Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Beijing?
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 Beijing or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Beijing and Saint Thomas can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Beijing or Saint Thomas?
Beijing
Beijing is the capital of China and, with 21.5 million people, it is the second most populated city in the world after Shanghai. It is a city that keeps pockets of its history hidden in old neighborhoods or back alleys, despite the constant change and modernization that goes on around it. As the capital city of China, there is plenty of history and culture. You can still get yourself lost in one of the last remaining hutongs, which are old neighborhoods that remain untouched by the city's modernization. The alleys that weave between the old homes are lined with drying clothes, corner markets, and people going about their daily lives the way they have for centuries. Surrounding these hutongs you'll find modern buildings and a booming economy, all threatening to destroying these last bits of Beijing's history. Beijing offers a glimpse into a microcosm that represents the entire country of China. Make sure you give yourself enough time in China to truly experience Beijing. You can pass a lot of time soaking up life in the city, which remains as diverse as the country it resides within.
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 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Beijing Prices
China PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBeijing $97Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Beijing is $97, 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 Beijing and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBeijing $43Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBeijing $86Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Beijing and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Beijing 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: Beijing Hotel Prices and Saint Thomas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Beijing $8.35Saint Thomas $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Beijing
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
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Taxi$5.10
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Train from Airport for Two$7.47
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Taxi to Hotel$8.97
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2 Metro Passes$2.39
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Metro$0.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:
- Pivate Transfer To Datong Yungang Grottoes From Beijing: $598
- Beijing Layover Private Tour: City Highlights With Airport Transfer: $300
- Beijing Acrobatics Show And Peking Opera Tour With Transfer: $299
- Beijing Layover Tour with Hutong, Temple of Heaven and Airport Transfer: $296
- Private Day Tour of Beijing City Overview with Airport Transfer: $285
- Beijing Private Transfer: Mutianyu Great Wall Slow-Paced Visit: $280
- Beijing Hutong Culture Experience with Airport Transfer: $276
- Private Transfer to Beidaihe Summer Resort from Beijing: $272
- Private Transfer To Guyaju Ancient Cave(With Options): $269
- 1-Day Bejing Layover Tour:Mutianyu Great Wall,Forbidden City & Airport Transfers: $250
- Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City Private Tour With Airport Transfer: $249
- Mutianyu Great Wall Hiking Private Tour With Airport Transfer: $249
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:
- 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 -ST.Thomas Airport Transfer To and From Ritz Carlton: $159
- Prince Taxi St.Thomas Airport transfer to and from Redhook Ferry: $160
- Prince Taxi USVI ST.Thomas Airport transfer to and from Westin: $110
- Prince Taxi USVI- ST.Thomas Aiport Transfer to Crown bay ferry: $100
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $189
- Private Airport Transfer to and from Red Hook Ferry: $90
Is it cheaper to fly into Beijing or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Beijing 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 dayBeijing $36Saint Thomas $94
Typical Food Prices in Beijing
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:
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Popcorn$0.90
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Hot Pot Dinner$7.47
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Dumpling Breakfast for Two$2.99
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Watermelon$2.09
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Peking Duck Dinner for 2$18
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Two Popsicles$0.90
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beijing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.
