Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix or Charlottesville?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Charlottesville or Saint Croix?
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 Charlottesville and Saint Croix. 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: Charlottesville or Saint Croix?
Charlottesville
Located in central Virginia, Charlottesville is a little university town steeped in history and culture. Home to Thomas Jefferson, much of the town's architecture is heavily influenced by his hand, while the people scene is full of activities, dining, and entertainment. Many visitors are drawn to the area for the University of Virginia, the Historic Downtown Mall, plus many quaint vineyards and farms in the surrounding countryside.
Saint Croix
Sometimes all you want out of a vacation is the warmth of the sun, the sound of the waves and the taste of a cold drink. No more. No less. That's exactly what you can expect in St. Croix.
The largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Croix is a place of our leisure and relaxation. It's a bit of an expensive lifestyle for its 50,000 residents and daily visitors, but when you're living on island time, money is never a worry. There are no worries on island time.
This once volcanic island is covered in incredible beaches, stunning mountains, palm tress in the wind and historic colonial towns. While they may be a bit old and rundown, the Danish architecture still stands as a unique part of this island's legacy. Don't expect much window-shopping, though. That was not a feature incorporated in this style of architecture. If you want to know if a store is open, just step on in, but remember, shop hours are also running on island time.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, and The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCharlottesville $154Saint Croix $236
The average daily cost (per person) in Charlottesville is $154, while the average daily cost in Saint Croix is $236. 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 Charlottesville and Saint Croix in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCharlottesville $80Saint Croix $149
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCharlottesville $160Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in Charlottesville and Saint Croix
Looking for a hotel in Charlottesville or Saint Croix? 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: Charlottesville Hotel Prices and Saint Croix Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Charlottesville $53Saint Croix $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charlottesville
Also for Charlottesville, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Arrival Transfer from Charlotteville Airport (CHO): $50
- Private Departure Transfer to Charlottesville Airport (CHO): $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Croix
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint Croix:
- Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Round-Trip Transfer: $218
- St Croix Airport to St Croix Hotels Private Round Trip Transfer: $218
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St. Croix : $164
- St. Croix to Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) - Departure Transfer: $109
- Saint Croix Airport (STX) to Saint Croix Hotels -Arrival Transfer: $109
- Henry E.Rohlsen Airport(STX) to St. Croix island-Arrival Transfer: $109
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Airport to St. Croix Cruise Port : $71
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Cruise Port to St. Croix Airport: $71
- Private Transfer from St.Croix hotels to St. Croix Cruise Port : $49
- Private Transfer from St.Croix Cruise Port to St.Croix hotels: $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Charlottesville or Saint Croix?
Prices for flights to both Saint Croix and Charlottesville 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 dayCharlottesville $42Saint Croix $56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Charlottesville
For Charlottesville, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The UVA Corner Food Tour: Private Walking Food Tour in Charlottesville: $139
- The Downtown Mall Food Tour: $149
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Croix
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint Croix.
- A Evening Cultural Experience Through Food Cooking Class St. Croix: $90
- Taste of Twin City Food Tour with VI Food Tours: $129
- C'sted Sip & Savor Mixology Class with VI Food Tours: $129
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Charlottesville $18Saint Croix $58
Tours and Activities in Charlottesville
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Charlottesville.
- Charlottesville Historic Downtown APP/GPS Smartphone Walking Tour: $7.75
- Shenandoah National Park Self-Driving Audio Tour: $17
- Ghosts of Court Square Walking Tour: $26
- Charlottesville Dark History Ghost Tour : $30
Tours and Activities in Saint Croix
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Saint Croix are as follows:
- 1 Hour Private Jetcar Experience in Virgin Islands : $250
- 30 Minute Private Jetcar Experience in Virgin Islands: $150
- Grange Estate History and Heritage Private Tour and Luncheon : $60
- Horseback Riding Experience: $160
- Parasail Experience in St Croix: $132
- Private Sailing Tour of Pirate Waters and Shipwrecks: $75
- St Croix Island Tour: $100
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCharlottesville $53Saint Croix $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Charlottesville
Also in Charlottesville, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Private Wine Tours (Minimum 3 & Maximum 6 ) Pickup Maximum 30 Mi : $85
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Charlottesville and Saint Croix, we can see that Saint Croix is more expensive. And not only is Charlottesville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Charlottesville is in North America and Saint Croix 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 Charlottesville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Charlottesville 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 Croix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Croix than you might in Charlottesville.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Charlottesville Expensive? and Is Saint Croix Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Charlottesville or Saint Croix?
Charlottesville has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint Croix experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Charlottesville or Saint Croix in the Summer?
Both Saint Croix and Charlottesville during the summer are popular places to visit. The hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round.
Charlottesville is cooler than Saint Croix in the summer. The daily temperature in Charlottesville averages around 78°F (26°C) in July, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Charlottesville. Charlottesville usually gets more rain in July than Saint Croix. Charlottesville gets 5 inches (128 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCharlottesville 78°F (26°C)Saint Croix 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Charlottesville or Saint Croix in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlottesville and Saint Croix. Many travelers come to Charlottesville for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Charlottesville is much colder than Saint Croix. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Charlottesville in October average around 59°F (15°C), and Saint Croix averages at about 28°C (82°F).
Saint Croix receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Charlottesville usually receives less rain than Saint Croix. Charlottesville gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCharlottesville 59°F (15°C)Saint Croix 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Charlottesville or Saint Croix in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Charlottesville as well as Saint Croix. Many visitors come to Charlottesville in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year.
Charlottesville can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Charlottesville is generally much colder than Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Charlottesville average around 36°F (2°C), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
Charlottesville usually gets more rain in January than Saint Croix. Charlottesville gets 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCharlottesville 36°F (2°C)Saint Croix 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Charlottesville or Saint Croix in the Spring?
Both Saint Croix and Charlottesville are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Charlottesville for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Charlottesville is much colder than Saint Croix in the spring. The daily temperature in Charlottesville averages around 58°F (14°C) in April, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
In April, Charlottesville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint Croix. Charlottesville gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCharlottesville 58°F (14°C)Saint Croix 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Croix and Charlottesville
| Charlottesville | Saint Croix | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 36°F (2°C) | 3.2 inches (83 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 inches (80 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 49°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 58°F (14°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 3.8 inches (98 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 74°F (24°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 78°F (26°C) | 5 inches (128 mm) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 77°F (25°C) | 4.4 inches (113 mm) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 71°F (21°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 59°F (15°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 41°F (5°C) | 3.3 inches (83 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.