A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Saint Petersburg vs. Jekyll Island for Beaches, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Jekyll Island?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Saint Petersburg and Jekyll Island can help you decide which place is right for you.

Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is a underrated, relaxed, and fun-filled coastal city. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island is a natural, relaxing, and secluded island. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and museums.

Saint Petersburg and Jekyll Island: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Petersburg or Jekyll Island?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Saint Petersburg than Jekyll Island, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Saint Petersburg is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, and shopping, while Jekyll Island is more popular for its hiking. Saint Petersburg is more touristy than Jekyll Island and is known for its warm weather, sandy beaches, and outdoor activities. Also, Saint Petersburg is famous for St. Pete Beach. Jekyll Island is well known for its quiet beaches and its Historic District.

How is Saint Petersburg different from Jekyll Island?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint Petersburg or Jekyll Island?

Saint Petersburg is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Jekyll Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Saint Petersburg. There are a variety of history, science, and art museums in the area. The Dalí Museum, Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, The Florida Holocaust Museum, and Imagine Museum of Contemporary Glass Art are some of the favorites.

Jekyll Island is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Mosaic is the history museum on the island. The museum also offers historic tours of the area's sites. The Historic District is a popular place to visit with its well-maintained historic cottages and other structures.

Is the Food Better in Saint Petersburg or Jekyll Island? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint Petersburg is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Saint Petersburg has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. It's location on the Gulf Coast means that seafood is everywhere. You'll enjoy fresh oysters, fried calamari, grilled fish, and fried shrimp on many menus. Casual restaurants and local eateries are common around town.

Jekyll Island offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Many restaurants are casual with low country dishes or fried seafood. You'll find some brunch places as well as cafes and quick dining eateries around town.

Is Saint Petersburg or Jekyll Island Better for Nightlife?

Saint Petersburg is a coastal city with good options for its evening party scene. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Saint Petersburg. There are beachside bars, rooftop restaurants, and dance clubs around town for those looking for a night out.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Jekyll Island. There are sunset cruises, but otherwise the nightlife scene is quiet.

Is Saint Petersburg or Jekyll Island Better for Resorts?

Saint Petersburg is a coastal city with good options for its luxury resorts. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its resorts.

Saint Petersburg has a few great resort options. You'll find most of the resorts near the beach. Many have pools and they range in style and budget level.

Jekyll Island has a few resort options worth checking out. You'll mostly find mid-range hotels on the island.

Is Saint Petersburg or Jekyll Island Better for Beaches?

Saint Petersburg is a must-visit destination for the beach. Also, Jekyll Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

Saint Petersburg is considered to be a world-class beach destination. You'll find great sandy beaches with calm blue water and a relaxed atmosphere. Some of the best beaches include Egmont Key, Fort DeSoto Beach, Maximo Beach, and St. Pete's Municipal Beach.

Many people visit Jekyll Island for it's beautiful beaches. Unspoiled beaches are the biggest draw. Some areas are rocky, but the beaches are peaceful and perfect for walks if you want to get away from the crowds. Much of the island is a state park, so it's undeveloped and pristine.

Is Saint Petersburg or Jekyll Island Better for Hiking?

Jekyll Island is great for hiking. However, Saint Petersburg is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Jekyll Island for the hiking trails. The state park has some trails that are nice. There are also beach walks, bike trails, and routes that take you through historic sites.

Saint Petersburg is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Petersburg or Jekyll Island?

Saint Petersburg is a coastal city with good options for its shopping areas. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for shopping.

Saint Petersburg has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find plenty of shopping malls and shopping centers around town. Along the boardwalk and in John's Pass Village there are also restaurants and souvenir stores.

Jekyll Island is a good destination for shopping. You'll find a few gift shops and boutiques, but in general, shopping options are limited.

Is Saint Petersburg or Jekyll Island Better for Families?

You'll find superb kid-friendly activities in either Saint Petersburg or Jekyll Island.

Saint Petersburg is a very family-friendly destination. The beaches, waterparks, nature reserves, and entertainment centers all offer plenty of activities for families. There are plenty of places to play, laugh, and act silly around town so the whole family can have a good time. There's also the Great Explorations Children’s Museum and other educational opportunities for the young ones.

Jekyll Island is a very kid-friendly coastal city. Kids will love climbing and playing at Driftwood Beach, which is like a natural playground. Animal lovers will enjoy dolphin cruises or a visit to a turtle hospital. There's also the standard beach activities like minigolf, bike rental, and tram tours.

