Which place is cheaper, Myrtle Beach or Saint Simons?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Saint Simons or Myrtle Beach? 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 scenic, relaxing, and laid back island. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and food.
Myrtle Beach is a busy, jam-packed, and high energy beach city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife and beaches.
Visitors will usually find more to do in Myrtle Beach than Saint Simons, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Myrtle Beach is better known for its nightlife and big city activities, while Saint Simons is more popular for its museums, food, resorts, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Myrtle Beach is more touristy than Saint Simons and is known for its party-hard atmosphere, spring break crowds, and beachfront nightlife scene. Also, Myrtle Beach is famous for the Myrtle Beach boardwalk. Saint Simons is well known for its beaches, charter fishing, and golf courses.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Myrtle Beach and Saint Simons. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Saint Simons is a island with a few options for its museums and landmarks. However, Myrtle Beach does not have museums and landmarks.
Saint Simons offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. 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.
Myrtle Beach does not have museums and landmarks.
Saint Simons is a great destination for its restaurant scene. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.
Dining out in Saint Simons is an experience not to be missed. 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.
Myrtle Beach offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Slices of pizza and seafood buffets are the most common options in the area. There are also themed restaurants and dinner shows that make for a fun night, even if the food isn't the highest quality.
Myrtle Beach is an unbeatable place for nightlife. However, Saint Simons is a island with minimal options for nightlife and partying.
The nightlife in Myrtle Beach is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. This beach is famous for its nightlife. From all-night bars and clubs, to music concerts and outdoor venues, there's no shortage of things to do. Bachelor and Bachelorette parties and spring break crowds make this the place to be for a party.
Saint Simons doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. 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.
Saint Simons is very good for its resorts. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for its luxury resorts.
Saint Simons has a few great resort options. There are a handful of nice resorts with pools and beachfront settings.
Myrtle Beach has a few resort options worth checking out. While there are a handful of resorts in the area, like the popular Marriott Vacation Club, most hotels are crowded and lacking in space.
For a relaxing beach holiday, both Saint Simons and Myrtle Beach are great choices.
Saint Simons is considered a top beach destination. 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.
Myrtle Beach is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. Most people head to the center of town and boardwalk for the nightlife and vibrant activities more than the actual beach. The stretches north and south have nice beaches lined with hotels and resorts, and a much more family-friendly atmosphere. If you want a more relaxed beach setting without the huge crowds, check out Myrtle Beach State Park.
Saint Simons is very good for its hiking experiences. However, Myrtle Beach is not a hiking destination.
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.
Myrtle Beach is not a hiking destination.
Saint Simons is a great destination for its shopping areas. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for shopping.
Browsing through shops is a popular activity in 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.
Myrtle Beach is a good destination for shopping. The town is filled with souvenir shops, t-shirt shops, and candy vendors that make shopping entertaining.
Saint Simons is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.
Saint Simons is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.
For families, Myrtle Beach is not always the best place to visit. While this area isn't generally considered a family destination, there are some newer vacation clubs and resorts that cater specifically to families and have become popular. The Marriott Vacation Club is one of the most popular with families in Myrtle Beach.
Saint Simons is a great destination for couples. Also, Myrtle Beach is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.
Couples visit Saint Simons frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.
Myrtle Beach is a nice destination for couples. The beach area isn't exactly a romantic destination but for couples who enjoy going out and having fun together, there is no shortage of night time activities.
Myrtle Beach is a great destination for students. However, Saint Simons is not popular with students.
Myrtle Beach is a very popular beach city for students and younger travelers. University students flock to the area for spring break and end of year celebrations. If you're a student during those times, this is the place to be, otherwise, the area is best avoided.
Saint Simons is not popular with students.
Neither Saint Simons or Myrtle Beach offer decent public transit.
Public transit is limited or non-existant in Saint Simons. While there are trolley tours available, public transportation is basically non-existent.
Public transit is quite limited in Myrtle Beach. There are no real public transit options so you'll need a car to get around.
Saint Simons is very good for its ease of walking around. However, Myrtle Beach is a beach city with minimal options for its walkability.
Saint Simons is a somewhat walkable island. The downtown area is walkable, but to access much of what is available, you'll want to have a car.
Myrtle Beach is generally not a very walkable island. By the Boardwalk, it's easy to walk around, but traffic can still be congested and once you're out of the main strip, a car is essential.
