Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Charleston?
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 Charleston or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Charleston or Saint Thomas, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Charleston or Saint Thomas?
Charleston
Charleston is a beautiful, southern city and seaport town in South Carolina. It has a wonderful, historic downtown area that the city government works hard to maintain. Located on a peninsula that is created by two rivers, the city is a stunning setting with much character. It is a popular place to visit for its culture, architecture and cuisine. In recent years Charleston has gained popularity and it continues to grow as both a regional and international travel destination. With its rising popularity comes increasing costs. Travel costs continue to go up as restaurants and hotels raise their prices, particularly during the peak travel season and holiday periods.
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 from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.
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Charleston Prices
USA PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCharleston $212Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Charleston is $212, 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 Charleston and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCharleston $90Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCharleston $180Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Charleston and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Charleston 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: Charleston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Charleston $33Saint Thomas $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charleston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Charleston:
- Charleston Airport (CHS) to Folly Beach - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $294
- Charleston AirportCHS to Isle of Palms/Sullivans Private Transfer: $294
- Charleston Airport (CHS) to Charleston city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $268
- Kiawah/Seabrook Islands to Charleston Airport (CHS) – Departure Private Transfer: $208
- Folly Beach to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $147
- Isle of Palms/Sullivans to Charleston AirportCHS Private Transfer: $147
- Charleston city to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $134
- Private Transfer from Charleston Port to Charleston Airport (CHS): $134
- Private Transfer from Charleston Airport (CHS) to Charleston Port: $134
- Private Transfer from Charleston City to Charleston Cruise Port: $125
- One Way Airport Transfer Service: $80
- From Boone Hall Plantation Entry with Transfers: $71
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 Charleston or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Charleston 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 dayCharleston $100Saint Thomas $94
Typical Food Prices in Charleston
Some typical examples of dining costs in Charleston are as follows:
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Lunch in downtown Charleston for two$21
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Breakfast$26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Charleston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Charleston.
- Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise: $72
- Hands-on Cooking Class in Charleston: $89
- Tastes Through Time - Charleston's Best Food Tour!: $96
- Charleston Harbor Luxury Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $100
- Tastes Through Time - Charleston's Best Food Tour: $109
- Charleston Brunch Food Tour: Biscuits, Shrimps, Grits and More: $110
- Charleston French Quarter or Brunch Food Tour with 7+ Tastings: $110
- Downtown Charleston Food Tour: $110
- Charleston's Savor the Flavors of Upper King Street Walking Food Tour: $111
- Savor the Flavors Upper King Street Food Tour: $111
- Small Group Food Tour – Savor the Flavors: $111
- Luxury Harbor Dinner Cruise: $111
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.Charleston $22Saint Thomas $60
Typical Entertainment Prices in Charleston
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Charleston are as follows:
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Patriots Point (for 2)$60
Tours and Activities in Charleston
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Charleston are as follows:
- 1.5-Hour Charleston Harbor Cruise with Live Narration: $42
- 2 Hours Shem Creek Safari Kayak Tour: $52
- 2 of Charleston's finest plantations in one tour: $140
- 2-Hour Guided Kayak Eco Tour in Charleston: $54
- 2-Hour Tiki Boat Tour in Folly Beach: $75
- 2hr Private River Cruise with stop at Morris Island: $325
- 3 Hour Bus Tour and Self Paced Audio Tour of Aiken Rhett House: $50
- 300 Years of War and Peacetime in A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- 90 Minute Sightseeing Bus Tour of Historic Charleston: $32
- 90-Minute Charleston City Sightseeing Bus Tour : $37
- A Ghost Tour with 10 ORIGINAL Stories AND Equipment!: $35
- Afternoon Charleston Harbor Boat Cruise: Family Friendly Scenic: $58
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 dayCharleston $36Saint Thomas $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Charleston
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Charleston:
- Charleston Bar Hunt: Charleston Chase Bar Crawl: $13
- Striped Pig Distillery Tour and Tasting: $22
- Charleston’s Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- Charleston Women and Wine Tour: $34
- Women and Wine Tour: $34
- Charleston Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Bay Street Bastards Pub Crawl: $35
- Haunted Pub Crawl for the Broken-Hearted: $35
- Bay Street Bastards Pub Crawl Shared Tour in Charleston : $35
- Haunted Pub Crawl for the Broken-Hearted: $35
- Speakeasy Sagas Prohibition Pub Crawl: $35
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Charleston and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Charleston much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Charleston 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 Charleston would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Charleston 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 Charleston.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Charleston Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Charleston or Saint Thomas?
Charleston has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Charleston 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 Charleston or Saint Thomas?
Charleston 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 Charleston or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Charleston as well as Saint Thomas. Many visitors come to Charleston in the summer for the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
In the summer, Charleston is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Charleston in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Saint Thomas averages at about 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 Charleston this time of the year. In the summer, Charleston often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas. Charleston gets 293 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun.
Charleston receives a lot of rain in the summer. Charleston usually gets more rain in July than Saint Thomas. Charleston gets 6.9 inches (176 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 JulyCharleston 82°F (28°C)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Charleston or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
Both Saint Thomas and Charleston are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Charleston for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Charleston is generally cooler than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Charleston average around 67°F (19°C), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. Charleston usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during autumn. Charleston gets 197 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, Charleston usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Charleston gets 2.9 inches (74 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 OctoberCharleston 67°F (19°C)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Charleston or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
Both Saint Thomas and Charleston during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Charleston because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
Charleston is much colder than Saint Thomas in the winter. The daily temperature in Charleston averages around 47°F (9°C) in January, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Charleston often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Charleston gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun.
Charleston usually gets more rain in January than Saint Thomas. Charleston gets 3.3 inches (85 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 JanuaryCharleston 47°F (9°C)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Charleston or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Charleston and Saint Thomas. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Charleston this time of year. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Charleston is cooler than Saint Thomas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Charleston in April average around 64°F (18°C), and Saint Thomas averages at about 27°C (80°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In Charleston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Charleston usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas during spring. Charleston gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Charleston usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint Thomas. Charleston gets 2.7 inches (69 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 AprilCharleston 64°F (18°C)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Charleston
| Charleston | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 47°F (9°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 50°F (10°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 58°F (14°C) | 4.3 inches (110 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 64°F (18°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 72°F (22°C) | 4.2 inches (106 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 78°F (26°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 6.9 inches (176 mm) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 76°F (25°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 67°F (19°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 58°F (15°C) | 2.5 inches (63 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 51°F (10°C) | 3.1 inches (78 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.