Which place is cheaper, Mystic or Saint Thomas?
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 Saint Thomas or Mystic?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Mystic? 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 Mystic?
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.
Mystic
Mystic is a popular tourist destination in Connecticut for its many marinas, historic buildings, aquarium, and seaport. It was historically a shipbuilding and maritime town but today it attracts crowds from many nearby states and regions. Sailing trips are a fun activity that get visitors out on the water. The town is also near Foxwoods Casino.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.
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Saint Thomas Prices
USVI PricesMystic Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Thomas $258Mystic $248
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Thomas is $258, while the average daily cost in Mystic is $248. 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 Mystic in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Thomas $131Mystic $125
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Thomas $262Mystic $250
Compare Hotels in Saint Thomas and Mystic
Looking for a hotel in Saint Thomas or Mystic? 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: Mystic Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Thomas $37Mystic $56
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:
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours -Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay/ Limetree: $110
- VI Top Taxi and Tours - St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $90
- Transfer from Cyril E. King Airport(STT) to Charlotte Amalie Port: $83
- St.Thomas to St.Thomas Airport (STT) - Departure Private Transfer: $115
- St.Thomas island to Cyril E. King Airport(STT)-Departure Transfer: $135
- St. Thomas USVI Airport Transfer to the Redhook Ferry: $144
- St. Thomas USVI Airport Transfer to The Ritz Carlton Resort: $144
- ST.Thomas Private Airport One-Way Transfers: $180
- Private Hotel and Resorts Transfers: $173
- Private Ground Transfers: $120
- Private Arrival Transfer from Cyril E King Airport to Redhook Bay: $175
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $179
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Thomas or Mystic?
Prices for flights to both Mystic 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 $94Mystic $90
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.Saint Thomas $60Mystic $24
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
Tours and Activities in Mystic
For Mystic, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Downtown Mystic Ghost Tour: $30
- Mystic Moonlit Graveyard Ghost Tour: $30
- Mystic Seaport Museum Adventure : $32
- Mystic's Ghosts GPS Self Guided Audio Walking Tour w/EMF Reader: $7.80
- Ghosts of Christmas Past Downtown Walking Tour: $30
- Guided Ghost Tour of Downtown Mystic at Night: $35
- Guided Graveyard Ghost Tour by Moonlight: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Thomas $27Mystic $31
Sample the Local Flavors in Mystic
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Mystic:
- Paranormal Pub Crawl: Beer Tour: $75
- Paranormal Pub Crawl: Beer Tour: $75
- Spirits of Cocktail Pub Crawl: $100
- Spirits of Cocktail Pub Crawl: $100
When comparing the travel costs between Saint Thomas and Mystic, 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 Saint Thomas is in Caribbean Islands and Mystic 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 Mystic Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Thomas or Mystic?
Saint Thomas has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Mystic. When comparing the sizes of Saint Thomas and Mystic, 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 Mystic?
Mystic 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 Mystic in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Thomas and Mystic. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Mystic because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
Saint Thomas is a little warmer than Mystic in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Thomas averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Mystic fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mystic this time of the year. In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Thomas usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mystic during summer. Saint Thomas gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Saint Thomas usually receives less rain than Mystic. Saint Thomas gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Mystic receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Thomas 29°C (83°F)Mystic 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Mystic in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Thomas as well as Mystic. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Mystic this time of year.
In the autumn, Saint Thomas is much warmer than Mystic. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Thomas in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Mystic averages at about 53°F (12°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mystic. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In the autumn, Saint Thomas often gets more sunshine than Mystic. Saint Thomas gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mystic receives 211 hours of full sun.
Saint Thomas receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Saint Thomas usually gets more rain in October than Mystic. Saint Thomas gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Thomas 28°C (82°F)Mystic 53°F (12°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Mystic in the Winter?
Both Mystic and Saint Thomas are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Mystic for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Mystic. In January, Saint Thomas is generally much warmer than Mystic. Daily temperatures in Saint Thomas average around 26°C (78°F), and Mystic fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas usually receives more sunshine than Mystic during winter. Saint Thomas gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Mystic receives 170 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Saint Thomas usually receives less rain than Mystic. Saint Thomas gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Thomas 26°C (78°F)Mystic 28°F (-2°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Mystic in the Spring?
Both Mystic and Saint Thomas during the spring 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 Mystic in the spring for the beaches.
Saint Thomas is much warmer than Mystic in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Thomas averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and Mystic fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).
In Mystic, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. In the spring, Saint Thomas often gets more sunshine than Mystic. Saint Thomas gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mystic receives 225 hours of full sun.
Saint Thomas usually gets less rain in April than Mystic. Saint Thomas gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Mystic receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Thomas 27°C (80°F)Mystic 48°F (9°C)
Typical Weather for Mystic and Saint Thomas
| Saint Thomas | Mystic | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 28°F (-2°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 38°F (3°C) | 4 inches (101 mm) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 48°F (9°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 67°F (20°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 33°F (0°C) | 4.1 inches (105 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.