Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Hoi An?
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 Hoi An 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 Hoi An 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: Hoi An or Saint Thomas?
Hoi An
Located just south of the city of Da Nang, Hoi An is famous for it's beautiful old town. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unfortunately, since its designation as a World Heritage Site in 1999, mass tourism has grown and the city has felt the growing pains. Most of the homes and shops in the old town are now used for commercial purposes. The city is still quaint, but the old town is lined with tailor shops, souvenir stores, and restaurants. Foreigners are required to purchase a ticket to enter the old town of Hoi An (120,000 VND, about $5).
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 Food and Culinary Tours in Vietnam, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in Vietnam.
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Hoi An Prices
Vietnam PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHoi An $51Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Hoi An is $51, 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 Hoi An and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHoi An $20Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHoi An $40Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Hoi An and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Hoi An 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: Hoi An Hotel Prices and Saint Thomas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hoi An $18Saint Thomas $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hoi An
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Hoi An are as follows:
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Taxi From Danang to Hoi An$8.36
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Bus From Hoi An Bus Station to Town$0.57
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hoi An
Also for Hoi An, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Hue Private Car with Driver for Customizable Trip & Transfer: $7.09
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 Bluebeard's/Yacht Haven: $110
- 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: $80
- St.Thomas to St.Thomas Airport (STT) - Departure Private Transfer: $94
- St.Thomas to St.Thomas Airport (STT) - Departure Private Transfer: $132
- St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Redhook Ferry: $180
- St. Thomas USVI Airport Transfer to the Westin/Buoy Haus/Marriott: $134
- Secret Harbour Beach Transfer from CruiseShip-Snorkeling Optional: $52
- ST.Thomas Private Airport One-Way Transfers: $200
Is it cheaper to fly into Hoi An or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Hoi An 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 dayHoi An $16Saint Thomas $94
Typical Food Prices in Hoi An
For Hoi An, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner at Bamboo Village (for Two)$14
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$3.80
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Casual Dinner (for Two)$7.60
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
- St. John PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail with Beach Stop, Lunch & Open Bar - Westin: $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
- St. Thomas Dinner Sail to St. John with Open Bar & Hors D'oeuvres - Ritz-Carlton: $129
- Pizza Pi Shuttle (Official) - Jet Ski Trip St Thomas: $148
- Pizza Pi Party- Snorkel & Sunset Cruise: $180
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hoi An $12Saint Thomas $60
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hoi An
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Hoi An's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Golf (for Two)$141
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Short Boat Ride$1.52
Tours and Activities in Hoi An
For Hoi An, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Chan May Port: Private My Son Sanctuary & Marble Mountains Tour: $160
- Cruiseship Tour to MY SON HOLYLAND - DA NANG CITY From Chan May or Tien Sa Port: $179
- Cruiseship Trip from TIEN SA or CHAN MAY Port to MY SON HOLYLAND & DA NANG City: $154
- Cruiseship Trip from TIEN SA or CHAN MAY Port to MY SON HOLYLAND & HOI AN City: $154
- Cruiseship Trip to GOLDEN BRIDGE & MY SON SANCTUARY from CHAN MAY orTIEN SA Port: $225
- Cruiseship Trip to My Son Sanctuary & GOLDEN BRIDGE from TIEN SA orCHAN MAY Port: $200
- Hoi An Experience 3 Hours Wood Carving Class with Local Artist: $47
- Hue : Shuttle bus from Hue to Hoi An and sightseeing: $16
- Hue-Da Nang-Hoi An Bus Tour with English Guide & Sightseeing: $22
- Hue: Half-Day Tour with Optional Dragon Boat Perfume River: $28
- My Son - Danang from Tien Sa cruise harbor: $150
- My Son - Danang from Tien Sa cruise harbor: $180
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- #1 St. Thomas Ghost Tour – Virgin Island's Original Haunted Tour: $41
- 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
- Book Your Private Two and a Half Hour Island Tour today!: $150
- Cas Cay - Kayak Hike and Snorkel Adventure: $99
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $25
- Cocktail Sunset Cruise from Sapphire Beach Resort: $130
- Coral Reef and Turtle Discovery Kayak and Snorkel Tour: $169
- Coral Reef and Turtle Discovery Tour: $159
- Coral World Ocean Park General Admission Ticket: $29
- Cruise Ship Port Shuttle to St John Ferry: $34
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHoi An $8.62Saint Thomas $27
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hoi An
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Hoi An are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$9.12
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 Hoi An and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Hoi An much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Hoi An is in Asia 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 Hoi An would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hoi An 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 Hoi An.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hoi An Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hoi An or Saint Thomas?
Hoi An has a larger population, and is about 64% larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Hoi An 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 Hoi An or Saint Thomas?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Hoi An or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hoi An and Saint Thomas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hoi An year-round. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
February to July in Hoi An is the dry season. Also, September to January is the rainy season in Hoi An. In July, Hoi An usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. Hoi An gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In Hoi An, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hoi An usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during summer. Hoi An gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
Hoi An is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas in the summer. The daily temperature in Hoi An averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHoi An 29°C (85°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Hoi An or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Hoi An as well as Saint Thomas. Hoi An attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Saint Thomas. Hoi An receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hoi An usually gets more rain in October than Saint Thomas. Hoi An gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. In the autumn, Hoi An often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Hoi An gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Hoi An is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hoi An in October average around 25°C (78°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHoi An 25°C (78°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Hoi An or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
Both Saint Thomas and Hoi An are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hoi An throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Hoi An is February to July. The rainy season in Hoi An is September to January. It's quite rainy in Hoi An. In January, Hoi An usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. Hoi An gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. Hoi An usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during winter. Hoi An gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Hoi An is generally cooler than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Hoi An average around 22°C (71°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHoi An 22°C (71°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Hoi An or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
Both Saint Thomas and Hoi An during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hoi An because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
Hoi An usually gets less rain in April than Saint Thomas. Hoi An gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hoi An. In the spring, Hoi An often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Hoi An gets 210 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun.
Hoi An is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas in the spring. The daily temperature in Hoi An averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHoi An 26°C (80°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Hoi An
| Hoi An | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (71°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 23°C (73°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (85°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (85°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 331 mm (13 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 613 mm (24.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (76°F) | 376 mm (14.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 223 mm (8.8 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.