Which place is cheaper, Saint John or Phuket?
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 Phuket or Saint John?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket or Saint John, 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: Phuket or Saint John?
Phuket
Phuket Island is the holiday gem of southern Thailand. Known for its beaches and resorts, the island brings in a massive amount of travelers from all over the world, year round. Although the beaches are beautiful, Phuket has also become more westernized and tourist-oriented in recent decades, leaving many travelers to venture elsewhere to find that amazing beach with a more authentic Thai vibe. However, Phuket Island is quite large, and hidden gems can still be found.
Saint John
With the popularity of the Caribbean rising, many islands have become touristy and expensive – but not St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
At only nine miles long and five miles wide, St. John is the smallest of the Virgin Islands, and, many argue, the prettiest. It's the kind of place that has maintained it's cultural identity, but still welcomes visitors from all over the world. With a population of just 5,000, the residents of St. John know everyone and everything happening on the island.
This island is perfect for people who want an undisturbed island getaway at any price. Between resorts and campgrounds there is a spot for everyone on St. John.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand.
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Phuket Prices
Thailand PricesSaint John Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhuket $139Saint John $233
The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $139, while the average daily cost in Saint John is $233. 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 Phuket and Saint John in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhuket $64Saint John $106
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhuket $128Saint John $212
Compare Hotels in Phuket and Saint John
Looking for a hotel in Phuket or Saint John? 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: Phuket Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Phuket $12Saint John $49
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Phuket:
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Longtail Taxi (for Two)$9.42
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Taxi from Airport to Phuket Town$7.85
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phuket
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:
- Ziplines 28 platforms with Free Transfer RoundTrips: $80
- ATV Bike 1 hr+ Skyline Adventure 28 platforms with free Transfer: $133
- Airport Transfer: Phuket to Phuket Airport HKT by Business Car: $118
- Andamanda Phuket Water Park Tickets with Transfers: $114
- Arrival Phuket Airport Private Transfer : Hotel in Phuket: $43
- Arrival Private Transfers from Phuket Airport HKT to Phuket City: $130
- Best ATV Bike and Ziplines Adventure with Transfer : $42
- Best Ziplines Adventure 30 platforms with free transfer : $127
- Departure Private Airport Transfer : Phuket Hotel to Phuket Airport: $43
- Departure Transfer: Phuket to Phuket Airport HKT by Business Car: $118
- Flying Hanuman Ziplines 42 platforms With Lunch & Transfer RoundTrips: $123
- Freedom Party Boat Cruise By HYPE Boat Club Phuket - Include Pickup Transfer: $152
Is it cheaper to fly into Phuket or Saint John?
Prices for flights to both Saint John and Phuket 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 dayPhuket $43Saint John $97
Typical Food Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phuket:
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Casual Dinner (for Two)$9.08
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.34
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$13
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Thai Noodles$2.83
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Bananas$0.79
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Pizza (for Two)$9.42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phuket
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phuket.
- One Day Experience Cooking at Phuket Patong Thailand: $28
- Express Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $52
- Vegetarian Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $53
- Phuket Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $55
- Authentic Thai Cooking Class by Suuko Wellness Spa: $57
- Phuket Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour and Hotel Pickup: $57
- Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $57
- Carnival Entertainment and Dinner Experience in Phuket: $58
- Southern Flavors Phuket Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Phuket City Tour with Phothong Ride and Cooking Class: $59
- Phuket Easy Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour: $61
- Choose Your Own Dishes: Half-Day Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $63
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Phuket $49Saint John $23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Phuket
Here are a few typical costs in Phuket for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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One Day Boat Tour$28
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Scuba Diving (Two Dives)$79
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Thai Oil Massage$20
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Surfboard Rental$9.42
Tours and Activities in Phuket
Here are a few actual costs in Phuket for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Oto Indoor Play Park Entrance Ticket in Phuket: $7.90
- Aquarium Phuket Admission Ticket: $14
- Phuket City Tour with Pickup Option: $15
- Feed Me Banana Elephant Experience Short Activity : $16
- Phuket Rock Beach Swing Tickets: $16
- Phuket Bird Park Admission Ticket: $19
- Phuket Highlights: Half Day City Tour with Landmark & Viewpoint: $21
- Phang Nga Bay Skywalk at Samet Nangshe Admission Ticket: $21
- Half Day Phuket City tour + Hotel Pick Up and Drop Off: $21
- Exclusive Jurassic Mini-Golf Ticket at Dino Park Phuket: $23
- Patong Beach Water Sports Adventure from Phuket: $24
- Athena Cabaret Show Admission Ticket in Phuket: $25
Tours and Activities in Saint John
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- St. John: A Private Island Adventure Tour & Trunk Bay Beach: $627
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPhuket $7.32Saint John $44
Typical Alcohol Prices in Phuket
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Phuket from other travelers:
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Cocktails (for Two)$6.28
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Beer$2.67
Sample the Local Flavors in Phuket
Also in Phuket, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Chalong Bay Rum Distillery Experience: $41
- Phuket Sightseeing Tour with Rum Distillery : $111
- Big Buddha & The Distillery Phuket: $136
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phuket and Saint John, we can see that Saint John is more expensive. And not only is Phuket much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Phuket is in Asia and Saint John 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 Phuket would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Phuket 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 John would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John than you might in Phuket.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Phuket Expensive? and Is Saint John Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Phuket or Saint John?
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 Phuket or Saint John in the Summer?
Both Saint John and Phuket are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Phuket throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Phuket. In July, Phuket usually receives more rain than Saint John. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In July, Phuket is generally around the same temperature as Saint John. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 28°C (82°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPhuket 28°C (82°F)Saint John 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Saint John in the Autumn?
Both Saint John and Phuket during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Phuket because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.
December to March is the dry season in Phuket. June to October is the rainy season in Phuket. Saint John gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually gets more rain in October than Saint John. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Phuket is around the same temperature as Saint John in the autumn. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Saint John fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPhuket 27°C (81°F)Saint John 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Saint John in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Phuket and Saint John. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Phuket year-round. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to March in Phuket is the dry season. In January, Phuket usually receives less rain than Saint John. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In the winter, Phuket is around the same temperature as Saint John. Typically, the winter temperatures in Phuket in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Saint John averages at about 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPhuket 28°C (82°F)Saint John 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Saint John in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Phuket as well as Saint John. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.
June to October in Phuket is the rainy season. Phuket receives a lot of rain in the spring. Phuket usually gets more rain in April than Saint John. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
In April, Phuket is generally around the same temperature as Saint John. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 29°C (84°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPhuket 29°C (84°F)Saint John 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John and Phuket
| Phuket | Saint John | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 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.