Which place is cheaper, Grand Canyon National Park or Saint Simons?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Saint Simons or Grand Canyon National Park? 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.
Saint Simons is a relaxing, laid back, and scenic island. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping.
Grand Canyon National Park is a world-renowned, gorgeous, and striking national park. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for hiking.
Tourists will generally find more to do in Saint Simons. Although Saint Simons and Grand Canyon National Park are both popular with visitors, Saint Simons has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Saint Simons is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and small town charm, while Grand Canyon National Park is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Grand Canyon National Park is more touristy than Saint Simons and is popular for its iconic beauty, layers of color, breathtaking sunsets, and world-renowned geological history. Saint Simons is popular for its beaches, charter fishing, and golf courses. It is also home to East Beach.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Grand Canyon National Park and Saint Simons. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Saint Simons is a decent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Grand Canyon National Park does not have museums and landmarks.
While most people don't head to Saint Simons specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. St. Simons Lighthouse is a highlight for many visitors. There's a maritime museum attached to the lighthouse as well. Fort Frederica National Monument is another historic site that is worth a visit.
Grand Canyon National Park does not have museums and landmarks.
Saint Simons is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Grand Canyon National Park is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.
The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Saint Simons. There are more than 70 restaurants on the island that range from cafes to fine dining. You can enjoy an eggs benedict for brunch, crab cakes for lunch, and shrimp and grits for dinner. Many restaurants take advantage of the mild climate by offering outdoor seating. There are also several dessert places with ice cream or donuts.
You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Grand Canyon National Park. There are several markets, restaurants, and cafes in the park but, in general, the options are expensive and not the best. If possible, bring your own food and plan for a picnic with a view.
Saint Simons is a decent place to visit for nightlife. However, Grand Canyon National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.
Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Saint Simons. There are several family-friendly bars with laid back atmospheres around town, but if you're looking for a wild night out, there aren't a lot of places to go.
Grand Canyon National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.
Saint Simons and Grand Canyon National Park offer a relatively similar set of good luxury resort options.
Saint Simons has a handful of resorts to choose from. There are a handful of nice resorts with pools and beachfront settings.
With a selection of resorts, Grand Canyon National Park makes a nice vacation spot. There are several options within and near the park that range from luxury to affordable. Reservations should be made well in advance for most hotels within the park. Bright Angel Lodge, El Tovar Hotel, Grand Canyon Lodge (North Rim) and Phantom Ranch are all unique places to stay.
Saint Simons is a very popular place for its beaches. However, Grand Canyon National Park is not a beach destination.
Many people visit Saint Simons for it's beautiful beaches. There's golden sand and a beautiful setting. Visitors enjoy swimming or walking along the coastline. You'll also find piers and playgrounds. East Beach is one of the most popular.
Grand Canyon National Park is not a beach destination.
Grand Canyon National Park is a great destination for its hiking experiences. Also, Saint Simons is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.
You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Grand Canyon National Park. Hiking options at the Grand Canyon include an easy walk along the rim or a hike into the canyon. If you're planning to enjoy a view from the rim and then stroll along the rim walk, a day or two is plenty. Hiking into the canyon is a thrilling experience, but it does require more preparation and planning. You should also check out the weather before you depart as temperatures within the canyon can become dangerously hot.
Many people include a hike when visiting Saint Simons. There are several parks and natural areas where you can enjoy a walk in nature. Cannon's Point Preserve has a nice trail system. Other trails on the island include John Gilbert Nature Trail, Earth Day Nature Trail, and Wanderer Memorial Trail.
Saint Simons is a very popular place for shopping. However, Grand Canyon National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Saint Simons. You'll find a good concentration of gift shops and clothing boutiques on the island. Antiquing is also popular. Head to Pier Village for a nice mix of shops.
Grand Canyon National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Saint Simons is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Grand Canyon National Park is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.
Saint Simons is a very family-friendly destination. The beaches are kid-friendly and there are many family-friendly restaurants in town. There's also the St. Simons Lighthouse, minigolf, and kayaking, as well as Neptune Park Fun Zone.
You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Grand Canyon National Park. This park is a spectacular landmark with a number of nature programs that kids can enjoy. There's also a simple rim walk along the edge of the canyon that is perfect for little legs.
Grand Canyon National Park is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Saint Simons is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.
Grand Canyon National Park makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Couples who enjoy beauty, nature, and adventure will appreciate a visit to this park. There are amazing hikes and breathtaking views that make this a truly romantic destination. There are also several hotels and lodges that make for a truly romantic getaway (book well in advance!).
Saint Simons is a great island if you're traveling as a couple. There are romantic restaurants, beautiful beaches, and nice hotels. Sunset walks on the beach or a round of golf all make this a favorite couple's destination.
Grand Canyon National Park is an unbeatable place for backpackers. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.
Grand Canyon National Park is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. Backpackers and budget travelers can take in one of America's most notable landmarks while camping at the large and affordable national park campground.
Saint Simons is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are campgrounds in the area that offer access to the island.
Grand Canyon National Park is a national park with a few options for its public transit. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.
Public transit is generally limited in Grand Canyon National Park. There are free shuttle buses that run along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Public transit is quite limited in Saint Simons. While there are trolley tours available, public transportation is basically non-existent.
Saint Simons and Grand Canyon National Park both are good when exploring on foot.
Saint Simons is somewhat walkable. The downtown area is walkable, but to access much of what is available, you'll want to have a car.
Grand Canyon National Park is a somewhat walkable place. There's a nice rim walk that is the perfect place for a leisurely stroll, but to reach many parts of the park you'll want to have a car or plan to take some form of transit.
For even more information, also check out Is Saint Simons Worth Visiting? and Is Grand Canyon National Park Worth Visiting?.
It's fun to spend time in either Saint Simons or Grand Canyon National Park. In our opinion, Saint Simons has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Saint Simons than Grand Canyon National Park. In general, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Saint Simons, and 1-4 days is enough time in Grand Canyon National Park.
Families should spend more time in Saint Simons than Grand Canyon National Park. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Saint Simons, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Grand Canyon National Park than Saint Simons. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Grand Canyon National Park that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Grand Canyon National Park than Saint Simons 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 Grand Canyon National Park.
Saint Simons might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people come for the beaches. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
In Grand Canyon National Park, many people enjoy the that this stunning national park offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this national park.
Even though Saint Simons is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Many people spend a weekend here. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.
Grand Canyon National Park is a fun place to experience. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.
Since Saint Simons is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. This island offers something for everyone.
You'll find around the breathtaking destination of Grand Canyon National Park. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.
Saint Simons is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
Grand Canyon National Park is a popular place to visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Simons is $176, while the average daily cost in Grand Canyon National Park is $168. 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 Simons and Grand Canyon National Park in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Saint Simons or Grand Canyon National Park? 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.
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.
Prices for flights to both Grand Canyon National Park and Saint Simons 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.
For Grand Canyon National Park, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
When comparing the travel costs between Saint Simons and Grand Canyon National Park, we can see that Saint Simons 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. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint Simons Expensive? and Is Grand Canyon National Park Expensive?.