Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Hue?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Hue 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 Hue 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: Hue or Saint Thomas?
Hue
Hue is a major city in central Vietnam and was historically the imperial capital. The city was the base for the imperial Nguyen Dynasty, which ruled from 1802 to 1945. During the Vietnam War the city faced many challenges. It was conquered by the Viet Cong and held for 24 days. During this time about 3,000 people were slaughtered for their political views, education level, or religious affiliation.
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 Eco Tours in Vietnam, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Vietnam.
-
Hue Prices
Vietnam PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHue $56Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Hue is $56, 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 Hue and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHue $22Saint Thomas $131
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHue $44Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Hue and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Hue 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: Hue Hotel Prices and Saint Thomas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hue $12Saint Thomas $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hue
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Hue:
-
Cyclo$0.46
-
Short Taxi Ride$0.84
-
Taxi Ride to Tombs$13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hue
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hue:
- Hue City Trip With Guide, Lunch & Transfer From Chan May Port: $169
- Hoi An: Hue Transfer stop An Bang Ghost town, Hai Van Pass: $122
- Hue Transfer to Hoi An Via Hai Van Pass & Golden Bridge: $114
- Private Transfer: Hoi An City Center - Hue City Center: $100
- imperial city then transfer to Hoi An/Da Nang by Private Car: $99
- Private Transfer from Hue (HUI) Airport to Hoi An: $98
- Hue to Hoi An Private Transfer: Sightseeing with English Driver: $96
- Da Nang Airport: Private Transfer to/from Hue City: $94
- Hue to Hoi An Amazing Transfer: $90
- Private Transfers Hue Hoi An One Way (Free Hotel pickup): $89
- Private Transfer from Hue City to Da Nang (DAD) Airport: $89
- Private Transfer from HUE to DA NANG or HOI AN via Hai Van Pass, Golden Bridge: $86
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Thomas
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Saint Thomas are as follows:
-
Scooter Rental$65
-
Taxi Ride$5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Thomas
Also for Saint Thomas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Secret Harbour Beach Transfer from CruiseShip-Snorkeling Optional: $52
- Private transfer to Charlotte Amalie Ferry Terminal: $55
- Transfer from Cyril E. King Airport(STT) to Charlotte Amalie Port: $80
- Private Airport Transfer to and from Red Hook Ferry: $90
- St.Thomas to St.Thomas Airport (STT) - Departure Private Transfer: $94
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay / Limetree: $110
- Vi Top Taxi -St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove: $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
- Vi Top Taxi &Tours -Airport Transfer Bluebeard's/Yacht Haven: $110
- Prince Taxi USVI- ST.Thomas Aiport Transfer to Crown bay ferry: $120
- St.Thomas to St.Thomas Airport (STT) - Departure Private Transfer: $132
Is it cheaper to fly into Hue or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Hue 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
-
Food Meals for one dayHue $25Saint Thomas $94
Typical Food Prices in Hue
Some typical examples of dining costs in Hue are as follows:
-
River Night Market Dinner (for Two)$7.60
-
Two Sugarcane Drinks$0.76
-
Quick Lunch (for Two)$2.09
-
Sitdown Dinner (for Two)$4.18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hue
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hue.
- VIP Dragon Boat Dinner Cruise on the Perfume River: $18
- Hue Food Tour by Walking or Cyclo or Motorbike with Driver: $21
- Hue Walking Street Food Tour: $27
- Hue City: Cyclo, Market Tour & Cooking Class at Madam Thu: $27
- Hue Specialty Food Cooking Class-Authentic experience with local: $29
- Hue Night Walking And Street Food Tour: $30
- Home Cooking Class and Dinner with Local Chef in Hue City: $31
- HUE : NIGHT WALKING AND STREET FOOD TOUR: $31
- Hue : Cooking Class with Local Family: $33
- Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $33
- Hue : Night Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $33
- Cooking Class with Local Family: $33
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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hue $11Saint Thomas $60
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hue
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Hue are as follows:
-
Boat Ride$7.41
-
Bicycle Rental (One Day)$1.06
-
Imperial Citadel Entrance$3.04
-
Massage at Institute for the Blind$1.52
Tours and Activities in Hue
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hue are as follows:
- 12 Hours Experience Different Hue: $179
- 13 Days Private Tour Highlights of Cambodia & Vietnam: $4,980
- 2-Day Scenic Adventure from Hue to Phong Nha and Paradise Caves: $145
- 3 Hour Guided Sightseeing of Hue Imperial Palace: $27
- 3-Hour Hue Royal Palace Small Group Guided Walking Tour: $23
- A Glimpse of Hue Tour: $46
- All Inclusive Deluxe Hue City Group Tour: $75
- Bach Ma National Park Adventure Trekking Day Trip from Hue: $75
- Bach Ma National Park Tour From Hue City: $39
- Bach Ma National Park trekking deluxe daily tour from Hue: $49
- Best Hue City Tour- Private Tour: $95
- Best of Hue City Sightseeing Private Tour: $59
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $25
- Coral World Ocean Park General Admission Ticket: $29
- 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 Stand Up Paddleboard Tour from Margaritaville: $48
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI - St. Thomas, Virgin Islands- Island Scenic Tour: $49
- High Speed Harbor Tour from Charlotte Amalie Cruise Port: $50
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours USVI-Scenic Island Tour ,St. Thomas: $50
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayHue $5.51Saint Thomas $27
Typical Alcohol Prices in Hue
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Hue:
-
Beer$0.95
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 Hue and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Hue much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Hue 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 Hue would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hue 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 Hue.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hue Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hue or Saint Thomas?
Hue has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Hue 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 Hue or Saint Thomas?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Hue or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Hue as well as Saint Thomas. Hue attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
Also, March to August in Hue is the dry season. September to December in Hue is the rainy season. Hue usually gets more rain in July than Saint Thomas. Hue gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hue this time of the year. In the summer, Hue often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Hue gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Hue is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hue in July average around 29°C (85°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 29°C (83°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyHue 29°C (85°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Hue or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
Both Saint Thomas and Hue are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Hue throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The rainy season in Hue is September to December. It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. It's quite rainy in Hue. In October, Hue usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. Hue gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. Hue usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during autumn. Hue gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Hue is generally around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Hue average around 25°C (78°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHue 25°C (78°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Hue or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
Both Saint Thomas and Hue during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Hue because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
March to August is the dry season in Hue. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hue. Hue usually gets more rain in January than Saint Thomas. Hue gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Hue often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Hue gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun.
Hue is cooler than Saint Thomas in the winter. The daily temperature in Hue averages around 22°C (71°F) in January, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHue 22°C (71°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Hue or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hue and Saint Thomas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Hue year-round. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Hue usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Hue gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In Hue, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hue usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during spring. Hue gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Hue is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hue in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 27°C (80°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilHue 26°C (80°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Hue
| Hue | 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.