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 Tours for Seniors to Belgium, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Belgium.
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Ghent Prices
Belgium PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGhent $161Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Ghent is $161, 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 $80Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGhent $160Saint 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 and Saint Thomas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ghent $21Saint Thomas $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ghent
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ghent:
- Transfer Ghent Luxembourg (1 to 8 places): $244
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:
- St Thomas Private Airport Transfer 7 to 30 Passengers: $27
- Secret Harbour Beach Transfer from CruiseShip-Snorkeling Optional: $52
- Transfer from Cyril E. King Airport(STT) to Charlotte Amalie Port: $79
- Private Airport Transfer to/from Ritz-Carlton - St. Thomas: $90
- Private Airport Transfer to and from Red Hook Ferry: $90
- St Thomas Airport Transfer to and from Hampton By Hilton: $94
- ST.Thomas Airport transfer To Marriott/ Westin / Bouy haus: $98
- Prince Taxi USVI- ST.Thomas Aiport Transfer to Crown bay ferry: $100
- Prince Taxi USVI ST.Thomas Airport transfer to and from Westin: $105
- St.Thomas to St.Thomas Airport (STT) - Departure Private Transfer: $105
- St. Thomas Airport (STT) to St.Thomas - Arrival Private Transfer: $105
- St.Thomas to St.Thomas Airport (STT) - Departure Private Transfer: $105
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 $67Saint 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: $92
- Walking food tour: Introduction to Ghent through food: $102
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: $119
- Afternoon Snorkel, Pizza & Sunset Tour departing from St. Thomas & St. John: $120
- Local Experience, St. John U.S. Virgin Islands Food Tour: $125
- St. John PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail with Beach Stop, Lunch & Open Bar - Westin: $129
- Flavors of St Thomas Walking Food Tour: $145
- Pizza Pi Shuttle (Official) - Jet Ski Trip St Thomas: $269
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ghent $9.70Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Ghent
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ghent are as follows:
- 2 Hour Private Historical Walking Tour to Discover Ghent: $206
- Best of Gent: Private Walking Tour with a Local: $48
- Bicycle tour in historic Ghent: $51
- Brussels: Bruges & Ghent Tour w/ Cruise & Chocolate Tasting: $88
- Escape Tours® Gent - Self-guided citygame. Find the secret exit!: $34
- Evening Tour of the Dark Side of Gent: $3.41
- Explore History and Family Walking Tour in Mons: $234
- From Brussels: Private Tour of Bruges, Ghent and Flanders: $675
- From Brussels: Private Tour to Ghent’s Top Highlights: $195
- Gastronomic Walking Tour of Gent - Tasters included: $3.41
- Gent Private Walking Tour with a Local: $48
- Ghent - Private Historic Walking Tour: $419
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Nature and Sightseeing at Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden: $16
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $25
- Coral World Ocean Park General Admission Ticket: $29
- St Thomas Private Ride to Magens Bay Cruise Ship Pickup/Return: $34
- Cruise Ship Port Shuttle to St John Ferry: $34
- Rum Tasting Experience in the Old Barrel House: $35
- #1 St. Thomas Ghost Tour – Virgin Island's Original Haunted Tour: $41
- St. John Ghost Tour of Historic Cruz Bay: $45
- Cruise Ship Shuttle to Ferry going to St. John: $45
- Guided Kayak Tour from Elysian: $48
- Guided Kayak Tour from Margaritaville: $48
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI - St. Thomas, Virgin Islands- Island Scenic Tour: $49
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGhent $20Saint Thomas $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Ghent
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Ghent:
- NEW Ghent Brewery Visit, Beer Tasting Tour & Chocolate Pairing: $86
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.