Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Gainesville?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Gainesville or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Gainesville 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: Gainesville or Saint Thomas?
Gainesville
Home to the University of Florida as well as Santa Fe College, the town of Gainesville has all of the shopping, entertainment, and restaurants that you could want in a college town - plus easy access to a number of outdoor adventures from canoeing, diving, and kayaking to birding, fishing, hiking, and biking. Some of the top features include the Butterfly Rainforest, the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, and Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park.
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 in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGainesville $221Saint Thomas $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Gainesville is $221, 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 Gainesville and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGainesville $119Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGainesville $238Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Gainesville and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Gainesville 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: Gainesville Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Gainesville $40Saint 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 Gainesville or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Gainesville 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 dayGainesville $70Saint Thomas $54
Typical Food Prices in Gainesville
Some typical examples of dining costs in Gainesville are as follows:
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Diner Breakfast for Two$17
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Lunch at Chop Stix (for 2)$24
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.Gainesville $44Saint Thomas $60
Typical Entertainment Prices in Gainesville
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Gainesville are as follows:
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Manatee Tour for Two$98
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Tour Guide Tip$5.00
Tours and Activities in Gainesville
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Gainesville are as follows:
- Butterfly Rainforest at Florida Museum of Natural History Ticket: $15
- Private Snorkeling Tour in Florida Springs: $250
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Gainesville by Operation City Quest: $10
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 dayGainesville $49Saint 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 comparing the travel costs between Gainesville and Saint Thomas, we can see that Gainesville is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Gainesville is in North America and Saint Thomas is in Caribbean Islands, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Gainesville Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Gainesville or Saint Thomas?
Gainesville has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Gainesville 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 Gainesville or Saint Thomas?
Gainesville 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 Gainesville or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Gainesville as well as Saint Thomas. Many visitors come to Gainesville in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
Gainesville is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas in the summer. The daily temperature in Gainesville averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
Gainesville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Gainesville usually gets more rain in July than Saint Thomas. Gainesville gets 6.8 inches (174 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 JulyGainesville 81°F (27°C)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Gainesville or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
Both Saint Thomas and Gainesville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Gainesville for the shopping scene during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Gainesville is cooler than Saint Thomas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Gainesville in October average around 71°F (22°C), and Saint Thomas averages at about 28°C (82°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. In October, Gainesville usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Gainesville gets 2 inches (51 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Gainesville is the hurricane season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGainesville 71°F (22°C)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Gainesville or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
Both Saint Thomas and Gainesville during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Gainesville because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
In January, Gainesville is generally much colder than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Gainesville average around 54°F (12°C), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
Gainesville usually gets more rain in January than Saint Thomas. Gainesville gets 2.9 inches (75 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 JanuaryGainesville 54°F (12°C)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Gainesville or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Gainesville and Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Gainesville is cooler than Saint Thomas in the spring. The daily temperature in Gainesville averages around 69°F (20°C) in April, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
In April, Gainesville usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Gainesville gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Gainesville is June to November.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGainesville 69°F (20°C)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Gainesville
| Gainesville | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 54°F (12°C) | 2.9 inches (75 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 57°F (14°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 63°F (17°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 69°F (20°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 75°F (24°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 80°F (26°C) | 6.8 inches (174 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 81°F (27°C) | 6.8 inches (174 mm) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 8.3 inches (211 mm) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 78°F (26°C) | 5.5 inches (139 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 71°F (22°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 63°F (17°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 56°F (14°C) | 2.9 inches (74 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.