A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Durham vs. Saint Croix for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Durham or Saint Croix?

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 Durham and Saint Croix can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Durham or Saint Croix?

Durham

Durham is a city in central North Carolina with about 230,000 residents. Together with Raleigh and Chapel Hill, it forms the Research Triangle area. Durham is often referred to as the "City of Medicine" and is home to the famous Duke University.

Durham's history is rooted in tobacco. The Duke family established American Tobacco, which controlled 90% of all cigarette production in the US during the second half of the 19th century. The family donated money to Trinity College, which changed its name to Duke University in 1924.

Today much of Durham's economy is centered around the university and Research Triangle Park. The area has many technology and pharmaceutical jobs and the economy continues to grow.

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 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.


Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix or Durham?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Durham is $162, 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 Durham and Saint Croix in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Durham $92
    Saint Croix $149
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Durham $184
    Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in Durham and Saint Croix

Looking for a hotel in Durham 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.

Hotels in Durham


Hotels in Saint Croix


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: Durham Hotel Prices and Saint Croix Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Durham $33
    Saint Croix $35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Croix

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint Croix:

  • Private Transfer from St.Croix Cruise Port to St.Croix hotels: $49
  • Private Transfer from St.Croix hotels to St. Croix Cruise Port : $49
  • Private Transfer from St. Croix Airport to St. Croix Cruise Port : $71
  • Private Transfer from St. Croix Cruise Port to St. Croix Airport: $71
  • 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 Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St. Croix : $164
  • Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Round-Trip Transfer: $218
  • St Croix Airport to St Croix Hotels Private Round Trip Transfer: $218

Is it cheaper to fly into Durham or Saint Croix?

Prices for flights to both Saint Croix and Durham 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
    Durham $44
    Saint Croix $56

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Durham $26
    Saint Croix $58

Tours and Activities in Durham

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Durham are as follows:

  • True Crime Tour: $13
  • Downtown Durham Historian-Guided Walking Tour: $16
  • Durham African American History Tour: $16
  • Durham NC: Art Walking Tour: $20

Tours and Activities in Saint Croix

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Saint Croix are as follows:

  • Grange Estate History and Heritage Private Tour and Luncheon : $60
  • Private Sailing Tour of Pirate Waters and Shipwrecks: $75
  • St Croix Island Tour: $100
  • Parasail Experience in St Croix: $132
  • 30 Minute Private Jetcar Experience in Virgin Islands: $150
  • Horseback Riding Experience: $160
  • 1 Hour Private Jetcar Experience in Virgin Islands : $250

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Durham $34
    Saint Croix $27


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Durham and Saint Croix, we can see that Saint Croix is more expensive. And not only is Durham much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Durham 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 Durham would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Durham 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 Durham.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Durham Expensive? and Is Saint Croix Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Durham or Saint Croix?

Durham 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 Durham or Saint Croix in the Summer?

Both Saint Croix and Durham are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Durham for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In July, Durham is generally around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Durham average around 79°F (26°C), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

It's quite rainy in Durham. In July, Durham usually receives more rain than Saint Croix. Durham gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Durham 79°F (26°C) 
    Saint Croix 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Durham or Saint Croix in the Autumn?

Both Saint Croix and Durham during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Durham because of the shopping scene. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round.

Durham is much colder than Saint Croix in the autumn. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 61°F (16°C) in October, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Saint Croix gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Durham usually gets less rain in October than Saint Croix. Durham gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Durham 61°F (16°C) 
    Saint Croix 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Durham or Saint Croix in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Durham and Saint Croix. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Durham this time of year. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

It's quite cold in Durham in the winter. In the winter, Durham is much colder than Saint Croix. Typically, the winter temperatures in Durham in January average around 40°F (5°C), and Saint Croix averages at about 26°C (78°F).

In January, Durham usually receives more rain than Saint Croix. Durham gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Durham 40°F (5°C) 
    Saint Croix 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Durham or Saint Croix in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Durham as well as Saint Croix. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year.

In April, Durham is generally much colder than Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Durham average around 60°F (16°C), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

Durham usually gets more rain in April than Saint Croix. Durham gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Durham 60°F (16°C) 
    Saint Croix 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Saint Croix and Durham

Durham Saint Croix
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (5°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 43°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 52°F (11°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 60°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
May 68°F (20°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 76°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 79°F (26°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm) 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 78°F (26°C) 4.9 inches (125 mm) 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 73°F (23°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm) 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Oct 61°F (16°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Nov 53°F (11°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in)
Dec 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)