A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint Thomas vs. Olympic National Park for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Saint Thomas or Olympic National Park?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Saint Thomas or Olympic National Park? 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 Olympic National Park?

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.

Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is in Washington State and was originally established as a national monument in 1909. The area is known for its large Sitka spice and Douglas fir trees, which can be found in the Hoh and Queets rainforest valleys on the western side of the park. The area's temperate rainforest climate creates lush thick moss and dense vegetation that gives the setting a fairytale quality.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Olympic National Park or Saint Thomas?

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 Olympic National Park is $124. 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 Olympic National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Thomas $131
    Olympic National Park $49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Thomas $262
    Olympic National Park $98
Compare Hotels in Saint Thomas and Olympic National Park

Looking for a hotel in Saint Thomas or Olympic National Park? 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.

Hotels in Saint Thomas


Hotels in Olympic National Park


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Thomas $37
    Olympic National Park $68
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Thomas

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Saint Thomas are as follows:


  • Scooter Rental
    $65
  • 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 Olympic National Park?

Prices for flights to both Olympic National Park 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Saint Thomas $54
    Olympic National Park $35

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint Thomas $60
    Olympic National Park $26

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

Tours and Activities in Olympic National Park

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Olympic National Park are as follows:

  • Olympic Audio Driving Tour: $15
  • Olympic Full Day Small Group Tour: $299

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint Thomas $27
    Olympic National Park $5.57

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 Olympic National Park, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Olympic National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint Thomas is in Caribbean Islands and Olympic National Park 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 Olympic National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Olympic National Park 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 Olympic National Park.

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 Olympic National Park Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Saint Thomas or Olympic National Park?

Olympic National Park 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 Olympic National Park in the Summer?

Both Olympic National Park 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, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Olympic National Park this time of year.

In the summer, Saint Thomas is much warmer than Olympic National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Thomas in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Olympic National Park averages at about 60°F (15°C).

In Olympic National Park, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. In the summer, Saint Thomas often gets more sunshine than Olympic National Park. Saint Thomas gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Olympic National Park receives 210 hours of full sun.

Saint Thomas usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Olympic National Park. Saint Thomas gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Olympic National Park receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F) 
    Olympic National Park 60°F (15°C)

Should I visit Saint Thomas or Olympic National Park in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Thomas and Olympic National Park. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Olympic National Park for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Saint Thomas is generally much warmer than Olympic National Park. Daily temperatures in Saint Thomas average around 28°C (82°F), and Olympic National Park fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Thomas usually receives more sunshine than Olympic National Park during autumn. Saint Thomas gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Olympic National Park receives 113 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Olympic National Park 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 Olympic National Park. Saint Thomas gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Olympic National Park receives 10.4 inches (263 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F) 
    Olympic National Park 51°F (10°C)

Should I visit Saint Thomas or Olympic National Park in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint Thomas as well as Olympic National Park. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Olympic National Park in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Olympic National Park can get quite cold in the winter. Saint Thomas is much warmer than Olympic National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Thomas averages around 26°C (78°F) in January, and Olympic National Park fluctuates around 41°F (5°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 Olympic National Park. Saint Thomas gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Olympic National Park receives 56 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Olympic National Park. Saint Thomas usually gets less rain in January than Olympic National Park. Saint Thomas gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Olympic National Park receives 13.7 inches (349 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F) 
    Olympic National Park 41°F (5°C)

Should I visit Saint Thomas or Olympic National Park in the Spring?

Both Olympic National Park 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, most visitors come to Olympic National Park for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Saint Thomas is much warmer than Olympic National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Thomas in April average around 27°C (80°F), and Olympic National Park averages at about 47°F (8°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas usually receives more sunshine than Olympic National Park during spring. Saint Thomas gets 272 hours of sunny skies, while Olympic National Park receives 148 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Olympic National Park. In April, Saint Thomas usually receives less rain than Olympic National Park. Saint Thomas gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Olympic National Park receives 7.4 inches (189 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F) 
    Olympic National Park 47°F (8°C)

Typical Weather for Olympic National Park and Saint Thomas

Saint Thomas Olympic National Park
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 41°F (5°C) 13.7 inches (349 mm)
Feb 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 43°F (6°C) 12.2 inches (311 mm)
Mar 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 44°F (7°C) 11.6 inches (294 mm)
Apr 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 47°F (8°C) 7.4 inches (189 mm)
May 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 52°F (11°C) 5.6 inches (142 mm)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 56°F (13°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 60°F (15°C) 2.8 inches (70 mm)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in) 60°F (16°C) 2.4 inches (60 mm)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in) 58°F (14°C) 5 inches (126 mm)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in) 51°F (10°C) 10.4 inches (263 mm)
Nov 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in) 45°F (7°C) 14 inches (355 mm)
Dec 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 41°F (5°C) 15 inches (380 mm)


Related Articles for Saint Thomas
Related Articles for Olympic National Park