Should you visit Yogyakarta or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Yogyakarta or Saint Thomas? 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: Yogyakarta or Saint Thomas?
Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta, also called Yogya, Jogja, and Jogjakarta, is Java's hub of culture and art, and is the top-visited destination on the island. While Jakarta is the most populated and industrially-developed city in Indonesia, Yogya has managed to progress without losing its cultural charm, as illustrated in its well-kept traditional Indonesian architecture.
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 Adventure Tours to Indonesia, and The Best Eco Tours in Indonesia.
Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Yogyakarta?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Yogyakarta is $64, 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 Yogyakarta and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
Looking for a hotel in Yogyakarta 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:
Yogyakarta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yogyakarta
Also for Yogyakarta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Jepara & One Way Private Transfer:
$110
-
Private Layover Tour with Airport Transfers:
$94
-
Semarang & Transfer To The Hotel or Airport:
$93
-
Private Transfer from Kembanglimus to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG):
$88
-
Private Transfer from Wanurejo to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG):
$87
-
Yogyakarta Hidden Gems Tour with Private Guided Transfer:
$84
-
Private Transfer from Borobudur to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG):
$81
-
Private Transfer from Borobudur Temple to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG):
$81
-
Private Transfer from Yogyakarta Airport (JOG) to Borobudur:
$75
-
Private Transfer from Banyuraden to Yogyakarta Airport (JOG):
$71
-
Private Transfer from Yogyakarta Airport (JOG) to Sinduadi:
$71
-
Private Transfer from Yogyakarta Airport (JOG) to Condong Catur:
$71
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:
-
Vi Top Taxi & Tours -Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay/ Limetree:
$110
-
VI Top Taxi and Tours - St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry:
$90
-
Transfer from Cyril E. King Airport(STT) to Charlotte Amalie Port:
$83
-
St.Thomas to St.Thomas Airport (STT) - Departure Private Transfer:
$115
-
St.Thomas island to Cyril E. King Airport(STT)-Departure Transfer:
$135
-
St. Thomas USVI Airport Transfer to the Redhook Ferry:
$144
-
St. Thomas USVI Airport Transfer to The Ritz Carlton Resort:
$144
-
ST.Thomas Private Airport One-Way Transfers:
$180
-
Private Hotel and Resorts Transfers:
$173
-
Private Ground Transfers:
$120
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Cyril E King Airport to Redhook Bay:
$175
-
Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI:
$179
Is it cheaper to fly into Yogyakarta or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Yogyakarta 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
Yogyakarta $19
Saint Thomas $94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yogyakarta
For Yogyakarta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Ramayana Show with Transfer, Entry Fee & Dinner:
$13
-
Night Walking & Street Food Tour:
$21
-
Guided City Walk and Food Tour:
$23
-
Morning Walk and Food Tour:
$23
-
Kotagede Night Food Tour:
$27
-
Ramayana Ballet Performance with Optional Dinner:
$28
-
Yogyakarta Historical Walking and Food Tour:
$29
-
Yogyakarta Evening Walking and Food Tour:
$30
-
Nighttime Walk and Food Tour:
$32
-
Cooking Class with Market Visit and Hotel Pickup:
$33
-
Prawirotaman Night Food Tour:
$35
-
3-hour Cooking Class with Market Tour:
$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:
-
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
Tours and Activities in Yogyakarta
For Yogyakarta, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
Beautiful Sunrise and Exotic Jomblang Cave Tour:
$67
-
"Java's Cultural Heritage: Borobudur and Prambanan Tour":
$16
-
1 Day Yogyakarta tour ( Borobudur temple, Merapi Lava Tour, Prambanan Temple):
$76
-
1 day Yogyakarta Tour Jomblang cave and Pindul Cave tubing:
$72
-
1 day tour borobudur temple,prambanan temple,plaosan temple:
$40
-
1-Day Yogyakarta Javanese Culture - PRIVATE TOUR with GUIDE:
$198
-
1-Day Yogyakarta Merapi Borobudur - PRIVATE Tour with GUIDE:
$183
-
1-Day Yogyakarta Merapi Pengger Heha - PRIVATE Tour with GUIDE:
$140
-
1-Day Yogyakarta Prambanan Breksi Ijo Temple - PRIVATE Tour with Guide:
$184
-
1Day Borobudur (Upper Level) and Prambanan Private Guided Tour:
$149
-
2-Day Borobudur Tour with Merbabu Camping and Hiking:
$332
-
3 Days 2 Nights A Tour of Culture and Nature:
$115
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yogyakarta and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Yogyakarta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Yogyakarta is in Asia 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 Yogyakarta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yogyakarta 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 Yogyakarta.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Yogyakarta Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Yogyakarta or Saint Thomas?
Yogyakarta has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Yogyakarta 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.
Related Articles for Yogyakarta
Related Articles for Saint Thomas