Which place is cheaper, Columbia River Gorge or Saint Thomas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint Thomas or Columbia River Gorge?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Columbia River Gorge? 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: Saint Thomas or Columbia River Gorge?
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.
Columbia River Gorge
Columbia River Gorge is a popular destination in the Cascade Mountains in the Pacific Northwest. The region's close proximity to Portland, which is just 30 minutes away, makes it a popular weekend destination.
The gorge is formed by the Columbia River, with an 80 mile stretch designated as a National Scenic Area. The area has many beautiful cliffs with a number of tall waterfalls and its protected status means that most new development must occur within one of the already established towns.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Thomas $218Columbia River Gorge $179
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Thomas is $218, while the average daily cost in Columbia River Gorge is $179. 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 Saint Thomas and Columbia River Gorge in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Thomas $131Columbia River Gorge $89
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Thomas $262Columbia River Gorge $178
Compare Hotels in Saint Thomas and Columbia River Gorge
Looking for a hotel in Saint Thomas or Columbia River Gorge? 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.Saint Thomas $37Columbia River Gorge $78
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:
- Private Transfer from Charlotte Amalie Port to Charlotte Amalie: $28
- Cyril E. King Airport STT to Charlotte Amalie Arrival Transfer: $49
- Charlotte Amalie to Cyril E. King Airport(STT)-Departure Transfer: $49
- St Thomas to St Thomas Airport Private Departure Transfer: $109
- St Thomas Airport to St Thomas Arrival Private Transfer: $109
- Cyril E.King Airport (STT) to St.Thomas-Arrival Private Transfer : $109
- St.Thomas island to Cyril E. King Airport(STT)-Departure Transfer: $109
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove: $110
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer Bluebeard’s / Yacht Haven: $110
- Vi Top Taxi -St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove : $110
- Vi Top Taxi &Tours -Airport Transfer Bluebeard's/Yacht Haven : $110
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours -Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay/ Limetree: $110
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Thomas or Columbia River Gorge?
Prices for flights to both Columbia River Gorge and Saint Thomas 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 daySaint Thomas $54Columbia River Gorge $46
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: $109
- Afternoon Snorkel, Pizza & Sunset Tour departing from St. Thomas & St. John: $110
- Flavors of St Thomas Walking Food Tour : $111
- St. John Dinner Sail to Lovango with Open Bar and Hors d'Oeuvres - Westin: $119
- Cruz Bay - PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail: $159
- St. Thomas Dinner Sail to Lovango w/ Open Bar and Hors D'oeuvres - Ritz-Carlton: $159
- PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail from Frenchman's Reef: $169
- Waterfront Harbor Dinner Sail from Frenchman's Reef: $209
- St Thomas Legends Luxury Dinner Sail from the Ritz Carlton: $209
- Swim w/Turtles at St. John, Pizza Pi & Snorkel a shipwreck. : $250
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Thomas $60Columbia River Gorge $20
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Unforgettable Charlotte Amalie: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Nature and Sightseeing Tour at Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden: $16
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in the US Virgin Islands: $27
- Coral World Ocean Park General Admission Ticket: $29
- Admission Ticket to Coral World Ocean Park & Coki Beach: $35
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- Cruise Ship Port Shuttle to St John Ferry : $44
- Cruise Ship Suttle to Ferry going to St. John: $45
- Sunset Kayak Tour in the Mangrove Lagoon, St Thomas: $49
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI - St. Thomas, Virgin Islands- Island Scenic Tour: $49
- Saint Thomas Half-Day Shopping and Sightseeing Tour: $55
- Two-Hour Sightseeing Excursion : $58
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Thomas $27Columbia River Gorge $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Thomas
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Thomas:
- Wine Tasting with Fine Art Downtown Experience: $60
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Thomas and Columbia River Gorge, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Columbia River Gorge much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint Thomas is in Caribbean Islands and Columbia River Gorge is in North America, 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 Columbia River Gorge would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint Thomas Expensive? and Is Columbia River Gorge Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Thomas or Columbia River Gorge?
Saint Thomas has a larger population, and is about 74% larger than the population of Columbia River Gorge. When comparing the sizes of Saint Thomas and Columbia River Gorge, 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 Saint Thomas or Columbia River Gorge?
Columbia River Gorge 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 Saint Thomas or Columbia River Gorge in the Summer?
Both Columbia River Gorge and Saint Thomas during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Columbia River Gorge in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
Saint Thomas is a little warmer than Columbia River Gorge in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Thomas averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
In Columbia River Gorge, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. In the summer, Saint Thomas often gets less sunshine than Columbia River Gorge. Saint Thomas gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 338 hours of full sun.
Saint Thomas usually gets more rain in July than Columbia River Gorge. Saint Thomas gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Thomas 29°C (83°F)Columbia River Gorge 68°F (20°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Columbia River Gorge in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Thomas and Columbia River Gorge. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Columbia River Gorge for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Saint Thomas is much warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Thomas in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Columbia River Gorge averages at about 55°F (13°C).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Thomas usually receives more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge during autumn. Saint Thomas gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Saint Thomas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Saint Thomas usually receives more rain than Columbia River Gorge. Saint Thomas gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Thomas 28°C (82°F)Columbia River Gorge 55°F (13°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Columbia River Gorge in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Saint Thomas as well as Columbia River Gorge. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Columbia River Gorge because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Columbia River Gorge can be very cold. In January, Saint Thomas is generally much warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Daily temperatures in Saint Thomas average around 26°C (78°F), and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In the winter, Saint Thomas often gets more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge. Saint Thomas gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 86 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Columbia River Gorge. Saint Thomas usually gets less rain in January than Columbia River Gorge. Saint Thomas gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Thomas 26°C (78°F)Columbia River Gorge 40°F (4°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Columbia River Gorge in the Spring?
Both Columbia River Gorge and Saint Thomas are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Columbia River Gorge this time of year.
Saint Thomas is much warmer than Columbia River Gorge in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Thomas averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
It's quite sunny in Columbia River Gorge. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas usually receives more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge during spring. Saint Thomas gets 272 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 231 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Saint Thomas usually receives more rain than Columbia River Gorge. Saint Thomas gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Thomas 27°C (80°F)Columbia River Gorge 51°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Columbia River Gorge and Saint Thomas
| Saint Thomas | Columbia River Gorge | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 40°F (4°C) | 5.2 inches (132 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 47°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 69°F (20°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.7 inches (44 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) | 46°F (8°C) | 5.4 inches (136 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 40°F (5°C) | 6.1 inches (156 mm) |
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.