Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Gothenburg?
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 Gothenburg or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Gothenburg or Saint Thomas? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Gothenburg or Saint Thomas?
Gothenburg
Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden with a population of about 500,000. It is located on the western coast at the edge of the Gota River. It's a very friendly and welcoming city with a great vibe. Part of its energy comes from the Gothenburg University, which, with over 60,000 students, is the largest university in the country. Historically, Gothenburg has working class roots which are still apparent today, particularly in the city's harbour area. Recently there has been a growing number of expensive restaurants and cafes, showing that the demographic continues to evolve.
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 10-Day Tours in Sweden, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Sweden.
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Gothenburg Prices
Sweden PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGothenburg $147Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Gothenburg is $147, 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 Gothenburg and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGothenburg $47Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGothenburg $94Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Gothenburg and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Gothenburg 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: Gothenburg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Gothenburg $22Saint Thomas $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gothenburg
Also for Gothenburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $213
- Private Transfer Gothenburg Airport GOT to Gothenburg by Sedan: $169
- City Highlights Bike Tour with Transfer: $130
- Airport Transfer: Gothenburg to Airport GOT by Business Car: $130
- Ostersund Private Transfer from Ostersund (OSD) airport to central Ostersund: $115
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg Landvetter Airport to Gothenburg Hotels: $110
- Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Arrival Private Transfer: $107
- Gothenburg Private Transfer from Central Gothenburg to Gothenburg Airport: $79
- Gothenburg Airport: Transfer to City center of Gothenburg: $76
- Umea Private Transfer from Umea city centre to Umea airport: $71
- Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Departure: $17
- Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Arrival: $17
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:
- Vi Top Taxi -St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove: $110
- Vi Top Taxi - St. Thomas Airport Transfer to Wyndham Margaritaville: $180
- Vi Top Taxi &Tours - Airport Transfer to the Ritz Carlton: $180
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours -Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay/ Limetree: $110
- Transfer from Cyril E. King Airport(STT) to Charlotte Amalie Port: $82
- St.Thomas to St.Thomas Airport (STT) - Departure Private Transfer: $134
- St.Thomas to St.Thomas Airport (STT) - Departure Private Transfer: $114
- St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Redhook Ferry: $180
- St.Thomas Airport (STT) to St.Thomas - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $267
- St. Thomas USVI Airport Transfer to the Westin/Buoy Haus/Marriott: $134
- St. Thomas USVI Airport Transfer to the Redhook Ferry: $180
- St Thomas Airport Private Transfers to Bouy haus: $135
Is it cheaper to fly into Gothenburg or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Gothenburg 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 dayGothenburg $78Saint Thomas $94
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:
- St. James Snorkel & Pizza Pi Lunch: $90
- St. John Sail with Bar and Hors d'Oeuvres to Lovango Dinner: $109
- 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. Thomas Dinner Sail to Lovango w/ Open Bar and Hors D'oeuvres: $139
- St. John PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail with Beach Stop, Lunch & Open Bar - Westin: $149
- 2-Hour Pizza Pi and Snorkel Sail: $175
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Gothenburg $18Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Gothenburg
For Gothenburg, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 24h Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour: $38
- 24h Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Tour by Bus and Boat: $55
- Archipelago Tour with guide Gothenburg: $47
- Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $48
- Bike Tour Gothenburg, Guided Bicycle Tours: $66
- City Kayak Tour: $60
- City Sightseeing Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $38
- Entry Ticket To Gothenburg Museum of art with pickup: $70
- Entry Ticket To Gothenburg Museum of art with pickup: $76
- Gothenburg - Private guided tour: $581
- Gothenburg 24-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket: $37
- Gothenburg : Must-See Attractions Walking Tour: $122
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- 1 Hour Jet Ski Tour in the Virgin Islands from Westin St. John: $169
- 1-Hour Guided Jet Ski Tour in St. Thomas from Frenchman's Reef: $159
- 3 Hour Kayak and Snorkel Tour: $139
- Aerial Sightseeing Adventure!: $250
- Book Your Private Two and a Half Hour Island Tour today!: $150
- Cas Cay - Kayak Hike and Snorkel Adventure: $79
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $25
- Cocktail Sunset Cruise from Sapphire Beach Resort: $130
- Coral Reef and Turtle Discovery Tour: $159
- Coral World Ocean Park General Admission Ticket: $29
- Cruise Ship Port Shuttle to St John Ferry: $34
- Cruise Ship Shuttle to Ferry going to St. John: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGothenburg $24Saint Thomas $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Thomas
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Thomas:
- Da Conch Crawl- Walking Tour and Bar Crawl Downtown St. Thomas: $148
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gothenburg and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Gothenburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Gothenburg 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 Gothenburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Gothenburg 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 Gothenburg.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Gothenburg Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Gothenburg or Saint Thomas?
Gothenburg has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Gothenburg 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 Gothenburg or Saint Thomas?
Gothenburg 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 Gothenburg or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Gothenburg and Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Gothenburg is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Gothenburg in July average around 16°C (61°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 29°C (83°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In Gothenburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Gothenburg usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during summer. Gothenburg gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Gothenburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint Thomas. Gothenburg gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGothenburg 16°C (61°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Gothenburg as well as Saint Thomas. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
In October, Gothenburg is generally much colder than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around 9°C (47°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. In the autumn, Gothenburg often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Gothenburg gets 94 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Saint Thomas. Gothenburg usually gets less rain in October than Saint Thomas. Gothenburg gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGothenburg 9°C (47°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
Both Saint Thomas and Gothenburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Gothenburg. Gothenburg is much colder than Saint Thomas in the winter. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around -2°C (29°F) in January, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. Gothenburg usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during winter. Gothenburg gets 40 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Gothenburg usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. Gothenburg gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGothenburg -2°C (29°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Gothenburg or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
Both Saint Thomas and Gothenburg during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
In the spring, Gothenburg is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Gothenburg in April average around 5°C (41°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 27°C (80°F).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Gothenburg often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Gothenburg gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun.
Gothenburg usually gets less rain in April than Saint Thomas. Gothenburg gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGothenburg 5°C (41°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Gothenburg
| Gothenburg | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -2°C (29°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | -2°C (29°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 1°C (34°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 11°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 16°C (61°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (60°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 9°C (47°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 4°C (38°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 0°C (32°F) | 75 mm (3 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.