Is Saint Petersburg or Jekyll Island Better for Couples?

Saint Petersburg is a very popular place for couples. Also, Jekyll Island is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Saint Petersburg makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are sunset cruises, long sandy beaches, nice restaurants, and many other romantic activities around town. You can wander down the boardwalk or enjoy nature at the gardens and nature parks around town.

Jekyll Island is a nice destination for couples. There are several basic hotels as well as a few campgrounds. Couples will enjoy the beaches, but the island is small with limited activities and restaurant options. If you love natural scenery then this is a great destination, but there are fewer amenities than there are in many beach areas.

Is Saint Petersburg or Jekyll Island Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Saint Petersburg is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Saint Petersburg. There's a bus system, but most people rely on their own car to get around.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Jekyll Island. There are bus and trolley tours, but public transportation is mostly non-existent.

Is Saint Petersburg or Jekyll Island a more walkable city?

Saint Petersburg is a decent place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Jekyll Island is lacking in good options for its walkability.

Saint Petersburg is generally not a very walkable coastal city. The downtown area is the most walkable part of town, but you really need a car to access most places.

Jekyll Island is not a walkable coastal city. Resources are spread out, so you really need a car to get around.

For even more information, also check out Is Saint Petersburg Worth Visiting? and Is Jekyll Island Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Jekyll Island or Saint Petersburg?

How long in Saint Petersburg or Jekyll Island?

It's fun to spend time in either Saint Petersburg or Jekyll Island. In our opinion, Saint Petersburg has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Saint Petersburg than Jekyll Island. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Saint Petersburg than Jekyll Island 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 Saint Petersburg.

One day in Saint Petersburg or Jekyll Island?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the fun-filled destination of Saint Petersburg. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find museums around the secluded destination of Jekyll Island. Hikers are also drawn to this area. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Saint Petersburg or Jekyll Island?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Petersburg. Most people come for the beaches. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

You'll find museums around the natural island of Jekyll Island. If you have a weekend, this island makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Five days in Saint Petersburg or Jekyll Island?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the underrated destination of Saint Petersburg. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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.

Jekyll Island is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

A week in Saint Petersburg or Jekyll Island?

You'll find food and shopping around the coastal city of Saint Petersburg. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Jekyll Island is a great place to explore. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Saint Petersburg or Jekyll Island?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Jekyll Island in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Jekyll Island. Many travelers come to Saint Petersburg for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Jekyll Island in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint Petersburg is generally around the same temperature as Jekyll Island. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 82°F (28°C), and Jekyll Island fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Jekyll Island this time of the year. In Saint Petersburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Jekyll Island during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Jekyll Island receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.

Jekyll Island receives a lot of rain in the summer. Saint Petersburg gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Jekyll Island. Saint Petersburg gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Jekyll Island receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Jekyll Island in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Jekyll Island. Many visitors come to Saint Petersburg in the autumn for the shopping scene. Additionally, most visitors come to Jekyll Island for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

Saint Petersburg is a little warmer than Jekyll Island in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 76°F (24°C) in October, and Jekyll Island fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jekyll Island. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Petersburg this time of the year. In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets more sunshine than Jekyll Island. Saint Petersburg gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jekyll Island receives 214 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in October than Jekyll Island. Saint Petersburg gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Jekyll Island receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Saint Petersburg.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Jekyll Island in the Winter?

Both Jekyll Island and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Saint Petersburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Jekyll Island because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Saint Petersburg is a little warmer than Jekyll Island. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Petersburg in January average around 59°F (15°C), and Jekyll Island averages at about 53°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Jekyll Island during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Jekyll Island receives 191 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Jekyll Island. Saint Petersburg gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Jekyll Island receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Jekyll Island in the Spring?

Both Jekyll Island and Saint Petersburg during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Saint Petersburg because of the beaches. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Jekyll Island this time of year.

In April, Saint Petersburg is generally a little warmer than Jekyll Island. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 73°F (23°C), and Jekyll Island fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In Jekyll Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Petersburg. In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Jekyll Island. Saint Petersburg gets 299 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jekyll Island receives 285 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Jekyll Island. Saint Petersburg gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Jekyll Island receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Saint Petersburg is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Jekyll Island and Saint Petersburg