Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Setubal?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Setubal or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Setubal and Saint Thomas can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Setubal or Saint Thomas?
Setubal
Setubal is a busy working port and major commercial fishing center. Setubal is a city that has always had a close connection to the seas, and this is celebrated along the newly rejuvenated waterfront, which encompasses the colorful fishing harbor, the popular urban park and the Troia Peninsula ferry terminal. Within the charming historic center is a maze of narrow alleys, hidden plazas, and family-owned shops, along with Portugal's largest fish market. Setubal is primarily an industrial city, but is situated in a region of immense beauty; to the east is the stunning Serra da Arrabida, to the north is historic Palmela, while to the south are the paradise beaches of the Troia Peninsula. Setubal may not be a conventional holiday destination, but there is a surprising amount to see and do within the city and the surrounding region.
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 2-Week Tours in Portugal, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal.
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Setubal Prices
Portugal PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySetubal $175Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Setubal is $175, while the average daily cost in Saint Thomas is $258. 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 Setubal and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSetubal $69Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSetubal $138Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Setubal and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Setubal 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: Setubal Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Setubal $64Saint Thomas $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Setubal
Also for Setubal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfers (Lisbon - Évora) / (Évora - Lisbon): $286
- Transfer Sesimbra to Lisbon Airport: $102
- Setúbal: Ilha Deserta Boat Transfer with Free Time: $29
- Boat Transfer to Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach with Return: $24
- Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach Taxi Boat Transfer Round Trip: $24
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:
- Cyril E. King Airport STT to Charlotte Amalie RoundTrip Transfer: $204
- Prince Taxi & Tours St.Thomas Airport transfer to Redhook Ferry: $200
- Prince Taxi USVI ST.Thomas Airport transfer to Westin : $180
- Prince Taxi USVI-ST.Thomas Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton : $180
- ST.Thomas Private Airport One-Way Transfers: $180
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $179
- Private Arrival Transfer from Cyril E King Airport to Redhook Bay: $175
- Prince Taxi ST.Thomas Airport transfer to Yacht Haven/Bluebeards: $175
- Private Hotel and Resorts Transfers: $173
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St. Thomas- Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton Elysian : $170
- 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
Is it cheaper to fly into Setubal or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Setubal 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 daySetubal $70Saint Thomas $94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Setubal
For Setubal, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Lisbon Guided Tour with Live Fado Show and Traditional Dinner : $225
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:
- Flavors: Cultural Cooking Class, St Thomas, USVI, USA : $81
- St. John Sail with Bar and Hors d'Oeuvres to Lovango Dinner: $119
- Sunset & Harbor Lights Dinner Sail from the Marriott's Frenchman's Cove: $119
- Afternoon Snorkel, Pizza & Sunset Tour departing from St. Thomas & St. John: $120
- Local Experience, St. John U.S. Virgin Islands Food Tour: $125
- Pizza Pi Shuttle (Official) - Jet Ski Trip St Thomas: $148
- St. John PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail with Beach Stop, Lunch & Open Bar - Westin: $149
- Christmas Cove and Pizza Pi Happy Hour Sail Tour: $185
- Turtles, Pizza Pi & Sunset trip: $295
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Setubal $15Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Setubal
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Setubal.
- Horse Carriage Tour on the Mountain in Palmela: $183
- Secrets of Setúbal: Exploration Game and Tour: $7.17
- Évora Catholic History Tour: $101
- Évora Jewish History Tour: $101
- Évora Private Walking Tour, By Local Guide: $56
- Évora or Montemor-o-Novo: Guided Tour to Escoural Caves: $30
- 4x4 Tour to the Wonders of Cabo Espichel : $60
- 4x4 and Boat Tour in Arrabida Natural Park: $108
- Arrábida - Sesimbra: Nature Jeep Tour: $65
- Arrábida Kayak Tour with Secret Beaches & Beach Picnic: $186
- Arrabida Adventure Circuit: $72
- Boat Tour - Arrábida Coves: $42
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Island Icons & Treasures Tour - St. Thomas USVI : $199
- Magens Bay Trail Hiking Tour: $60
- Two-Hour Sightseeing Excursion : $58
- Vi Top Taxi &Tours USVI-Coki Beach Snorkeling Tour : $68
- 1 Hour Jet Ski Tour in the Virgin Islands from Westin St. John: $169
- 1-Hour Guided Jet Ski Tour in St. Thomas from Frenchman's Reef: $159
- 1.5 Hour Private Mini Jeep Tour on St. Thomas: $220
- 3 Hour Kayak and Snorkel Tour: $139
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- Best of Mangrove Lagoon Kayak, Hike and Snorkel Adventure with Picnic Lunch: $159
- Book Your Private Two and a Half Hour Island Tour today!: $150
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySetubal $12Saint Thomas $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Setubal
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Setubal:
- Workshop - Wine Tasting 101: $72
- Sesimbra: Half-Day Tour to Arrabida with Wine Tasting: $143
- Half Day Wine Tour Around Evora: $156
- Lisbon Getaway: Private Arrabida Wine Tour with Cheese Tasting: $213
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Setubal and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Setubal much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Setubal is in Europe 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 Setubal would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Setubal 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 Setubal.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Setubal Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Setubal or Saint Thomas?
Setubal has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Setubal 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 Setubal or Saint Thomas?
Setubal 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 Setubal or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
Both Saint Thomas and Setubal are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Setubal is cooler than Saint Thomas in the summer. The daily temperature in Setubal averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Setubal. Setubal usually receives more sunshine than Saint Thomas during summer. Setubal gets 352 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Setubal usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Setubal gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySetubal 23°C (73°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Setubal or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
Both Saint Thomas and Setubal during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
In the autumn, Setubal is cooler than Saint Thomas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Setubal in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 28°C (82°F).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Setubal. In the autumn, Setubal often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Setubal gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun.
Saint Thomas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Setubal usually gets less rain in October than Saint Thomas. Setubal gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSetubal 19°C (66°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Setubal or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Setubal and Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Setubal is generally much colder than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Setubal average around 12°C (53°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. Setubal usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during winter. Setubal gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
Setubal gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Setubal usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. Setubal gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySetubal 12°C (53°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Setubal or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Setubal as well as Saint Thomas. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
Setubal is much colder than Saint Thomas in the spring. The daily temperature in Setubal averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Setubal this time of the year. In the spring, Setubal often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Setubal gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun.
Setubal usually gets less rain in April than Saint Thomas. Setubal gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSetubal 16°C (60°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Setubal
| Setubal | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 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.