A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Saint Louis vs. Arlington for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Saint Louis or Arlington?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Saint Louis and Arlington. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Saint Louis

Saint Louis is a fascinating, under rated, and unexpected city. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Arlington

Arlington is a international, historical, and educational city. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Saint Louis and Arlington: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
  • Home to Arlington National Cemetery


Is there more to do in Saint Louis or Arlington?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Arlington than Saint Louis. While Saint Louis is larger than Arlington, Arlington has more sights and attractions for tourists. Arlington is better known for its food and nightlife, while Saint Louis is more popular for its museums and shopping. Arlington is more touristy than Saint Louis and is popular for its international connections, its biking and walking trails, and being the location of the Pentagon. Also, Arlington is famous for Arlington National Cemetery. Saint Louis is well known for its blues and live music scene, its authentic personality, and its position as the Gateway to the West.

How is Saint Louis different from Arlington?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Arlington and Saint Louis. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint Louis or Arlington?

Saint Louis
Arlington

Saint Louis is terrific for its museums and history. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Saint Louis has many famous sights for visitors. There are a surprising number of museums around town. For art museums you should visit the Contemporary Art Museum, the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, the Saint Louis Art Museum, and the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum. For history, the Griot Museum of Black History, the Jefferson Barracks Telephone Museum, and the Lewis & Clark Museum and Boathouse are all interesting. There are also science, educational, and children's museums. And of course, there's the iconic Gateway Arch.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Arlington. Arlington National Cemetery is where you'll find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as the tomb of John F. Kennedy Jr. There are many memorials around town, with the most famous being the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial. There are also several museums like the DEA Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art.


Is the Food Better in Saint Louis or Arlington? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint Louis
Arlington

Arlington is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Arlington makes for a great culinary experience. It's a global city, and the restaurants reflect that. You'll find amazing Thai, Japanese, and Mexican restaurants. There are also less common cuisines to choose from such as Ethiopian, Moroccan, and Peruvian.

Saint Louis has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are some local dishes that originated here. Toasted ravioli had its start in St. Louis. There's also a St. Louis style pizza. Diners, cafes, and sandwiches are all part of the food scene and be prepared for cheese, meaty, and satisfying.

Is Saint Louis or Arlington Better for Nightlife?

Saint Louis
Arlington

Arlington is well known for nightlife. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Arlington is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city has a huge young population that drives the nightlife scene. There are clubs, bars, and lounges in many neighborhoods. There are also comedy clubs and plenty of live music.

If you're looking for night time activities Saint Louis has a few options to choose from. Visitors often hang out in the downtown area, particularly around Washington Avenue, for the nightlife scene. Live music is popular, especially the blues, and there are many local venues worth checking out.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Louis or Arlington?

Saint Louis
Arlington

Saint Louis is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Saint Louis. There are vintage stores, boutiques, and suburban strip malls around town. There are also farmer's markets and art galleries.

Arlington is a great destination for shopping. Many neighborhoods have local shops or farmer's markets. There are also shopping centers and malls such as Ballston Quarter, The Crossing Clarendon, and The Village at Shirlington.


Is Saint Louis or Arlington Better for Families?

Saint Louis
Arlington

Saint Louis is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Saint Louis. There's a surprising number of activities for kids around town. There's the St. Louis Zoo and the City Museum with many hands-on exhibits for kids. There's also the Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary and several farms with animals and nature. Forest Park is an impressive urban park as well.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Arlington. Kids will enjoy seeing the planes talk off from Gravelly Point park. There are also plenty of outdoor spaces and educational opportunities in the area, including world class museums.

Is Saint Louis or Arlington Better for Couples?

Saint Louis
Arlington

Saint Louis and Arlington both notable destinations for a couple.

Saint Louis is a nice destination for couples. Fine dining restaurants and eclectic activities make this city an often overlooked couples destination.

Arlington makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There's a vibrant cultural scene and many international restaurants that couples can enjoy. It's also a great place to take in a show or concert.

