Which place is cheaper, Saint John or Saint Thomas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint Thomas or Saint John?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Saint John? 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 Saint John?
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.
Saint John
With the popularity of the Caribbean rising, many islands have become touristy and expensive – but not St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
At only nine miles long and five miles wide, St. John is the smallest of the Virgin Islands, and, many argue, the prettiest. It's the kind of place that has maintained it's cultural identity, but still welcomes visitors from all over the world. With a population of just 5,000, the residents of St. John know everyone and everything happening on the island.
This island is perfect for people who want an undisturbed island getaway at any price. Between resorts and campgrounds there is a spot for everyone on St. John.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Thomas $218Saint John $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Thomas is $218, while the average daily cost in Saint John is $192. 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 Saint John in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Thomas $131Saint John $106
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Thomas $262Saint John $212
Compare Hotels in Saint Thomas and Saint John
Looking for a hotel in Saint Thomas or Saint John? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Thomas $37Saint John $49
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:
- Charlotte Amalie to Cyril E. King Airport(STT)-Departure Transfer: $49
- Cyril E. King Airport STT to Charlotte Amalie Arrival Transfer: $49
- Cyril E.King Airport (STT) to St.Thomas-Arrival Private Transfer : $109
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St. Thomas- Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton Elysian : $170
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove: $110
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St Thomas- Airport Transfer Sapphire / Crystal Cove : $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St. Thomas Airport Transfer to Wyndham Margaritaville: $160
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $169
- Private Airport Transfer in St. Thomas from Cyril E. King Airport: $135
- Private Ground Transfers: $120
- Private Hotel and Resorts Transfers: $173
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Thomas or Saint John?
Prices for flights to both Saint John 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 $54Saint John $56
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:
- St. James Snorkel & Pizza Pi Lunch: $85
- Pizza Pi Shuttle™ (Official) - St Thomas : $95
- 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
- PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail from Frenchman's Reef: $169
- 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 $60Saint John $23
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Drinks & Diamonds Shopping Experience in St. Thomas: $5.00
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $10
- 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 Suttle to Ferry going to St. John: $45
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI - St. Thomas, Virgin Islands- Island Scenic Tour: $49
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours USVI-Scenic Island Tour ,St. Thomas: $50
- St Thomas Shore Excursion: Shopping, Sightseeing and Beach Tour: $55
Tours and Activities in Saint John
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- St. John: A Private Island Adventure Tour & Trunk Bay Beach: $627
- USVI: Island & Beach Tours in St. Thomas & St. John (2 Days): $199
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Thomas $27Saint John $44
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 comparing the travel costs between Saint Thomas and Saint John, 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. Since both cities are in Caribbean Islands, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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 Saint John Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Saint Thomas or Saint John?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Saint John in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Saint Thomas as well as Saint John. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.
Saint Thomas usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Saint John. Saint Thomas gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
Saint Thomas is around the same temperature as Saint John in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Thomas averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Saint John fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Thomas 29°C (83°F)Saint John 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Saint John in the Autumn?
Both Saint John and Saint Thomas are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John. It's quite rainy in Saint Thomas. In October, Saint Thomas usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint John. Saint Thomas gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In the autumn, Saint Thomas is around the same temperature as Saint John. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Thomas in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Saint John averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Thomas 28°C (82°F)Saint John 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Saint John in the Winter?
Both Saint John and Saint Thomas during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.
Saint Thomas usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Saint John. Saint Thomas gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In January, Saint Thomas is generally around the same temperature as Saint John. Daily temperatures in Saint Thomas average around 26°C (78°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Thomas 26°C (78°F)Saint John 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Saint John in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Thomas and Saint John. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Saint Thomas usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint John. Saint Thomas gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Saint Thomas is around the same temperature as Saint John in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Thomas averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and Saint John fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Thomas 27°C (80°F)Saint John 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John and Saint Thomas
| Saint Thomas | Saint John | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
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.