Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Durham?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Durham 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 Durham and Saint Thomas can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Durham or Saint Thomas?
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 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 from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDurham $162Saint Thomas $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Durham is $162, 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 Durham and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDurham $92Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDurham $184Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Durham and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Durham 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: Durham Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Durham $33Saint 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 Durham or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas 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
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Food Meals for one dayDurham $44Saint 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.Durham $26Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Durham
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Durham are as follows:
- Downtown Durham Historian-Guided Walking Tour: $16
- Durham African American History Tour: $16
- Durham NC: Art Walking Tour: $20
- True Crime Tour: $13
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 dayDurham $34Saint 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 Durham and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas 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 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 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 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 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 Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Durham or Saint Thomas?
Durham has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Durham 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 Durham or Saint Thomas?
Durham 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 Durham or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Durham as well as Saint Thomas. Most visitors come to Durham for the family-friendly experiences during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
In the summer, Durham is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Durham in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Saint Thomas averages at about 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 Durham this time of the year. In the summer, Durham often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Durham gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun.
Durham receives a lot of rain in the summer. Durham usually gets more rain in July than Saint Thomas. Durham gets 5.1 inches (129 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 JulyDurham 79°F (26°C)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Durham or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
Both Saint Thomas and Durham are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Durham because of the shopping scene. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Durham is generally much colder than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Durham average around 61°F (16°C), 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 Durham. Durham usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during autumn. Durham gets 211 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, Durham usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Durham gets 2.8 inches (71 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 OctoberDurham 61°F (16°C)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Durham or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
Both Saint Thomas and Durham during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Durham this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
It's quite cold in Durham in the winter. Durham is much colder than Saint Thomas in the winter. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 40°F (5°C) in January, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Durham often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Durham gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun.
Durham usually gets more rain in January than Saint Thomas. Durham gets 3.2 inches (82 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 JanuaryDurham 40°F (5°C)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Durham or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Durham and Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Durham is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Durham in April average around 60°F (16°C), and Saint Thomas averages at about 27°C (80°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In Durham, it's very sunny this time of the year. Durham usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during spring. Durham gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Durham usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. Durham gets 3.1 inches (78 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 AprilDurham 60°F (16°C)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Durham
| Durham | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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) |
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.