Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Riga?
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 Riga or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Riga or Saint Thomas? 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: Riga or Saint Thomas?
Riga
Riga is the vibrant capital city of Latvia. It continues to gain popularity as a tourist destination in part because it is the base for the airline Air Baltic. This affordable airline offers discount flights around Europe and most of these flights pass through Riga with a forced overnight layover. This encourages travelers to visit this fascinating city for at least a night or two.
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.
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Riga Prices
Latvia PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRiga $143Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is $143, 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 Riga and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRiga $61Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRiga $122Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Riga and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Riga 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: Riga Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Riga $11Saint Thomas $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn: $563
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn with Sightseeing: $503
- From Private Transfer to Vilnius with Sightseeing: $468
- 4x4 Off-Road Adventure with Hotel Transfers: $258
- From Cesis and Sigulda Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $164
- Riga Gun Experience: Roundtrip Transfer and 4 Firearms: $163
- Private transfer Riga - Hill of Crosses - Riga: $138
- Private Transfer From Riga Airport To Riga City Center: $90
- Private Transfer from Riga Airport to Riga City: $78
- Riga City to Riga Airport (RIX) - Private Transfer.: $75
- Riga Airport (RIX) to Riga City - Private Transfer.: $75
- Private transfer from Riga Airport RIX to Riga city by Car or Van: $68
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: $82
- 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
- Vi Top Taxi -St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove : $110
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove: $110
- Prince Taxi USVI- ST.Thomas Aiport Transfer to Crown bay ferry: $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 Ritz Carlton Resort: $144
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St. Thomas Airport Transfer to Wyndham Margaritaville: $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $160
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Riga 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 dayRiga $67Saint Thomas $94
Typical Food Prices in Riga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Riga are as follows:
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Fast Food Lunch$6.76
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Riga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Riga.
- Central Market Traditional Food Tour in a Small Group: $41
- Central Market Latvian Food Tour: $53
- Khinkali and Pelmeni Cooking Master Class: $70
- Exclusive Igloo for Lunches, Dinners and Events: $72
- Latvian Art Museum, Dinner, and Black Balsam Tasting: $210
- Pizza Making Master Class in Riga: $251
- Traditional Latvian Dinner with Private Folk Show: $252
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
- Flavors of St Thomas Walking Food Tour : $145
- St. John PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail with Beach Stop, Lunch & Open Bar - Westin: $149
- St. Thomas Dinner Sail to St. John with Open Bar & Hors D'oeuvres - Ritz-Carlton: $149
- Christmas Cove and Pizza Pi Happy Hour Sail Tour: $185
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Riga $16Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
- 2 Hours Walking Tour in Legends and Secret of Riga's Old Town : $96
- 2.5-Hour Riga Cruiser Bike Tour: $88
- 24h Riga Sightseeing Red Bus Grand Tour: $36
- 3-Hour Private Paintball Game Experience in Zīles: $95
- 5,5 Hour Small Group Tour to Hill of Crosses from Riga: $90
- Admission Ticket to Live Silver Museum: $13
- Aeroplane Flight Experience: $80
- Aeroplane Flight Experience: $81
- An audio tour of Old from St Peter's Church to the Monument of Freedom: $6.99
- Audio Tour of Riga Old Town: $12
- Bachelorette Party Adventure's Organization: $46
- Beer Bike Experience : $46
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
- Island Eco Farm Tour with Local Treats and Sapphire Beach Time: $27
- Cruise Ship Shuttle to Ferry going to St. John: $28
- Coral World Ocean Park General Admission Ticket: $29
- Cruise Ship Port Shuttle to St John Ferry : $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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRiga $23Saint Thomas $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Riga
Also in Riga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Old town pub & bar crawl, hidden gems, and local party: $21
- Pub Crawl with Local Guide: $29
- Brewery Tour and Beer Tasting in Riga: $35
- Riga Pub Crawl: $41
- Latvian Brewery Visit & 5 Beer tasting: $47
- Riga Evening Adventure: Pub Crawl & Games Night: $50
- Game Night & Pub Crawl: $52
- Riga Happy Hour Pub Crawl: $59
- Riga Brewery Tour: $59
- Prosecco Bike & Pub Crawl: $65
- Riga Brewery Tour: $77
- Riga's Old Town Beer Bike Tour & Guided Pub Crawl: $94
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Riga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Riga is in Europe 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 Riga would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Riga 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 Riga.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Riga Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Riga or Saint Thomas?
Riga has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Riga 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 Riga or Saint Thomas?
Riga 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 Riga or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Riga as well as Saint Thomas. The summer months attract visitors to Riga because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
In July, Riga is generally much colder than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 17°C (63°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
Riga usually gets more rain in July than Saint Thomas. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRiga 17°C (63°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Riga or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
Both Saint Thomas and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Riga this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Riga is much colder than Saint Thomas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. In October, Riga usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRiga 7°C (45°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Riga or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
Both Saint Thomas and Riga during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Riga for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Riga. In the winter, Riga is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Riga in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 26°C (78°F).
Riga usually gets less rain in January than Saint Thomas. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRiga -5°C (23°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Riga or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Saint Thomas. Many visitors come to Riga in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Riga is generally much colder than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 5°C (42°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
In April, Riga usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRiga 5°C (42°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Riga
| Riga | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 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.