tour: $143
  • Adventure Antigua - The Xtreme Circumnavigation tour: $248
  • Adventure Power Boat Tour Antigua and Private Laviscount Island: $199
  • Antigua Explorer Tour: $130
  • Antigua Girls Trip Tour: $130
  • Antigua Harbour Bus Tour Experience: $75
  • Antigua Heritage and Horizon Tour: $125
  • Antigua Historical Sites Island Tour: $111
  • Antigua Island Tour Top Attractions and Hidden Gems: $110

Typical Entertainment Prices in New York City

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for New York City's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Comedy Show Tickets
    $56
  • City Map
    $8.00
  • Broadway Musical
    $111
  • Broadway Show Program
    $10
  • Magazine
    $6.99

Tours and Activities in New York City

For New York City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • New York's Hidden Gems: Self-Guided City Tour: $1.15
  • NYC Central Park Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Walking Tour: $1.76
  • Central Park Stolen Archives: NY Exploration Game and Tour: $4.98
  • New York Walking Tour: Self-Guided City Game: $4.98
  • Broadway: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of the World's Iconic Theatre District: $5.00
  • New York: Central Park Walking Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
  • The Battery: A Self-Guided Audio Tour from Bowling Green Park to Stone St: $5.00
  • A New York Date Night Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
  • New York City Self Guided Audio Experience: $6.00
  • New York Celebrity Chef Self Guided Tour and Exploration Game: $6.33
  • New York West Village Audio Tour: $6.58
  • New York SelfGuided Walking Tour Greenwich Village Audio and Quiz: $6.58

For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Things to do in New York City with Kids, Things to Do in Central Park in NYC, and The Best Museums in New York City.


Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint John's $18
    New York City $29

Sample the Local Flavors in New York City

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New York City:

  • Brooklyn Distillery Tour: $22
  • NYC Bar Crawl: Games, Live Music & Underground Nightlife: $25
  • NYC Pub Crawl & Rooftop Clubbing Experience: $29
  • New York Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
  • Top Shelf Distillery Tour: $33
  • Wicked City Burlesque Show Admission: $33
  • Cheers to Chinatown Tour and Bar Crawl: $40
  • NYC Pub Crawl: Midtown/Times Square VIP Access & Prof Photos: $45
  • Brooklyn Literary Pub Crawl: $49
  • Best of NYC Drag - Drag Bar Crawl with Drink: $49
  • Greenwich Village Literary Pub Crawl: $49
  • Greenwich Village Piano Bar Crawl: $50


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


Which is Bigger, Saint John's or New York City?

New York City has a larger population, and is about 330 times larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Saint John's and New York City, 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 New York City?

New York City 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 New York City in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint John's as well as New York City. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to New York City because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint John's is generally around the same temperature as New York City. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 27°C (81°F), and New York City fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

It's quite rainy in New York City. Saint John's receives a lot of rain in the summer. Saint John's usually gets more rain in July than New York City. Saint John's gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while New York City receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint John's 27°C (81°F) 
    New York City 77°F (25°C)

Should I visit Saint John's or New York City in the Autumn?

Both New York City 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, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to New York City this time of year.

Saint John's is much warmer than New York City in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 27°C (80°F) in October, and New York City fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

It's quite rainy in Saint John's. In October, Saint John's usually receives more rain than New York City. Saint John's gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint John's 27°C (80°F) 
    New York City 57°F (14°C)

Should I visit Saint John's or New York City in the Winter?

Both New York City 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. Also, many travelers come to New York City for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in New York City. In the winter, Saint John's is much warmer than New York City. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint John's in January average around 24°C (76°F), and New York City averages at about 31°F (-1°C).

Saint John's usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as New York City. Saint John's gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint John's 24°C (76°F) 
    New York City 31°F (-1°C)

Should I visit Saint John's or New York City in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John's and New York City. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round. Also, many visitors come to New York City in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Saint John's is generally much warmer than New York City. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 26°C (78°F), and New York City fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Saint John's usually receives more rain than New York City. Saint John's gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.8 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint John's 26°C (78°F) 
    New York City 52°F (11°C)

Typical Weather for New York City and Saint John's

Saint John's New York City
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 31°F (-1°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 33°F (1°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Mar 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 42°F (6°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Apr 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in) 52°F (11°C) 3.8 inches (98 mm)
May 27°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 63°F (17°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 72°F (22°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 77°F (25°C) 4.5 inches (114 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in) 76°F (24°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in) 68°F (20°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)
Oct 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in) 57°F (14°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in) 47°F (8°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 36°F (2°C) 3.4 inches (88 mm)