Should I Visit Valletta or Saint John's for Vacation? Which is Better? Which is Cheaper? Which is More Expensive?

Should you visit Valletta or Saint John's?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Valletta and Saint John's can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Valletta or Saint John's?

Valletta

A harbor city and the capital city of the island of Malta, Valletta dates back to the 16th-century with a preserved architectural heritage that earned the city a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is best known for its museums, palaces, and churches.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Malta, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Malta.

Which place is cheaper, Saint John's or Valletta?

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

Valletta Prices
Malta Prices

Saint John's Prices
Antigua and Barbuda Prices
Average Daily Cost Per person, per day

Valletta €116

Saint John's €206

The average daily cost (per person) in Valletta is €116, while the average daily cost in Saint John's is €206. 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 Valletta and Saint John's in more detail.

Accommodation

Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person

Valletta €65

Saint John's €111
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room

Valletta €130

Saint John's €222

Compare Hotels in Valletta and Saint John's

Looking for a hotel in Valletta or Saint John's? 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.

Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Valletta Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation

Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.

Valletta €24

Saint John's €16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valletta

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

Malta Airport Private Transfers: $66
Afternoon Harbours Cruise with Guide and Roundtrip Transfers: $39
Airport Transfers (Private Group up to 15 people): $103
Airport transfers to all locations in Malta (Private Groups or Families): $81
Arrival Transfer: Malta Airport MLA to Malta Island by Van: $49
Departure Transfer: Malta Island to Malta Airport MLA by Van: $47
From Malta: Gozo Jeep Tour with Lunch and Hotel Transfers: $88
From Private Malta Highlights Tour with Transfer: $151
Malta Airport (MLA) Departure Transfer (Saint Julian's Hotels to Malta Airport): $49
Malta Airport Transfers : $38
Malta Intl Airport (MLA) to Valletta Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $28
Malta Private Airport Transfer - Arrival: $44

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

€1.41
Taxi From Airport

€6.49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint John's

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint John's:

VIP Meet and Greet Fast Track on Arrival at Antigua Airport - without Transfers : $74
Shared Roundtrip Taxi Transfer from Antigua Airport to Royalton Antigua Resort: $45
Round-Trip Transfer between Antigua Airport and Antigua Hotels: $32
Private Transfer from St. John's Port to Antigua Island Hotels: $79
Private Transfer from St. John's Port to Antigua Airport (ANU): $50
Private Transfer from Antigua Airport (ANU) to St. John's Port: $50
Private Transfer from Antigua & Barbuda V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to island: $113
Private Roundtrip Airport Transfers & Tour in Antigua & Barbuda: $200
Private Round Trip Transfer From Antigua Airport To NonSuch Bay: $99
Private One-Way Antigua Airport Transfer To/From Antigua: $45
Private Airport Transfers to Antigua and Barbuda: $60
Private Airport Transfers 1- 2 Pax. Zone C: Hotels: $120

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

Prices for flights to both Saint John's and Valletta 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

Valletta €32

Saint John's €63

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Valletta

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

Valletta Food Tour - Eat like a local: $46
Valletta Food Tour: $49
Folklore Evening Dinner Show at a Traditional Maltese Restaurant Incl. Transfers: $67
Maltese Traditional Dinner and Folklore Show with Transfers: $71
Fireworks Festival Cruise Including Dinner, Drinks and Transport: $77
The Ultimate Valletta Evening Food Tour: $81
Fernandes Sunset Cruise including Dinner with Open Bar: $81
Christmas Tour in Gozo (afternoon) inc. Dinner: $87
Blue Lagoon & Sunset Quad Tour in Gozo/Dinner: $101
From Blue Lagoon and Gozo Tour w/Quads and Dinner: $118
The Valletta Food Tour Experience, a private tour: $150
Private Valletta Food Tour: $175

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

Entertainment

Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.

