Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas 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 Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Key West 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: Key West or Saint Thomas?
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 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 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 Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKey West $832Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Key West is $832, 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 Key West and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKey West $132Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKey West $264Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Key West and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Key West 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: Key West Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Key West $51Saint Thomas $37
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:
- Key West Int Airport (EYW) to Key West - Arrival Private Transfer: $163
- Key West to Key West Airport (EYW) - Departure Private Transfer: $163
- Key West Int Airport EYW to Key West Hotels Arrival Transfer: $155
- Key West hotels to Key West Int Airport (EYW) Departure Transfer: $155
- One Way Airport Transfer Service: $54
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:
- Transfer from Cyril E. King Airport(STT) to Charlotte Amalie Port: $83
- VI Top Taxi and Tours - St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $90
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay / Limetree: $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
- St.Thomas to St.Thomas Airport (STT) - Departure Private Transfer: $115
- Private Ground Transfers: $120
- Exclusive Airport Transfers (up to 4 persons) One-Way: $135
- 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
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $160
Is it cheaper to fly into Key West or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas 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 Thomas $94
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
- 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 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.Key West $33Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Key West
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Key West are as follows:
- 2 Hour Key West Mini Catamaran Eco Tour: $285
- 2-Hour Live Music Guided Tour in Key West: $35
- Day Sailing Adventure in the Florida Marine Sanctuary: $99
- Day in Key West - Private SUV Tour From Miami: $1,300
- Florida Key West Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $9.99
- Florida Keys: Aquarium Encounters Day Tour with Lunch: $182
- Florida Keys: Dolphin Research Center Day Tour with Lunch: $182
- Florida Keys: Up The Keys Nature Tour: $128
- Fort East Martello Ghost Tour & VIP Robert the Doll Experience: $99
- From Dolphin Watching Tour with Lunch & Drinks: $150
- From Sandbar Cruise with Lunch and Open Bar (18+): $151
- Full-Day Tour of Florida Keys Including Aquarium Encounters from Key West: $169
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Nature and Sightseeing Tour at Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden: $16
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $25
- Coral World Ocean Park General Admission Ticket: $29
- Cruise Ship Shuttle to Ferry going to St. John: $34
- Rum Tasting Experience in the Old Barrel House: $35
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- St. Thomas Sightseeing Tour with a Guide: $40
- Guided Tour of Coral World Ocean Park & Happy Hour: $40
- St. Thomas Ghost Tour of Historic Charlotte Amalie : $41
- Prince taxi & Tours St.Thomas Virgin Islands-Island Scenic Tour: $45
- Guided Kayak Tour from Margaritaville: $48
- Guided Kayak Tour from Elysian: $48
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKey West $16Saint Thomas $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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Key West and Saint Thomas, we can see that Key West is more expensive. And not only is Saint Thomas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Key West is in North America 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 Saint Thomas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Thomas 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 Thomas.
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 Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Key West or Saint Thomas?
Key West has a larger population, and is about 23% larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Key West 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 Key West or Saint Thomas?
Key West 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 Key West or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Key West as well as Saint Thomas. The summer months attract visitors to Key West because of the beaches, snorkeling, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
In July, Key West is generally around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Key West average around 84°F (29°C), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Key West this time of the year. In the summer, Key West often gets more sunshine than Saint Thomas. Key West gets 328 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun.
Key West usually gets more rain in July than Saint Thomas. Key West gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKey West 84°F (29°C)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Key West or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
Both Saint Thomas and Key West are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Key West is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Key West averages around 80°F (27°C) in October, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Key West. Key West usually receives more sunshine than Saint Thomas during autumn. Key West gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. It's quite rainy in Key West. In October, Key West usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Key West gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Key West is June to November.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKey West 80°F (27°C)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Key West or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
Both Saint Thomas and Key West during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Key West for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
In the winter, Key West is cooler than Saint Thomas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Key West in January average around 70°F (21°C), and Saint Thomas averages at about 26°C (78°F).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Key West. In the winter, Key West often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas. Key West gets 252 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun.
Key West usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Saint Thomas. Key West gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKey West 70°F (21°C)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Key West or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Key West and Saint Thomas. Many visitors come to Key West in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Key West is generally around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Key West average around 77°F (25°C), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In Key West, it's very sunny this time of the year. Key West usually receives more sunshine than Saint Thomas during spring. Key West gets 326 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Key West usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Key West gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Key West.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKey West 77°F (25°C)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Key West
| Key West | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.