Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Ghent?
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 Ghent or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Ghent and Saint Thomas. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Ghent or Saint Thomas?
Ghent
Ghent is a large city in the northern part of Belgium (the Flanders region) with a population of about 250,000. This city was one of the most powerful cities in Europe during the Middle Ages, which is portrayed today, mostly through architecture. There is a large university in Ghent with over 60,000 students, and a large portion of the population are young students. However, among the natives and students, there are also many foreigners and artists that you will find walking the streets of the city. Ghent is also Belgium's second largest port city.
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 Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Budget Tours to Belgium.
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Ghent Prices
Belgium PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGhent $168Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Ghent is $168, 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 Ghent and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGhent $84Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGhent $168Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Ghent and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Ghent 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: Ghent Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ghent $22Saint 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:
- Transfer from Cyril E. King Airport(STT) to Charlotte Amalie Port: $83
- VI Top Taxi and Tours - St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $90
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay / Limetree: $110
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours -Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay/ Limetree: $110
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove: $110
- St.Thomas to St.Thomas Airport (STT) - Departure Private Transfer: $115
- Private Ground Transfers: $120
- Exclusive Airport Transfers (up to 4 persons) One-Way: $135
- St.Thomas island to Cyril E. King Airport(STT)-Departure Transfer: $135
- St. Thomas USVI Airport Transfer to the Redhook Ferry: $144
- St. Thomas USVI Airport Transfer to The Ritz Carlton Resort: $144
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $160
Is it cheaper to fly into Ghent or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Ghent 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 dayGhent $70Saint Thomas $94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ghent
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ghent.
- Walking Food Tour in Ghent: $93
- Walking food tour: Introduction to Ghent through food: $109
- Small-Group Food Tour in Ghent by Bike: $178
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.Ghent $10Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Ghent
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ghent are as follows:
- Explore History and Family Walking Tour in Mons: $245
- Bicycle tour in historic Ghent: $54
- Charlie's Private Beer Tour (Ghent) : $179
- Charlie's Private Chocolate Tour (Ghent): $198
- Charlie's Private Highlights Tour (Ghent): $149
- Charlie's Private Off The Beaten Path Tour (Ghent): $209
- Charlie's Private Tasting Tour (Ghent): $239
- Charlie's famous Chocolate Tour (Ghent): $56
- Charlie's famous Tasting Tour (Ghent): $70
- Discover Ghent with a self-guided Outside Escape city game tour!: $30
- Escape Tour Gent -selfguided citygame- and find the secret exit!: $24
- Evening Tour of the Dark Side of Gent: $3.57
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Nature and Sightseeing Tour at Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden: $16
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $25
- Coral World Ocean Park General Admission Ticket: $29
- Cruise Ship Shuttle to Ferry going to St. John: $34
- Rum Tasting Experience in the Old Barrel House: $35
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- St. Thomas Sightseeing Tour with a Guide: $40
- Guided Tour of Coral World Ocean Park & Happy Hour: $40
- St. Thomas Ghost Tour of Historic Charlotte Amalie : $41
- Prince taxi & Tours St.Thomas Virgin Islands-Island Scenic Tour: $45
- Guided Kayak Tour from Margaritaville: $48
- Guided Kayak Tour from Elysian: $48
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGhent $21Saint Thomas $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ghent and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Ghent much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ghent 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 Ghent would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ghent 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 Ghent.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ghent Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ghent or Saint Thomas?
Ghent has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Ghent 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 Ghent or Saint Thomas?
Ghent 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 Ghent or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Ghent as well as Saint Thomas. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ghent this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
Ghent is much colder than Saint Thomas in the summer. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 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 Ghent this time of the year. In the summer, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Ghent gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun.
Ghent usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Saint Thomas. Ghent gets 66 mm (2.6 in) 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 JulyGhent 17°C (63°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Ghent or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
Both Saint Thomas and Ghent are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Ghent for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Ghent is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ghent in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during autumn. Ghent gets 105 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, Ghent usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Ghent gets 78 mm (3.1 in) 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 OctoberGhent 12°C (54°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Ghent or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
Both Saint Thomas and Ghent during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Ghent in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
Ghent can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Ghent is generally much colder than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 3°C (38°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Ghent gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun.
Ghent usually gets more rain in January than Saint Thomas. Ghent gets 59 mm (2.3 in) 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 JanuaryGhent 3°C (38°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Ghent or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ghent and Saint Thomas. Most visitors come to Ghent for the natural beauty during these months. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Ghent is much colder than Saint Thomas in the spring. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 8°C (47°F) in April, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during spring. Ghent gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Ghent usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Ghent gets 45 mm (1.8 in) 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 AprilGhent 8°C (47°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Ghent
| Ghent | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (38°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (47°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (64°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (40°F) | 71 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.