Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Asheville?
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 Asheville or Saint Thomas?
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 Asheville and Saint Thomas. 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: Asheville or Saint Thomas?
Asheville
Asheville is a beautiful mountain town between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains. It's a popular tourist destination in western North Carolina that attracts hikers, shoppers, and adventurers alike. It's the largest city in the area and is famous for it's liberal mindset and large art community. Local crafts are frequently available for sale in the downtown shops.
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 Photography Tours in United States of America, and The Best Camping Tours in United States of America.
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Asheville Prices
USA PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAsheville $159Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Asheville is $159, 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 Asheville and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAsheville $89Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAsheville $178Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Asheville and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Asheville 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: Asheville Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Asheville $14Saint Thomas $37
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: $197
- Exclusive One Way Airport and Hotel Transfers (up to 6 persons): $190
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St. Thomas- Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton Elysian : $170
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove: $110
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI Airport Transfer Bluebeard’s Hampton : $110
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay / Limetree: $110
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St Thomas- Airport Transfer Sapphire / Crystal Cove : $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St. Thomas Airport Transfer to Wyndham Margaritaville: $160
- Prince Taxi ST.Thomas Airport transfer to Yacht Haven/Bluebeards: $175
- Prince Taxi USVI-ST.Thomas Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton : $180
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $179
Is it cheaper to fly into Asheville or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Asheville 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 dayAsheville $58Saint 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
- Sunset & Harbor Lights Dinner Sail from the Marriott's Frenchman's Cove: $119
- St. John Sail with Bar and Hors d'Oeuvres to Lovango Dinner: $119
- Afternoon Snorkel, Pizza & Sunset Tour departing from St. Thomas & St. John: $120
- Local Experience, St. John U.S. Virgin Islands Food Tour: $125
- Authentic Virgin Islands Cooking Class: $145
- St. John PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail with Beach Stop, Lunch & Open Bar - Westin: $149
- Christmas Cove and Pizza Pi Happy Hour Sail Tour: $165
- Pizza Pi, Snorkel & Sunset Sail: $175
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Asheville $20Saint Thomas $60
Typical Entertainment Prices in Asheville
Here are a few typical costs in Asheville for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Biltmore Estate Entrance Fee$60
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Massage$40
Tours and Activities in Asheville
Here are a few actual costs in Asheville for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- (3 HR) Guided Scenic UTV Adventure: $175
- (4 HR) UTV ECO Elk Wilderness Adventure : $265
- 2-Hour Guided Segway Tour of Asheville: $65
- 2.5-3 hour Smoky Mountain Cherokee Blue Ridge Parkway Safari tour: $110
- 2.5-Hour Blue Ridge Parkway Guided Jeep Tour: $109
- 4 HR Smoky Mtn. Cherokee Eco Elk Waterfall Safari Jeep Adventure : $160
- Asheville Coffee Tours: $67
- Asheville Ghost Tour: A Walk Through Riverside Cemetery & Montford Neighborhood: $27
- Asheville Historic Downtown Guided Electric Bike Tour with Scenic Views: $75
- Asheville Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Trolley Tour: $41
- Asheville Insider Guided Walking Tour: $35
- Asheville Night-Time Walking Ghost Tour : $27
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Nature and Sightseeing Tour at Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden: $16
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $25
- Coral World Ocean Park General Admission Ticket: $29
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- St. Thomas Sightseeing Tour with a Guide: $40
- Historic Ghost Tour in Charlotte Amalie : $41
- Prince taxi & Tours St.Thomas Virgin Islands-Island Scenic Tour: $45
- Cruise Ship Suttle to Ferry going to St. John: $45
- Guided Kayak Tour from Elysian: $48
- High Speed Harbor Tour from Charlotte Amalie Cruise Port: $48
- Guided Kayak Tour from Margaritaville: $48
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI - St. Thomas, Virgin Islands- Island Scenic Tour: $49
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAsheville $16Saint Thomas $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Asheville
Also in Asheville, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Asheville Terrors Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl: $27
- Terrors, Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Expert-Led Brewery Walking Tour with Beer Samples: $65
- Downtown Asheville Guided Brewery Walking Tour: $69
- Premier Walking Guided Brewery Tour Through Downtown Asheville: $69
- 3 Brewery Walking Tour with Tastings: $74
- Mobile Craft Brewery Tour with Tastings: $85
- Floating Bar Crawl Tour: $90
- Premier Mobile Guided Brewery Tour Around Asheville: $99
- Guided Craft Brewery Tour with a Snack: $99
- Asheville Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
- 2 Vineyard Wine Tour of Western NC: $159
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Asheville and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Asheville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Asheville is in North America 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 Asheville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Asheville 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 Asheville.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Asheville Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Asheville or Saint Thomas?
Asheville has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Asheville 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 Asheville or Saint Thomas?
Asheville 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 Asheville or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
Both Saint Thomas and Asheville during the summer are popular places to visit. The hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Asheville this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
In July, Asheville is generally around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 82°F (28°C), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Asheville. In the summer, Asheville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas. Asheville gets 268 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually gets more rain in July than Saint Thomas. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) 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 JulyAsheville 82°F (28°C)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Asheville or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Saint Thomas. Many travelers come to Asheville for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Asheville is much colder than Saint Thomas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In Asheville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Asheville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas during autumn. Asheville gets 229 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, Asheville usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) 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 OctoberAsheville 64°F (18°C)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Asheville or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Saint Thomas. Many visitors come to Asheville in the winter for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
In the winter, Asheville is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Asheville in January average around 44°F (7°C), and Saint Thomas averages at about 26°C (78°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. In the winter, Asheville often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Asheville gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun.
Asheville receives a lot of rain in the winter. Asheville usually gets more rain in January than Saint Thomas. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) 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 JanuaryAsheville 44°F (7°C)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Asheville or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
Both Saint Thomas and Asheville are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Asheville for the natural beauty during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Asheville is generally much colder than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 64°F (18°C), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas during spring. Asheville gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Asheville. In April, Asheville usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) 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 AprilAsheville 64°F (18°C)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Asheville
| Asheville | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 44°F (7°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 47°F (8°C) | 4.3 inches (109 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 55°F (13°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 64°F (18°C) | 4.4 inches (112 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 79°F (26°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 75°F (24°C) | 4 inches (101 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 64°F (18°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 55°F (13°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 47°F (8°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) | 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.