Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Rome?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Rome or Saint Thomas?
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 Thomas 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 Thomas?
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 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 Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.
-
Rome Prices
Italy PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRome $232Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Rome is $232, 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 Rome and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRome $101Saint Thomas $131
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRome $202Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Rome and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Rome 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: Rome Hotel Prices and Saint Thomas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rome $24Saint Thomas $37
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:
- Private Transfer from and to Civitavecchia from Rome City Center: $297
- Transfer from Rome to the Beverello pier (Naples): $290
- Civitavecchia DA transfer and vice versa: $288
- Private transfer from Rome to S. Felice Circeo, Sabaudia or Terracina: $286
- Transfer from Rome Hotel to Civitavecchia Cruise Port and vice versa: $286
- Transfer from Civitavecchia 4 people: $286
- Private Express Tour of Roman Catacombs with Transfer: $285
- Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to Saturnia - Arrival Private Transfer: $280
- Rome to Civitavecchia Port Private Door to Ship Cruise Transfer: $280
- Private Transfer Civitavecchia Port to/from Rome City & Airport: $274
- Civitavecchia Cruise Port Round Trip Private Luxury Transfer Rome: $271
- Fiumicino Airport (FCO) to Chianciano - Arrival Private Transfer: $269
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Thomas
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Saint Thomas are as follows:
-
Scooter Rental$65
-
Taxi Ride$5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Thomas
Also for Saint Thomas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Hotel Transfer (To Airport) One Way Up to 4 St. Thomas USVI: $149
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St. Thomas- Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton Elysian: $174
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove: $110
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $174
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay / Limetree: $110
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St Thomas- Airport Transfer Sapphire / Crystal Cove: $174
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St. Thomas Airport Transfer to Wyndham Margaritaville: $174
- Prince Taxi USVI ST.Thomas Airport transfer to and from Westin: $105
- Prince Taxi USVI- ST.Thomas Aiport Transfer to Crown bay ferry: $100
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $189
- Private Airport Transfer to and from Red Hook Ferry: $90
- Private Airport Transfer to/from Ritz-Carlton - St. Thomas: $90
Is it cheaper to fly into Rome or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas 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 dayRome $94Saint Thomas $94
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.
- Pizzas and Piazzas: A Self-Guided Walk of Rome’s Culinary Culture: $20
- Hard Rock Cafe Rome with Set Lunch or Dinner: $33
- Rome Pizza & Gelato Class with Wine by Cooking Italy: $40
- Rome Pasta & Tiramisu Making Class & Fine Wine by Cooking Italy: $40
- Rome Small Group Gnocchi and Tiramisu Cooking Class: $43
- Rome Testaccio Market Food Tour - Eat Like a Local: $45
- Rome Pizza Making Class for Families in Trastevere: $45
- Rome Early Morning Breakfast and Sightseeing Food Tour: $45
- Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class with Prosecco in Rome: $45
- Milan Street Food Tour and City Guided Sightseeing: $45
- Authentic Gnocchi Cooking Class in Rome - Piazza Navona: $46
- Pesto and Pasta Cooking Class in Rome City Center: $48
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: $119
- Afternoon Snorkel, Pizza & Sunset Tour departing from St. Thomas & St. John: $120
- Local Experience, St. John U.S. Virgin Islands Food Tour: $125
- St. John PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail with Beach Stop, Lunch & Open Bar - Westin: $129
- Flavors of St Thomas Walking Food Tour: $145
- Pizza Pi Shuttle (Official) - Jet Ski Trip St Thomas: $269
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rome $41Saint Thomas $60
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:
- " Private pantheon tour: Explore Rome's Divine masterpiece": $102
- "Rome of the Popes" E-bike Tour with Guide for Small Groups: $82
- "Villa Borghese" Rome tour with high quality electric bicycle!: $67
- 1 Day Rome Tour from Civitavecchia for Cruise Passengers: $88
- 1 Hour Pantheon Tour: A Time Travel Experience in Rome + Ebook: $109
- 1.5 Hour Rome Iconic Sights Golf Cart Tour: $28
- 10 kilometer Running Experience in Rome: $80
- 2 Hour Guided Walking Tour in Trastevere and Jewish Ghetto: $40
- 2-Hour Private Shopping Tour in Rome with Personal Stylist - Personal Shopper: $114
- 2.5 Hours Private Tour in Rome on a Vintage Fiat 500 open cabrio: $182
- 3 Hour Private Tour Wonders of Rome by Golf Car with Pick up: $113
- 3 Hours Private Photographic and Historical Tour in Rome: $114
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Nature and Sightseeing at Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden: $16
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $25
- Coral World Ocean Park General Admission Ticket: $29
- St Thomas Private Ride to Magens Bay Cruise Ship Pickup/Return: $34
- Cruise Ship Port Shuttle to St John Ferry: $34
- Rum Tasting Experience in the Old Barrel House: $35
- #1 St. Thomas Ghost Tour – Virgin Island's Original Haunted Tour: $41
- St. John Ghost Tour of Historic Cruz Bay: $45
- Cruise Ship Shuttle to Ferry going to St. John: $45
- Guided Kayak Tour from Elysian: $48
- Guided Kayak Tour from Margaritaville: $48
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI - St. Thomas, Virgin Islands- Island Scenic Tour: $49
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayRome $20Saint Thomas $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
- Rome [4in1] Pasta Making_Tiramisù_Wine Tasting_Secret Cellar: $36
- Winery Tour, Wine Tasting near Rome with Optional Lunch: $45
- Frascati Wine Tasting Experience with Food Pairing: $46
- Rome Premium Wine Tasting: 3, 4, 5 or 6 Wines with Expert Guide: $51
- Experience Rome Exclusive Wine Tasting in City Center: $55
- Vatican Wine Tasting Italian Wines e Food with a Sommelier: $56
- Small-Group Exclusive Winery and Wine Tasting Tour in Frascati: $63
- Rome Nightlife Party Tour Monti Bar Crawl and Local Drinks: $65
- Rome Night Tipsy Tour & Bar Crawl with Forbidden History: $67
- Trionfale Farmers Market and Vatican Quarter Food and Wine Tour: $79
- The greatest wine tour of Rome: $80
When comparing the travel costs between Rome 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 Rome is in Europe 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 Rome Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rome or Saint Thomas?
Rome has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Rome 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 Rome or Saint Thomas?
Rome 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 Rome or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
Both Saint Thomas and Rome during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Rome for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
In the summer, Rome is cooler than Saint Thomas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rome in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 29°C (83°F).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Rome. In the summer, Rome often gets more sunshine than Saint Thomas. Rome gets 338 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun.
Rome usually gets less rain in July than Saint Thomas. Rome gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyRome 25°C (77°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Rome or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Rome and Saint Thomas. 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. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Rome is generally much colder than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Rome average around 17°C (63°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. Rome usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during autumn. Rome gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Saint Thomas receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Rome usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Rome gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRome 17°C (63°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Rome or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Rome as well as Saint Thomas. Most visitors come to Rome for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
Rome is much colder than Saint Thomas in the winter. The daily temperature in Rome averages around 8°C (47°F) in January, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. In the winter, Rome often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Rome gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun.
Rome usually gets more rain in January than Saint Thomas. Rome gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRome 8°C (47°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Rome or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
Both Saint Thomas and Rome are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Rome because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Rome is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rome in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 27°C (80°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rome. Rome usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during spring. Rome gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Rome usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Rome gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilRome 14°C (57°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Rome
| Rome | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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) |
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.