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

Should you visit New Bern or Saint Croix?

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

Should I visit New Bern 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: New Bern or Saint Croix?

New Bern

New Bern is a town in the coastal region of North Carolina. The town, which has a population of about 30,000, is the county seat of Craven County. It sits at the confluence of the Trent and Neuse Rivers close to the North Carolina coast, although there is no coastline in town. The town makes a nice daytrip from Raleigh, which is 112 miles away, and Wilmington, which is 87 miles away. It's also 162 miles from Norfolk, Virginia.

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 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix or New Bern?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in New Bern is $140, 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 New Bern and Saint Croix in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    New Bern $76
    Saint Croix $149
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    New Bern $152
    Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in New Bern and Saint Croix

Looking for a hotel in New Bern 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 New Bern


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: New Bern Hotel Prices and Saint Croix Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    New Bern $34
    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
  • 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 Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St. Croix : $164
  • Private Transfer from St.Croix Cruise Port to St.Croix hotels: $49
  • Private Transfer from St.Croix hotels to St. Croix Cruise Port : $49
  • Saint Croix Airport (STX) to Saint Croix Hotels -Arrival Transfer: $109
  • St Croix Airport to St Croix Hotels Private Round Trip Transfer: $218
  • St. Croix to Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) - Departure Transfer: $109

Is it cheaper to fly into New Bern or Saint Croix?

Prices for flights to both Saint Croix and New Bern 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
    New Bern $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.
    New Bern $26
    Saint Croix $58

Tours and Activities in Saint Croix

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

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    New Bern $30
    Saint Croix $27


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

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



When is the best time to visit New Bern or Saint Croix?

New Bern 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 New Bern or Saint Croix in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both New Bern and Saint Croix. The summer months attract visitors to New Bern because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the summer, New Bern is around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Typically, the summer temperatures in New Bern in July average around 80°F (27°C), and Saint Croix averages at about 29°C (83°F).

New Bern gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, New Bern usually receives more rain than Saint Croix. New Bern gets 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    New Bern 80°F (27°C) 
    Saint Croix 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit New Bern or Saint Croix in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to New Bern as well as Saint Croix. The shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to New Bern this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year.

In October, New Bern is generally much colder than Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 65°F (18°C), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It's quite rainy in Saint Croix. New Bern usually gets less rain in October than Saint Croix. New Bern gets 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    New Bern 65°F (18°C) 
    Saint Croix 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit New Bern or Saint Croix in the Winter?

Both Saint Croix and New Bern are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to New Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

New Bern is much colder than Saint Croix in the winter. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 44°F (7°C) in January, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

It's quite rainy in New Bern. In January, New Bern usually receives more rain than Saint Croix. New Bern gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    New Bern 44°F (7°C) 
    Saint Croix 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit New Bern or Saint Croix in the Spring?

Both Saint Croix and New Bern during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to New Bern in the spring for the small town charm. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round.

In the spring, New Bern is much colder than Saint Croix. Typically, the spring temperatures in New Bern in April average around 62°F (16°C), and Saint Croix averages at about 27°C (80°F).

New Bern usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Saint Croix. New Bern gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    New Bern 62°F (16°C) 
    Saint Croix 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Saint Croix and New Bern

New Bern Saint Croix
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 44°F (7°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 46°F (8°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm) 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 54°F (12°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 62°F (16°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm) 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
May 69°F (21°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm) 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 76°F (25°C) 5 inches (126 mm) 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 80°F (27°C) 6.6 inches (169 mm) 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 79°F (26°C) 7.6 inches (192 mm) 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 75°F (24°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm) 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Oct 65°F (18°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm) 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Nov 56°F (13°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in)
Dec 48°F (9°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm) 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)