Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Akureyri?
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 Akureyri or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Akureyri or Saint Thomas, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Akureyri or Saint Thomas?
Akureyri
Akureyri is the largest town in the northern region of Iceland, and is often considered the unofficial capital of the north. The town is a popular fishing port and is often used as a basecamp for visiting the more rural surrounding area. Akureyri is known for their great art scene, beautiful architecture, and stunning natural scenery.
Saint Thomas
Saint Thomas is a beautiful island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Together with St. John, St. Croix, and Water Island, it forms the unincorporated territory of the United States. The island is also home to the territorial capital and port of Charlotte Amalie. The island's population is just over 50,000, which is slightly less than half of the territory's total population.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Iceland, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland.
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Akureyri Prices
Iceland PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAkureyri $189Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Akureyri is $189, while the average daily cost in Saint Thomas is $258. 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 Akureyri and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAkureyri $102Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAkureyri $204Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Akureyri and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Akureyri or Saint Thomas? 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: Akureyri Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Akureyri $23Saint Thomas $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Akureyri
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Akureyri:
- Whale and Puffin Watching in Hauganes from Akureyri with Transfer: $164
- Whale Watching Tour with Transfer from Port: $141
- From Godafoss Waterfall Guided Trip with Transfers: $129
- Whale Watching from Akureyri with Roundtrip Transfer: $117
- Seamless Transfer from Akureyri Airport to Your Stay: $32
- Transfer to Akureyri Airport from your Stay: $32
- Akureyri Airport (AEY): Transfer to/from Akureyri City: $32
- Transfer from Accommodation to Akureyri Airport: $29
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Thomas
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Saint Thomas are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$65
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Taxi Ride$5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Thomas
Also for Saint Thomas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Cyril E. King Airport STT to Charlotte Amalie RoundTrip Transfer: $200
- Exclusive Airport Transfers (up to 4 persons) One-Way: $149
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St. Thomas- Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton Elysian: $174
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove: $110
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $174
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay / Limetree: $110
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St Thomas- Airport Transfer Sapphire / Crystal Cove: $174
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St. Thomas Airport Transfer to Wyndham Margaritaville: $174
- Prince Taxi & Tours St.Thomas Airport transfer to Redhook Ferry: $180
- Prince Taxi USVI ST.Thomas Airport transfer to Westin: $135
- Prince Taxi USVI- ST.Thomas Aiport Transfer to Crown bay ferry: $120
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $225
Is it cheaper to fly into Akureyri or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Akureyri 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 dayAkureyri $70Saint Thomas $94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Thomas
For Saint Thomas, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- St. James Snorkel & Pizza Pi Lunch: $90
- St. John Sail with Bar and Hors d'Oeuvres to Lovango Dinner: $109
- Sunset & Harbor Lights Dinner Sail from the Marriott's Frenchman's Cove: $119
- Afternoon Snorkel, Pizza & Sunset Tour departing from St. Thomas & St. John: $120
- Local Experience, St. John U.S. Virgin Islands Food Tour: $125
- St. Thomas Dinner Sail to Lovango w/ Open Bar and Hors D'oeuvres: $139
- Flavors of St Thomas Walking Food Tour: $145
- St. John PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail with Beach Stop, Lunch & Open Bar - Westin: $149
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Akureyri $18Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Akureyri
Here are a few actual costs in Akureyri for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Akureyri Guided E-Bike Tour: $165
- Akureyri Lake Myvatn Godafoss and Lava Fields Tour: $180
- Akureyri Northern Light Tour: $139
- Akureyri Port: Dettifoss, Goðafoss and Lake Mývatn Tour: $293
- Akureyri Port: Goðafoss and Akureyri Botanical Garden Tour: $170
- Akureyri Port: Goðafoss and the Forest Lagoon Tour: $203
- Akureyri Port: Godafoss Waterfall Classic Tour & Viewpoint: $81
- Akureyri Port: Hot Godafoss Waterfall Tour & The Forest Lagoon: $157
- Akureyri Port: Lake Mývatn & Goðafoss Guided Tour with Lunch: $328
- Akureyri Port: Lake Mývatn and Godafoss Waterfall Tour: $182
- Akureyri Port: Myvatn Nature Baths & Godafoss Waterfall Tour: $246
- Akureyri Port: Small Group Godafoss and Laufas Turf House Tour: $165
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Nature and Sightseeing at Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden: $16
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $25
- Coral World Ocean Park General Admission Ticket: $29
- Cruise Ship Shuttle to Ferry going to St. John: $30
- Cruise Ship Port Shuttle to St John Ferry: $34
- Rum Tasting Experience in the Old Barrel House: $35
- High Speed Harbor Tour from Charlotte Amalie Cruise Port: $45
- St. John Ghost Tour of Historic Cruz Bay: $45
- Guided Stand Up Paddleboard Tour from Margaritaville: $48
- Guided Kayak Tour from Elysian: $48
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI - St. Thomas, Virgin Islands- Island Scenic Tour: $49
- Prince taxi & Tours St.Thomas Virgin Islands-Island Scenic Tour: $55
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAkureyri $15Saint Thomas $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Thomas
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Thomas:
- Da Conch Crawl- Walking Tour and Bar Crawl Downtown St. Thomas: $148
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Akureyri and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Akureyri much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Akureyri is in Europe and Saint Thomas 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 Akureyri would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Akureyri 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 Thomas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Thomas than you might in Akureyri.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Akureyri Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Akureyri or Saint Thomas?
Saint Thomas has a larger population, and is about 21% larger than the population of Akureyri. When comparing the sizes of Akureyri and Saint Thomas, 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 Akureyri or Saint Thomas?
Akureyri has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint Thomas experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Akureyri or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
Both Saint Thomas and Akureyri during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
Akureyri is much colder than Saint Thomas in the summer. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Akureyri gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun.
Akureyri usually gets less rain in July than Saint Thomas. Akureyri gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAkureyri 11°C (52°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Akureyri and Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Akureyri can be very cold during autumn. In the autumn, Akureyri is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Akureyri in October average around 3°C (38°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during autumn. Akureyri gets 52 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Saint Thomas receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Akureyri gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAkureyri 3°C (38°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Akureyri as well as Saint Thomas. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
The weather in Akureyri can be very cold. In January, Akureyri is generally much colder than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Akureyri average around -2°C (28°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. In the winter, Akureyri often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Akureyri gets 7 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun.
Akureyri usually gets more rain in January than Saint Thomas. Akureyri gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAkureyri -2°C (28°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Akureyri or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
Both Saint Thomas and Akureyri are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite cold in Akureyri in the spring. Akureyri is much colder than Saint Thomas in the spring. The daily temperature in Akureyri averages around 2°C (36°F) in April, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. Akureyri usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during spring. Akureyri gets 130 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Akureyri usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Akureyri gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAkureyri 2°C (36°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Akureyri
| Akureyri | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (28°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | -1°C (31°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 2°C (36°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (50°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (51°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 7°C (44°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | -0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (29°F) | 53 mm (2.1 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.