Which place is cheaper, Newport or Saint Thomas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint Thomas or Newport?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Newport? 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 Newport?
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.
Newport
Established in colonial times as one of the most important ports of Rhode Island, Newport has since transformed into a historic seaside city and resort town for many summer visitors. It has one of the highest concentrations of colonial homes in the nation in the downtown Newport Historic District, and is perhaps most known for the famous Newport Mansions. The area is also home to Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War College, the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, and a major United States Navy training center. With its rich history, culture, and prime location overlooking the ocean, Newport has been host to many seaside events like the America's Cup sailing regatta as well as the Newport Folk Festival.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Thomas $218Newport $159
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Thomas is $218, while the average daily cost in Newport is $159. 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 Newport in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Thomas $131Newport $92
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Thomas $262Newport $184
Compare Hotels in Saint Thomas and Newport
Looking for a hotel in Saint Thomas or Newport? 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: Newport Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Thomas $37Newport $36
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 -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 the Ritz Carlton : $180
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours -Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay/ Limetree: $110
- St.Thomas island to Cyril E. King Airport(STT)-Departure Transfer: $109
- St Thomas to St Thomas Airport Private Departure Transfer: $109
- St Thomas Airport to St Thomas Arrival Private Transfer: $109
- Private Transfer from Charlotte Amalie Port to Charlotte Amalie: $28
- Private Hotel and Resorts Transfers: $173
- Private Airport Transfer in St. Thomas from Cyril E. King Airport: $135
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $169
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer Bluebeard’s / Yacht Haven: $110
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Newport
Also for Newport, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Newport Port to Boston Logan Airport (BOS) : $88
- Private Transfer from Newport Cruise Port to Boston city hotels: $88
- Private Transfer from Newport Port to Providence city Hotels: $61
- Private Transfer from Newport Port to Providence Airport (PVD): $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Thomas or Newport?
Prices for flights to both Newport 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 $54Newport $45
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Newport
For Newport, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Newport Neighborhood Food Tour: $89
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Thomas $60Newport $17
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 Newport
For Newport, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Newport Ghosts: Seaside Hauntings and Hags Tour: $27
- Afternoon Grand Tour | Gansett Cruises in Newport, RI: $38
- Discover Newport's Grandeur: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Downtown Westerly Ghost Tour: $30
- Evening Voyage with Gansett Cruises in Newport, RI: $45
- Historic Highlights with the Gilded Age Private Van Tour: $225
- Lighthouse and Mimosa Cruise of Narragansett Bay from Newport: $42
- Morning Mimosa Cruise with Gansett Cruises in Newport, RI: $38
- Morning Mimosa Sightseeing Sail on Schooner Madeleine in Newport: $45
- Newport Afternoon Sightseeing Sail on Classic Sailboat: $45
- Newport Beach Private Tour & Whale Watching Cruise: $395
- Newport Cliff Walk & Ocean Drive Self-Guided Tours Bundle: $14
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Thomas $27Newport $14
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 Newport, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Newport much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint Thomas is in Caribbean Islands and Newport 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 Newport would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Newport 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 Newport.
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 Newport Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Thomas or Newport?
Newport has a larger population, and is about 29% larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Saint Thomas and Newport, 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 Newport?
Newport 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 Newport in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Thomas and Newport. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Newport for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Saint Thomas is generally a little warmer than Newport. Daily temperatures in Saint Thomas average around 29°C (83°F), and Newport fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Newport 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 Newport during summer. Saint Thomas gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Newport receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Saint Thomas usually receives less rain than Newport. Saint Thomas gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Newport 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)Newport 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Newport in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Thomas as well as Newport. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Newport in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
Saint Thomas is much warmer than Newport in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Thomas averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Newport fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Newport. 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 Newport. Saint Thomas gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Newport 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 Newport. Saint Thomas gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Newport 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)Newport 53°F (12°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Newport in the Winter?
Both Newport 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, most visitors come to Newport for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Newport can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Saint Thomas is much warmer than Newport. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Thomas in January average around 26°C (78°F), and Newport averages at about 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 Newport during winter. Saint Thomas gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Newport receives 170 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Saint Thomas usually receives less rain than Newport. Saint Thomas gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Newport 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)Newport 28°F (-2°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Newport in the Spring?
Both Newport 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. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Newport because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.
In April, Saint Thomas is generally much warmer than Newport. Daily temperatures in Saint Thomas average around 27°C (80°F), and Newport fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).
In Newport, 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 Newport. Saint Thomas gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Newport receives 225 hours of full sun.
Saint Thomas usually gets less rain in April than Newport. Saint Thomas gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Newport 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)Newport 48°F (9°C)
Typical Weather for Newport and Saint Thomas
| Saint Thomas | Newport | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.