Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix or Key West?
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 Key West or Saint Croix?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Key West or Saint Croix? 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: Key West or Saint Croix?
Key West
Key West is both a city and an island as well as the southern most Florida Key. It is also the southern most city in the continental United States. The island is only about four miles long and one mile wide. The total land mass covers just 4.2 square miles. The most famous street in town is Duval Street, which runs just 1.1 miles from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean. There are 14 blocks. The size of the island doubled during the 1950s when many of the salt ponds along the eastern side of the island were filled in.
Saint Croix
Sometimes all you want out of a vacation is the warmth of the sun, the sound of the waves and the taste of a cold drink. No more. No less. That's exactly what you can expect in St. Croix.
The largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Croix is a place of our leisure and relaxation. It's a bit of an expensive lifestyle for its 50,000 residents and daily visitors, but when you're living on island time, money is never a worry. There are no worries on island time.
This once volcanic island is covered in incredible beaches, stunning mountains, palm tress in the wind and historic colonial towns. While they may be a bit old and rundown, the Danish architecture still stands as a unique part of this island's legacy. Don't expect much window-shopping, though. That was not a feature incorporated in this style of architecture. If you want to know if a store is open, just step on in, but remember, shop hours are also running on island time.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.
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Key West Prices
USA PricesSaint Croix Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKey West $832Saint Croix $277
The average daily cost (per person) in Key West is $832, while the average daily cost in Saint Croix is $277. 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 Key West and Saint Croix in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKey West $132Saint Croix $149
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKey West $264Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in Key West and Saint Croix
Looking for a hotel in Key West or Saint Croix? 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: Key West Hotel Prices and Saint Croix Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Key West $51Saint Croix $35
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Key West
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Key West:
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Rental Car for One Day$38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Key West
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Key West:
- One Way Airport Transfer Service: $54
- Private Transfer from Key West Airport (EYW) to Key West Port: $113
- Private Transfer from Key West hotels to Key West Cruise Port: $114
- Key West Int Airport EYW to Key West Hotels Arrival Transfer: $156
- Key West hotels to Key West Int Airport (EYW) Departure Transfer: $156
- Key West Int Airport (EYW) to Key West - Arrival Private Transfer: $164
- Key West to Key West Airport (EYW) - Departure Private Transfer: $164
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Croix
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint Croix:
- St. Croix to Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) - Departure Transfer: $84
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Airport to St. Croix Cruise Port : $87
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Port to St. Croix Airport (STX): $87
- St. Croix to St. Croix Airport (STX) - Departure Private Transfer: $91
- St.Croix Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Arrival Private Transfer: $91
- Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Round-Trip Transfer: $167
- Private Transfer from St.Croix hotels to St. Croix Cruise Port : $175
- Private Transfer from St.Croix Cruise Port to St.Croix hotels: $175
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St. Croix : $180
Is it cheaper to fly into Key West or Saint Croix?
Prices for flights to both Saint Croix and Key West 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 dayKey West $667Saint Croix $97
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Key West
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Key West.
- Sunset Dinner Cruise with Open Bar & Live Music: $74
- Exploring and Walking Food Tour of Cayo Hueso: $80
- Key West Cooking Show Chef Demonstration with Meal: $81
- Cooking Show Chef Demonstration with Meal: $81
- Key West Sunset Cruise: Dinner, Live Music & Drinks Included: $84
- Southernmost Food & Cultural Walking Tour by Key West Food Tours: $90
- Key West Sunset Buffet Dinner Cruise with Open Bar and Live Music: $100
- Secret Walking Food Tour: $115
- Sunset Sail Full Bar, Live Music & Dinner & Early Morning Snorkeling: $160
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Croix
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint Croix.
