Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Helsinki?
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 Helsinki or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Helsinki and Saint Thomas can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Helsinki or Saint Thomas?
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital of Finland and dates back to 1550. Helsinki is an international metropolis with a diverse population, but also a small town vibe. The city itself has a population of just over 600,000 but the metropolitan area, including Espoo and Vantaa, has a population of more than 1.3 million. There are many outdoor bars and cafes that take advantage of the warmer summer months. During this time there are long days, and the population floods into the street after a long and cold winter, so visiting during the summer is a fun and lively experience.
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 Finland, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Finland.
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Helsinki Prices
Finland PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHelsinki $193Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Helsinki is $193, 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 Helsinki and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHelsinki $85Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHelsinki $170Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Helsinki and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Helsinki 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: Helsinki Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Helsinki $26Saint Thomas $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Helsinki
Also for Helsinki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Helsinki Private Departure Airport Transfer: $213
- Helsinki Private Arrival Airport Transfer: $213
- VIP Transfer Helsinki : $210
- VIP Transfer HELSINKI: $198
- PRIVATE Helsinki VIP Transfer: $198
- Private Transfer from Helsinki City Hotels to Kotka Cruise Port: $170
- VIP Airport Transfer by new cars in Helsinki: $159
- Private Transfer from Airport in Helsinki and Vice versa: $150
- Departure Transfer: Helsinki to Airport HEL by Luxury Van: $114
- Arrival Transfer: Helsinki Airport HEL to Helsinki by MB Van: $109
- Airport Transfer: Helsinki Airport HEL to Helsinki by Luxury Van: $109
- Airport Transfer Helsinki Center: $108
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 & Tours -Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay/ Limetree: $110
- VI Top Taxi and Tours - St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $90
- Transfer from Cyril E. King Airport(STT) to Charlotte Amalie Port: $83
- St.Thomas to St.Thomas Airport (STT) - Departure Private Transfer: $115
- 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
- ST.Thomas Private Airport One-Way Transfers: $180
- Private Hotel and Resorts Transfers: $173
- Private Ground Transfers: $120
- Private Arrival Transfer from Cyril E King Airport to Redhook Bay: $175
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $179
Is it cheaper to fly into Helsinki or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Helsinki 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 dayHelsinki $70Saint Thomas $94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- FOOD Tour with Roof Top Bar in Helsinki: $119
- Helsinki Food Tour: A Culinary Experience with a Local: $275
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.Helsinki $32Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Helsinki Highlights Tour: the Top Sightseeing Spots: $156
- Helsinki Premium Transportation Experience: $170
- Helsinki and Porvoo Tour by Private Car with Personal Guide: $102
- 3 Hours Helsinki Stopover Tour from Airport: $108
- 4 Hour Helsinki Tour from Cruise Port: $96
- A Finntastic Walking Tour in Helsinki: $24
- Adventure Day: $48
- Baltic Bites Tour of Nature and Food on a Helsinki Summer Island: $119
- CITY Tour with Food Tasting in Helsinki: $191
- Capital of Contrasts: A Self Guided Audio Tour in Helsinki: $15
- City Sightseeing Helsinki Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $42
- Day to Porvoo from Medieval Old Town Guided Tour: $95
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Island Icons & Treasures Tour - St. Thomas USVI : $199
- Magens Bay Trail Hiking Tour: $60
- Two-Hour Sightseeing Excursion : $58
- Vi Top Taxi &Tours USVI-Coki Beach Snorkeling Tour : $68
- 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
- 1.5 Hour Private Mini Jeep Tour on St. Thomas: $220
- 3 Hour Kayak and Snorkel Tour: $139
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- Best of Mangrove Lagoon Kayak, Hike and Snorkel Adventure with Picnic Lunch: $159
- Book Your Private Two and a Half Hour Island Tour today!: $150
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHelsinki $18Saint Thomas $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Helsinki and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Helsinki much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Helsinki 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 Helsinki would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Helsinki 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 Helsinki.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Helsinki Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Helsinki or Saint Thomas?
Helsinki has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Helsinki 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 Helsinki or Saint Thomas?
Helsinki 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 Helsinki or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Helsinki and Saint Thomas. Many travelers come to Helsinki for the family-friendly experiences. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Helsinki is generally much colder than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 17°C (62°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In Helsinki, it's very sunny this time of the year. Helsinki usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas during summer. Helsinki gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Helsinki gets 58 mm (2.3 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 JulyHelsinki 17°C (62°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Helsinki or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Helsinki as well as Saint Thomas. Many visitors come to Helsinki in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
Helsinki is much colder than Saint Thomas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, 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, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Helsinki gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Saint Thomas. Helsinki usually gets less rain in October than Saint Thomas. Helsinki gets 71 mm (2.8 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 OctoberHelsinki 6°C (42°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Helsinki or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
Both Saint Thomas and Helsinki are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Helsinki for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Helsinki can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Helsinki is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Helsinki in January average around -6°C (21°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 26°C (78°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during winter. Helsinki gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Helsinki usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint Thomas. Helsinki gets 40 mm (1.6 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 JanuaryHelsinki -6°C (21°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Helsinki or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
Both Saint Thomas and Helsinki during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Helsinki because of the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
The weather in Helsinki can be very cold. In April, Helsinki is generally much colder than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 3°C (37°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Helsinki gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun.
Helsinki usually gets less rain in April than Saint Thomas. Helsinki gets 41 mm (1.6 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 AprilHelsinki 3°C (37°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Helsinki
| Helsinki | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -6°C (21°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | -3°C (27°F) | 34 mm (1.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 3°C (37°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 9°C (49°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (60°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (51°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (33°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | -4°C (26°F) | 58 mm (2.3 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.