Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Petra?
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 Petra or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Petra and Saint Thomas can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Petra or Saint Thomas?
Petra
Whether you're checking off the Seven Wonders of the World, or you're just a huge Indiana Jones fan, the city of Petra must be on your bucket list. The "rose red city, half as old as time," was the capital of the Nabataean kingdom in the 6th century BC. It was the center for trade and commerce until an earthquake took out buildings and destroyed their water management system. After this destruction, the city of Petra seemed to be lost to western civilization.
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 Historical Tours in Jordan, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Jordan.
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Petra Prices
Jordan PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPetra $153Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Petra is $153, 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 Petra and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPetra $59Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPetra $118Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Petra and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Petra 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: Petra Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Petra $23Saint Thomas $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Petra
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Petra:
- From Eilat: Petra Full-Day Guided Tour with Transfers: $219
- Private transfer Petra to/from Wadi Rum: $140
- Private Transfer Amman Airport to Petra or vice versa via the King's Highway: $120
- Private Transfer from Ma'in Hotel to Aqaba Airport: $120
- Petra Private Transfer To Multiple Destinations: $115
- Comfortable and Reliable Private Transfer: Petra to Wadi Rum: $100
- Private Transfer From Petra to Amman or Airport With Optional : $99
- Private Departure Transfer: Petra Hotels to Amman Airport: $93
- Airport Transfer to and from Petra: $92
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:
- Transfer from Cyril E. King Airport(STT) to Charlotte Amalie Port: $83
- VI Top Taxi and Tours - St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $90
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay / Limetree: $110
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours -Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay/ Limetree: $110
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove: $110
- St.Thomas to St.Thomas Airport (STT) - Departure Private Transfer: $115
- Private Ground Transfers: $120
- Exclusive Airport Transfers (up to 4 persons) One-Way: $135
- 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
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $160
Is it cheaper to fly into Petra or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Petra 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 dayPetra $66Saint Thomas $94
Typical Food Prices in Petra
Some typical examples of dining costs in Petra are as follows:
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Dinner for Two$12
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Juice$1.76
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Petra
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Petra.
- Cooking outside in little Petra between the Mountains. : $50
- Private Outdoor bedouin Dinner in Petra: $150
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.Petra $47Saint Thomas $60
Typical Entertainment Prices in Petra
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Petra are as follows:
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Entry to Petra for One$71
Tours and Activities in Petra
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Petra are as follows:
- 2-Day Amman to Petra, Wadi Rum & Dead Sea Adventure Tour: $220
- 3 Hour Horse Riding Adventure around the Petra Area: $145
- 3-Hour Private Petra Tour: Exclusive Classical Guided Experience: $55
- 3-hour Private Guided Tour In Petra with hotel pick up.: $75
- 6 Hours Private Tour in Petra: $125
- Amman: Petra by Night Tour with Optional Day Visit: $99
- From Petra Wadi Rum Private 8 hours roundtrip tour : $140
- Hike Tour of Petra: $10
- Petra Back Entrance Private Walking Tour | Guide Sami Nawafleh: $225
- Petra Highlight Tour with Private Guide Sami Nawafleh | 2.5 Hours: $120
- Petra Secret Backdoor Tour: Hidden Gems & Exclusive Experience: $240
- Private Full Day Tour to Aqaba Red Sea from Petra Hotels: $200
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Nature and Sightseeing Tour at Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden: $16
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $25
- Coral World Ocean Park General Admission Ticket: $29
- Cruise Ship Shuttle to Ferry going to St. John: $34
- Rum Tasting Experience in the Old Barrel House: $35
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- St. Thomas Sightseeing Tour with a Guide: $40
- Guided Tour of Coral World Ocean Park & Happy Hour: $40
- St. Thomas Ghost Tour of Historic Charlotte Amalie : $41
- Prince taxi & Tours St.Thomas Virgin Islands-Island Scenic Tour: $45
- Guided Kayak Tour from Margaritaville: $48
- Guided Kayak Tour from Elysian: $48
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPetra $15Saint Thomas $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Petra and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Petra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Petra is in Middle East 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 Petra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Petra 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 Petra.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Petra Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Petra or Saint Thomas?
Saint Thomas has a larger population, and is about 43% larger than the population of Petra. When comparing the sizes of Petra 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 Petra or Saint Thomas?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Petra or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Petra as well as Saint Thomas. Petra attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
Petra usually gets less rain in July than Saint Thomas. Petra gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 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 Petra this time of the year. In the summer, Petra often gets more sunshine than Saint Thomas. Petra gets 384 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun.
The heat can be very extreme in Petra. In the summer, Petra is a little warmer than Saint Thomas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Petra in July average around 33°C (91°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPetra 33°C (91°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Petra or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
Both Saint Thomas and Petra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Petra throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. In October, Petra usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Petra gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Petra. Petra usually receives more sunshine than Saint Thomas during autumn. Petra gets 295 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Petra is generally around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Petra average around 27°C (80°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPetra 27°C (80°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Petra or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
Both Saint Thomas and Petra during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Petra because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
Petra usually gets more rain in January than Saint Thomas. Petra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 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 Petra. In the winter, Petra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas. Petra gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun.
Petra is much colder than Saint Thomas in the winter. The daily temperature in Petra averages around 15°C (59°F) in January, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPetra 15°C (59°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Petra or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Petra and Saint Thomas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Petra year-round. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Petra usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Petra gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In Petra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Petra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas during spring. Petra gets 282 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Petra is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Petra in April average around 25°C (76°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 27°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPetra 25°C (76°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Petra
| Petra | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 15°C (59°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (62°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (76°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 31°C (88°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 33°C (91°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 32°C (90°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 30°C (87°F) | 0 mm (0 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (62°F) | 41 mm (1.6 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.