Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Kyoto?
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 Kyoto 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 Kyoto 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: Kyoto or Saint Thomas?
Kyoto
Kyoto is a larger city of Japan, though it is very much set in the old ways. With quiet temples, sublime gardens, colorful shrines, and geisha walking amidst a city surrounded by stunning mountains, Kyoto feels like a world of another time and place. True to ancient Japanese tradition, most aspects of daily life are tied closely with the changing of the seasons.
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 from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.
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Kyoto Prices
Japan PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKyoto $108Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Kyoto is $108, 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 Kyoto and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKyoto $60Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKyoto $120Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Kyoto and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Kyoto 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: Kyoto Hotel Prices and Saint Thomas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kyoto $7.16Saint Thomas $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kyoto
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kyoto:
- Minivan Departure Transfer from Kyoto City to Kansai Airport KIX: $260
- City-to-City Transfer, from Central Kyoto to Each City in Kansai: $247
- Private Transfer from Maizuru Port to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX): $241
- Private Transfer from Maizuru Cruise Port to Osaka City Hotels: $237
- Osaka Hotel Private Transfer to or from Kyoto Hotel: $206
- Kyoto to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) - Departure Private Transfer: $162
- Private Transfer from Maizuru Cruise Port to Osaka Airport (ITM): $151
- Departure Transfer from Kyoto to Itami Airport ITM by Minivan: $130
- Kyoto Gion & Fushimi E-Bike Tour with Hotel Transfer: $119
- Kyoto Station to Kyoto City Private Transfer: $119
- Naruto & Boruto at Nijigen no Mori Entry & Transfer: $47
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:
- Exclusive Airport Transfers (up to 4 persons) One-Way: $135
- Luxury Airport Transfer to or from St Thomas The Ritz Carlton: $175
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St. Thomas- Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton Elysian: $174
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove: $110
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $174
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay / Limetree: $110
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St Thomas- Airport Transfer Sapphire / Crystal Cove: $174
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St. Thomas Airport Transfer to Wyndham Margaritaville: $174
- Prince Taxi & Tours St.Thomas Airport transfer to Redhook Ferry: $180
- Prince Taxi USVI ST.Thomas Airport transfer to Westin: $135
- Prince Taxi USVI- ST.Thomas Aiport Transfer to Crown bay ferry: $120
- Prince Taxi USVI-ST.Thomas Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton: $180
Is it cheaper to fly into Kyoto or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Kyoto 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 dayKyoto $39Saint Thomas $94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kyoto
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kyoto.
- Kyoto Nishiki Market Food Tour Hidden Tastings and Local Insights: $41
- Kyoto Izakaya Hopping: Pontocho & Gion Local Food Tour: $45
- Kyoto Home Cooking Class: Okonomiyaki & Japanese Cuisines: $50
- Nishiki Market Food Tour-7 Tastings: $50
- Private Cooking Class Udon in Kyoto Japan: $58
- Japanese Cooking Class: $58
- Kyoto Private Vegan Cooking : Shojin Ryori with a Local Host: $68
- Dinner with Maiko: $68
- Gion Food Tour 13 Dishes at 4 Eateries: $69
- Izakaya Style Cooking Class: $69
- Sushi - Authentic Japanese Cooking Class - the best souvenir from Kyoto!: $69
- Bento Box Cooking Class: $69
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 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
- Flavors of St Thomas Walking Food Tour: $145
- Pizza Pi Party- Snorkel & Sunset Cruise: $180
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kyoto $12Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Kyoto
Here are a few actual costs in Kyoto for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Day Kansai Tour from Osaka: $60
- 1-Hour Japanese Archery Experience in Kyoto: $62
- 10 Hrs Full day Kyoto Tour w/Hotel Pick-up: $629
- 10 Must-see Spots in Kyoto One Day Private Tour: $181
- 2 Hour GuidedTour of Arashiyama Highlights: $50
- 3 Hours Kyoto Insider Sake Experience | Tasting Konteki: $88
- 5 Top Highlights of Kyoto Full Day Bike Tour (E-bike option): $175
- 6 Hours Private Tour a Kyoto's Highlights: $138
- 8 Hour Private Tour of Kyoto: $218
- A Day in Nagahama Self Guided Walk with Sightseeing Pass: $38
- A Taste of Old Kyoto Private Half Day Food Experience in Pontocho: $221
- A Tour to Explore Kyoto's Autumn Foliage at Kiyomizu-dera Temple: $86
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
- Cruise Ship Shuttle to Ferry going to St. John: $45
- St. John Ghost Tour of Historic Cruz Bay: $45
- Guided Kayak Tour from Elysian: $48
- Guided Kayak Tour from Margaritaville: $48
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI - St. Thomas, Virgin Islands- Island Scenic Tour: $49
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours USVI-Scenic Island Tour ,St. Thomas: $50
- High Speed Harbor Tour from Charlotte Amalie Cruise Port: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKyoto $11Saint Thomas $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Kyoto
Also in Kyoto, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Kyoto Nightlife Pub Crawl with Drinks and Karaoke: $26
- Fushimi Sake Discovery Tour Tasting and Brewery Visit: $74
- 3-Hour Kyoto Insider Sake Brewery Tour with Tastings & Pairings: $80
- Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo, Temple, Monkey or Local Mountain Brewery: $84
- Fushimi Cherry Blossom and Sake Brewery Tour: $93
- Visit Whisky Distillery Tour from Kyoto: $225
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kyoto and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Kyoto much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kyoto 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 Kyoto would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kyoto 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 Kyoto.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kyoto Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kyoto or Saint Thomas?
Kyoto has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Kyoto 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 Kyoto or Saint Thomas?
Kyoto 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 Kyoto or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
Both Saint Thomas and Kyoto during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Kyoto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
In July, Kyoto is generally around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Kyoto average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Kyoto often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Kyoto gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kyoto. Kyoto usually gets more rain in July than Saint Thomas. Kyoto gets 236 mm (9.3 in) 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 JulyKyoto 27°C (81°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Kyoto or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kyoto and Saint Thomas. Many visitors come to Kyoto in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Kyoto is much colder than Saint Thomas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kyoto averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. Kyoto usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during autumn. Kyoto gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Saint Thomas receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kyoto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kyoto usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Kyoto gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKyoto 18°C (64°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Kyoto or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kyoto as well as Saint Thomas. Most visitors come to Kyoto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
Kyoto can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Kyoto is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kyoto in January average around 5°C (40°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 26°C (78°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. In the winter, Kyoto often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Kyoto gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun.
Kyoto usually gets more rain in January than Saint Thomas. Kyoto gets 50 mm (2 in) 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 JanuaryKyoto 5°C (40°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Kyoto or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
Both Saint Thomas and Kyoto are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Kyoto because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Kyoto is generally much colder than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Kyoto average around 14°C (58°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. Kyoto usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during spring. Kyoto gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Kyoto. In April, Kyoto usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. Kyoto gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKyoto 14°C (58°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Kyoto
| Kyoto | Saint Thomas | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 5°C (40°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (47°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (58°F) | 153 mm (6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 154 mm (6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 251 mm (9.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 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.