A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chimney Rock and Lake Lure vs. Saint Thomas for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Chimney Rock and Lake Lure 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 Chimney Rock and Lake Lure 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: Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or Saint Thomas?

Chimney Rock and Lake Lure

The town of Chimney Rock and the neighboring Lake Lure draws a fairly large number of visitors every year, especially in the warmer summer months. This mountain area can sometimes be an expensive travel destination due to its popularity, but it is often still more affordable than many other destinations in the southeastern U.S. If you're on a tight budget, then it's not hard to find affordable places to stay, cook your own meals, and avoid the more expensive activities while still having fun. If you do wish to splurge and spend more money, it's quite easy and tempting with all of the activities around.

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 United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Chimney Rock and Lake Lure?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is $196, while the average daily cost in Saint Thomas is $218. 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 Chimney Rock and Lake Lure and Saint Thomas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Chimney Rock and Lake Lure $117
    Saint Thomas $131
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Chimney Rock and Lake Lure $234
    Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure and Saint Thomas

Looking for a hotel in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure 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.

Hotels in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure


Hotels in Saint Thomas


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Chimney Rock and Lake Lure $35
    Saint Thomas $37

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Thomas

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Saint Thomas are as follows:


  • Scooter Rental
    $65
  • Taxi Ride
    $5.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Thomas

Also for Saint Thomas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Charlotte Amalie to Cyril E. King Airport(STT)-Departure Transfer: $49
  • Cyril E. King Airport STT to Charlotte Amalie Arrival Transfer: $49
  • Cyril E.King Airport (STT) to St.Thomas-Arrival Private Transfer : $109
  • 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 Sapphire / Crystal Cove : $160
  • Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St. Thomas Airport Transfer to Wyndham Margaritaville: $160
  • Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer Bluebeard’s / Yacht Haven: $110
  • Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $169
  • Private Airport Transfer in St. Thomas from Cyril E. King Airport: $135
  • Private Hotel and Resorts Transfers: $173

Is it cheaper to fly into Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or Saint Thomas?

Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Chimney Rock and Lake Lure 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Chimney Rock and Lake Lure $52
    Saint Thomas $54

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:

  • Sunset & Harbor Lights Dinner Sail from the Marriott's Frenchman's Cove: $109
  • Afternoon Snorkel, Pizza & Sunset Tour departing from St. Thomas & St. John: $110
  • Flavors of St Thomas Walking Food Tour : $111
  • St. John Dinner Sail to Lovango with Open Bar and Hors d'Oeuvres - Westin: $119
  • Cruz Bay - PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail: $159
  • St. Thomas Dinner Sail to Lovango w/ Open Bar and Hors D'oeuvres - Ritz-Carlton: $159
  • PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail from Frenchman's Reef: $169
  • Waterfront Harbor Dinner Sail from Frenchman's Reef: $209
  • St Thomas Legends Luxury Dinner Sail from the Ritz Carlton: $209
  • Swim w/Turtles at St. John, Pizza Pi & Snorkel a shipwreck. : $250

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Chimney Rock and Lake Lure $34
    Saint Thomas $60

Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.

  • Unforgettable Charlotte Amalie: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Nature and Sightseeing Tour at Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden: $16
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in the US Virgin Islands: $27
  • Coral World Ocean Park General Admission Ticket: $29
  • Admission Ticket to Coral World Ocean Park & Coki Beach: $35
  • Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
  • Cruise Ship Port Shuttle to St John Ferry : $44
  • Cruise Ship Suttle to Ferry going to St. John: $45
  • Sunset Kayak Tour in the Mangrove Lagoon, St Thomas: $49
  • Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI - St. Thomas, Virgin Islands- Island Scenic Tour: $49
  • Saint Thomas Half-Day Shopping and Sightseeing Tour: $55
  • Two-Hour Sightseeing Excursion : $58

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Chimney Rock and Lake Lure $21
    Saint Thomas $27

Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Thomas

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Thomas:

  • Wine Tasting with Fine Art Downtown Experience: $60


When comparing the travel costs between Chimney Rock and Lake Lure and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Chimney Rock and Lake Lure is in North America and Saint Thomas is in Caribbean Islands, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chimney Rock and Lake Lure Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Chimney Rock and Lake Lure or Saint Thomas?

Saint Thomas has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. When comparing the sizes of Chimney Rock and Lake Lure 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.