Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Philadelphia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Philadelphia or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Philadelphia or Saint Thomas, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Philadelphia or Saint Thomas?
Philadelphia
Philadelphia is the fourth largest urban area, and the fifth largest city in the United States. It's located in southeastern Pennsylvania and has a rich history, having once been the capital of the United States. The city has very impressive architecture, museums, universities, and entertainment venues. It's a cultural and artistic center for the country and it continues to climb as a top travel destination.
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 from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhiladelphia $188Saint Thomas $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Philadelphia is $188, while the average daily cost in Saint Thomas is $218. 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 Philadelphia and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhiladelphia $119Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhiladelphia $238Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Philadelphia and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Philadelphia 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: Philadelphia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Philadelphia $28Saint Thomas $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Philadelphia
Also for Philadelphia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Philadelphia Airport (PHL): Private Transfer to Philadelphia: $353
- Philadelphia City to Washington City - Private Car Transfer: $135
- Philadelphia Airport (PHL) to Philadelphia - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $131
- Private Transfer: Philadelphia Airport PHL to Philadelphia in Business Car: $95
- Philadelphia to Philadelphia Airport (PHL) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
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 &Tours -Airport Transfer Bluebeard's/Yacht Haven : $110
- Vi Top Taxi &Tours - Airport Transfer to the Ritz Carlton : $180
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours -Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay/ Limetree: $110
- St.Thomas island to Cyril E. King Airport(STT)-Departure Transfer: $109
- St Thomas to St Thomas Airport Private Departure Transfer: $109
- St Thomas Airport to St Thomas Arrival Private Transfer: $109
- Private Transfer from Charlotte Amalie Port to Charlotte Amalie: $28
- Private Hotel and Resorts Transfers: $173
- Private Airport Transfer in St. Thomas from Cyril E. King Airport: $135
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $169
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer Bluebeard’s / Yacht Haven: $110
Is it cheaper to fly into Philadelphia or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Philadelphia 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 dayPhiladelphia $49Saint Thomas $54
Typical Food Prices in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Casual Lunch (for 3)$27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Flavors of Philly Food Tour: $52
- Locals' Favorites Food Tour: $52
- Best of Philly Food Tour: $55
- Best of Philadelphia Food Tour-Small Group Walking Tour: $59
- Bites and Booze: Walking Food Tour in Philadelphia : $65
- Philadelphia's Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $65
- Flavors of Philly Food Tour: $65
- Buffet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise: $66
- 9th Street Italian Market Walking Food Tour: $69
- Secret Food Tour: $84
- Highlights of East Passyunk Food Tour: $85
- Chef-Led Taste of the Italian Market Food Tour: $90
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:
- Sunset & Harbor Lights Dinner Sail from the Marriott's Frenchman's Cove: $109
- Afternoon Snorkel, Pizza & Sunset Tour departing from St. Thomas & St. John: $110
- Flavors of St Thomas Walking Food Tour : $111
- St. John Dinner Sail to Lovango with Open Bar and Hors d'Oeuvres - Westin: $119
- Cruz Bay - PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail: $159
- St. Thomas Dinner Sail to Lovango w/ Open Bar and Hors D'oeuvres - Ritz-Carlton: $159
- PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail from Frenchman's Reef: $169
- Waterfront Harbor Dinner Sail from Frenchman's Reef: $209
- St Thomas Legends Luxury Dinner Sail from the Ritz Carlton: $209
- Swim w/Turtles at St. John, Pizza Pi & Snorkel a shipwreck. : $250
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Philadelphia $28Saint Thomas $60
Typical Entertainment Prices in Philadelphia
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Philadelphia's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Big Bus Tour (family of 3)$99
Tours and Activities in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Hours Ben Franklin Yacht Brunch Cruise with Buffet: $65
- A Magical Christmas Tour in Philadelphia: $554
- Amazing Philadelphia Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44
- Art and Controversy: An audio tour of Philadelphia's most infamous art scandals: $5.40
- BYOB Historically Hilarious Trolley Tour of Philadelphia: $49
- Best of Philadelphia Small Group Walking Tour: $104
- City Sightseeing Walking Tour – Founding Fathers and Mothers: $32
- Classic Philadelphia City Bike Tour: $75
- Cocktail Caravan: Philly Walking Bar Tour: $35
- Dark Philly Adult Night Tour: $38
- Discovering Colonial Philadelphia Private Walking Tour: $250
- Double Decker Hop-On Hop-Off City Sightseeing Philadelphia (1, 2, or 3-Day): $36
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Two-Hour Sightseeing Excursion : $58
- 1 Hour Jet Ski Tour in the Virgin Islands from Westin St. John: $159
- 1-Hour Guided Jet Ski Tour in St. Thomas from Frenchman's Reef: $179
- 2-Day Adventure Tour of St Thomas and St John: $199
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- Admission Ticket to Coral World Ocean Park & Coki Beach: $35
- Aerial Sightseeing Adventure!: $250
- Book Your Private Two and a Half Hour Island Tour today!: $150
- Charlotte Amalie Walking Tour + Contemporary Art Experience: $79
- Cocktail Sunset Cruise aboard Breakaway Charters at Sapphire: $115
- Cocktail Sunset Cruise from Sapphire Beach Resort: $115
- Coral Reef and Turtle Discovery Tour: $159
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPhiladelphia $21Saint Thomas $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Philadelphia
Also in Philadelphia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Liberty History Tour Pub Crawl: $45
- Guided Tour with Pub Crawl: $45
- Half-Day Philadelphia's Brewery Bike Tour with Tastings: $100
- Philly Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
- Guided Craft Brewery Tours with a Snack: $120
Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Thomas
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Thomas:
- Wine Tasting with Fine Art Downtown Experience: $60
When comparing the travel costs between Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Philadelphia or Saint Thomas?
Philadelphia has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia or Saint Thomas?
Philadelphia has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint Thomas experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Philadelphia or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Philadelphia and Saint Thomas. Many visitors come to Philadelphia in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Philadelphia is generally cooler than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Philadelphia average around 77°F (25°C), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In Philadelphia, it's very sunny this time of the year. Philadelphia usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas during summer. Philadelphia gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
Philadelphia gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Philadelphia usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. Philadelphia gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPhiladelphia 77°F (25°C)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Philadelphia or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Philadelphia as well as Saint Thomas. Most visitors come to Philadelphia for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
Philadelphia is much colder than Saint Thomas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Philadelphia averages around 56°F (14°C) in October, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Philadelphia this time of the year. In the autumn, Philadelphia often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Philadelphia gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Saint Thomas. Philadelphia usually gets less rain in October than Saint Thomas. Philadelphia gets 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPhiladelphia 56°F (14°C)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Philadelphia or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
Both Saint Thomas and Philadelphia are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Philadelphia because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The weather in Philadelphia can be very cold. In the winter, Philadelphia is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Philadelphia in January average around 30°F (-1°C), and Saint Thomas averages at about 26°C (78°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. Philadelphia usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during winter. Philadelphia gets 152 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Philadelphia usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. Philadelphia gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPhiladelphia 30°F (-1°C)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Philadelphia or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
Both Saint Thomas and Philadelphia during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Philadelphia this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
In April, Philadelphia is generally much colder than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Philadelphia average around 52°F (11°C), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Philadelphia. In the spring, Philadelphia often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Philadelphia gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun.
Philadelphia usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Saint Thomas. Philadelphia gets 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPhiladelphia 52°F (11°C)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Philadelphia
| Philadelphia | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 33°F (1°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 42°F (6°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 52°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 72°F (22°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 76°F (24°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 56°F (14°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 46°F (8°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 36°F (2°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 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.