Major city · United States
St. AugustineSt. Augustine, Florida
Give St. Augustine 2 nights on foot in the historic core; add a third only for the beaches or a Jacksonville day trip. Spring and fall beat summer heat.
St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied European-founded city in the United States, founded by Spain in 1565, and its compact colonial core is walkable in a day. Most travellers need two nights: one full day for the fort, St. George Street and the Flagler buildings, and a second for the lighthouse, the beaches across the Bridge of Lions, or a side trip north to Jacksonville. It sits 40 minutes south of Jacksonville on Florida's First Coast, so it pairs naturally with a Jacksonville or Amelia Island stop.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jun–Sep (heat, humidity, afternoon storms, hurricane season)
- Airports
- JAX · DAB · MCO · UST
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for St. Augustine911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about St. Augustine, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetySt.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportJAX Jacksonville International (Closest major commercial airport, about 40 min north by car; rental car or rideshare needed onward.).
- Getting aroundWalk the historic core: the fort, St.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Sit-down mealSit-down dinner main$20–35
- Street or quick mealCasual lunch (sandwich or tacos)$12–20
- BeerDraught beer$6–9
- Museum or sight ticketCastillo de San Marcos entry$15 adult, under 16 free
- Budget bedHostel or budget motel bed, a night, per personUS$45
- Mid-range bedMid-range hotel or inn double room, a night, per roomUS$200
- High-end bedMid-range hotel or inn double room, a night, per roomUS$380
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$110 · Mid US$200 · High US$380
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- JAX Jacksonville International (Closest major commercial airport, about 40 min north by car; rental car or rideshare needed onward.) · DAB Daytona Beach International (About 1 h south; American, Delta and JetBlue serve it.) · MCO Orlando International (About 2 h south; the widest choice of international and domestic flights.) · UST Northeast Florida Regional (In the city limits but no scheduled commercial flights; private and VIP aircraft only.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Feb
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Mar
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Apr
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
May
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jun
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Nov
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Dec
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Apr (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
St. Augustine: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
7 rd
Feb
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
7 rd
Mar
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
7 rd
Apr
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6 rd
May
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Oct
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8 rd
Nov
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6 rd
Dec
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk the historic core: the fort, St. George Street, Flagler College and the Lightner Museum sit within about 1.5 km of each other. Two hop-on trolley loops cover the sights if you want a narrated overview, and both run shuttles to the beach attractions. A car is needed for Anastasia Island beaches, the outlet malls and day trips; park once at the Historic Downtown Parking Garage and continue on foot. Sunshine Bus Company runs local routes in St. Johns County.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Jacksonville
goDoor to door: About 1 h
I-95 north by car, about 40 min; JTA's St. Johns Express runs one or two evening departures only — check the timetable before relying on it
Big-city museums, food and the Cummer; easy half day or full day. A car is the practical option.
Vilano Beach
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Drive or rideshare over the Vilano Causeway, about 10 min
Quiet oceanfront for a half day; go early for parking.
Jacksonville Beach
goDoor to door: About 1 h
A1A north by car, about 40 min
Wider beach scene with boardwalk bars; a car makes it easy.
Palm Coast
cautionDoor to door: About 50 min
I-95 south by car, about 35 min
Mostly a residential and golf base; go only if you have a specific reason.
Amelia Island
overnightDoor to door: About 1.5 h
I-95 north then A1A, about 1 h 15 min by car
Better as one night than a return day: beaches, Fort Clinch and a small historic centre.
Hammock Beach
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
I-95 south then A1A, about 45 min by car
Resort and golf area; day access is limited without a booking.
Orange Park
skipDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
I-95 north then I-295, about 1 h by car
Suburban Jacksonville; nothing here that downtown Jacksonville does not do better.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Historic downtown (St. George Street and the bayfront)
Walk to the fort, museums and restaurants; book early and expect the highest rates. Best for a first visit with no car.
Uptown / San Marco Avenue
Quieter B&Bs and inns 10–15 min walk north of the City Gates; cheaper than the core, still walkable.
Anastasia Island (St. Augustine Beach, Butler Beach)
Beach access and free or cheap parking; 10–15 min drive over the Bridge of Lions to downtown. Best with a car.
Vilano Beach
Small oceanfront community north across the Vilano Causeway; 10 min drive to downtown, quieter and cheaper.
I-95 and outlet-mall strip (S.R. 16 / U.S. 1)
Chain hotels at the lowest rates; 10–15 min drive in, no atmosphere. Best for a road-trip stop.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $90–140 excl. bed
- Mid
- $150–260 excl. bed
- High
- $300+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel or inn double room1 × 2 nights × US$200 | US$400 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$200 | US$800 |
| Castillo de San Marcos entry, per adult2 × US$15 · check | US$30 |
| Historic Downtown Parking Garage, per day1 × US$15 · check | US$15 |
| Trolley hop-on hop-off ticket, per adult2 × US$45 · check | US$90 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$138 |
| Trip total≈ US$378 per person per day, bed included | US$1,513 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; prices are shown before Florida sales tax. Flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Casual lunch (sandwich or tacos) | $12–20 |
| Sit-down dinner main | $20–35 |
| Draught beer | $6–9 |
| Castillo de San Marcos entry | $15 adult, under 16 free |
| St. Augustine Lighthouse entry | $15 adult, $13 child/senior |
| Trolley hop-on hop-off ticket | $24–45 adult depending on operator and days |
| Downtown parking garage | $15/day |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer heat and humidity are the real hazard: plan indoor or shaded stops between about 11:00 and 15:00, and carry water.Summer heat and humidity are the real hazard: plan indoor or shaded stops between about 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM, and carry water.
- Afternoon thunderstorms are routine from June to September; lightning near the bayfront and the fort is a genuine risk.
- Hurricane season runs June–November; the city has flooded in past storms, so check forecasts and evacuation zones before a late-summer trip.
- Downtown streets are narrow and shared with trolleys, carriages, bikes and pedestrians: park and walk rather than drive the core.
- Trolley and attraction tickets are sold at multiple booths; buy from the official operator or the attraction itself.
- Metered and garage parking fills on weekends and holidays; the Historic Downtown Parking Garage is the reliable fallback.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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St. AugustineSt. Augustine, Florida
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in St. Augustine; consulates are in Miami and Atlanta, embassies in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- JAX airport → downtown St. Augustine, rideshare: about $80–120, 40–50 min (check)
- Historic Downtown Parking Garage: $15/day
- Sunshine Bus local ride: $2 per ride, $4 day pass
Say or show
- Where is the historic district? — Where is the historic district?
- One ticket, please — One ticket, please
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is there a parking garage nearby? — Is there a parking garage nearby?
- How far is the beach? — How far is the beach?
English is the working language; Spanish is widely understood in Florida.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for St. Augustine. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jun–Sep (heat, humidity, afternoon storms, hurricane season) · month by month →
- 4 airports and 5 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 6 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for JAX: last rental-car desk hours, rideshare pickup point, taxi fallback and the drive time to each sleep area.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: the fort and bayfront, St. George Street and the City Gates, Flagler College and the Lightner Museum, the lighthouse and Anastasia Island.
- Place pages with verified hours and ticket cutoffs (Castillo de San Marcos, Flagler College tours, the Oldest House, the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse, the lighthouse) and eat pages with last orders.
- Heat, storm and hurricane fixtures so gates A–D can go green for summer and fall arrivals.