Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Auckland?
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 Auckland or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Auckland and Saint Thomas can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Auckland or Saint Thomas?
Auckland
Auckland is located on the North Island of New Zealand on an isthmus between the Northland Peninsula and the other parts of the North Island. Auckland is not only a city but also a region. In 2010 New Zealand combined what had previously been four separate cities into one region. These cities include the southern city of Manukau, the western city of Waitakere, the North Shore in the north, and Auckland City. The City of Auckland is the largest city in Polynesia and is very diverse with many expatriates from elsewhere in Polynesia. This diversity becomes most apparent in Auckland's many festivals and sporting events.
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 Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand.
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Auckland Prices
New Zealand PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAuckland $170Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Auckland is $170, 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 Auckland and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAuckland $99Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAuckland $198Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Auckland and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Auckland 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: Auckland Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Auckland $17Saint Thomas $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Auckland
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Auckland:
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Bus from Airport$9.47
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Airport Shuttle$15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Auckland
Also for Auckland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Hobbiton Private Transfers with Group Tour: $516
- Auckland Airport (AKL) to North Shore-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $221
- Private Transfer From Auckland Airport To Thames: $201
- Rotorua to Auckland - Afternoon Transfer with Waitomo Caves: $188
- Private Transfer From Auckland Airport To Cambridge : $180
- Private Airport Transfers and Tours: $168
- Private Luxury Transfer To/Fr City in Mercedes Van: $162
- Private One-Way Transfer: Auckland Airport to Hamilton/Rotorua: $162
- Airport Transfer: Auckland to Auckland Airport AKL by Luxury Car: $152
- Auckland Airport Transfers: Auckland Airport AKL to Auckland in Luxury Car: $152
- Auckland's Point to Point Transfers : $150
- Auckland Cruise/Wharf & Airport Transfers : $144
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:
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours -Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay/ Limetree: $110
- VI Top Taxi and Tours - St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $90
- Transfer from Cyril E. King Airport(STT) to Charlotte Amalie Port: $83
- St.Thomas to St.Thomas Airport (STT) - Departure Private Transfer: $115
- St.Thomas island to Cyril E. King Airport(STT)-Departure Transfer: $135
- St. Thomas USVI Airport Transfer to the Redhook Ferry: $144
- St. Thomas USVI Airport Transfer to The Ritz Carlton Resort: $144
- ST.Thomas Private Airport One-Way Transfers: $180
- Private Hotel and Resorts Transfers: $173
- Private Ground Transfers: $120
- Private Arrival Transfer from Cyril E King Airport to Redhook Bay: $175
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $179
Is it cheaper to fly into Auckland or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Auckland 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 dayAuckland $46Saint Thomas $94
Typical Food Prices in Auckland
For Auckland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Breakfast$4.73
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Auckland
For Auckland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Harbour Sailing Cruise with 3-Course Dinner: $93
- Flavours of the City Walking Food Tour: $101
- Auckland Harbour Sailboat Cruise Including Three Course Dinner: $102
- Waiheke Island: Private Sunset Wine Tour & 2 Course Dinner: $392
- Māori Evening Dinner and Private Show Experience: $519
- From Kiwi Bird Encounter & 3-Course Dinner Tour: $550
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.Auckland $27Saint Thomas $60
Typical Entertainment Prices in Auckland
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Auckland's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Auckland Sky Tour (for 2)$33
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Waiheke Island Tour (for 2)$119
Tours and Activities in Auckland
For Auckland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Auckland Best Top 5 Spots Half day Tour : $96
- Cathedral Cove & Hot water beach -Full Day Tour: PRIVATE TOUR : $270
- Hobbiton Lord Of Rings Movie Set tour Private Driver : $198
- Hobbiton Movie Set Small Tour from Auckland: $249
- 24 day Greatest Of All Tours Small Group Tour: $3,447
- 4 hours Auckland Friday Night Tour : $78
- 6 Hours Sightseeing Tour in Auckland: $174
- A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Auckland's Hidden Stories: $12
- AUCKLAND CITY Full Day Tour with War Memorial Museum and Mt Eden: $155
- Half-Day CITY HIGHLIGHTS TOUR - Mt.Eden, Tamaki Dr: $86
- Afternoon Piha Beach and Rainforest Tour from Auckland: $117
- America’s Cup 2-Hour Sailing Experience Waitemata Harbour: $122
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 dayAuckland $13Saint Thomas $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Auckland
Also in Auckland, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Waiheke Island: Scenic Island Wine Tour & Local Wine Tasting: $110
- Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour in Auckland with 3-Course Vineyard Lunch: $119
- Waiheke Island: The Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour: $159
- Kumeu Wine Tour: $165
- Waiheke Island: Wine Tour & Lunch at Award Winning Venue: $168
- From Small Group Kumeu Wine Tour with Lunch: $180
- Small-Group Kumeu Wine Country Tour with Wine Tastings & Lunch: $180
- Waiheke Island Gourmet Food and Wine Tour with Platter Lunch: $183
- City Tour with Wine Tasting and Black Sand Beach: $217
- Shore Excursion from Auckland - Private Tour & Wine Tasting: $278
- Waiheke Island Scenic Wine Tour: $301
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Auckland and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Auckland much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Auckland is in Pacific 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 Auckland would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Auckland 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 Auckland.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Auckland Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Auckland or Saint Thomas?
Auckland has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Auckland 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 Auckland or Saint Thomas?
Auckland 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 Auckland or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Auckland and Saint Thomas. Most visitors come to Auckland for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Auckland is generally cooler than Saint Thomasin July. Daily temperatures in Auckland average around 20°C (68°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In Auckland, it's very sunny this time of the year. Auckland usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during summer. Auckland gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, Auckland usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint Thomasin July. Auckland gets 67 mm (2.6 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 January and JulyAuckland 20°C (68°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Auckland or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Auckland as well as Saint Thomas. The autumn months attract visitors to Auckland because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
Auckland is much colder than Saint Thomas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Auckland averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in October.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. In the autumn, Auckland often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomasin October. Auckland gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Saint Thomas. Auckland usually gets less rain in April than Saint Thomasin October. Auckland gets 95 mm (3.7 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 April and OctoberAuckland 16°C (61°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Auckland or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
Both Saint Thomas and Auckland are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Auckland 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 winter, Auckland is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Auckland in July average around 11°C (52°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 26°C (78°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. Auckland usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during winter. Auckland gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Auckland. In July, Auckland usually receives more rain than Saint Thomasin January. Auckland gets 135 mm (5.3 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 July and JanuaryAuckland 11°C (52°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Auckland or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
Both Saint Thomas and Auckland during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Auckland for the beaches and the activities around the city. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
In October, Auckland is generally much colder than Saint Thomasin April. Daily temperatures in Auckland average around 14°C (58°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Auckland often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomasin April. Auckland gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun.
Auckland usually gets more rain in October than Saint Thomasin April. Auckland gets 83 mm (3.3 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 October and AprilAuckland 14°C (58°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Auckland
| Auckland | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (66°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (53°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (53°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (55°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (58°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (61°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (65°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.