Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Mexico City?
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 Mexico City or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Mexico City 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: Mexico City or Saint Thomas?
Mexico City
Mexico City is one of the largest and most populated cities in the world. There are an estimated 26 million people living in the greater Mexico City metropolitan area. The area is about 60 kilometers by 40 kilometers and is surrounded by tall mountains and volcanoes on three sides. Mexico City proper has about 8.8 million people and is the capital of the country. More than a third of the country's economy is based here, making it the wealthiest city in all of Latin America.
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 2-Week Tours in Mexico, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico.
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Mexico City Prices
Mexico PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMexico City $225Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Mexico City is $225, 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 Mexico City and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMexico City $41Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMexico City $82Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Mexico City and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Mexico City 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: Mexico City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mexico City $13Saint Thomas $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Mexico City
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Mexico City:
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Metro$1.15
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Uber Ride$4.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mexico City
Also for Mexico City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary Visit with Transfer: $599
- Luxury Executive Transfers in Mexico City: $296
- Teotihuacan: Private Balloon Flight with optional Transfer: $293
- Mexico City to Guanajuato - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $292
- Private Transfer Mexico City to Oaxaca with Flexible Stops: $280
- Shared Balloon Flight in Teotihuacan with transfer: $274
- Balloon adventure: transfer+breakfast in the cave+guided pyramids: $240
- Private Transfer Mexico City to San Miguel with Flexible Stops: $240
- Mexico Airport(MEX) to Chignahuapan - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $232
- Transfer from Airport to Hotel: $220
- CDMX: Fly over Teotihuacan in a hot air balloon, with transfers and breakfast included.: $219
- Mexico Airport (MEX) to Ixtapan De La Sal - Round-Trip Transfer: $215
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 -St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove: $110
- Vi Top Taxi - St. Thomas Airport Transfer to Wyndham Margaritaville: $180
- Vi Top Taxi &Tours - Airport Transfer to the Ritz Carlton: $180
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours -Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay/ Limetree: $110
- Transfer from Cyril E. King Airport(STT) to Charlotte Amalie Port: $82
- St.Thomas to St.Thomas Airport (STT) - Departure Private Transfer: $134
- St.Thomas to St.Thomas Airport (STT) - Departure Private Transfer: $114
- St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Redhook Ferry: $180
- St.Thomas Airport (STT) to St.Thomas - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $267
- St. Thomas USVI Airport Transfer to the Westin/Buoy Haus/Marriott: $134
- St. Thomas USVI Airport Transfer to the Redhook Ferry: $180
- St Thomas Airport Private Transfers to Bouy haus: $135
Is it cheaper to fly into Mexico City or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Mexico City 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 dayMexico City $46Saint Thomas $94
Typical Food Prices in Mexico City
For Mexico City, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two$13
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Coffee and Snacks$4.49
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Dinner for 2$26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mexico City
For Mexico City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Street Food Tour Mexico City - Best rated: $35
- Veracruz and Boca del Rio Food Tour with Mangroves Boat Trip: $50
- Art and Food Tour with Lunch: $54
- Coyoacan Market Food Tour Urban Eats & Local Legends: $55
- San Juan Market Food Tour Exotic Bites & Flavors: $55
- Tortilla Crawl: Food Tour in Mexico City: $55
- CDMX Historic Center Food Tour: $59
- Local Markets & Food Tour in Mexico City: $63
- 3 Hours Food Tour Best Vegan Tacos in Mexico City: $65
- Old Town Food Tour of 7 Tastings & Secret Dish: $66
- Frida Kahlo Museum & Coyoacan Tacos & Food Tour: $69
- Mexico City Food Tour: Historic Center, Heritage on a Plate: $70
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 Sail with Bar and Hors d'Oeuvres to Lovango Dinner: $109
- 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 Lovango w/ Open Bar and Hors D'oeuvres: $139
- St. John PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail with Beach Stop, Lunch & Open Bar - Westin: $149
- 2-Hour Pizza Pi and Snorkel Sail: $175
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mexico City $15Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Mexico City
For Mexico City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day Tour to Zacatlán and Chignahuapan from Mexico city: $200
- 1 day in Puebla and Cholula in private tour from Mexico city: $160
- 100% Private Teotihuacan Tour from Mexico City: $132
- 100% Private Tour in Teotihuacán Pyramids from Mexico City: $120
- 100% private tour in Chapultepec Castle & around (with transport): $77
- 100% private tour in Guadalupe's Basilica with transport: $80
- 100% private tour to hotsprings Tolantongo from Mexico city: $178
- 2 hours Private Gastronomic Tour in Mexico city (NEW TOUR!): $55
- 2D: Frida Kahlo Museum(No ticket)-Xochimilco & Cuernavaca - Taxco: $194
- 3-Hour Private Archaeological Walking Tour in Mexico with ATV: $165
- 3-in-1 Tour: Frida Kahlo Museum, Coyoacan and Xochimilco Small Group: $84
- 3-in-1 Tour: Teotihuacan + Breakfast in La Gruta + Transportation: $101
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- 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
- 3 Hour Kayak and Snorkel Tour: $139
- Aerial Sightseeing Adventure!: $250
- Book Your Private Two and a Half Hour Island Tour today!: $150
- Cas Cay - Kayak Hike and Snorkel Adventure: $79
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $25
- Cocktail Sunset Cruise from Sapphire Beach Resort: $130
- Coral Reef and Turtle Discovery Tour: $159
- Coral World Ocean Park General Admission Ticket: $29
- Cruise Ship Port Shuttle to St John Ferry: $34
- Cruise Ship Shuttle to Ferry going to St. John: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMexico City $20Saint Thomas $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Mexico City
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Mexico City:
- Guided Pub Crawl with Party Games: $23
- The Mexico City Pub Crawl: A real chilango night: $33
- Zona Rosa Pub Crawl Experience: $94
- Make Your Own Tequila or Mezcal with Distillery and Cocktails: $95
- The Mexican Wine Tasting and Pairing: $127
- Distillery Tour and Lucha Libre Spirits and Showdown: $127
- Private Cheese and Wine Tour to Queretaro: $479
Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Thomas
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Thomas:
- Da Conch Crawl- Walking Tour and Bar Crawl Downtown St. Thomas: $148
When comparing the travel costs between Mexico City and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Mexico City is in North America and Saint Thomas is in Caribbean Islands, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mexico City Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mexico City or Saint Thomas?
Mexico City has a larger population, and is about 560 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Mexico City 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.
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.