Is Saint Louis or Arlington Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Saint Louis
Arlington

Arlington is well known for backpackers. However, Saint Louis is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Arlington. There are a couple of hostels and many free activities nearby. There's also great public transportation that makes for a convenient backpacker destination.

Saint Louis is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a number of affordable motels around town but no real hostels.


Is Saint Louis or Arlington Better for Students?

Saint Louis
Arlington

Arlington is well known for students. However, Saint Louis is not popular with students.

Many students visit Arlington. There are a huge number of colleges and museums in the area as well as many great internship and educational opportunities.

Saint Louis is not popular with students.

Is Saint Louis or Arlington Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Saint Louis
Arlington

Arlington is an amazing city to visit for its public transit. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Arlington is top-notch. There is a reliable bus system around town as well as many metro connections.

The public transit in Saint Louis can get you around easily. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

Is Saint Louis or Arlington a more walkable city?

Saint Louis
Arlington

Arlington is well known for its walkability. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Arlington is very walkable. There are many pedestrian-friendly areas around town, particularly in the neighborhoods that are concentrated around metro stations.

Saint Louis is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the city are walkable, like the downtown area and the sections around the Gateway Arch.


For even more information, also check out Is Saint Louis Worth Visiting? and Is Arlington Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arlington or Saint Louis?

How long in Saint Louis or Arlington?

It's fun to spend time in either Saint Louis or Arlington. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Arlington due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Saint Louis, and 2-4 days is enough time in Arlington.

Families should spend more time in Saint Louis than Arlington. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Saint Louis, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Arlington than Saint Louis. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Arlington that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Arlington than Saint Louis if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Arlington.


  • How many days in Saint Louis or Arlington? Ideal Length of Stay
    Saint Louis 1-3 
    Arlington 2-4

One day in Saint Louis or Arlington?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Saint Louis. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Saint Louis has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the international city of Arlington. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Saint Louis or Arlington?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the under rated destination of Saint Louis. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the international destination of Arlington. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Saint Louis or Arlington?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the unexpected city of Saint Louis. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the museums. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The historical city of Arlington offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.


A week in Saint Louis or Arlington?

Saint Louis is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Arlington. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.


Which place is cheaper, Arlington or Saint Louis?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Louis is $184, while the average daily cost in Arlington is $264. 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 Louis and Arlington in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Louis $101
    Arlington $131
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Louis $202
    Arlington $262
Compare Hotels in Saint Louis and Arlington

Looking for a hotel in Saint Louis or Arlington? 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 Louis


Hotels in Arlington


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 Louis Hotel Prices and Arlington Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Louis $26
    Arlington $49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Louis

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint Louis:

  • St. Louis Lambert Airport (STL) to St. Louis City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $132
  • St. Louis Lambert Airport (STL) to St. Louis City - Arrival Private Transfer: $66
  • St. Louis City to St. Louis Lambert Airport (STL) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
  • Private Transfers for Departure from Queens to JFK Airport: $29
  • Private Transfer in Saint Louis, MO (STL): $80
  • Private Transfer from Port Louis Airport (MRU) to Port Louis Port: $77
  • Departure Transfer St. Louis to St. Louis Airport by Car or SUV: $116
  • Arrival transfer St. Louis Airport STL to St. Louis by Car or SUV: $116

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arlington

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

  • Ronald Reagan DCA Airport Transfers: $160

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Louis or Arlington?

Prices for flights to both Arlington and Saint Louis 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 Louis $54
    Arlington $81

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Louis

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint Louis.

