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

Should you visit Rome or Saint Croix?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Rome and Saint Croix can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Rome or Saint Croix?

Rome

Rome is the kind of city that refuses to stay in the past, even though history is everywhere you look. Ancient ruins rise beside buzzing cafes, scooters zip past Renaissance palaces, and quiet cobblestone lanes suddenly open onto grand piazzas filled with fountains, churches, and street performers. It is a city of layers: the Colosseum and Roman Forum, the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica, neighborhood trattorias, stylish boutiques, and late-night gelato walks all woven together into one unforgettable experience. Whether you come for the art, the food, the history, or the simple pleasure of wandering without a plan, Rome has a way of making every day feel like a discovery.

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 Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix or Rome?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Rome Prices
    Italy Prices
    Saint Croix Prices
    USVI Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Rome $232
    Saint Croix $277

The average daily cost (per person) in Rome is $232, while the average daily cost in Saint Croix is $277. 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 Rome and Saint Croix in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Rome $101
    Saint Croix $149
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Rome $202
    Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in Rome and Saint Croix

Looking for a hotel in Rome 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 Rome


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: Rome Hotel Prices and Saint Croix Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Rome $24
    Saint Croix $35
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rome

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rome:


  • Metro Ride (for Two)
    $2.25
  • Train to the Airport
    $17
  • Taxi to Airport
    $51
  • Bicycle Rental (Full Day)
    $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rome

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rome:

  • Bus Transfer from Fiumicino Airport to Vatican City: $6.87
  • Transfer Rome center - Fiumicino airport: $8.01
  • Transfer Rome center - Ciampino Airport: $9.15
  • Bus Transfer from Rome to Milan or Vice Versa: $9.42
  • Transfer from Rome to Castel Romano Designer Outlet: $23
  • FCO Airport Private Transfer to/from Downtown/Civitavecchia: $30
  • Transfer from Civitavecchia by train with Rome HopOnHopOff Option: $31
  • Ciampino Transfer: $42
  • Rome’s Bone Chapel with Audioguide App and Panoramic Bus Transfer: $43
  • Ciampino transfer to Rome: $47
  • Ciampino to Rome transfer: $47
  • Rome to Fiumicino Airport Rome (FCO) - Departure Private Transfer: $48

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: $160
  • Private Transfer from St. Croix Airport to St. Croix Cruise Port: $84
  • Private Transfer from St. Croix Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St. Croix: $172
  • Private Transfer from St. Croix Port to St. Croix Airport (STX): $84
  • Private Transfer from St.Croix Cruise Port to St.Croix hotels: $168
  • Private Transfer from St.Croix hotels to St. Croix Cruise Port: $168
  • St. Croix to Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) - Departure Transfer: $80
  • St. Croix to St. Croix Airport (STX) - Departure Private Transfer: $87
  • St.Croix Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Arrival Private Transfer: $87

Is it cheaper to fly into Rome or Saint Croix?

Prices for flights to both Saint Croix and Rome 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
    Rome $94
    Saint Croix $97
Typical Food Prices in Rome

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rome:


  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $16
  • 4 Ice Cream Sandwiches
    $3.36
  • Cafe e doce
    $4.49
  • Pizza (Fast Food)
    $2.98
  • Sitdown Lunch (for Two)
    $36
  • Cheese and bread
    $11
  • Espresso
    $2.25
  • Dinner
    $65

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rome

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rome.

  • Rome Pizza & Gelato Class with Wine by Cooking Italy: $40
  • Rome Food Tour for Breakfast Lovers: $40
  • Rome Early Morning Breakfast and Sightseeing Food Tour: $45
  • Rome Testaccio Market Food Tour - Eat Like a Local: $45
  • Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class with Prosecco in Rome: $45
  • Rome Pizza Making Class for Families in Trastevere: $45
  • Milan Street Food Tour and City Guided Sightseeing: $45
  • Cooking Class 2 Hour Spanish Steps - Fettucine and Tiramisù: $45
  • Authentic Gnocchi Cooking Class in Rome - Piazza Navona: $46
  • Fettuccine Pasta Cooking Class in Rome City Center: $46
  • Pesto and Pasta Cooking Class in Rome City Center: $48
  • Rome Street Food Tour: Eat Like a Local: $49

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Croix

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint Croix.

