Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or San Antonio?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Antonio or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for San Antonio and Saint Thomas. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: San Antonio or Saint Thomas?
San Antonio
The third largest city in Texas, San Antonio, has grown in recent years as a popular travel destination. It's a beautiful city that is strategically situated at the edge of Texas's Hill Country near the South Texas Plains and Prairie Lakes areas. The city holds on to its small town feel despite having a population of about 1.4 million and 2.3 million in the greater metropolitan area. The city holds tight to its Spanish and Mexican heritage, making it a fascinating cultural destination. The Hispanic population has much influence in the city and this makes it a fun and unique city to visit, particularly during Fiesta week, which is an annual celebration with parades, music and food.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Antonio $132Saint Thomas $218
The average daily cost (per person) in San Antonio is $132, while the average daily cost in Saint Thomas is $218. 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 San Antonio and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Antonio $69Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Antonio $138Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in San Antonio and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in San Antonio or Saint Thomas? 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: San Antonio Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Antonio $20Saint Thomas $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in San Antonio
Some typical examples of transportation costs in San Antonio are as follows:
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Rental Car for a Day$60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Antonio
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Antonio:
- Galveston: One-Way Transfer GLS Airport to City: $237
- Private Transfer: San Antonio Airport to San Antonio by Sedan, SUV or Minibus : $97
- Private Round Trip Transfer - San Antonio International Airport (SAT): $93
- Private One-way San Antonio Airport Transfer To/From San Antonio: $67
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
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer Bluebeard’s / Yacht Haven: $110
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $169
- Private Airport Transfer in St. Thomas from Cyril E. King Airport: $135
- Private Hotel and Resorts Transfers: $173
Is it cheaper to fly into San Antonio or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and San Antonio 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 daySan Antonio $40Saint Thomas $54
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Antonio
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Antonio.
- The Haunted Dinner Tour: $75
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.San Antonio $36Saint Thomas $60
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Antonio
Here are a few typical costs in San Antonio for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Spa Treatments$200
Tours and Activities in San Antonio
Here are a few actual costs in San Antonio for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3 Hours Private Historic Sightseeing Tour in San Antonio : $95
- Best of San Antonio Small Group Tour with Boat + Tower + Alamo: $169
- Cave Without a Name Admission Ticket with Guided Cavern Tour: $25
- Downtown San Antonio Helicopter Tour: $197
- Half-Day Afternoon City Tour of Historic San Antonio : $65
- Historic Downtown & Riverwalk Walking Tour: $39
- Historic Missions Bike Tour - 2 Mission Southern Route: $65
- Historic Missions Bike Tour - 2 Missions Northern Route: $65
- Historic Spanish Missions Bike Tour - 3 Missions Tour: $85
- Hopscotch Immersive Art Experience: $24
- LEGOLAND Discovery Center San Antonio Admission Ticket: $27
- PRIVATE Missions and More - Half-day City Tour: $149
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Antonio -Saint Thomas $27
Sample the Local Flavors in San Antonio
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Antonio:
- Epic San Antonio Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12
- Death Warmed Over: San Antonio Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Guided Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Texas’ Oldest Haunted Pub Crawl Shared Walking Tour: $30
- Taste of Fredericksburg Small-Group Wine Tour from San Antonio: $155
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 San Antonio and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is San Antonio much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Antonio is in North America and Saint Thomas is in Caribbean Islands, 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 San Antonio would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Antonio 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 San Antonio.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Antonio Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Antonio or Saint Thomas?
San Antonio has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of San Antonio and Saint Thomas, 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 San Antonio or Saint Thomas?
San Antonio 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 San Antonio or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
Both Saint Thomas and San Antonio during the summer are popular places to visit. The music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Antonio this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
San Antonio is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas in the summer. The daily temperature in San Antonio averages around 87°F (31°C) in July, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Antonio. In the summer, San Antonio often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas. San Antonio gets 307 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun.
San Antonio usually gets less rain in July than Saint Thomas. San Antonio gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Antonio 87°F (31°C)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit San Antonio or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both San Antonio and Saint Thomas. Many travelers come to San Antonio for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, San Antonio is cooler than Saint Thomas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Antonio in October average around 73°F (23°C), and Saint Thomas averages at about 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In San Antonio, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Antonio usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during autumn. San Antonio gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Saint Thomas receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, San Antonio usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. San Antonio gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Antonio 73°F (23°C)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit San Antonio or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to San Antonio as well as Saint Thomas. Many visitors come to San Antonio in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
In January, San Antonio is generally much colder than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in San Antonio average around 54°F (12°C), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. In the winter, San Antonio often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. San Antonio gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun.
San Antonio usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Saint Thomas. San Antonio gets 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Antonio 54°F (12°C)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit San Antonio or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
Both Saint Thomas and San Antonio are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to San Antonio for the natural beauty during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
San Antonio is cooler than Saint Thomas in the spring. The daily temperature in San Antonio averages around 74°F (23°C) in April, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Antonio. San Antonio usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during spring. San Antonio gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, San Antonio usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. San Antonio gets 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Antonio 74°F (23°C)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and San Antonio
| San Antonio | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 54°F (12°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 57°F (14°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 65°F (18°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 74°F (23°C) | 2.4 inches (60 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 79°F (26°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 84°F (29°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 87°F (31°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 87°F (31°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 82°F (28°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 73°F (23°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 64°F (18°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 56°F (13°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) | 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.