Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Christchurch?
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 Christchurch or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Christchurch or Saint Thomas? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Christchurch or Saint Thomas?
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city on the South Island of New Zealand, right beside the Canterbury Plains. Most people begin their South Island travels here. The city itself can be fascinating to explore so it is worth allowing yourself several days in town as an introduction to the region.
The River Avon flows through the city center, twisting through the old buildings. Christchurch is referred to in New Zealand as the Garden City and it is easy to see why. It's quite a nice city with trees spread throughout. The economy is centered around international tourism as well as foreign education. There is a high Asian student population here, giving the city a diverse feel.
Christchurch's climate is temperate and the city receives moderate rainfall. In January average high temperatures are around 73 degrees Fahrenheit with averages around 52 degrees Fahrenheit in July. There is a sea breeze during the summer months that keep temperatures pleasant. Temperatures can drop below freezing at night during the winter months. Snow may also fall several times a year.
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 G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland.
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Christchurch Prices
New Zealand PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChristchurch $117Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Christchurch is $117, 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 Christchurch and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChristchurch $49Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChristchurch $98Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Christchurch and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Christchurch 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: Christchurch Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Christchurch $14Saint Thomas $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Christchurch
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Christchurch:
- Private Arrival Transfer: Christchurch Airport to Central Christchurch: $298
- Private Transfer from Christchurch Airport (CHC) to Akaroa Port: $188
- Christchurch Airport (CHC): Transfer to Christchurch hotels: $164
- Christchurch Airport Transfers : Christchurch to Airport CHC in Luxury Car: $129
- Christchurch Airport Transfers : Airport CHC to Christchurch in Luxury Car: $129
- Departure Transfer: Christchurch to Airport CHC by Business Car: $94
- Private Transfer from Christchurch City to Lyttelton Cruise Port: $86
- Private Transfer from Lyttelton Cruise Port to Christchurch City: $86
- Christchurch Airport to City SUV Transfer: $57
- Christchurch Airport(CHC) to Christchurch-Arrival PrivateTransfer: $48
- Christchurch Airport (CHC) Private Transfer to Christchurch: $40
- CHC Airport to Downtown|Hotel Private Transfer: $26
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: $203
- 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
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St. Thomas Airport Transfer to Wyndham Margaritaville: $160
- Prince Taxi & Tours St.Thomas Airport transfer to Redhook Ferry: $200
- Prince Taxi USVI- ST.Thomas Aiport Transfer to Crown bay ferry: $120
- 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 Christchurch or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Christchurch 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 dayChristchurch $53Saint Thomas $94
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
- Flavors of St Thomas Walking Food Tour : $145
- St. John PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail with Beach Stop, Lunch & Open Bar - Westin: $149
- St. Thomas Dinner Sail to St. John with Open Bar & Hors D'oeuvres - Ritz-Carlton: $149
- Christmas Cove and Pizza Pi Happy Hour Sail Tour: $185
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Christchurch $17Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Christchurch
Here are a few actual costs in Christchurch for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Christchurch Gondola Ride Ticket: $25
- Hanmer Springs Pool Day Tour From Christchurch: $137
- (MT) Mount Cook & Lake Tekapo Day Tour From Christchurch: $178
- (MT) Mount Cook & Lake Tekapo Day Tour from Christchurch: $173
- (MT) Mount Cook Day Tour From Christchurch: $149
- 1/2-Day Christchurch Scenic Highlights Small Group Tour: $173
- 1/2-day Christchurch Scenic Highlights (Private Tour): $238
- Akaroa Day Tour From Christchurch: $113
- Akaroa Full Day Sightseeing Tour from Christchurch: $161
- Arthur's Pass Day Tour From Christchurch with TranzAlpine: $255
- Arthur's Pass: TranzAlpine Train and Castle Hill Day Tour: $238
- Arthur’s Pass Day Tour From Christchurch With TranzAlpine: $262
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
- Island Eco Farm Tour with Local Treats and Sapphire Beach Time: $27
- Cruise Ship Shuttle to Ferry going to St. John: $28
- Coral World Ocean Park General Admission Ticket: $29
- Cruise Ship Port Shuttle to St John Ferry : $34
- Rum Tasting Experience in the Old Barrel House: $35
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- Guided Tour of Coral World Ocean Park & Happy Hour: $40
- St. Thomas Sightseeing Tour with a Guide: $40
- St. Thomas Ghost Tour of Historic Charlotte Amalie : $41
- Prince taxi & Tours St.Thomas Virgin Islands-Island Scenic Tour: $45
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChristchurch $11Saint Thomas $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Christchurch
Also in Christchurch, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Waipara Wine Tour from Christchurch - including Lunch & Tastings: $113
- Lyttelton Shore Excursion - Waipara Wine Tour With Lunch: $113
- From Guided Local Wine Tours in Waipara: $116
- Lyttelton Shore Excursion - City Highlights & Waipara Wine Tour : $134
- Waipara Valley Winery Tour Wine Tastings and Scenic Views: $166
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Christchurch and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Christchurch much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Christchurch 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 Christchurch would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Christchurch 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 Christchurch.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Christchurch Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Christchurch or Saint Thomas?
Christchurch has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Christchurch 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 Christchurch or Saint Thomas?
Christchurch 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 Christchurch or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
Both Saint Thomas and Christchurch during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Christchurch because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
In January, Christchurch is generally much colder than Saint Thomasin July. Daily temperatures in Christchurch average around 18°C (64°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Christchurch. In the summer, Christchurch often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomasin July. Christchurch gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun.
Christchurch usually gets less rain in January than Saint Thomasin July. Christchurch gets 46 mm (1.8 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 January and JulyChristchurch 18°C (64°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Christchurch or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Christchurch and Saint Thomas. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Christchurch this time of year. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Christchurch is much colder than Saint Thomas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Christchurch averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. Christchurch usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during autumn. Christchurch gets 161 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 April, Christchurch usually receives less rain than Saint Thomasin October. Christchurch gets 53 mm (2.1 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 April and OctoberChristchurch 12°C (54°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Christchurch or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Christchurch as well as Saint Thomas. Many travelers come to Christchurch for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
In the winter, Christchurch is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Christchurch in July average around 6°C (43°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 26°C (78°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. In the winter, Christchurch often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomasin January. Christchurch gets 122 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun.
Christchurch usually gets more rain in July than Saint Thomasin January. Christchurch gets 68 mm (2.7 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 July and JanuaryChristchurch 6°C (43°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Christchurch or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
Both Saint Thomas and Christchurch are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Christchurch in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Christchurch is generally much colder than Saint Thomasin April. Daily temperatures in Christchurch average around 12°C (54°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Christchurch. Christchurch usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during spring. Christchurch gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In October, Christchurch usually receives less rain than Saint Thomasin April. Christchurch gets 45 mm (1.8 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 October and AprilChristchurch 12°C (54°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Christchurch
| Christchurch | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (63°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 16°C (60°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (54°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 9°C (49°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 6°C (44°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 6°C (43°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 10°C (49°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (58°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 45 mm (1.8 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.