  • A Morning Cultural Experience Through Food Cooking Class St. Croix: $90
  • A Evening Cultural Experience Through Food Cooking Class St. Croix: $100
  • C'sted Sip & Savor Mixology Class with VI Food Tours: $131
  • Taste of Twin City Food Tour with VI Food Tours: $155

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Rome $41
    Saint Croix $58
Typical Entertainment Prices in Rome

Here are a few typical costs in Rome for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Rome Museum Vaticano (for 2)
    $77
  • Coliseum Tickets (for Two)
    $37
  • Roma Pass
    $34
  • Hop on Hop Off Bus (All Day)
    $22
  • Segway Tour
    $84

Tours and Activities in Rome

Here are a few actual costs in Rome for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Walking tour with Archaeologist: $3.42
  • Self-Guided Tours in Rome with 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.42
  • Rome Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $3.42
  • Rome Best Kept Secrets: Self-Guided City Tour: $3.42
  • Piazza del Popolo and Historical Sights Walking Tour in Rome: $4.00
  • Rome Empress Mystery: Self-Guided Adventure Game: $4.28
  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Rome: $4.57
  • Hidden Treasures — A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $4.57
  • Audio guided tour of the historic center of Rome: $4.58
  • Ghosts Legends and Mysteries of Rome Walking Tour: $4.58
  • Tour of Rome to Visit the Most Iconic Monuments: $5.00
  • Podcast Tour: Shadows of the Sweet Life - Fellini's Rome: $5.48

Tours and Activities in Saint Croix

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

  • St. Croix’s Forts, Freedom, and Beaches: A Self-Drive Audio Tour: $25
  • Christiansted's Artisan Shopping Tour: $33
  • St. Croix Ghost Tour of Historic Christiansted: $45
  • Sea Turtle Snorkel Tour: $59
  • Island Chocolate Experience with Tasting: $62
  • St Croix Tiki Tours Frederiksted’s Tiki Boat Experience: $80
  • Parasail Experience in St Croix: $85
  • Frederiksted St Croix Sea Turtle Snorkeling Tour: $89
  • Saint Croix Scenic Beaches History and Excursions Tours: $93
  • St Croix Island Tour: $118
  • Horseback Riding Experience: $160
  • Private Sailing Tour of Pirate Waters and Shipwrecks: $175

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Rome $20
    Saint Croix $27
Typical Alcohol Prices in Rome

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rome:


  • Bottle of Wine
    $7.30
  • Pint of Beer
    $7.12
  • Beer
    $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Rome

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rome:

  • Unique Wine Tasting in Enoteca in Rome San Pietro Area: $32
  • Discover Frascati Wine Tasting with a Sommelier and Snacks: $34
  • Cabaret and Burlesque Show at Rome: $34
  • Rome's Ultimate Party aka the Spanish Steps Pub Crawl: $39
  • Winery Tour, Wine Tasting near Rome with Optional Lunch: $45
  • Frascati Wine Tasting Experience with Food Pairing: $46
  • Experience Rome Exclusive Wine Tasting in City Center: $55
  • Vatican Wine Tasting Italian Wines e Food with a Sommelier: $56
  • Rome Night Tipsy Tour & Bar Crawl with Forbidden History: $68
  • Private Wine Tasting in Trastevere: $74
  • Rome Bar Crawl: Interactive Night Tour with Games and Karaoke: $74
  • Trastevere and Jewish Ghetto Food and Wine Tour: $76

Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Croix

Also in Saint Croix, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Farm to Bottle Tour at Prosperity Farm Distillery: $35


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

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



When is the best time to visit Rome or Saint Croix?

Rome 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 Rome or Saint Croix in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Rome and Saint Croix. Many travelers come to Rome for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, Rome is generally cooler than Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Rome average around 25°C (77°F), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

In July, Rome usually receives less rain than Saint Croix. Rome gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Rome 25°C (77°F) 
    Saint Croix 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Rome or Saint Croix in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Rome as well as Saint Croix. Many visitors come to Rome in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year.

Rome is much colder than Saint Croix in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rome averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It's quite rainy in Saint Croix. Rome usually gets less rain in October than Saint Croix. Rome gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Rome 17°C (63°F) 
    Saint Croix 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Rome or Saint Croix in the Winter?

Both Saint Croix and Rome are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Rome for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the winter, Rome is much colder than Saint Croix. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rome in January average around 8°C (47°F), and Saint Croix averages at about 26°C (78°F).

In January, Rome usually receives more rain than Saint Croix. Rome gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Rome 8°C (47°F) 
    Saint Croix 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Rome or Saint Croix in the Spring?

Both Saint Croix and Rome during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Rome because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round.

In April, Rome is generally much colder than Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Rome average around 14°C (57°F), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

Rome usually gets less rain in April than Saint Croix. Rome gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Rome 14°C (57°F) 
    Saint Croix 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Saint Croix and Rome

Rome Saint Croix
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 8°C (47°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 9°C (49°F) 76 mm (3 in) 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 11°C (52°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 14°C (57°F) 50 mm (2 in) 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 42 mm (1.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 22°C (71°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 19 mm (0.7 in) 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 25°C (77°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 22°C (71°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Oct 17°C (63°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Nov 12°C (54°F) 105 mm (4.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in)
Dec 9°C (49°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)