Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Saaremaa?
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 Saaremaa or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saaremaa or Saint Thomas, 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 Thomas?
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 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 2-Week Tours from Tallinn, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Estonia.
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Saaremaa Prices
Estonia PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaaremaa $150Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Saaremaa is $150, 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 Saaremaa and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaaremaa $42Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaaremaa $84Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Saaremaa and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Saaremaa 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saaremaa $56Saint Thomas $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saaremaa
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Saaremaa:
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Rental Car and Gas for a Day$40
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:
- Cyril E. King Airport STT to Charlotte Amalie RoundTrip Transfer: $204
- Prince Taxi & Tours St.Thomas Airport transfer to Redhook Ferry: $200
- Prince Taxi USVI ST.Thomas Airport transfer to Westin : $180
- Prince Taxi USVI-ST.Thomas Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton : $180
- ST.Thomas Private Airport One-Way Transfers: $180
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $179
- Private Arrival Transfer from Cyril E King Airport to Redhook Bay: $175
- Prince Taxi ST.Thomas Airport transfer to Yacht Haven/Bluebeards: $175
- Private Hotel and Resorts Transfers: $173
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St. Thomas- Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton Elysian : $170
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St Thomas- Airport Transfer Sapphire / Crystal Cove : $160
Is it cheaper to fly into Saaremaa or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas 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
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Food Meals for one daySaaremaa $74Saint Thomas $94
Typical Food Prices in Saaremaa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Saaremaa:
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Salmon$1.50
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
- Pizza Pi Shuttle (Official) - Jet Ski Trip St Thomas: $148
- St. John PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail with Beach Stop, Lunch & Open Bar - Westin: $149
- Christmas Cove and Pizza Pi Happy Hour Sail Tour: $185
- Turtles, Pizza Pi & Sunset trip: $295
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saaremaa $24Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Island Icons & Treasures Tour - St. Thomas USVI : $199
- Magens Bay Trail Hiking Tour: $60
- Two-Hour Sightseeing Excursion : $58
- Vi Top Taxi &Tours USVI-Coki Beach Snorkeling Tour : $68
- 1 Hour Jet Ski Tour in the Virgin Islands from Westin St. John: $169
- 1-Hour Guided Jet Ski Tour in St. Thomas from Frenchman's Reef: $159
- 1.5 Hour Private Mini Jeep Tour on St. Thomas: $220
- 3 Hour Kayak and Snorkel Tour: $139
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- Best of Mangrove Lagoon Kayak, Hike and Snorkel Adventure with Picnic Lunch: $159
- Book Your Private Two and a Half Hour Island Tour today!: $150
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaaremaa $13Saint Thomas $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saaremaa and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas 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 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 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 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 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 Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Saint Thomas?
Saint Thomas has a larger population, and is about 34% larger than the population of Saaremaa. When comparing the sizes of Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa or Saint Thomas?
Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
Both Saint Thomas and Saaremaa are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Saaremaa in the summer for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Saaremaa is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saaremaa in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 29°C (83°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saaremaa. Saaremaa usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas during summer. Saaremaa gets 302 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Saaremaa usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaaremaa 17°C (62°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Saaremaa or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
Both Saint Thomas and Saaremaa during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Saaremaa for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
In October, Saaremaa is generally much colder than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around 8°C (47°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Saaremaa often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Saaremaa gets 101 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun.
Saint Thomas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saaremaa usually gets less rain in October than Saint Thomas. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaaremaa 8°C (47°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Saaremaa or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saaremaa and Saint Thomas. The winter months attract visitors to Saaremaa because of the cuisine. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
The weather in Saaremaa can be very cold. Saaremaa is much colder than Saint Thomas in the winter. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around -3°C (27°F) in January, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. Saaremaa usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during winter. Saaremaa gets 33 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Saaremaa usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint Thomas. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaaremaa -3°C (27°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Saaremaa or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Saaremaa as well as Saint Thomas. The beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Saaremaa this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
It's quite cold in Saaremaa in the spring. In the spring, Saaremaa is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saaremaa in April average around 4°C (38°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 27°C (80°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. In the spring, Saaremaa often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Saaremaa gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun.
Saaremaa usually gets less rain in April than Saint Thomas. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaaremaa 4°C (38°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Saaremaa
| Saaremaa | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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) |
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.