Valletta €27

Saint John's €96

Tours and Activities in Valletta

For Valletta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
Escape Game and Tour: $6.46
Reliving The Sacra Infermeria Augmented Reality Tour: $6.55
30-Minute Mdina Experience Audio-Visual Show Ticket (Open Ticket): $6.55
Valletta Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $7.10
The Knights of Malta Museum Entry Ticket: $7.10
City Nobles App Tour + Malta5D Entry (optional): $7.53
Self-Guided Historical Walking Tour (Audio Guide): $7.53
City Nobles App Tour + Optional Malta 5D Show Ticket: $7.64
Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & City Tour: $8.07
Self-Guided Audio Tour, Map and Directions: $8.61
Entry Ticket for The Limestone Heritage Park and Gardens : $9.85

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

€2.78

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

Alcohol

Alcohol Drinks for one day

Valletta €16

Saint John's €17

Sample the Local Flavors in Valletta

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Valletta:

Valletta Pub Crawl: $22
Malta Pub Crawl: $22
The Brewery Experience Self-Guided Tour with Tasting & Transport: $35
The Brewery Experience & beer tasting including transport: $35
Malta: The Three Cities and Wine Tasting Tour: $44

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Valletta and Saint John's, we can see that Saint John's is more expensive. And not only is Valletta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Valletta is in Europe and Saint John's is in Caribbean Islands, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Valletta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Valletta 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 John's would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John's than you might in Valletta.

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

Which is Bigger, Valletta or Saint John's?

Saint John's has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Valletta. When comparing the sizes of Valletta and Saint John's, 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 Valletta or Saint John's?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Valletta or Saint John's in the Summer?

Both Saint John's and Valletta during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Valletta because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round.

Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Valletta usually gets less rain in July than Saint John's. Valletta gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Saint John's, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Valletta. In the summer, Valletta often gets more sunshine than Saint John's. Valletta gets 365 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint John's receives 245 hours of full sun.

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

Summer Average Temperatures July

Valletta 26°C (79°F)

Saint John's 27°C (81°F)

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Valletta and Saint John's. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Valletta year-round. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Saint John's receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Valletta usually receives less rain than Saint John's. Valletta gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint John's this time of the year. In Valletta, it's very sunny this time of the year. Valletta usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint John's during autumn. Valletta gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Saint John's receives 217 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Valletta is cooler than Saint John's in the autumn. The daily temperature in Valletta averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Saint John's fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

Autumn Average Temperatures October

Valletta 21°C (70°F)

Saint John's 27°C (80°F)

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

The winter brings many poeple to Valletta as well as Saint John's. Valletta attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's throughout the year.

Valletta usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Saint John's. Valletta gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. In the winter, Valletta often gets less sunshine than Saint John's. Valletta gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint John's receives 236 hours of full sun.

In the winter, Valletta is much colder than Saint John's. Typically, the winter temperatures in Valletta in January average around 13°C (55°F), and Saint John's averages at about 24°C (76°F).

Winter Average Temperatures January

Valletta 13°C (55°F)

Saint John's 24°C (76°F)

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

Both Saint John's and Valletta are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Valletta throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John's because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. In April, Valletta usually receives less rain than Saint John's. Valletta gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

It's quite sunny in Saint John's. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valletta. Valletta usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint John's during spring. Valletta gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Saint John's receives 240 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Valletta is generally much colder than Saint John's. Daily temperatures in Valletta average around 16°C (61°F), and Saint John's fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Spring Average Temperatures April

Valletta 16°C (61°F)

Saint John's 26°C (78°F)

Typical Weather for Saint John's and Valletta

	Valletta		Saint John's
	Temp (°C)	Rain (mm)	Temp (°C)	Rain (mm)
Jan	13°C (55°F)	90 mm (3.5 in)	24°C (76°F)	84 mm (3.3 in)
Feb	13°C (55°F)	60 mm (2.4 in)	24°C (76°F)	64 mm (2.5 in)
Mar	14°C (57°F)	40 mm (1.6 in)	25°C (76°F)	73 mm (2.9 in)
Apr	16°C (61°F)	30 mm (1.2 in)	26°C (78°F)	123 mm (4.8 in)
May	19°C (66°F)	10 mm (0.4 in)	27°C (80°F)	148 mm (5.8 in)
Jun	23°C (73°F)	10 mm (0.4 in)	28°C (82°F)	118 mm (4.6 in)
Jul	26°C (79°F)	10 mm (0.4 in)	27°C (81°F)	150 mm (5.9 in)
Aug	27°C (81°F)	10 mm (0.4 in)	27°C (81°F)	198 mm (7.8 in)
Sep	24°C (75°F)	30 mm (1.2 in)	27°C (81°F)	236 mm (9.3 in)
Oct	21°C (70°F)	80 mm (3.1 in)	27°C (80°F)	228 mm (9 in)
Nov	17°C (63°F)	90 mm (3.5 in)	26°C (79°F)	220 mm (8.7 in)
Dec	14°C (57°F)	110 mm (4.3 in)	25°C (77°F)	137 mm (5.4 in)

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