Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Florence?
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 Florence or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Florence or Saint Thomas, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Florence or Saint Thomas?
Florence
Florence is the capital of Tuscany and one of the most well known cities in Italy for its art and cultural scenes. The city is rooted in history and you can see this in the architecture, statues, gardens, and art that are everywhere around town. This city truly is a living museum. You should allow yourself at least a couple of days to explore Florence and if you can afford more, it is well worth the time. In particular, if art history is your passion then you will need a week or more to satisfy your interest as the museums and architecturally impressive buildings throughout the city are endless.
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 Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.
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Florence Prices
Italy PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFlorence $211Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Florence is $211, 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 Florence and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFlorence $102Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFlorence $204Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Florence and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Florence 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: Florence Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Florence $26Saint Thomas $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Florence
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Florence:
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Taxi Ride Within City$9.39
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Taxi from Airport$29
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In City Parking (Full Day)$35
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Bus Pass (Full Day)$5.87
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Bus From Airport$5.87
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Florence
Also for Florence, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Livorno Port to Accommodation: $421
- Private Transfer from Firenze (FLR) Airport to Greve in Chianti: $290
- Florence Airport (FLR) to Chianciano - Arrival Private Transfer: $287
- Private transfer: $282
- PRIVATE TRANSFER from Florence to Roma with private chauffeur: $277
- PRIVATE TRANSFER from Florence to Cinque Terre with stops in Lucca & Pisa: $277
- Private Transfer Florence Peretola Airport from/to Livorno Port: $273
- Private transfer Florence Peretola Airport from or to Pisa City: $273
- Bologna Airport Private Transfer from your Hotel in Florence: $241
- Private Transfer Florence to Siena with a Chianti Wine Tasting : $240
- Florence to Bologna Airport (BLQ) - Departure Private Transfer: $232
- Taste of Tuscany San Gimignano Winery with Transfer from Florence: $228
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: $204
- Prince Taxi & Tours St.Thomas Airport transfer to Redhook Ferry: $200
- Prince Taxi USVI ST.Thomas Airport transfer to Westin : $180
- Prince Taxi USVI-ST.Thomas Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton : $180
- ST.Thomas Private Airport One-Way Transfers: $180
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $179
- Private Arrival Transfer from Cyril E King Airport to Redhook Bay: $175
- Prince Taxi ST.Thomas Airport transfer to Yacht Haven/Bluebeards: $175
- Private Hotel and Resorts Transfers: $173
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St. Thomas- Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton Elysian : $170
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St Thomas- Airport Transfer Sapphire / Crystal Cove : $160
Is it cheaper to fly into Florence or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Florence 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 dayFlorence $73Saint Thomas $94
Typical Food Prices in Florence
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Florence:
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Panini Sandwich$7.63
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Florence
For Florence, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Florence Old City Street Food Tour and Guided Sightseeing: $35
- Hard Rock Cafe Florence with Set Lunch or Dinner: $35
- Food Tour of Traditional Eateries and Wine Pairings: $36
- Street Food Tour and Sightseeing with Local Expert Guide in 2.5 hours : $46
- Cooking Class and Lunch at a Tuscan Farmhouse with Local Market Tour from Florence: $48
- Florence Street Food Tour and sightseeing with Central Market: $51
- Florence's Food Tour with Authentic Local Tastigs and Sightseeing: $51
- Florence Street Food Tour with Walking Sightseeing and Local Guide: $51
- Pasta Cooking Class with Unlimited Wine: $53
- Hands-On Pasta & Tiramisu Cooking Class: $53
- Cooking Class in Florence Pasta & Tiramisu Making Unlimited Wine: $54
- Pasta & Tiramisu Cooking Class with Unlimited Wine: $57
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
- Pizza Pi Shuttle (Official) - Jet Ski Trip St Thomas: $148
- St. John PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail with Beach Stop, Lunch & Open Bar - Westin: $149
- Christmas Cove and Pizza Pi Happy Hour Sail Tour: $185
- Turtles, Pizza Pi & Sunset trip: $295
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Florence $35Saint Thomas $60
Typical Entertainment Prices in Florence
For Florence, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Admission to Uffizi$13
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Phone Booking Fee for Uffizi$4.69
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Firenze Card (for Two)$117
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Audioguides at Uffizi (for Two)$23
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Giotto's Tower Entrance Fee$7.04
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Boboli Gardens Entrance Fee$8.21
Tours and Activities in Florence
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Florence.