  • The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show - St. Louis, MO: $86

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint Louis $46
    Arlington $11
Typical Entertainment Prices in Saint Louis

Here are a few typical costs in Saint Louis for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Gateway Arch parking
    $6.00

Tours and Activities in Saint Louis

Here are a few actual costs in Saint Louis for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Best of St. Louis Small Group Tour w/St Louis Arch & River Cruise: $174
  • Exploring St. Louis with the Family Walking Tour: $214
  • Interstate 55: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $5.20
  • Landmarks Downtown-East Walking Tour: $15
  • Landmarks Downtown-West Walking Tour: $15
  • Lemp Haunted Neighborhood Walking Tour: $25
  • Private Gastronomy Barbecue Tour in St. Louis: $125
  • Saint Louis Brews and Views Half-Day Tour: $288
  • Romantic Tour in The City of Love: $176
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in St. Louis by Zombie Scavengers: $20
  • St Louis Cardinals Baseball Game Ticket at Busch Stadium: $11
  • St. Louis Arch and River Cruise Small Group Walking Tour: $144

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint Louis $19
    Arlington $17

Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Louis

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Louis:

  • The Haunted Lemp Brewery Bottle Works Tour: $25


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Louis and Arlington, we can see that Arlington is more expensive. And not only is Saint Louis much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint Louis would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Louis 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 Arlington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arlington than you might in Saint Louis.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint Louis Expensive? and Is Arlington Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Saint Louis or Arlington?

Saint Louis has a larger population, and is about 73% larger than the population of Arlington. When comparing the sizes of Saint Louis and Arlington, 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 Louis or Arlington?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Arlington in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint Louis as well as Arlington. Many visitors come to Saint Louis in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Arlington for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Saint Louis is generally around the same temperature as Arlington. Daily temperatures in Saint Louis average around 81°F (27°C), and Arlington fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arlington. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Louis this time of the year. In the summer, Saint Louis often gets more sunshine than Arlington. Saint Louis gets 309 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 278 hours of full sun.

Saint Louis usually gets more rain in July than Arlington. Saint Louis gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint Louis 81°F (27°C) 
    Arlington 79°F (26°C)

Should I visit Saint Louis or Arlington in the Autumn?

Both Arlington and Saint Louis are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Saint Louis for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Arlington because of the shopping scene.

Saint Louis is around the same temperature as Arlington in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Louis averages around 60°F (16°C) in October, and Arlington fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Louis. Saint Louis usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Arlington during autumn. Saint Louis gets 203 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 197 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Louis usually receives around the same amount of rain as Arlington. Saint Louis gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint Louis 60°F (16°C) 
    Arlington 60°F (15°C)

Should I visit Saint Louis or Arlington in the Winter?

Both Arlington and Saint Louis during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Saint Louis because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Arlington this time of year.

It's quite cold in Arlington in the winter. The weather in Saint Louis can be very cold. In the winter, Saint Louis is much colder than Arlington. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Louis in January average around 31°F (-1°C), and Arlington averages at about 35°F (1°C).

In the winter, Saint Louis often gets more sunshine than Arlington. Saint Louis gets 160 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 139 hours of full sun.

Saint Louis usually gets less rain in January than Arlington. Saint Louis gets 2 inches (52 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint Louis 31°F (-1°C) 
    Arlington 35°F (1°C)

Should I visit Saint Louis or Arlington in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Louis and Arlington.

In April, Saint Louis is generally around the same temperature as Arlington. Daily temperatures in Saint Louis average around 58°F (15°C), and Arlington fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arlington this time of the year. In Saint Louis, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Louis usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Arlington during spring. Saint Louis gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 228 hours of full sun in the spring.

Saint Louis gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Saint Louis usually receives more rain than Arlington. Saint Louis gets 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint Louis 58°F (15°C) 
    Arlington 56°F (14°C)

Typical Weather for Arlington and Saint Louis

Saint Louis Arlington
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 31°F (-1°C) 2 inches (52 mm) 35°F (1°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Feb 35°F (2°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm) 37°F (3°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
Mar 47°F (8°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm) 47°F (8°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Apr 58°F (15°C) 4.4 inches (111 mm) 56°F (14°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
May 68°F (20°C) 4.1 inches (103 mm) 66°F (19°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Jun 77°F (25°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm) 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm) 79°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Aug 79°F (26°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 78°F (26°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Sep 72°F (22°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 71°F (22°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Oct 60°F (16°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 60°F (15°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Nov 48°F (9°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 50°F (10°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Dec 35°F (2°C) 3 inches (77 mm) 39°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)