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

Should you visit Nags Head or Saint Croix?

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

Should I visit Nags Head 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: Nags Head or Saint Croix?

Nags Head

Nags Head is a popular tourist destination in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The town, with a population of almost 3,000, has many nice beaches and is also where you'll find Jockey's Ridge, which has the tallest active sand dune system in the eastern United States. It's also the most visited park within the North Carolina park system.

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 Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix or Nags Head?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Nags Head is $149, while the average daily cost in Saint Croix is $236. 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 Nags Head and Saint Croix in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nags Head $80
    Saint Croix $149
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nags Head $160
    Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in Nags Head and Saint Croix

Looking for a hotel in Nags Head 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 Nags Head


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: Nags Head Hotel Prices and Saint Croix Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nags Head $40
    Saint Croix $35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Croix

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint Croix:

  • Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Round-Trip Transfer: $218
  • St Croix Airport to St Croix Hotels Private Round Trip Transfer: $218
  • Private Transfer from St. Croix Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St. Croix : $164
  • St. Croix to Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) - Departure Transfer: $109
  • Saint Croix Airport (STX) to Saint Croix Hotels -Arrival Transfer: $109
  • Henry E.Rohlsen Airport(STX) to St. Croix island-Arrival Transfer: $109
  • Private Transfer from St. Croix Airport to St. Croix Cruise Port : $71
  • Private Transfer from St. Croix Cruise Port to St. Croix Airport: $71
  • Private Transfer from St.Croix hotels to St. Croix Cruise Port : $49
  • Private Transfer from St.Croix Cruise Port to St.Croix hotels: $49

Is it cheaper to fly into Nags Head or Saint Croix?

Prices for flights to both Saint Croix and Nags Head 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
    Nags Head $41
    Saint Croix $56

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
  • Taste of Twin City Food Tour with VI Food Tours: $129
  • C'sted Sip & Savor Mixology Class with VI Food Tours: $129

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nags Head $14
    Saint Croix $58

Tours and Activities in Nags Head

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nags Head.

  • Cape Hatteras National Seashore: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $12
  • Wright Brothers Carolina Dunes: Self-Guided Driving Tour: $13
  • Outer Banks Audio Driving Tour: $13
  • Cape Hatteras National Seashore Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $15
  • Wright Brothers Carolina Dunes Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
  • Outer Banks Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $25
  • OBX Ghost Tours: $25
  • Manteo Historic Walking Tour: $28
  • Kitty Hawk Maritime Forest Kayak Tour: $49
  • 2-hour Outer Banks Wild Horse Tour by 4WD Truck: $57
  • Cape Hatteras Kayak Adventure in Rodanthe: $59
  • Alligator River Kayak Adventure: $59

Tours and Activities in Saint Croix

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Saint Croix are as follows:

  • 1 Hour Private Jetcar Experience in Virgin Islands : $250
  • 30 Minute Private Jetcar Experience in Virgin Islands: $150
  • Grange Estate History and Heritage Private Tour and Luncheon : $60
  • Horseback Riding Experience: $160
  • Parasail Experience in St Croix: $132
  • Private Sailing Tour of Pirate Waters and Shipwrecks: $75
  • St Croix Island Tour: $100

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nags Head $12
    Saint Croix $27


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nags Head and Saint Croix, we can see that Saint Croix is more expensive. And not only is Nags Head much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nags Head is in North America 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 Nags Head would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nags Head 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 Nags Head.

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



When is the best time to visit Nags Head or Saint Croix?

Nags Head 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 Nags Head or Saint Croix in the Summer?

Both Saint Croix and Nags Head during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Nags Head because of the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round.

In the summer, Nags Head is cooler than Saint Croix. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nags Head in July average around 78°F (26°C), and Saint Croix averages at about 29°C (83°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nags Head. Nags Head usually gets more rain in July than Saint Croix. Nags Head gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Nags Head 78°F (26°C) 
    Saint Croix 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Nags Head or Saint Croix in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nags Head and Saint Croix. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In October, Nags Head is generally much colder than Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Nags Head average around 62°F (16°C), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Saint Croix receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Nags Head usually receives less rain than Saint Croix. Nags Head gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Nags Head 62°F (16°C) 
    Saint Croix 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Nags Head or Saint Croix in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nags Head as well as Saint Croix. Many travelers come to Nags Head for the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Nags Head. Nags Head is much colder than Saint Croix in the winter. The daily temperature in Nags Head averages around 41°F (5°C) in January, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Nags Head receives a lot of rain in the winter. Nags Head usually gets more rain in January than Saint Croix. Nags Head gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Nags Head 41°F (5°C) 
    Saint Croix 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Nags Head or Saint Croix in the Spring?

Both Saint Croix and Nags Head are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the spring, Nags Head is much colder than Saint Croix. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nags Head in April average around 59°F (15°C), and Saint Croix averages at about 27°C (80°F).

In April, Nags Head usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint Croix. Nags Head gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Nags Head 59°F (15°C) 
    Saint Croix 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Saint Croix and Nags Head

Nags Head Saint Croix
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 41°F (5°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 42°F (6°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 50°F (10°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 59°F (15°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
May 67°F (19°C) 4.6 inches (117 mm) 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 74°F (23°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 78°F (26°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 78°F (25°C) 5 inches (127 mm) 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 72°F (22°C) 4.7 inches (119 mm) 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Oct 62°F (16°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in)
Dec 45°F (7°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm) 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)