Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Mombasa?
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 Mombasa or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Mombasa and Saint Thomas. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Mombasa or Saint Thomas?
Mombasa
Mombasa is a beautiful, large city on the eastern coast of Kenya, bordering the Indian Ocean. The city is famous for its stunning beaches, friendly locals, and diverse marine life. Mombasa experiences a tropical climate year round, meaning temperatures rarely drop below 70° Fahrenheit. The rainiest months of the year are April and May and the driest months are January and February. Temperatures tend to be more mild from May through October, usually in the 70's and 80's. Temperatures get much warmer from November through April, with daily averages reaching the high 90's.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya.
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Mombasa Prices
Kenya PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMombasa $80Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $80, 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 Mombasa and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMombasa $26Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMombasa $52Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Mombasa 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: Mombasa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mombasa $18Saint Thomas $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa
Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Mombasa Airport Transfers to Mtwapa: $130
- Mombasa Airport Transfers : $129
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To Watamu Hotels: $114
- Private Day Tour of Mombasa City with Transfers: $104
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfers To Vipingo & Kilifi Hotels: $95
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer to Diani Beach: $81
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City Hotels to Mombasa Cruise Port: $79
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Cruise Port to Mombasa City Hotels: $79
- Mombasa Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $74
- DianiBeach: Private Transfer from Airport or Railway Station: $70
- Private Transfer from Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA) to Mombasa City: $43
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City to Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA): $43
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 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: $82
- St.Thomas island to Cyril E. King Airport(STT)-Departure Transfer: $135
- 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 Arrival Transfer from Cyril E King Airport to Redhook Bay: $175
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $179
- Prince Taxi USVI-ST.Thomas Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton : $180
Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Mombasa 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 dayMombasa $41Saint Thomas $94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Special African Dinner: $46
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
- Flavors of St Thomas Walking Food Tour : $145
- St. John PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail with Beach Stop, Lunch & Open Bar - Westin: $149
- St. Thomas Dinner Sail to St. John with Open Bar & Hors D'oeuvres - Ritz-Carlton: $149
- Christmas Cove and Pizza Pi Happy Hour Sail Tour: $185
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mombasa $18Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Mombasa Getaway with Haller Park Tours: $150
- The Best Of Mombasa Walking Tour: $227
- Bus Tickets from Mombasa to Nairobi: $55
- Day Tour To Tsavo East National Park: $240
- Day Tour to Tsavo East National Park from Mombasa or Diani: $278
- Day tour to Shimba hills National Reserve from Mombasa/Diani: $336
- Diani: Full-day Guided Mombasa City Tour from Diani: $110
- Fort Jesus Museum Walking Tour in Mombasa: $35
- Full Day Group Joining Tour of Mombasa : $107
- Full Day Mombasa Excursion Tour : $110
- Full day tour in Mombasa: $93
- Full-Day Tour of Mombasa: $110
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
- 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
- Cocktail Sunset Cruise from Sapphire Beach Resort : $130
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMombasa $8.79Saint Thomas $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mombasa and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Mombasa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mombasa is in Africa 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 Mombasa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mombasa 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 Mombasa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mombasa Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mombasa or Saint Thomas?
Mombasa has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa 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 Mombasa or Saint Thomas?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Mombasa or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and Saint Thomas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa year-round. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Mombasa usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In Mombasa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mombasa usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during summer. Mombasa gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Mombasa is generally cooler than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 24°C (75°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMombasa 24°C (75°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as Saint Thomas. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Saint Thomas. Mombasa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Mombasa usually gets less rain in October than Saint Thomas. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mombasa this time of the year. In the autumn, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than Saint Thomas. Mombasa gets 291 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun.
Mombasa is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMombasa 26°C (79°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
Both Saint Thomas and Mombasa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mombasa throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Mombasa usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint Thomas. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually receives more sunshine than Saint Thomas during winter. Mombasa gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In the winter, Mombasa is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mombasa in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMombasa 27°C (81°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
Both Saint Thomas and Mombasa during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mombasa because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually gets more rain in April than Saint Thomas. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mombasa. In the spring, Mombasa often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Mombasa gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun.
In April, Mombasa is generally around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMombasa 27°C (81°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Mombasa
| Mombasa | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 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.