Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix or Gatlinburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg and Saint Croix can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Gatlinburg or Saint Croix?
Gatlinburg
Located in eastern Tennessee, Gatlinburg is a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and for many it is a destination in and of itself. It's anything but natural, and most of its entertainment is centered around amusement park rides and gimmicky sights. You'll find no shortage of cheap hotels and restaurant options, many of which are the typical chains you would find in most tourist towns. It is a convenient town to pick up any necessities you may have forgotten before your visit to the nearby national park.
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 Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGatlinburg $190Saint Croix $236
The average daily cost (per person) in Gatlinburg is $190, 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 Gatlinburg and Saint Croix in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGatlinburg $80Saint Croix $149
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGatlinburg $160Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in Gatlinburg and Saint Croix
Looking for a hotel in Gatlinburg 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.
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: Gatlinburg Hotel Prices and Saint Croix Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Gatlinburg $35Saint Croix $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Croix
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint Croix:
- Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Round-Trip Transfer: $218
- St Croix Airport to St Croix Hotels Private Round Trip Transfer: $218
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St. Croix : $164
- 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 Airport to St. Croix Cruise Port : $71
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Cruise Port to St. Croix Airport: $71
- Private Transfer from St.Croix hotels to St. Croix Cruise Port : $49
- Private Transfer from St.Croix Cruise Port to St.Croix hotels: $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Gatlinburg or Saint Croix?
Prices for flights to both Saint Croix and Gatlinburg 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 dayGatlinburg $85Saint Croix $56
Typical Food Prices in Gatlinburg
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Gatlinburg:
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Chinese Food Dinner (for 2)$21
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Gatlinburg $24Saint Croix $58
Typical Entertainment Prices in Gatlinburg
For Gatlinburg, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Horseback Riding Photos$22
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Horseback Riding (for 2)$55
Tours and Activities in Gatlinburg
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Gatlinburg.
- Museum of the Cherokee People Admission Ticket: $8.00
- Roaring Fork Trail Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $8.49
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Audio Driving Tour: $15
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour: $15
- Blue Ridge Parkway (Cherokee to Asheville) Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour: $17
- Rocky Top Mountain Coaster Admission Ticket in Pigeon Forge: $18
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Pigeon Forge by Zombie Scavengers: $20
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cades Cove Self-Driving Bundle Tours: $25
- Blue Ridge Parkway: Audio Driving Tour: $25
- Scenic Blue Ridge Parkway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $25
- Ghosts of the Smokies Haunted Walking Tour: $26
Tours and Activities in Saint Croix
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Saint Croix are as follows:
- 1 Hour Private Jetcar Experience in Virgin Islands : $250
- 30 Minute Private Jetcar Experience in Virgin Islands: $150
- Grange Estate History and Heritage Private Tour and Luncheon : $60
- Horseback Riding Experience: $160
- Parasail Experience in St Croix: $132
- Private Sailing Tour of Pirate Waters and Shipwrecks: $75
- St Croix Island Tour: $100
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGatlinburg $15Saint Croix $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Gatlinburg
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Gatlinburg:
- Famous Moonshine & Wine Tour From Pigeon Forge: $70
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gatlinburg and Saint Croix, we can see that Saint Croix is more expensive. And not only is Gatlinburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Gatlinburg Expensive? and Is Saint Croix Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Gatlinburg or Saint Croix?
Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg or Saint Croix in the Summer?
Both Saint Croix and Gatlinburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Gatlinburg for the hiking during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round.
In the summer, Gatlinburg is around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Typically, the summer temperatures in Gatlinburg in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Saint Croix averages at about 29°C (83°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Gatlinburg. Gatlinburg usually gets more rain in July than Saint Croix. Gatlinburg gets 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGatlinburg 81°F (27°C)Saint Croix 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Gatlinburg or Saint Croix in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Gatlinburg and Saint Croix. The autumn months attract visitors to Gatlinburg because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Gatlinburg is generally much colder than Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Gatlinburg average around 63°F (17°C), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Saint Croix receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Gatlinburg usually receives less rain than Saint Croix. Gatlinburg gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGatlinburg 63°F (17°C)Saint Croix 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Gatlinburg or Saint Croix in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Gatlinburg as well as Saint Croix. The skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Gatlinburg this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year.
It's quite cold in Gatlinburg in the winter. Gatlinburg is much colder than Saint Croix in the winter. The daily temperature in Gatlinburg averages around 40°F (5°C) in January, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
Gatlinburg receives a lot of rain in the winter. Gatlinburg usually gets more rain in January than Saint Croix. Gatlinburg gets 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGatlinburg 40°F (5°C)Saint Croix 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Gatlinburg or Saint Croix in the Spring?
Both Saint Croix and Gatlinburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Gatlinburg is much colder than Saint Croix. Typically, the spring temperatures in Gatlinburg in April average around 62°F (17°C), and Saint Croix averages at about 27°C (80°F).
In April, Gatlinburg usually receives more rain than Saint Croix. Gatlinburg gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGatlinburg 62°F (17°C)Saint Croix 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Croix and Gatlinburg
| Gatlinburg | Saint Croix | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (5°C) | 4.7 inches (119 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 44°F (7°C) | 4.7 inches (120 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 54°F (12°C) | 4.8 inches (123 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 62°F (17°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 78°F (25°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 81°F (27°C) | 4.7 inches (119 mm) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 80°F (27°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 74°F (24°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 63°F (17°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 44°F (7°C) | 4.5 inches (114 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.