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

Should you visit Saint John's or Sarasota?

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

Should I visit Saint John's or Sarasota? 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 Sarasota?

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.

Sarasota

Located on the Gulf Coast of southwest Florida, Sarasota is a popular city known for its thriving arts scene, selection of restaurants, plenty of shopping, and beautiful beaches. The metropolitan area is a hub of city culture, while the beaches offer escapes of fine white sand and aqua waters.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Sarasota 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 Sarasota is $249. 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 Sarasota in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint John's $120
    Sarasota $108
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint John's $240
    Sarasota $216
Compare Hotels in Saint John's and Sarasota

Looking for a hotel in Saint John's or Sarasota? 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 Sarasota


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: Sarasota Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint John's $17
    Sarasota -
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:

  • 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 Sarasota

Also for Sarasota, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Sarasota to Sarasota–Bradenton Intl. Airport (SRQ) - Departure Private Transfer: $48
  • Sarasota–Bradenton Airport (SRQ) to Sarasota Round-Trip Transfer: $96
  • Sarasota–Bradenton Intl. Airport (SRQ) to Sarasota - Arrival Private Transfer: $48

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

Prices for flights to both Sarasota 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
    Sarasota $137

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 Sarasota

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

  • Sarasota Street Food Tour: $85
  • Taste of Downtown Food Tour: $105
  • Downtown Walking Food Tour in Sarasota: $110
  • Sarasota Kayak and Food Tour: $165

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint John's $103
    Sarasota $11
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:

  • 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 Sarasota

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sarasota.

  • Sarasota Art Crawl Trolley Tour: $14
  • Palmetto: Haunted History Guided Walking Tour: $30
  • Robinson Preserve Nature Walk Eco Tour: $40
  • Mangroves, Manatees, and a Hidden Beach: Kayak Tour: $50
  • Adventure and Wildlife Watch Kayak Rentals in Sarasota: $50
  • Sharkey's Glass Bottom Fish Feeding LED Night Tour in Sarasota: $55
  • 2 Hours Guided Robinson Preserve Mangrove Tour: $55
  • Siesta Key Kayak Tour : $57
  • Kayak Paddling Experience at The Bay Park: $58
  • Sarasota Mangrove Tunnel Guided Kayak Adventure: $59
  • Sarasota Guided Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Tour: $59
  • Siesta Key Guided Eco Tour: $59

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint John's $18
    Sarasota -


When comparing the travel costs between Saint John's and Sarasota, we can see that Sarasota 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 Sarasota 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 Sarasota Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Saint John's or Sarasota?

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

Sarasota 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 Sarasota in the Summer?

Both Sarasota 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. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Sarasota because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Saint John's is around the same temperature as Sarasota in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Sarasota fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

In Sarasota, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint John's. In the summer, Saint John's often gets less sunshine than Sarasota. Saint John's gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sarasota receives 265 hours of full sun.

Sarasota 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 Sarasota. Saint John's gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Sarasota receives 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint John's 27°C (81°F) 
    Sarasota 82°F (28°C)

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John's and Sarasota. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round. Furthermore, the shopping scene are the main draw to Sarasota this time of year.

In the autumn, Saint John's is around the same temperature as Sarasota. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint John's in October average around 27°C (80°F), and Sarasota averages at about 76°F (24°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sarasota 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 Sarasota during autumn. Saint John's gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Sarasota receives 234 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Sarasota. Saint John's gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Sarasota receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Sarasota is the hurricane season.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint John's 27°C (80°F) 
    Sarasota 76°F (24°C)

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

The winter brings many poeple to Saint John's as well as Sarasota. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Sarasota for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Saint John's is generally much warmer than Sarasota. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 24°C (76°F), and Sarasota fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sarasota. 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 Sarasota. Saint John's gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sarasota receives 200 hours of full sun.

Saint John's usually gets more rain in January than Sarasota. Saint John's gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Sarasota receives 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint John's 24°C (76°F) 
    Sarasota 59°F (15°C)

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

Both Sarasota 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, many visitors come to Sarasota in the spring for the beaches.

Saint John's is a little warmer than Sarasota in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 26°C (78°F) in April, and Sarasota fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Sarasota. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually receives less sunshine than Sarasota during spring. Saint John's gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Sarasota receives 299 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Saint John's. In April, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Sarasota. Saint John's gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Sarasota receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Sarasota is June to November.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint John's 26°C (78°F) 
    Sarasota 73°F (23°C)

Typical Weather for Sarasota and Saint John's

Saint John's Sarasota
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 59°F (15°C) 2.3 inches (59 mm)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 62°F (17°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Mar 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 67°F (20°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Apr 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in) 73°F (23°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm)
May 27°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 78°F (25°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 82°F (28°C) 6.5 inches (165 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 82°F (28°C) 8.4 inches (214 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in) 82°F (28°C) 8 inches (203 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in) 81°F (27°C) 6.3 inches (161 mm)
Oct 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in) 76°F (24°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in) 69°F (20°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 62°F (17°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm)