Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Athens?
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 Athens 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 Athens 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: Athens or Saint Thomas?
Athens
Athens is the capital city of Greece and is home to a population of over 3.7 million people. It's most famous as the birthplace of Classical Greece and the history in the city is incomparable to that found anywhere. It became the national capital of the modern Greek State in the 1830s, before which it was just a small village with a very impressive history. The city was redesigned by architects and city planners and incorporated large public squares, lots of green space, and wide avenues. The city has had its ups and downs both economically and politically, but it remains a beautiful and impressive place to explore.
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 10-Day Tours in Greece, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece.
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Athens Prices
Greece PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAthens $181Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Athens is $181, 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 Athens and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAthens $74Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAthens $148Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Athens and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Athens 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: Athens Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Athens $32Saint Thomas $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Athens:
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Airport Bus for Two$7.51
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Metro$1.76
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Metro$2.35
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Metro from Airport to City Center$9.39
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Taxi from Airport$41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Athens
Also for Athens, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer to/from Volos: $575
- Private Transfer From Athens To Meteora - Kalabaka: $300
- Private Transfer Athens/ATH/Piraeus to Kyllini Port/Hotels: $287
- Private Transfer Athens/ATH/Piraeus to Costa Navarino: $287
- Athens to Volos Private Transfer: $281
- Private Transfer from Athens Airport (ATH) to Nafplio Cruise Port: $280
- Private Transfer from Athens/Piraeus to Corinth-Loutraki or vice versa: $275
- VIP Ferry Ticket From Piraeus Port To Santorini & Private Transfer Included: $274
- Athens Half Day Round Trip Multiple Destination Transfer: $273
- Transfer from PIRAEUS PORT to NAFPLIO, up to 4 customers: $269
- Athens to Kalamata Private Transfer: $269
- Transfer from PIRAEUS PORT to EPIDAVROS, up to 4 customers: $268
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: $204
- Prince Taxi & Tours St.Thomas Airport transfer to Redhook Ferry: $200
- Prince Taxi USVI ST.Thomas Airport transfer to Westin : $180
- Prince Taxi USVI-ST.Thomas Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton : $180
- ST.Thomas Private Airport One-Way Transfers: $180
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $179
- Private Arrival Transfer from Cyril E King Airport to Redhook Bay: $175
- Prince Taxi ST.Thomas Airport transfer to Yacht Haven/Bluebeards: $175
- Private Hotel and Resorts Transfers: $173
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St. Thomas- Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton Elysian : $170
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St Thomas- Airport Transfer Sapphire / Crystal Cove : $160
Is it cheaper to fly into Athens or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Athens 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 dayAthens $76Saint Thomas $94
Typical Food Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Athens:
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Ice cream$3.52
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Souvlaki$2.58
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Athens
For Athens, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hard Rock Cafe Athens with Set Lunch or Dinner: $30
- Athens Greek Wedding Party Dinner Show with Acropolis Views: $42
- Foodies’ Favorite Food tour: $51
- Cooking Class at Diamond Roof Garden: $66
- The Bizarre Food Tour of Athens: $78
- Koukaki Food Tour with a Local Friend: $78
- Traditional Greek Cooking Class and Organic Lunch on Poros: $81
- Athens Walking Food Tour with Visit to Varvakios Central Market: $82
- Eat like an Athenian food tour of Athens: $82
- Traditional Cooking Classes incl. Drinks: $82
- Taste of Athens Small-Group Food Tour: $84
- Athens Evening Food Tour: $87
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:
- Flavors: Cultural Cooking Class, St Thomas, USVI, USA : $81
- St. John Sail with Bar and Hors d'Oeuvres to Lovango Dinner: $119
- 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
- Pizza Pi Shuttle (Official) - Jet Ski Trip St Thomas: $148
- St. John PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail with Beach Stop, Lunch & Open Bar - Westin: $149
- Christmas Cove and Pizza Pi Happy Hour Sail Tour: $185
- Turtles, Pizza Pi & Sunset trip: $295
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Athens $42Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Athens
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Athens.
