Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Lisbon?
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 Lisbon or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Lisbon 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: Lisbon or Saint Thomas?
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 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal.
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Lisbon Prices
Portugal PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLisbon $196Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Lisbon is $196, 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 Lisbon and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLisbon $74Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLisbon $148Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Lisbon and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Lisbon 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: Lisbon Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lisbon $29Saint Thomas $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lisbon
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:
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Taxi Ride$7.63
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lisbon
Also for Lisbon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From the Algarve to Lisbon; Guided transfer with extra Wow!: $763
- Transfer to Six Senses Douro Valley from Lisbon: $763
- Full Day Tour - Transfer to Algarve from Lisbon with Stops: $705
- Private Transfer: Seville to Lisbon: $705
- Private Door to Door Transfers from/to (Seville - Lisbon): $587
- Lisbon - Coimbra, Private Transfer & up to 3 Cities visits: $575
- Private Transfer to Porto with stops until 3 cities: $528
- Private Transfer From Algarve To Lisbon By 8 Seats Minibus: $528
- One Way Private Transfer to/from Faro: $505
- Transfer to Porto with Obidos and Nazare: $481
- Algarve to Lisbon Airport Transfer: $470
- Private Transfer Lisbon-Algarve: $370
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:
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours -Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay/ Limetree: $110
- VI Top Taxi and Tours - St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $90
- Transfer from Cyril E. King Airport(STT) to Charlotte Amalie Port: $83
- St.Thomas to St.Thomas Airport (STT) - Departure Private Transfer: $115
- 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
- ST.Thomas Private Airport One-Way Transfers: $180
- Private Hotel and Resorts Transfers: $173
- Private Ground Transfers: $120
- Private Arrival Transfer from Cyril E King Airport to Redhook Bay: $175
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $179
Is it cheaper to fly into Lisbon or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas 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
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Food Meals for one dayLisbon $86Saint Thomas $94
Typical Food Prices in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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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:
- Pizza Cruise on a Luxury Boat with Open Bar: $29
- 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
- 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 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.Lisbon $28Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Divine Journey : Fatima Full Day Private Tour: $216
- Fatima, Batalha, Nazare, Obidos Small Group Tour From Lisbon: $90
- Lisbon Essential Walking Tour: History, Stories and Lifestyle: $30
- Lisbon Romantic Exclusive Tour for 2 at Sunset : $180
- Fatima, Nazare, Obidos, mira de aire cave private tour: $239
- Private Sailing Experience: $180
- Private Walking Tour - Wandering Around Lisbon: $114
- Sintra or Cascais Half-day Private Tour - The real portuguese essence!: $132
- Sintra, Cascais and Estoril Coast with Tickets from Lisbon: $77
- from Sintra half-day sightseeing tour: $205
- Évora Historical Private Tour : $156
- Évora Wine & Heritage Tour from Lisbon : $102
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Island Icons & Treasures Tour - St. Thomas USVI : $199
- Magens Bay Trail Hiking Tour: $60
- Two-Hour Sightseeing Excursion : $58
- Vi Top Taxi &Tours USVI-Coki Beach Snorkeling Tour : $68
- 1 Hour Jet Ski Tour in the Virgin Islands from Westin St. John: $169
- 1-Hour Guided Jet Ski Tour in St. Thomas from Frenchman's Reef: $159
- 1.5 Hour Private Mini Jeep Tour on St. Thomas: $220
- 3 Hour Kayak and Snorkel Tour: $139
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- Best of Mangrove Lagoon Kayak, Hike and Snorkel Adventure with Picnic Lunch: $159
- Book Your Private Two and a Half Hour Island Tour today!: $150
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLisbon $21Saint Thomas $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
- Lisbon Wine Tasting: $29
- A Taste of Wine Tasting Experience: $42
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lisbon and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas 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 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 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 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 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 Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lisbon or Saint Thomas?
Lisbon has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Lisbon 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 Lisbon or Saint Thomas?
Lisbon 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 Lisbon or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and Saint Thomas. The summer months attract visitors to Lisbon because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Lisbon is cooler than Saint Thomas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lisbon in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 29°C (83°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In Lisbon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lisbon usually receives more sunshine than Saint Thomas during summer. Lisbon gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Lisbon usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLisbon 23°C (73°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Lisbon or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Lisbon as well as Saint Thomas. 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. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
In October, Lisbon is generally cooler than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 19°C (66°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lisbon this time of the year. In the autumn, Lisbon often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Lisbon gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Saint Thomas. Lisbon usually gets less rain in October than Saint Thomas. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLisbon 19°C (66°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Lisbon or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
Both Saint Thomas and Lisbon are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Lisbon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Lisbon is much colder than Saint Thomas in the winter. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 12°C (53°F) in January, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. Lisbon usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during winter. Lisbon gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Lisbon. In January, Lisbon usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLisbon 12°C (53°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Lisbon or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
Both Saint Thomas and Lisbon during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Lisbon in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
In the spring, Lisbon is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lisbon in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 27°C (80°F).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Lisbon. In the spring, Lisbon often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Lisbon gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun.
Lisbon usually gets less rain in April than Saint Thomas. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLisbon 16°C (60°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Lisbon
| Lisbon | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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) |
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.