Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Columbia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Columbia or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Columbia 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: Columbia or Saint Thomas?
Columbia
Both the largest and capital city of South Carolina, Columbia is literally the center of everything. Geographically it is located in the middle of the state, and it is the home to the University of South Carolina, the Army's Fort Jackson, as well as a variety of museums that celebrate the city's art, history, and culture.
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 in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayColumbia $0.00Saint Thomas $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Columbia is $0.00, 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 Columbia and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personColumbia -Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomColumbia $0.00Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Columbia and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Columbia 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: Columbia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Columbia -Saint Thomas $37
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:
- Private Transfer from Charlotte Amalie Port to Charlotte Amalie: $28
- Cyril E. King Airport STT to Charlotte Amalie Arrival Transfer: $49
- Charlotte Amalie to Cyril E. King Airport(STT)-Departure Transfer: $49
- St Thomas to St Thomas Airport Private Departure Transfer: $109
- St Thomas Airport to St Thomas Arrival Private Transfer: $109
- Cyril E.King Airport (STT) to St.Thomas-Arrival Private Transfer : $109
- St.Thomas island to Cyril E. King Airport(STT)-Departure Transfer: $109
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove: $110
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer Bluebeard’s / Yacht Haven: $110
- Vi Top Taxi -St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove : $110
- Vi Top Taxi &Tours -Airport Transfer Bluebeard's/Yacht Haven : $110
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours -Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay/ Limetree: $110
Is it cheaper to fly into Columbia or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Columbia 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 dayColumbia $5.03Saint 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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Columbia -Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Columbia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Columbia are as follows:
- Soda City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Columbia: $12
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayColumbia $88Saint 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Columbia and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Columbia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Columbia is in North America 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 Columbia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Columbia 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 Columbia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Columbia Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Columbia or Saint Thomas?
Columbia has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Columbia 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 Columbia or Saint Thomas?
Columbia 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 Columbia or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Columbia as well as Saint Thomas. The summer months attract visitors to Columbia because of the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
In July, Columbia is generally around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Columbia average around 82°F (28°C), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbia this time of the year. In the summer, Columbia often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas. Columbia gets 293 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun.
Columbia receives a lot of rain in the summer. Columbia usually gets more rain in July than Saint Thomas. Columbia gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) 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 JulyColumbia 82°F (28°C)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Columbia or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
Both Saint Thomas and Columbia are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene are the main draw to Columbia this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Columbia is much colder than Saint Thomas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Columbia averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia. Columbia usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas during autumn. Columbia gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. In October, Columbia usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Columbia gets 3 inches (75 mm) 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 OctoberColumbia 64°F (18°C)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Columbia or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
Both Saint Thomas and Columbia during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Columbia for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
In the winter, Columbia is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Columbia in January average around 45°F (7°C), and Saint Thomas averages at about 26°C (78°F).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Columbia often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Columbia gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun.
Columbia usually gets more rain in January than Saint Thomas. Columbia gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) 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 JanuaryColumbia 45°F (7°C)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Columbia or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbia and Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Columbia is generally cooler than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Columbia average around 64°F (18°C), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In Columbia, it's very sunny this time of the year. Columbia usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas during spring. Columbia gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Columbia usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint Thomas. Columbia gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) 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 AprilColumbia 64°F (18°C)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Columbia
| Columbia | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 45°F (7°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 48°F (9°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 56°F (13°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 64°F (18°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 72°F (22°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 78°F (26°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 5.8 inches (147 mm) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 64°F (18°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 56°F (13°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 48°F (9°C) | 2.6 inches (67 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.