- Acropolis/Athens Highlights Private Evening Tour (5 hours) from Athens, Piraeus: $161
- Apostle Paul's missionary journys in Athens Private Tour 4Hours: $157
- Athens Gems & Charms for the First Time Cruise Passengers: $94
- Island Swimming Day Cruise—DJ, Lunch & Drinks incl.: $154
- Best Food Tasting Tour of Athens, taste 18+ iconic Greek foods! : $93
- Mycenae, Epidaurus & Nafplio Full-Day V.R audio guided Tour: $28
- Olive Oil Tasting Farm Experience, Corinth Canal, Nafplio: $186
- Private Full Day Tour in Delphi: $219
- Private Luxury Tour: Athens Riviera & The Temple of Poseidon: $155
- Traditional Villages Full day Tour in Santorini: $65
- "Athens Highlights Tour : Acropolis, Acropolis Museum and more.": $179
- "Private tour in Athens": $179
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Island Icons & Treasures Tour - St. Thomas USVI : $199
- Magens Bay Trail Hiking Tour: $60
- Two-Hour Sightseeing Excursion : $58
- Vi Top Taxi &Tours USVI-Coki Beach Snorkeling Tour : $68
- 1 Hour Jet Ski Tour in the Virgin Islands from Westin St. John: $169
- 1-Hour Guided Jet Ski Tour in St. Thomas from Frenchman's Reef: $159
- 1.5 Hour Private Mini Jeep Tour on St. Thomas: $220
- 3 Hour Kayak and Snorkel Tour: $139
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- Best of Mangrove Lagoon Kayak, Hike and Snorkel Adventure with Picnic Lunch: $159
- Book Your Private Two and a Half Hour Island Tour today!: $150
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAthens $26Saint Thomas $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Athens
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Athens:
- Greek Honey Tasting Experience at our Old Distillery: $14
- Polykala Distillery: 128 years of history & liqueur tasting.: $17
- The NightCrawlers | Athens Bar Hopping | Pub Crawl: $19
- Liquer tasting in Polykala's Distillery Show Room in Athens: $19
- Saturday Night Pub Crawl for Professionals in Athens, Greece: $25
- Experience Ouzo Tasting at Athens Oldest Distillery: $26
- Athens Ultimate Bar Crawl: $48
- 2 Hours Wine Tasting Odyssey in Athens: $59
- Greek Wine Tasting with Acropolis view: $59
- Best rated Acropolis Wine Tasting : $59
- Acropolis Private Wine Tasting @ Finewine store : $67
- Greek food and wine tasting: $71
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Athens and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Athens much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Athens 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 Athens would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Athens 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 Athens.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Athens Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Athens or Saint Thomas?
Athens has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Athens 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 Athens or Saint Thomas?
Athens 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 Athens or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
Both Saint Thomas and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Athens this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Athens is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Athens in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 29°C (83°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Saint Thomas during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Athens usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAthens 27°C (81°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Athens or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
Both Saint Thomas and Athens during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Athens for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
In October, Athens is generally cooler than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 19°C (67°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Athens. In the autumn, Athens often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun.
Saint Thomas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Athens usually gets less rain in October than Saint Thomas. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAthens 19°C (67°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Athens or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Saint Thomas. Many visitors come to Athens in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Athens is much colder than Saint Thomas in the winter. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. Athens usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Athens usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint Thomas. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAthens 10°C (51°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Athens or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Athens as well as Saint Thomas. Most visitors come to Athens for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
In the spring, Athens is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Athens in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 27°C (80°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the spring, Athens often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun.
Athens usually gets less rain in April than Saint Thomas. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAthens 16°C (60°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Athens
| Athens | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (60°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 66 mm (2.6 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.