For even more information, also check out Is Saint Simons Worth Visiting? and Is Myrtle Beach Worth Visiting?.
Both Saint Simons and Myrtle Beach have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Myrtle Beach than in Saint Simons. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Saint Simons, and 2-7 days is enough time in Myrtle Beach.
Families should spend more time in Saint Simons than Myrtle Beach. 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 Saint Simons than Myrtle Beach. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Saint Simons that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Saint Simons than Myrtle Beach 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 Simons.
Saint Simons is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.
In Myrtle Beach, many people enjoy the nightlife that this jam-packed beach city offers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.
Saint Simons is a fun place to experience. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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.
Myrtle Beach is a fun place to experience. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the nightlife. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.
Saint Simons is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Most people come for the beaches. 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.
In Myrtle Beach, many people enjoy the nightlife that this high energy destination offers. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Lots of people come for the nightlife. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.
Saint Simons is a popular place to visit. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.
Myrtle Beach is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. 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 Myrtle Beach is $173. 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 Myrtle Beach in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Saint Simons or Myrtle Beach? 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Myrtle Beach:
Prices for flights to both Myrtle Beach 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Myrtle Beach:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Myrtle Beach.
Here are a few typical costs in Myrtle Beach for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Myrtle Beach for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
When comparing the travel costs between Saint Simons and Myrtle Beach, 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 Myrtle Beach Expensive?.
Myrtle Beach has a larger population, and is about 89% larger than the population of Saint Simons. When comparing the sizes of Saint Simons and Myrtle Beach, 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.
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.
Both Myrtle Beach and Saint Simons are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saint Simons this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Myrtle Beach for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Saint Simons is generally around the same temperature as Myrtle Beach. Daily temperatures in Saint Simons average around 82°F (28°C), and Myrtle Beach fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).
It's quite sunny in Myrtle Beach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Simons. Saint Simons usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Myrtle Beach during summer. Saint Simons gets 286 hours of sunny skies, while Myrtle Beach receives 283 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Myrtle Beach. It's quite rainy in Saint Simons. In July, Saint Simons usually receives less rain than Myrtle Beach. Saint Simons gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Myrtle Beach and Saint Simons during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Saint Simons for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Myrtle Beach in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Saint Simons is a little warmer than Myrtle Beach in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Simons averages around 70°F (21°C) in October, and Myrtle Beach fluctuates around 65°F (18°C).
In Myrtle Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Simons. In the autumn, Saint Simons often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Myrtle Beach. Saint Simons gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Myrtle Beach receives 227 hours of full sun.
Saint Simons usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Myrtle Beach. Saint Simons gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Simons and Myrtle Beach. Many visitors come to Saint Simons in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Myrtle Beach for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, Saint Simons is much warmer than Myrtle Beach. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Simons in January average around 53°F (12°C), and Myrtle Beach averages at about 45°F (7°C).
Saint Simons usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Myrtle Beach during winter. Saint Simons gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Myrtle Beach receives 180 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Saint Simons usually receives less rain than Myrtle Beach. Saint Simons gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Saint Simons as well as Myrtle Beach. Most visitors come to Saint Simons for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Myrtle Beach because of the beaches and the activities around the city.
In April, Saint Simons is generally a little warmer than Myrtle Beach. Daily temperatures in Saint Simons average around 68°F (20°C), and Myrtle Beach fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Myrtle Beach. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Simons this time of the year. In the spring, Saint Simons often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Myrtle Beach. Saint Simons gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Myrtle Beach receives 278 hours of full sun.
Saint Simons usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Myrtle Beach. Saint Simons gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Saint Simons | Myrtle Beach | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 45°F (7°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
Feb | 56°F (13°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 48°F (9°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
Mar | 62°F (17°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
Apr | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
May | 74°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 70°F (21°C) | 4.4 inches (113 mm) |
Jun | 80°F (27°C) | 5.7 inches (146 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 6 inches (152 mm) |
Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 8.1 inches (207 mm) |
Aug | 82°F (28°C) | 7.8 inches (199 mm) | 80°F (26°C) | 6.9 inches (176 mm) |
Sep | 79°F (26°C) | 7.1 inches (180 mm) | 75°F (24°C) | 5 inches (128 mm) |
Oct | 70°F (21°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 65°F (18°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
Nov | 62°F (17°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
Dec | 56°F (13°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 49°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |