Which place is cheaper, Ketchikan or Saint Thomas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Ketchikan? 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.
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.
Ketchikan, Alaska is located at the southern end of the well-known Alaskan inside passage. It is often called the beginning of the last frontier, because of it's location near the southern entrance of Alaska. It is a beautiful and quaint town, that leaves you feeling like you may have gone back in time with its storefront lined streets and natural beauty. Ketchikan has been called some of the most beautifully stunning wilderness area in the world. It is known as the Salmon Capital of the World due to the superior century old fishing industry in the area. The Native Culture in Ketchikan is extremely rich and it is home to the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian tribes. The nearby Tongass rainforest provides red cedar trees for the popular totem poles, which are abundant in the area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Thomas is $218, while the average daily cost in Ketchikan is $220. 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 Ketchikan in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Saint Thomas or Ketchikan? 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.
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Saint Thomas are as follows:
Also for Saint Thomas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ketchikan are as follows:
Prices for flights to both Ketchikan 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.
For Saint Thomas, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Some typical examples of dining costs in Ketchikan are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Ketchikan are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ketchikan are as follows:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Thomas:
When comparing the travel costs between Saint Thomas and Ketchikan, we can see that Ketchikan 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 Saint Thomas is in Caribbean Islands and Ketchikan is in North America, 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 Saint Thomas Expensive? and Is Ketchikan Expensive?.
Saint Thomas has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Ketchikan. When comparing the sizes of Saint Thomas and Ketchikan, 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.
Ketchikan has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint Thomas experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Both Ketchikan 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. Also, many travelers come to Ketchikan for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
Saint Thomas is much warmer than Ketchikan in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Thomas averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Ketchikan fluctuates around 58°F (15°C).
Ketchikan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saint Thomas usually gets less rain in July than Ketchikan. Saint Thomas gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 7.6 inches (193 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Thomas and Ketchikan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round. Also, many visitors come to Ketchikan in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Saint Thomas is much warmer than Ketchikan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Thomas in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Ketchikan averages at about 46°F (8°C).
Ketchikan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Saint Thomas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Saint Thomas usually receives less rain than Ketchikan. Saint Thomas gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 22.9 inches (581 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Saint Thomas as well as Ketchikan. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Ketchikan for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Ketchikan can be very cold during winter. In January, Saint Thomas is generally much warmer than Ketchikan. Daily temperatures in Saint Thomas average around 26°C (78°F), and Ketchikan fluctuates around 34°F (1°C).
It's quite rainy in Ketchikan. Saint Thomas usually gets less rain in January than Ketchikan. Saint Thomas gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 14.9 inches (379 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Ketchikan 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 spring months attract visitors to Ketchikan because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.
Saint Thomas is much warmer than Ketchikan in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Thomas averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and Ketchikan fluctuates around 44°F (6°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Ketchikan. In April, Saint Thomas usually receives less rain than Ketchikan. Saint Thomas gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 11.3 inches (286 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
Saint Thomas | Ketchikan | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 34°F (1°C) | 14.9 inches (379 mm) |
Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 38°F (3°C) | 13.2 inches (335 mm) |
Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 39°F (4°C) | 10.6 inches (270 mm) |
Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 44°F (6°C) | 11.3 inches (286 mm) |
May | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 49°F (9°C) | 9.3 inches (237 mm) |
Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 8.2 inches (209 mm) |
Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 7.6 inches (193 mm) |
Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 11.1 inches (281 mm) |
Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 13.2 inches (335 mm) |
Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 46°F (8°C) | 22.9 inches (581 mm) |
Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) | 40°F (4°C) | 17.3 inches (441 mm) |
Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 36°F (2°C) | 15.7 inches (398 mm) |