- Accademia Gallery Skip the line Tickets : $41
- Best of Florence walking tour & Accademia Gallery- monolingual small group tour: $76
- Medici Walking Tour -Small Group : $35
- Uffizi & Accademia Highlights: Skip The Line Combo Guided Tour: $108
- 1-Hour Mythological Tour in Piazza della Signoria: Experience for Children: $54
- 2-Hours Walking Tour in Florence: $180
- 3 Hours Private Tour with Personal Photographer in Florence: $167
- 3-Hour Private Photographic Tour in Chianti and Val d'Orcia Florence: $60
- 4 Wines & 2 Olive Oils Tasting in Chianti Winery with Tour : $42
- 4-hour Accademia and Uffizi Small-group Guided Tour: $167
- A Food Lover Tour in Florence: $101
- Academia Gallery Skip-the-Line Priority Entrance Tickets: $43
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Island Icons & Treasures Tour - St. Thomas USVI : $199
- Magens Bay Trail Hiking Tour: $60
- Two-Hour Sightseeing Excursion : $58
- Vi Top Taxi &Tours USVI-Coki Beach Snorkeling Tour : $68
- 1 Hour Jet Ski Tour in the Virgin Islands from Westin St. John: $169
- 1-Hour Guided Jet Ski Tour in St. Thomas from Frenchman's Reef: $159
- 1.5 Hour Private Mini Jeep Tour on St. Thomas: $220
- 3 Hour Kayak and Snorkel Tour: $139
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- Best of Mangrove Lagoon Kayak, Hike and Snorkel Adventure with Picnic Lunch: $159
- Book Your Private Two and a Half Hour Island Tour today!: $150
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFlorence $22Saint Thomas $27
Typical Alcohol Prices in Florence
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Florence from other travelers:
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Glass of Chianti$4.93
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Bottle of Wine$8.80
Sample the Local Flavors in Florence
Also in Florence, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wine Tasting by CarusVini in San Casciano in val di Pesa: $18
- Winery tour and wine tasting of organic Chianti wines and extra virgin oil: $24
- Wine Tasting Activity at Chianti Rufina: $25
- Great wine tasting at Tenuta Moriano: $27
- Wine Tasting Experience near Florence: $30
- Classic Wine Tasting in Montalcino: $36
- Private Wine Tasting Experience in the heart of Tuscany: $36
- Wine Tasting in an Authentic Tuscan Cellar in Radda in Chianti: $38
- Montefioralle Winery - Tour and Wine Tasting in Chianti: $42
- Chianti Half Day Wine Tour from Florence: $42
- Wine Tasting of Brunello with Tuscan Cold Cuts and Cheese: $47
- Winery tour & wine tasting in Montalcino: $48
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Florence and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Florence much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Florence is in Europe 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 Florence would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Florence 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 Florence.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Florence Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Florence or Saint Thomas?
Florence has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Florence 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 Florence or Saint Thomas?
Florence 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 Florence or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
Both Saint Thomas and Florence are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Florence in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Florence is generally cooler than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Florence average around 25°C (77°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Florence. Florence usually receives more sunshine than Saint Thomas during summer. Florence gets 316 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Florence usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Florence gets 31 mm (1.2 in) 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 JulyFlorence 25°C (77°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Florence or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
Both Saint Thomas and Florence during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Florence for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
Florence is much colder than Saint Thomas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Florence averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Florence often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Florence gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun.
Saint Thomas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Florence usually gets less rain in October than Saint Thomas. Florence gets 96 mm (3.8 in) 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 OctoberFlorence 16°C (61°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Florence or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Florence and Saint Thomas. The winter months attract visitors to Florence because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the winter, Florence is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Florence in January average around 7°C (45°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 26°C (78°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. Florence usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during winter. Florence gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Florence usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. Florence gets 63 mm (2.5 in) 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 JanuaryFlorence 7°C (45°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Florence or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Florence as well as Saint Thomas. The natural beauty are the main draw to Florence this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
In April, Florence is generally much colder than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Florence average around 14°C (57°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. In the spring, Florence often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Florence gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun.
Florence usually gets more rain in April than Saint Thomas. Florence gets 78 mm (3.1 in) 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 AprilFlorence 14°C (57°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Florence
| Florence | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 7°C (45°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 8°C (46°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 10°C (50°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (57°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 11°C (52°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 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.