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

Should you visit Saaremaa or Saint Croix?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saaremaa or Saint Croix, 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: Saaremaa or Saint Croix?

Saaremaa

Saaremaa is the largest island in Estonia and it has a unique and rural atmosphere that makes it an interesting place to visit. Saaremaa has remained rural and frozen in time due to its isolated location, particularly during Soviet occupation when it was used as a military base. The island still has working windmills, hand placed stone walls, and old stone churches that feel like you've stepped back in time.

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 2-Week Tours from Tallinn, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Estonia.


Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix or Saaremaa?

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

  • Saaremaa Prices
    Estonia Prices
    Saint Croix Prices
    USVI Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Saaremaa $150
    Saint Croix $277

The average daily cost (per person) in Saaremaa is $150, 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 Saaremaa and Saint Croix in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saaremaa $42
    Saint Croix $149
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saaremaa $84
    Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in Saaremaa and Saint Croix

Looking for a hotel in Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa


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: Saint Croix Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saaremaa $56
    Saint Croix $35
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saaremaa

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


  • Rental Car and Gas for a Day
    $40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Croix

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint Croix:

  • Private Transfer from St. Croix Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St. Croix : $180
  • Private Transfer from St.Croix hotels to St. Croix Cruise Port : $175
  • Private Transfer from St.Croix Cruise Port to St.Croix hotels: $175
  • Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Round-Trip Transfer: $167
  • St. Croix to St. Croix Airport (STX) - Departure Private Transfer: $91
  • St.Croix Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Arrival Private Transfer: $91
  • Private Transfer from St. Croix Airport to St. Croix Cruise Port : $87
  • Private Transfer from St. Croix Port to St. Croix Airport (STX): $87
  • St. Croix to Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) - Departure Transfer: $84

Is it cheaper to fly into Saaremaa or Saint Croix?

Prices for flights to both Saint Croix and Saaremaa 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
    Saaremaa $74
    Saint Croix $97
Typical Food Prices in Saaremaa

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Saaremaa:


  • Salmon
    $1.50

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Croix

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

  • A Evening Cultural Experience Through Food Cooking Class St. Croix: $90
  • A Morning Cultural Experience Through Food Cooking Class St. Croix: $90
  • C'sted Sip & Savor Mixology Class with VI Food Tours: $131
  • Taste of Twin City Food Tour with VI Food Tours: $145

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saaremaa $24
    Saint Croix $58

Tours and Activities in Saint Croix

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

  • Christiansted's Artisan Shopping Tour: $33
  • Frederiksted Moke Tour: $75
  • Guided Kayak Tour of Salt River Bay Ecology and History: $115
  • Horseback Riding Experience: $160
  • Parasail Experience in St Croix: $132
  • Private Sailing Tour of Pirate Waters and Shipwrecks: $175
  • St Croix Island Tour: $118
  • St. Croix Ghost Tour of Historic Christiansted: $45
  • The Frederiksted St. Croix Sea Turtles Snorkeling Tour: $89

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saaremaa $13
    Saint Croix $27

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 Saaremaa and Saint Croix, we can see that Saint Croix is more expensive. And not only is Saaremaa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa.

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



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

Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa or Saint Croix in the Summer?

Both Saint Croix and Saaremaa during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Saaremaa in the summer for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round.

In July, Saaremaa is generally much colder than Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 17°C (62°F), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

Saaremaa usually gets less rain in July than Saint Croix. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saaremaa 17°C (62°F) 
    Saint Croix 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Saaremaa or Saint Croix in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saaremaa and Saint Croix. Most visitors come to Saaremaa for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Saaremaa is much colder than Saint Croix in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around 8°C (47°F) in October, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Saint Croix receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Saint Croix. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saaremaa 8°C (47°F) 
    Saint Croix 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Saaremaa or Saint Croix in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saaremaa as well as Saint Croix. The winter months attract visitors to Saaremaa because of the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year.

The weather in Saaremaa can be very cold. In the winter, Saaremaa is much colder than Saint Croix. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saaremaa in January average around -3°C (27°F), and Saint Croix averages at about 26°C (78°F).

Saaremaa usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Saint Croix. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saaremaa -3°C (27°F) 
    Saint Croix 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Saaremaa or Saint Croix in the Spring?

Both Saint Croix and Saaremaa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Saaremaa this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It's quite cold in Saaremaa in the spring. In April, Saaremaa is generally much colder than Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 4°C (38°F), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

In April, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Saint Croix. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saaremaa 4°C (38°F) 
    Saint Croix 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Saint Croix and Saaremaa

Saaremaa Saint Croix
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -3°C (27°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Feb -3°C (26°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar -1°C (30°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 4°C (38°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
May 9°C (48°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 14°C (57°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 51 mm (2 in) 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 17°C (62°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 13°C (55°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Oct 8°C (47°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Nov 4°C (39°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in)
Dec 0°C (32°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)