Should you visit Freeport or Saint Thomas?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Freeport and Saint Thomas can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Freeport
When you picture the Bahamas you likely picture the beaches, resorts and playgrounds of Nassau. Just to the northwest of this tourist paradise is a tropical city founded on industry. Freeport began as mostly swampland and is now the second most populous city in the Bahamas.
This city is less of a tourist attraction - a place where you'll find the true Bahaman culture mixed in with some relaxing spots to help you unwind and get into your island vacation.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Freeport?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Freeport is $205, while the average daily cost in Saint Thomas is $175. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Freeport and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
Travelers usually pay around $244 for a double occupancy room in Freeport If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $210 in Saint Thomas For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
In Freeport travelers spend around $49 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
The price of a meal in Saint Thomas can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $43 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $17 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
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Food
Meals for one day
Freeport $49
Saint Thomas $43
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Freeport
For Freeport, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Bahamian Culture and Cooking Lesson Tour:
$71
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A Taste of Bahamas Cultural Food Tour:
$79
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Around Town/Bahamian Cooking Experience:
$120
Local Transportation
Freeport's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $52 per person, per day on transportation in Freeport.
To get around in Saint Thomas, the average visitor spends $29 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Freeport
Also for Freeport, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Round-Trip Luxury Transfer: Freeport International Airport (1 - 10):
$589
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Private Departure Luxury Transfer: Freeport International Airport (1 - 10):
$294
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Private Arrival Luxury Transfer: Freeport International Airport (1 - 10):
$294
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Private Round-Trip Transfer: Freeport International Airport (5 - 8):
$283
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Private Round-Trip Transfer: Freeport International Airport (3 - 4):
$189
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Shared Round-Trip Limousine Transfer to the Port Lucaya Market:
$160
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Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Freeport International Airport (5 - 8):
$141
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Private Arrival Transfer: Freeport International Airport to Hotels (5 - 8):
$141
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Private Round-Trip Transfer: Freeport International Airport (1 - 2):
$94
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Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Freeport International Airport (3 - 4):
$94
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Private Arrival Transfer: Freeport International Airport to Hotels (3 - 4):
$94
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Private Airport Transfer: Freeport to Grand Bahama International Airport (FPO):
$50
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
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Freeport can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $29 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
In Saint Thomas, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $48 per person, per day.
Typical Entertainment prices in Freeport
For Freeport, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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10 Dive Package
$299
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4 Hr. Kayak Tour
$70
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1/2 Day Snorkel Trip
$75
Tours and Activities in Freeport
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Freeport.
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Best of the Grand Bahamas Tour:
$50
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Cave Tour and Gold Rock Beach:
$75
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CocoNutz Cruisers Electric Bicycle Tour:
$123
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Cycle City and Beach Tour:
$128
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East End Island Sightseeing Tour from Freeport:
$160
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Freeport 3-Hour City Tour:
$30
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Freeport 4-Hour Garden of the Groves Tour:
$55
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Freeport Reef Snorkeling Adventure with Beach Break and Shopping:
$70
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Freeport Shore Excursion: Garden of the Groves and City Tour:
$76
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Freeport Snorkeling Adventure:
$55
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Half-Day Motorized Bicycle Tour:
$100
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From 5-Hour Eco Tour to the Cay's:
$120
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
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Snorkel St. John Tour from Sapphire & Margaritaville:
$135
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Freeport, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $23.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Saint Thomas, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $22.
Sample the Local Flavors in Freeport
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Freeport:
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Sands Brewery 1.5-Hour Tour - All You Can Drink:
$26
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Freeport Shore Excursion: Bahamian Brewery Tour and Beer Tasting:
$31
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Freeport Bazaar and Brewery Tour:
$44
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Brewery Tour at Bahamian Brewery:
$65
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Freeport and Saint Thomas, we can see that Freeport is more expensive. And not only is Saint Thomas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint Thomas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Thomas 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 Freeport would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Freeport than you might in Saint Thomas.
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