- Online Cooking Class Handmade Noodles by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Beijing Dumplings and Cuisine by Sunflowerli Renowned Chef: $20
- Online Cooking Class Orange Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Gastronomic Gems of Beijing Shared Walking Food Tour: $20
- Beijing Food Tour: $40
- Beijing Chinese Home Cooking Class with Local Host: $43
- Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $45
- Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $45
- 3.5-Hour Walking Food Tour: A Bite of History at Beijing Niujie Street: $49
- Temple of Heaven Private Tour w/Option Show &Dinner: $54
- China's Favourite Street Food Cooking Workshop: $55
- Beijing Walking Food Tour with a Local Friend: $60
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. Thomas Cultural Cooking Class: $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. John PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail with Beach Stop, Lunch & Open Bar - Westin: $129
- Flavors of St Thomas Walking Food Tour: $145
- Pizza Pi Shuttle (Official) - Jet Ski Trip St Thomas: $269
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Beijing $26Saint Thomas $60
Typical Entertainment Prices in Beijing
Here are a few typical costs in Beijing for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entry to Summer Palace for Two$8.97
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Two Opera Tickets$64
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Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)$10
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Forbidden City (for 2)$18
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Forbidden City Tickets$18
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Audio Guides at Forbidden City$12
Tours and Activities in Beijing
Here are a few actual costs in Beijing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Day Romantic Tour in Oriental Provence Lavender Manor and Mutianyu Great Wall: $208
- 1-Day Beijing Emperor’s Tour of Forbidden City, Beihai Park, Jingshan and Hutong: $160
- 1-Day Beijing Private Tour to Lama Temple,Summer Palace and Hutong Rickshaw: $120
- 1-Day Beijing Private Tour: Mutianyu Great Wall and Hutong Rickshaw Riding: $277
- 1-Day Beijing tour to Temple of Heaven,Hutong Tour,Lama Temple & Summer Palace: $240
- 1-Day Great Wall of China Tours from Beijing Capital Airport to Mutianyu: $269
- 1-Day Mount Qingcheng and Dujiangyan Irrigation System Tour: $175
- 1-Day Private Tour to Beijing Highlights: $224
- 1-Day Private Tour: Huanghuacheng Great Wall Hiking with the lunch from Beijing: $213
- 1-Day Private Tour: Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking Tour from Beijing: $256
- 1-Day Self-Guided Simatai and Gubei Town Night Tour from Beijing: $149
- 1Day Beijing Badaling Great Wall City Park Tour: $157
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $25
- Coral World Ocean Park General Admission Ticket: $29
- Cruise Ship Port Shuttle to St John Ferry: $34
- St Thomas Private Ride to Magens Bay Cruise Ship Pickup/Return: $34
- Rum Tasting Experience in the Old Barrel House: $35
- St Thomas Cruise Port Pick Up and Return to Magens Bay Beach: $36
- St. John Ghost Tour of Historic Cruz Bay: $45
- Cruise Ship Shuttle to Ferry going to St. John: $45
- Guided Kayak Tour from Margaritaville: $48
- Guided Kayak Tour from Elysian: $48
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI - St. Thomas, Virgin Islands- Island Scenic Tour: $49
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours USVI-Scenic Island Tour ,St. Thomas: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBeijing $12Saint Thomas $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Beijing
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:
- Evening Food Private Tour with Brewery Taproom Hopping at Slow Boat in Beijing: $110
- Tipsy Travel: Beijing Local Food and Bar Crawl night in Hutong: $138
- Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour and Mutianyu Great Wall Visit: $238
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 Beijing and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Beijing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Beijing is in Asia 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 Beijing would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beijing 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 Beijing.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Beijing Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Beijing or Saint Thomas?
Beijing has a larger population, and is about 370 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Beijing 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 Beijing or Saint Thomas?
Beijing 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 Beijing or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
Both Saint Thomas and Beijing during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Beijing for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
In the summer, Beijing is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Beijing in July average around 27°C (80°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 29°C (83°F).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the summer, Beijing often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Beijing gets 224 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 Beijing. Beijing usually gets more rain in July than Saint Thomas. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 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 JulyBeijing 27°C (80°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Beijing or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Saint Thomas. Many visitors come to Beijing in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Beijing is generally much colder than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 14°C (56°F), 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 Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas during autumn. Beijing gets 227 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, Beijing usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 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 OctoberBeijing 14°C (56°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Beijing or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Saint Thomas. Most visitors come to Beijing for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
Beijing can be very cold during winter. Beijing is much colder than Saint Thomas in the winter. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around -4°C (26°F) in January, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In the winter, Beijing often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun.
Beijing usually gets less rain in January than Saint Thomas. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 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 JanuaryBeijing -4°C (26°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Beijing or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
Both Saint Thomas and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Beijing because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Beijing is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Beijing in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 27°C (80°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during spring. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Beijing usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Beijing gets 26 mm (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 AprilBeijing 14°C (57°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Beijing
| Beijing | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -4°C (26°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (57°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (76°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (56°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | -1°C (29°F) | 2 mm (0.1 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.