Which place is cheaper, Napa Valley or Saint Thomas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint Thomas or Napa Valley?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Napa Valley? 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 Napa Valley?
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.
Napa Valley
Napa Valley, in the Bay Area of California, is a popular destination for its wineries and beautiful scenery. The area, referred to as Wine Country, is just north of San Francisco and makes for a great day or weekend trip. Many honeymooners visit the area for its romantic setting and popular bed and breakfasts. The best time to visit is during the months of September and October when the grapes are wipe. This time is referred to as the harvest "crush." The summer months are also a popular time but the crowds are often overwhelming.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Thomas $218Napa Valley $288
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Thomas is $218, while the average daily cost in Napa Valley is $288. 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 Napa Valley in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Thomas $131Napa Valley $126
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Thomas $262Napa Valley $252
Compare Hotels in Saint Thomas and Napa Valley
Looking for a hotel in Saint Thomas or Napa Valley? 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: Napa Valley Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Thomas $37Napa Valley $183
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 the Ritz Carlton : $180
- Private Hotel and Resorts Transfers: $173
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St. Thomas- Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton Elysian : $170
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $169
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St. Thomas Airport Transfer to Wyndham Margaritaville: $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St Thomas- Airport Transfer Sapphire / Crystal Cove : $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $160
- Private Airport Transfer in St. Thomas from Cyril E. King Airport: $135
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours -Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay/ Limetree: $110
- 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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Napa Valley
Also for Napa Valley, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport Transfer from Sonoma to SFO (One-way): $286
- Napa, CA to Sacramento Airport (SMF) - Departure Private Transfer : $110
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Thomas or Napa Valley?
Prices for flights to both Napa Valley 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 $54Napa Valley $62
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 $60Napa Valley $28
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Two-Hour Sightseeing Excursion : $58
- 1 Hour Jet Ski Tour in the Virgin Islands from Westin St. John: $159
- 1-Hour Guided Jet Ski Tour in St. Thomas from Frenchman's Reef: $179
- 2-Day Adventure Tour of St Thomas and St John: $199
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- Admission Ticket to Coral World Ocean Park & Coki Beach: $35
- Aerial Sightseeing Adventure!: $250
- Book Your Private Two and a Half Hour Island Tour today!: $150
- Charlotte Amalie Walking Tour + Contemporary Art Experience: $79
- Cocktail Sunset Cruise aboard Breakaway Charters at Sapphire: $115
- Cocktail Sunset Cruise from Sapphire Beach Resort: $115
- Coral Reef and Turtle Discovery Tour: $159
Tours and Activities in Napa Valley
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Napa Valley.
- #1 Sonoma Walking Food, Wine & History Tour (Small Groups): $179
- 3-Hour Guided Wine Country Tour in Sonoma on Electric Trike: $175
- Behind-the-Scenes Food and Wine E-Bike Tour: $179
- Full-Day Napa Valley E-Bike Tour: $225
- Half Day Bike Tour: $139
- Half Day Tour: $139
- Napa Valley River History Kayak Tour: 2 Person Tandem : $158
- Napa Valley River History Kayak Tour: Single Kayaks: $79
- Napa Valley Wineries Tour Including Picnic Lunch: $125
- Napa and Sonoma Wine and Food Experience (Napa pickup): $109
- Private Sidecar Winery Tour through Napa Valley: $165
- Small-Group Wine-Tasting Tour through Napa Valley: $130
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Thomas $27Napa Valley $66
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Napa Valley
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Napa Valley:
- Private Self-Guided Wine Tasting Tour in Sonoma: $50
- 6 Hour Wine Tour in Napa & Sonoma with Pick-Up from Napa: $109
- Napa Cable Car Wine Tasting Tour: $129
- Intro to Wine Tasting with Napa Sommelière : $195
- Healdsburg Cycling Wine Tour : $199
- Yountville Food and Wine Tour in Napa: $275
- Napa's Downtown Food & Wine Tour : $275
- Private, Customized Sonoma Valley Wine Tour: $300
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Thomas and Napa Valley, we can see that Napa Valley is more expensive. And not only is Saint Thomas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint Thomas is in Caribbean Islands and Napa Valley 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 Saint Thomas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Thomas 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 Napa Valley would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Napa Valley than you might in Saint Thomas.
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 Napa Valley Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Thomas or Napa Valley?
Napa Valley has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Saint Thomas and Napa Valley, 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 Napa Valley?
Napa Valley 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 Napa Valley in the Summer?
Both Napa Valley and Saint Thomas are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Napa Valley for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Saint Thomas is generally a little warmer than Napa Valley. Daily temperatures in Saint Thomas average around 29°C (83°F), and Napa Valley fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
It's quite sunny in Napa Valley. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas usually receives less sunshine than Napa Valley during summer. Saint Thomas gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Napa Valley receives 439 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Saint Thomas usually receives more rain than Napa Valley. Saint Thomas gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Napa Valley receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Thomas 29°C (83°F)Napa Valley 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Napa Valley in the Autumn?
Both Napa Valley and Saint Thomas during the autumn 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, the autumn months attract visitors to Napa Valley because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Saint Thomas is much warmer than Napa Valley in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Thomas averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Napa Valley fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
In Napa Valley, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. In the autumn, Saint Thomas often gets less sunshine than Napa Valley. Saint Thomas gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Napa Valley receives 300 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas usually gets more rain in October than Napa Valley. Saint Thomas gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Napa Valley receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Thomas 28°C (82°F)Napa Valley 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Napa Valley in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Thomas and Napa Valley. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Napa Valley this time of year.
In the winter, Saint Thomas is much warmer than Napa Valley. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Thomas in January average around 26°C (78°F), and Napa Valley averages at about 46°F (8°C).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Thomas usually receives more sunshine than Napa Valley during winter. Saint Thomas gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Napa Valley receives 149 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Saint Thomas usually receives less rain than Napa Valley. Saint Thomas gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Napa Valley receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Thomas 26°C (78°F)Napa Valley 46°F (8°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Napa Valley in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Saint Thomas as well as Napa Valley. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Napa Valley for the natural beauty.
In April, Saint Thomas is generally much warmer than Napa Valley. Daily temperatures in Saint Thomas average around 27°C (80°F), and Napa Valley fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Napa Valley. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In the spring, Saint Thomas often gets less sunshine than Napa Valley. Saint Thomas gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Napa Valley receives 328 hours of full sun.
Saint Thomas usually gets more rain in April than Napa Valley. Saint Thomas gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Napa Valley receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Thomas 27°C (80°F)Napa Valley 56°F (13°C)
Typical Weather for Napa Valley and Saint Thomas
| Saint Thomas | Napa Valley | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 46°F (8°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 69°F (21°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 0.1 inches (1 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.3 inches (33 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 46°F (8°C) | 2.7 inches (68 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.