Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Brussels?
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 Brussels 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 Brussels 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: Brussels or Saint Thomas?
Brussels
Brussels is the capital of Belgium and also the sight of the headquarters of the European Union. Generally speaking, it's an expensive city that sees a good amount of travelers. It is also a highly political city that has an air of importance and power. It's an incredibly international city, with people from all over the world flocking to it due to its political, economical, and cultural significance.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Belgium, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Belgium.
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Brussels Prices
Belgium PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBrussels $193Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Brussels is $193, 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 Brussels and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBrussels $86Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBrussels $172Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Brussels and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Brussels 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: Brussels Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Brussels $20Saint Thomas $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Brussels
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Brussels are as follows:
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Subway Pass$5.28
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Atomium train ticket (2)$9.39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Brussels
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Brussels:
- Private Transfer from Brussels Airport or city to Rotterdam By Business car: $296
- Private transfer from Brussels to Ostend, 2h Sightseeing Stop: $265
- Private Transfer from Brussels hotels to Zeebrugge Cruise Port: $246
- Private Transfer From Brussels To Circuit SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS Belgium Luxury car : $239
- Direct private transfer from Brussels to Bruges, 2h Stop in Ghent: $216
- Transfer from Antwerp <-> Amsterdam Shuttle (1 to 8 Places): $192
- Private Arrival Transfer from Brussels Airport to Bruges with Business car: $181
- Private Arrival Transfer from Brussels Airport to Ghent by Luxury car: $179
- Private Transfer from Brussels to Tomorrowland Dreamville by luxury car: $167
- Brussels <-> transfer from or to Brussels Airport (BRU) by Van: $142
- Brussels Airport (CRL) Private Transfer to Brussels City/Hotels: $139
- Private transfer from Brussels Airport To Brussels: $132
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
- Exclusive Airport Transfers (up to 4 persons) One-Way: $135
- 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- 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
- Prince Taxi & Tours St.Thomas Airport transfer to Redhook Ferry: $200
- Prince Taxi ST.Thomas Airport transfer to Yacht Haven/Bluebeards: $175
- Prince Taxi USVI ST.Thomas Airport transfer to Westin : $180
- 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 Brussels or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Brussels 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 dayBrussels $77Saint Thomas $94
Typical Food Prices in Brussels
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Brussels:
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Ice Cream & Macaroons$5.40
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Dessert (Turkish Delights)$5.57
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Cheese$6.57
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Olives and Snacks$8.19
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Waffle$3.52
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Brussels
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Brussels.
- Experience Authentic Belgian Cuisine: Cooking Lesson and Meal with a Ghent Local: $99
- Brussels Food Tour with Full Meal & Drinks by Do Eat Better: $119
- Brussels Food Tour: 10 Tastings of Waffles, Beers, Fries & More: $133
- Market Tour and Cooking Lesson with a Belgian Gourmet Meal in a Brussels Home: $179
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.Brussels $27Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Brussels
Here are a few actual costs in Brussels for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2-Hour Private Walking Tour in the templar village of Lissewege: $82
- 2-Hour Walking Tour in Fall and Rise of Art Nouveau: $18
- 4 Hour Private Tour in Brussels : $271
- 600 Years of History and Heritage: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Leuven: $12
- A Self-Guided Tour of Brussels' Secret Places and Untold Stories: $12
- A Self-Guided Tour of From Medieval to Modern Times: $9.99
- A day in the life of Brussels - Private tour with a local: $162
- Afternoon Tipsy Tour with Cocktails & Chocolates in Brussels: $46
- Architecture Tour of Brussels: $30
- Art Nouveau's Sublime Capital: An Audio Tour in Brussels: $12
- Artistic Bruges on a Private Tour with a local: $78
- Best Intro tour of Brussels with a Local: $167
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
- Cruise Ship Shuttle to Ferry going to St. John: $34
- Rum Tasting Experience in the Old Barrel House: $35
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- St. Thomas Sightseeing Tour with a Guide: $40
- Guided Tour of Coral World Ocean Park & Happy Hour: $40
- St. Thomas Ghost Tour of Historic Charlotte Amalie : $41
- Prince taxi & Tours St.Thomas Virgin Islands-Island Scenic Tour: $45
- Guided Kayak Tour from Margaritaville: $48
- Guided Kayak Tour from Elysian: $48
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBrussels $15Saint Thomas $27
Typical Alcohol Prices in Brussels
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Brussels are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$12
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Beer$7.04
Sample the Local Flavors in Brussels
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Brussels:
- Discovery of the La Senne Brewery: $31
- Beer & Chocolate Tasting in a Brewery-Distillery: $79
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Brussels and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Brussels much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Brussels 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 Brussels would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Brussels 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 Brussels.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Brussels Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Brussels or Saint Thomas?
Brussels has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Brussels 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 Brussels or Saint Thomas?
Brussels 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 Brussels or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
Both Saint Thomas and Brussels during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Brussels this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
Brussels is much colder than Saint Thomas in the summer. The daily temperature in Brussels averages around 18°C (65°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, Brussels often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Brussels gets 186 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun.
Brussels usually gets more rain in July than Saint Thomas. Brussels gets 75 mm (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 JulyBrussels 18°C (65°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Brussels or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Brussels and Saint Thomas. Many travelers come to Brussels for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Brussels is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Brussels in October average around 12°C (54°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. Brussels usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during autumn. Brussels gets 114 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, Brussels usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Brussels gets 70 mm (2.8 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 OctoberBrussels 12°C (54°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Brussels or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Brussels as well as Saint Thomas. Many visitors come to Brussels in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
Brussels can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Brussels is generally much colder than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Brussels average around 3°C (38°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, Brussels often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Brussels gets 49 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun.
Brussels usually gets more rain in January than Saint Thomas. Brussels gets 67 mm (2.6 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 JanuaryBrussels 3°C (38°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Brussels or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
Both Saint Thomas and Brussels are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Brussels for the activities around the city during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Brussels is much colder than Saint Thomas in the spring. The daily temperature in Brussels averages around 10°C (49°F) in April, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. Brussels usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during spring. Brussels gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Brussels usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Brussels gets 57 mm (2.2 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 AprilBrussels 10°C (49°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Brussels
| Brussels | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (49°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (65°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (40°F) | 76 mm (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.