Which place is cheaper, Saint John's or Wellington?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Wellington or Saint John's?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Wellington or Saint John's? 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.
Where Should I go: Wellington or Saint John's?
Wellington
Wellington is the capital and second largest city in New Zealand. It sits on the southwestern edge of the North Island between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range. It's a beautiful setting that is encircled by mountains giving it a beautiful backdrop. There are also many cultural sights and attractions around town. Wellington really is the perfect mix of New Zealand's natural beauty and a vibrant urban core. The film industry is also prevelant in the city. The city's production centers have helped create Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit trilogies, Avatar, Tin Tin, and District 9.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayWellington $104Saint John's $222
The average daily cost (per person) in Wellington is $104, while the average daily cost in Saint John's is $222. 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 Wellington and Saint John's in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personWellington $61Saint John's $120
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomWellington $122Saint John's $240
Compare Hotels in Wellington and Saint John's
Looking for a hotel in Wellington 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: Wellington Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Wellington $12Saint John's $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Wellington
Also for Wellington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Transfer: Wellington Airport to Central Wellington City Centre Hotels: $13
- Departure Transfer: Wellington Central City Centre Hotels to Wellington Airport: $13
- Private Airport Transfer: $80
- Private Transfer from Wellington Cruise Port to Wellington Hotels: $26
- Private Transfer from Wellington hotels to Wellington Cruise Port: $26
- Private Transfer with Wellington Dial a Driver: $74
- Wellington Airport (WLG) to Wellington - Arrival Private Transfer: $28
- Wellington Airport Transfer to Wellington Hotels and Vice versa: $77
- Wētā Workshop Experience with Guided Transfers: $62
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint John's
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint John's:
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Local Bus$1.52
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Taxi From Airport$6.99
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 Wellington or Saint John's?
Prices for flights to both Saint John's and Wellington 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
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Food Meals for one dayWellington $30Saint John's $68
Typical Food Prices in Wellington
For Wellington, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner$9.02
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Wellington
For Wellington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Walking Food Tour Of Wellington: $153
- A Taste Of Wellington Food Tour (half Day): $188
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Wellington $16Saint John's $103
Tours and Activities in Wellington
For Wellington, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Return Cable Car Ticket: $6.61
- Museum of NZ Te Papa Tongarewa: Gallipoli Early Entry Ticket: $9.02
- Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa Guided Tour: $12
- Museum of NZ Te Papa Tongarewa Twilight Express Tour: $12
- Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa: Mana Māori Tour: $12
- Museum of New Zealand Te Papa: Small Group Guided Tour: $14
- Museum of New Zealand Te Papa: Mana Māori Tour: $14
- Wellington Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Skip the Line: Staglands Wildlife Reserve Entry Ticket: $16
- Return Ferry Ticket from Queens Wharf, Wellington to Days Bay: $17
- Private Group Puzzle-Solving Adventure Game: Spaceship: $28
- Private Group Puzzle-Solving Adventure Game: Temple: $28
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:
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Entrance to the Museum of Antigua & Barbu$3.00
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayWellington $12Saint John's $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Wellington
Also in Wellington, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wellington Craft Brewery Half Day Tour: $94
- Wellington Craft Brewery Half-Day Guided Tour with Tastings: $96
- 5 hour Martinborough shared Chefs Wine Tour with Gourmet lunch: $153
- Martinborough Full Day Wine Tour: $172
- Chefs Private Martinborough wine tour with Gourmet Lunch: $361
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Wellington and Saint John's, we can see that Saint John's is more expensive. And not only is Wellington much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Wellington is in Pacific 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 Wellington would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Wellington 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 Wellington.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Wellington Expensive? and Is Saint John's Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Wellington or Saint John's?
Wellington has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Wellington 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 Wellington or Saint John's?
Wellington has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John's experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Wellington or Saint John's in the Summer?
Both Saint John's and Wellington during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Wellington because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round.
Wellington is much colder than Saint John's in the summer. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 18°C (64°F) in January, and Saint John's fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in July.
In Saint John's, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Wellington. In the summer, Wellington often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint John'sin July. Wellington gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint John's receives 245 hours of full sun.
Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Wellington usually gets less rain in January than Saint John'sin July. Wellington gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyWellington 18°C (64°F)Saint John's 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Wellington or Saint John's in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Wellington and Saint John's. The hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Wellington this time of year. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Wellington is much colder than Saint John's. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Wellington in April average around 15°C (58°F), and Saint John's averages at about 27°C (80°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint John's this time of the year. Wellington usually receives less sunshine than Saint John's during autumn. Wellington gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Saint John's receives 217 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Saint John's receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Wellington usually receives less rain than Saint John'sin October. Wellington gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberWellington 15°C (58°F)Saint John's 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Wellington or Saint John's in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Wellington as well as Saint John's. Many travelers come to Wellington for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's throughout the year.
In July, Wellington is generally much colder than Saint John'sin January. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 10°C (49°F), and Saint John's fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. In the winter, Wellington often gets less sunshine than Saint John'sin January. Wellington gets 122 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint John's receives 236 hours of full sun.
Wellington receives a lot of rain in the winter. Wellington usually gets more rain in July than Saint John'sin January. Wellington gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryWellington 10°C (49°F)Saint John's 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Wellington or Saint John's in the Spring?
Both Saint John's and Wellington are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Wellington in the spring for the beaches. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John's because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Wellington is much colder than Saint John's in the spring. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Saint John's fluctuates around 26°C (78°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Saint John's. Wellington usually receives less sunshine than Saint John's during spring. Wellington gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Saint John's receives 240 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. In October, Wellington usually receives less rain than Saint John'sin April. Wellington gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilWellington 13°C (55°F)Saint John's 26°C (78°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John's and Wellington
| Wellington | Saint John's | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Feb | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (58°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (51°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jul | 10°C (49°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Aug | 10°C (50°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (58°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) |
| Dec | 17°C (62°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.