A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lisbon vs. Saint Croix for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Lisbon or Saint Croix?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Lisbon 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: Lisbon or Saint Croix?

Lisbon

Portugal's capital city of Lisbon continues to grow in popularity as a travel destination. The cultural scene has come to life in recent years and the city itself is stunningly beautiful. It sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and is made up of hills that create a dramatic and scenic layout. The city has many white-bleached limestone buildings, narrow alleyways, and a laidback charm that appeals to visitors.

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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix or Lisbon?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Lisbon Prices
    Portugal Prices
    Saint Croix Prices
    USVI Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Lisbon $196
    Saint Croix $277

The average daily cost (per person) in Lisbon is $196, 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 Lisbon and Saint Croix in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lisbon $74
    Saint Croix $149
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lisbon $148
    Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in Lisbon and Saint Croix

Looking for a hotel in Lisbon 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.

Hotels in Lisbon


Hotels in Saint Croix


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: Lisbon Hotel Prices and Saint Croix Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lisbon $29
    Saint Croix $35
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lisbon

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:


  • Taxi Ride
    $7.63

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lisbon

Also for Lisbon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Lisbon Airport Shared Departure Transfer: $13
  • Lisbon Airport Private Transfer to Lisbon: $13
  • Transfer Between Airport and City Hotels: $15
  • Private Transfer to/from Lisbon Airport, Train Station or Port: $16
  • Lisbon Private Airport Departure Transfer: $16
  • Airport Private Transfer to/from Lisbon city hotels: $16
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotels to Lisbon Airport or Cruise : $16
  • Lisbon Airport (LIS) Private Transfer to Lisbon City/Hotels: $20
  • Transfer from Lisbon Airport (LIS) to Lisbon City Center: $22
  • Private Transfers, Lisbon, Sintra, Cascais, Ericeira, Setubal: $24
  • Private Transfer from Lisbon Cruise Port to Lisbon Hotels: $25
  • Jardim do Tabaco Quay Cruise Port to Lisbon - Arrival Private Transfer: $25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Croix

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint Croix:

  • St.Croix Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Arrival Private Transfer: $91
  • St. Croix to St. Croix Airport (STX) - Departure Private Transfer: $91
  • St. Croix to Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) - Departure Transfer: $84
  • 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 Port to St. Croix Airport (STX): $87
  • Private Transfer from St. Croix Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St. Croix : $180
  • Private Transfer from St. Croix Airport to St. Croix Cruise Port : $87
  • Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Round-Trip Transfer: $167

Is it cheaper to fly into Lisbon or Saint Croix?

Prices for flights to both Saint Croix and Lisbon 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 day
    Lisbon $86
    Saint Croix $97
Typical Food Prices in Lisbon

For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Coffee
    $2.93

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lisbon

For Lisbon, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Lisbon Sunset DJ Party – Luxury Boat, Pizza & Open Bar: $29
  • Lisbon Exclusive Sunset Cruise – Pizza, Open Bar & Dolphins: $29
  • Hard Rock Cafe Lisbon with Set Lunch or Dinner : $32
  • Sunset DJ Party – Sangria, Pizza & Open Bar : $35
  • Traditional Walking Food Tour: $50
  • Sangria DJ Party – Luxury Boat, Pizza & Open Bar: $54
  • Fado Show and Portuguese Dinner: $57
  • Alfama Tour and Live Fado with Traditional Dinner: $58
  • Pizza Cruise on a Luxury Boat with Open Bar: $59
  • Lisbon Sangria – Exclusive Luxury Cruise with Pizza & Music: $59
  • Portuguese street food cooking class with Drinks: $59
  • Lisbon Fado Experience: Walking Tour, Dinner and Live Music Show: $59

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lisbon $28
    Saint Croix $58

Tours and Activities in Lisbon

For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Unravel Lisbon an Outdoor Charms Self Guided Tour: $1.18
  • Alfama and Mouraria Tour - The oldest neighbourhoods in Lisbon: $1.24
  • Lisbon Walking Tour - The Perfect Introduction to the City: $1.24
  • Lisbon Walking Tour: Historic Strolls of the Old Town: $1.76
  • Lisbon Walking Tour - Discover Belém and the Discoveries Age: $1.79
  • Lisbon Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $3.37
  • Self Guided Tour in Lisbon with 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.59
  • Lisbon City Center Tour - The Unmissable Lisbon: $3.59
  • Lisbon Tour in Walled City and Alfama and Old Town: $3.59
  • The Moorish Beyond the Tourist Trail Quarter Free Walking Tour: $3.59
  • Lisbon Walking Tour: Historic Strolls of the Old Town: $3.61
  • Óbidos Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $4.52

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
  • Frederiksted Moke Tour: $75
  • Guided Kayak Tour of Salt River Bay Ecology and History: $115
  • Horseback Riding Experience: $160
  • Parasail Experience in St Croix: $132
  • Private Sailing Tour of Pirate Waters and Shipwrecks: $175
  • St Croix Island Tour: $118
  • St. Croix Ghost Tour of Historic Christiansted: $45
  • The Frederiksted St. Croix Sea Turtles Snorkeling Tour: $89

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lisbon $21
    Saint Croix $27

Sample the Local Flavors in Lisbon

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lisbon:

  • Lisbon Port Wine Tasting at Taylors Shop and Tasting Room: $19
  • 1-Hour Portuguese Wine Tasting Session: $22
  • Pub Crawl with Open Bar, Shots & VIP Club Entry: $23
  • Pub Crawl with Open Bar (Premium Upgrade Available): $23
  • Lisbon Pub Crawl: Unlimited Drinks, Shots & V.I.P Club Entry: $23
  • Lisbon Pub Crawl: $24
  • Lisbon Pub Crawl: $24
  • Portuguese Wine Tasting: $25
  • Guided Port Wine Tasting Apéritif/Digestif: $28
  • Port Wine Tasting Apéritif/Digestif at Portuguese Wine Bar: $29
  • Beer Tasting in a Classic Brewery: $29
  • Lisbon Wine Tasting: $29

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 Lisbon and Saint Croix, we can see that Saint Croix is more expensive. And not only is Lisbon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Lisbon is in Europe 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 Lisbon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lisbon 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 Croix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Croix than you might in Lisbon.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lisbon Expensive? and Is Saint Croix Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Lisbon or Saint Croix?

Lisbon 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 Lisbon or Saint Croix in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Lisbon as well as Saint Croix. The summer months attract visitors to Lisbon because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year.

In July, Lisbon is generally cooler than Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 23°C (73°F), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

Lisbon usually gets less rain in July than Saint Croix. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Lisbon 23°C (73°F) 
    Saint Croix 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Lisbon or Saint Croix in the Autumn?

Both Saint Croix and Lisbon are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lisbon this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Lisbon is cooler than Saint Croix in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Croix. In October, Lisbon usually receives less rain than Saint Croix. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Lisbon 19°C (66°F) 
    Saint Croix 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Lisbon or Saint Croix in the Winter?

Both Saint Croix and Lisbon during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Lisbon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round.

In the winter, Lisbon is much colder than Saint Croix. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lisbon in January average around 12°C (53°F), and Saint Croix averages at about 26°C (78°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. Lisbon usually gets more rain in January than Saint Croix. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Lisbon 12°C (53°F) 
    Saint Croix 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Lisbon or Saint Croix in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and Saint Croix. Many visitors come to Lisbon in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Lisbon is generally much colder than Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 16°C (60°F), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

In April, Lisbon usually receives less rain than Saint Croix. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Lisbon 16°C (60°F) 
    Saint Croix 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Saint Croix and Lisbon

Lisbon Saint Croix
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)