- A Evening Cultural Experience Through Food Cooking Class St. Croix: $90
- A Morning Cultural Experience Through Food Cooking Class St. Croix: $90
- C'sted Sip & Savor Mixology Class with VI Food Tours: $131
- Taste of Twin City Food Tour with VI Food Tours: $145
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Key West $33Saint Croix $58
Tours and Activities in Key West
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Key West are as follows:
- Hemingway's Key West Self Guided Walking Audio Tour: $8.00
- Key West Pirate Exploration Game and Tour: $8.99
- Key West Smartphone guided Ghost Walking Tour App/GPS/EMF Reader: $9.75
- Florida Key West Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $9.99
- Key West GPS Audio Tour: From Seaside Village to Micro State: $12
- Key West’s Old Town Treasures: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Mel Fisher Maritime Museum Admission Ticket: $18
- Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum Tickets: $19
- Skip the Line: Mel Fisher Maritime Museum Admission Ticket and Audio Tour: $20
- Key West Aquarium Tickets: $23
- Key West Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
- Truman Little White House Guided Tour Ticket: $26
Tours and Activities in Saint Croix
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Saint Croix are as follows:
- Christiansted's Artisan Shopping Tour: $33
- St. Croix Ghost Tour of Historic Christiansted: $45
- Frederiksted Moke Tour: $75
- The Frederiksted St. Croix Sea Turtles Snorkeling Tour: $89
- Guided Kayak Tour of Salt River Bay Ecology and History: $115
- St Croix Island Tour: $118
- Parasail Experience in St Croix: $132
- Horseback Riding Experience: $160
- Private Sailing Tour of Pirate Waters and Shipwrecks: $175
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKey West $16Saint Croix $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Key West
Also in Key West, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Key West Bar Crawl: $15
- Key West Haunted Pub Crawl and Ghost Tour with Free T-Shirt: $32
- Bone Island Haunted Pub Crawl: $32
- Key West Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $35
- Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $35
- 2.5-Hour Duval Street Pub Crawl: $43
Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Croix
Also in Saint Croix, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Farm to Bottle Tour at Prosperity Farm Distillery: $35
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Key West and Saint Croix, we can see that Key West is more expensive. And not only is Saint Croix much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Key West is in North America and Saint Croix 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 Saint Croix would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Croix 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 Key West would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Key West than you might in Saint Croix.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Key West Expensive? and Is Saint Croix Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Key West or Saint Croix?
Key West has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint Croix experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Key West or Saint Croix in the Summer?
Both Saint Croix and Key West are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Key West because of the beaches, snorkeling, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Key West is around the same temperature as Saint Croix in the summer. The daily temperature in Key West averages around 84°F (29°C) in July, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
In July, Key West usually receives more rain than Saint Croix. Key West gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKey West 84°F (29°C)Saint Croix 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Key West or Saint Croix in the Autumn?
Both Saint Croix and Key West during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Key West this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round.
In the autumn, Key West is around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Key West in October average around 80°F (27°C), and Saint Croix averages at about 28°C (82°F).
Saint Croix gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Key West. Key West usually gets less rain in October than Saint Croix. Key West gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Key West is June to November.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKey West 80°F (27°C)Saint Croix 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Key West or Saint Croix in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Key West and Saint Croix. Many travelers come to Key West for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Key West is generally cooler than Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Key West average around 70°F (21°C), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
In January, Key West usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint Croix. Key West gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKey West 70°F (21°C)Saint Croix 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Key West or Saint Croix in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Key West as well as Saint Croix. Many visitors come to Key West in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year.
Key West is around the same temperature as Saint Croix in the spring. The daily temperature in Key West averages around 77°F (25°C) in April, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
Key West usually gets less rain in April than Saint Croix. Key West gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Key West.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKey West 77°F (25°C)Saint Croix 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Croix and Key West
| Key West | Saint Croix | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 70°F (21°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 71°F (21°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 74°F (23°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 77°F (25°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 81°F (27°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 83°F (28°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 84°F (29°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 84°F (29°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 83°F (29°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 80°F (27°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 76°F (24°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 72°F (22°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) | 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.