Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Zurich?
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 Zurich 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 Zurich 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: Zurich or Saint Thomas?
Zurich
Zurich has the biggest connection for trains in Switzerland. It also has the country's biggest and busiest airport. Because of its importance as a transportation center, it is likely to be the first place you visit in Switzerland. It is the financial capital of the country (although, contrary to what you may have thought, not the political capital). It has many international companies, and is home to the country's stock exchange.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland.
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Zurich Prices
Switzerland PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZurich $364Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Zurich is $364, 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 Zurich and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZurich $197Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZurich $394Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Zurich and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Zurich 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: Zurich Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zurich $41Saint Thomas $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Zurich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:
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City Pass (2)$33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:
- WEF DAVOS 2025 | TRANSFER TO/FROM ZURICH AIRPORT TO DAVOS: $754
- Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to St Moritz: $693
- Private Transfer From Zurich Airport to Grindelwald: $656
- Private Transfer from Zurich Airport to Lauterbrunnen: $599
- Private transfer between Zurich Airport to/from Interlaken.: $566
- Transfer Zurich Airport to Basel: $539
- Private Transfer between Zurich and Interlaken: $478
- Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to Lucerne: $478
- Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to St Anton am Arlberg: $467
- Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to Lech am Arlberg: $467
- Privat Transfer Lucerne to Zurich Airport: $450
- Zurich Airport: Private Lucerne Transfer by Mercedes: $450
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:
- Transfer from Cyril E. King Airport(STT) to Charlotte Amalie Port: $83
- VI Top Taxi and Tours - St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $90
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay / Limetree: $110
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours -Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay/ Limetree: $110
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove: $110
- St.Thomas to St.Thomas Airport (STT) - Departure Private Transfer: $115
- Private Ground Transfers: $120
- Exclusive Airport Transfers (up to 4 persons) One-Way: $135
- 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
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $160
Is it cheaper to fly into Zurich or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Zurich 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 dayZurich $124Saint Thomas $94
Typical Food Prices in Zurich
Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:
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Breakfast for 2$16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zurich
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zurich.
- Food Tour of 8+ Tastings with Cheeses & Chocolates: $154
- Zurich Food Tour of 10+ Swiss Specialties w/ Cheeses & Chocolates: $156
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.Zurich $41Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Zurich
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:
- 3 in 1: Zurich Walking Tour - Cruise on the Lake - Cable Car Ride to Felsenegg: $115
- Beer Tasting Tour in Zurich: $161
- Best of Zurich Tour with Felsenegg Cable Car and Ferry Ride : $85
- Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $108
- Bike Private Tour with Pickup and Drop off From Zurich: $163
- Chocolate Walking Tour in Zurich: $97
- Chocolate, Art, and History walking tour of Zurich: $94
- Cinematic Zurich – Photo and Video Shoot Tour: $566
- City e-bike tour: $50
- City tour historic old town Zurich: $48
- Crash Landing on You: Switzerland Filming Locations Day Tour: $317
- Day Trip from Grindelwald First Mountain Adventure: $224
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Nature and Sightseeing Tour at Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden: $16
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $25
- Coral World Ocean Park General Admission Ticket: $29
- Cruise Ship Shuttle to Ferry going to St. John: $34
- Rum Tasting Experience in the Old Barrel House: $35
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- St. Thomas Sightseeing Tour with a Guide: $40
- Guided Tour of Coral World Ocean Park & Happy Hour: $40
- St. Thomas Ghost Tour of Historic Charlotte Amalie : $41
- Prince taxi & Tours St.Thomas Virgin Islands-Island Scenic Tour: $45
- Guided Kayak Tour from Margaritaville: $48
- Guided Kayak Tour from Elysian: $48
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZurich $34Saint Thomas $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Zurich
Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour with Shots and Snacks: $38
- Pub Crawl Zurich: $39
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zurich and Saint Thomas, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is Saint Thomas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zurich 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 Saint Thomas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Thomas 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich than you might in Saint Thomas.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zurich Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zurich or Saint Thomas?
Zurich has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Zurich 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 Zurich or Saint Thomas?
Zurich 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 Zurich or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Zurich as well as Saint Thomas. The music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Zurich this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
In July, Zurich is generally cooler than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 21°C (70°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zurich this time of the year. In the summer, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Zurich gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun.
Zurich usually gets more rain in July than Saint Thomas. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 in) 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 JulyZurich 21°C (70°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Zurich or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
Both Saint Thomas and Zurich are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Zurich for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Zurich is much colder than Saint Thomas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during autumn. Zurich gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. In October, Zurich usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Zurich gets 70 mm (2.8 in) 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 OctoberZurich 13°C (56°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Zurich or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
Both Saint Thomas and Zurich during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Zurich in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
Zurich can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Zurich is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zurich in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 26°C (78°F).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Zurich gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun.
Zurich usually gets more rain in January than Saint Thomas. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 in) 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 JanuaryZurich 3°C (37°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Zurich or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Zurich and Saint Thomas. Most visitors come to Zurich for the natural beauty during these months. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Zurich is generally much colder than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 12°C (53°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during spring. Zurich gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Zurich usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. Zurich gets 79 mm (3.1 in) 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 AprilZurich 12°C (53°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Zurich
| Zurich | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 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.