Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Duck Key?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Duck Key or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Duck Key and Saint Thomas can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Duck Key or Saint Thomas?
Duck Key
If you are thirsty for the taste of tropical splendor, Duck Key, Florida will surely quench your desires. Located in Monroe County, Florida, right beside its neighbor Conch Key, Duck Key stands. The community is chock full of everyone's favorite seaside activities, including fishing, jetskiing, scuba diving, canoeing, and kayaking. Though a quaint town, Duck Key attracts tourists from all over due to its quiet beaches and friendly locals. Whether you are looking to meet and greet with the dolphins or simply lie upon the sandy white beaches as the fire orange sun sets before you, Duck Key is truly a sweet and small subtropical diversion.
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 Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDuck Key $143Saint Thomas $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Duck Key is $143, 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 Duck Key and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDuck Key $56Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDuck Key $112Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Duck Key and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Duck Key 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Duck Key $69Saint 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:
- 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 the Ritz Carlton : $180
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours -Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay/ Limetree: $110
- St.Thomas island to Cyril E. King Airport(STT)-Departure Transfer: $109
- St Thomas to St Thomas Airport Private Departure Transfer: $109
- St Thomas Airport to St Thomas Arrival Private Transfer: $109
- Private Transfer from Charlotte Amalie Port to Charlotte Amalie: $28
- Private Hotel and Resorts Transfers: $173
- Private Airport Transfer in St. Thomas from Cyril E. King Airport: $135
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $169
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer Bluebeard’s / Yacht Haven: $110
Is it cheaper to fly into Duck Key or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Duck Key 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 dayDuck Key $45Saint 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.Duck Key $30Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Two-Hour Sightseeing Excursion : $58
- 1 Hour Jet Ski Tour in the Virgin Islands from Westin St. John: $159
- 1-Hour Guided Jet Ski Tour in St. Thomas from Frenchman's Reef: $179
- 2-Day Adventure Tour of St Thomas and St John: $199
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- Admission Ticket to Coral World Ocean Park & Coki Beach: $35
- Aerial Sightseeing Adventure!: $250
- Book Your Private Two and a Half Hour Island Tour today!: $150
- Charlotte Amalie Walking Tour + Contemporary Art Experience: $79
- Cocktail Sunset Cruise aboard Breakaway Charters at Sapphire: $115
- Cocktail Sunset Cruise from Sapphire Beach Resort: $115
- Coral Reef and Turtle Discovery Tour: $159
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDuck Key $7.99Saint 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 Duck Key and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Duck Key much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Duck Key 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 Duck Key would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Duck Key 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 Duck Key.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Duck Key Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Duck Key or Saint Thomas?
Saint Thomas has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Duck Key. When comparing the sizes of Duck Key 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 Duck Key or Saint Thomas?
Duck Key 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 Duck Key or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Duck Key and Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Duck Key is generally around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Duck Key average around 84°F (29°C), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In Duck Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. Duck Key usually receives more sunshine than Saint Thomas during summer. Duck Key gets 328 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Duck Key usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. Duck Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDuck Key 84°F (29°C)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Duck Key or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Duck Key as well as Saint Thomas. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
Duck Key is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Duck Key averages around 80°F (27°C) in October, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Duck Key this time of the year. In the autumn, Duck Key often gets more sunshine than Saint Thomas. Duck Key gets 258 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Saint Thomas. Duck Key receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Duck Key usually gets less rain in October than Saint Thomas. Duck Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDuck Key 80°F (27°C)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Duck Key or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
Both Saint Thomas and Duck Key are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the winter, Duck Key is cooler than Saint Thomas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Duck Key in January average around 70°F (21°C), and Saint Thomas averages at about 26°C (78°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Duck Key. Duck Key usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas during winter. Duck Key gets 252 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Duck Key usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint Thomas. Duck Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDuck Key 70°F (21°C)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Duck Key or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
Both Saint Thomas and Duck Key during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
In April, Duck Key is generally around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Duck Key average around 77°F (25°C), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Duck Key. In the spring, Duck Key often gets more sunshine than Saint Thomas. Duck Key gets 326 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun.
Duck Key usually gets less rain in April than Saint Thomas. Duck Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDuck Key 77°F (25°C)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Duck Key
| Duck Key | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 70°F (21°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 71°F (21°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 74°F (23°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 77°F (25°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 81°F (27°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 83°F (28°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 84°F (29°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 84°F (29°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 83°F (29°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 80°F (27°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 76°F (24°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 72°F (22°C) | 1.4 inches (35 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.