Which place is cheaper, Saint John or Zurich?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Zurich or Saint John?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Zurich and Saint John. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Zurich or Saint John?
Zurich
Zurich has the biggest connection for trains in Switzerland. It also has the country's biggest and busiest airport. Because of its importance as a transportation center, it is likely to be the first place you visit in Switzerland. It is the financial capital of the country (although, contrary to what you may have thought, not the political capital). It has many international companies, and is home to the country's stock exchange.
Saint John
With the popularity of the Caribbean rising, many islands have become touristy and expensive – but not St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
At only nine miles long and five miles wide, St. John is the smallest of the Virgin Islands, and, many argue, the prettiest. It's the kind of place that has maintained it's cultural identity, but still welcomes visitors from all over the world. With a population of just 5,000, the residents of St. John know everyone and everything happening on the island.
This island is perfect for people who want an undisturbed island getaway at any price. Between resorts and campgrounds there is a spot for everyone on St. John.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland.
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Zurich Prices
Switzerland PricesSaint John Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZurich $364Saint John $233
The average daily cost (per person) in Zurich is $364, while the average daily cost in Saint John is $233. 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 Zurich and Saint John in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZurich $197Saint John $106
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZurich $394Saint John $212
Compare Hotels in Zurich and Saint John
Looking for a hotel in Zurich or Saint John? 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: Zurich Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zurich $41Saint John $49
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Zurich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:
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City Pass (2)$33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:
- Airport Transfer: Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich by Business Car: $100
- Airport Transfer: Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich by Luxury Van: $107
- Arrival Private Transfer from Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich City by Luxury Van: $117
- Departure Private Transfer from Zurich to Zurich Airport ZRH by Luxury Van: $117
- From Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to Lucerne: $361
- From Canyoning in Interlaken w/ Return Transfer: $308
- Privat Transfer Lucerne to Zurich Airport: $450
- Private Arrival Transfer: from Zurich Airport to Winterthur: $285
- Private Executive Transfers in Zurich Airport and Zurich City: $217
- Private Luxury Transfers ZRH Airport to Zurich City in V Class: $168
- Private One-way Airport Transfer from Zurich Airport to Zurich: $72
- Private One-way Airport Transfer from Zurich to Zurich Airport: $72
Is it cheaper to fly into Zurich or Saint John?
Prices for flights to both Saint John and Zurich 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 dayZurich $124Saint John $97
Typical Food Prices in Zurich
Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:
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Breakfast for 2$16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zurich
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zurich.
- Food Tour of 8+ Tastings with Cheeses & Chocolates: $154
- Zurich Food Tour of 10+ Swiss Specialties w/ Cheeses & Chocolates: $156
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zurich $41Saint John $23
Tours and Activities in Zurich
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:
- Zurich in the Mirror of the Past: Self-Guided Reading Tour: $6.29
- Zurich Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
- Winterthur Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $9.04
- Schaffhausen Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $9.04
- Zurich Highlights Self guided scavenger hunt and city tour: $12
- Swiss Finance Museum Admission Ticket: $13
- The Dark Side of Self-Guided Audio City Tour: $13
- Zurich in the Mirror of the Past: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $13
- Self-Guided Audio Tour to the Dark Side of Zurich: $13
- Zurich Old Town Walking Tour: 2-Hours: $16
- Swiss National Museum Entry Ticket: $16
- City Walking Tour Made in Zurich: $19
Tours and Activities in Saint John
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- St. John: A Private Island Adventure Tour & Trunk Bay Beach: $627
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZurich $34Saint John $44
Sample the Local Flavors in Zurich
Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour with Shots and Snacks: $38
- Pub Crawl Zurich: $39
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zurich and Saint John, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is Saint John much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zurich is in Europe and Saint John 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 Saint John would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint John 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich than you might in Saint John.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zurich Expensive? and Is Saint John Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Zurich or Saint John?
Zurich has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Zurich or Saint John in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zurich and Saint John. The summer months attract visitors to Zurich because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Zurich is generally cooler than Saint John. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 21°C (70°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
In July, Zurich usually receives more rain than Saint John. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZurich 21°C (70°F)Saint John 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Zurich or Saint John in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Zurich as well as Saint John. The shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Zurich this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.
Zurich is much colder than Saint John in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Saint John fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite rainy in Saint John. Zurich usually gets less rain in October than Saint John. Zurich gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZurich 13°C (56°F)Saint John 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Zurich or Saint John in the Winter?
Both Saint John and Zurich are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Zurich for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Zurich. In the winter, Zurich is much colder than Saint John. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zurich in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Saint John averages at about 26°C (78°F).
In January, Zurich usually receives more rain than Saint John. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZurich 3°C (37°F)Saint John 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Zurich or Saint John in the Spring?
Both Saint John and Zurich during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Zurich in the spring for the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.
In April, Zurich is generally much colder than Saint John. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 12°C (53°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
Zurich usually gets more rain in April than Saint John. Zurich gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZurich 12°C (53°F)Saint John 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John and Zurich
| Zurich | Saint John | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.