Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix or Fort Lauderdale?
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 Fort Lauderdale or Saint Croix?
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 Fort Lauderdale and Saint Croix. 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: Fort Lauderdale or Saint Croix?
Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale is located on the Atlantic coast of Florida, not far from Miami, and is famous for its beaches and boating culture. An elaborate system of canals runs through the city, adding to the charm and coastal lifestyle. Plenty of restaurants, shops, watersports, and other things to do can be found here in addition to the beautiful beaches. The city is family-friendly and also caters to older travelers as well as younger generations. While it's not an inexpensive place to visit, the prices are on par with other cities in southeastern Florida. The beach is lined with high-rise condos and hotels that tend to be expensive, while a few blocks back from the shore you'll find plenty of nice houses along with shops, restaurants, and fun activities for all ages. And since Fort Lauderdale is part of the Miami metro area, you can easily get to all of the other beach areas, cities, and activities in the nearby metropolitan areas as well.
Saint Croix
Sometimes all you want out of a vacation is the warmth of the sun, the sound of the waves and the taste of a cold drink. No more. No less. That's exactly what you can expect in St. Croix.
The largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Croix is a place of our leisure and relaxation. It's a bit of an expensive lifestyle for its 50,000 residents and daily visitors, but when you're living on island time, money is never a worry. There are no worries on island time.
This once volcanic island is covered in incredible beaches, stunning mountains, palm tress in the wind and historic colonial towns. While they may be a bit old and rundown, the Danish architecture still stands as a unique part of this island's legacy. Don't expect much window-shopping, though. That was not a feature incorporated in this style of architecture. If you want to know if a store is open, just step on in, but remember, shop hours are also running on island time.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.
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Fort Lauderdale Prices
USA PricesSaint Croix Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFort Lauderdale $218Saint Croix $277
The average daily cost (per person) in Fort Lauderdale is $218, while the average daily cost in Saint Croix is $277. 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 Fort Lauderdale and Saint Croix in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFort Lauderdale $96Saint Croix $149
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFort Lauderdale $192Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in Fort Lauderdale and Saint Croix
Looking for a hotel in Fort Lauderdale or Saint Croix? 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: Fort Lauderdale Hotel Prices and Saint Croix Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Fort Lauderdale $51Saint Croix $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fort Lauderdale
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Fort Lauderdale:
- FLL Airport Private Transfer to City | Port: $26
- Private Transfer from Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL): $43
- Boca Raton Luxury SUV Transfer to/from Fort Lauderdale Airport: $55
- Port Everglades Private Transfer from Weston: $58
- Fort Lauderdale to Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) - Departure Private Transfer: $59
- Port Everglades Private Transfer from Las Olas Beach Area: $60
- Private Departure Transfer to Fort Lauderdale Airport FLL: $67
- Private Arrival Transfer from Fort Lauderdale Airport FLL: $67
- Fort Lauderdale Airport: Private Transfer to Hollywood: $69
- Fort Lauderdale Airport: Private Transfer to Fort Lauderdale: $69
- Luxury Transfer From Fort Lauderdale Airport to Miami Cruise Port: $70
- One Way Private Transfer to/from Airport: $75
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Croix
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint Croix:
- Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Round-Trip Transfer: $167
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Airport to St. Croix Cruise Port : $87
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St. Croix : $180
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Port to St. Croix Airport (STX): $87
- Private Transfer from St.Croix Cruise Port to St.Croix hotels: $175
- Private Transfer from St.Croix hotels to St. Croix Cruise Port : $175
- St. Croix to Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) - Departure Transfer: $84
- St. Croix to St. Croix Airport (STX) - Departure Private Transfer: $91
- St.Croix Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Arrival Private Transfer: $91
Is it cheaper to fly into Fort Lauderdale or Saint Croix?
Prices for flights to both Saint Croix and Fort Lauderdale 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 dayFort Lauderdale $85Saint Croix $97
Typical Food Prices in Fort Lauderdale
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Fort Lauderdale:
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Quick Lunch$12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fort Lauderdale
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Fort Lauderdale.
- Fort Lauderdale Intracoastal & Dinner Cruise: $64
- Immersive Sushi Cooking Class in Fort Lauderdale: $75
- Intracoastal Cruise with Waterfront Dinner: $80
- All You Can Eat BBQ Dinner and Show at Tropical Isle with Sightseeing Cruise: $80
- Hollywood Florida Walking Food Tour : $109
- Downtown Fort Lauderdale Dinner & Drinks Tour: $109
- Downtown Fort Lauderdale Dinner and Drinks Tour: $114
- Fort Lauderdale Beach Food Tour: $114
- Fort Lauderdale Historic District Food Tour Experience: $120
- Fort Lauderdale, Las Olas, Around the World Food Tour Experience: $120
- Hollywood Beach Walking Food Tour: $139
- Haitian Cooking Class: $190
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Croix
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint Croix.
- A Evening Cultural Experience Through Food Cooking Class St. Croix: $90
- A Morning Cultural Experience Through Food Cooking Class St. Croix: $90
- C'sted Sip & Savor Mixology Class with VI Food Tours: $131
- Taste of Twin City Food Tour with VI Food Tours: $145
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Fort Lauderdale $15Saint Croix $58
Tours and Activities in Fort Lauderdale
Here are a few actual costs in Fort Lauderdale for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Davie by Crazy Dash: $10
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Pembroke Pines by Wacky Walks: $10
- Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk Self-guided Audio Walking Tour: $11
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Pompano Beach by Zombie Scavengers: $20
- 1-Hour Family Pirate Adventure Cruise: $22
- Skip the Line: Flamingo Gardens Admission Ticket in Fort Lauderdale: $24
- Fort Lauderdale Fallen Frights and Fury Ghost Tour: $24
- Private BLU3 Nomad Scuba Demo Experience in Deerfield: $25
- Fort Lauderdale Fallen Frights and Fury Ghost Tour: $26
- Holiday Mansion Lights Boat Tour: $30
- Florida Everglades Airboat Adventure and Wildlife Encounter: $31
- Jungle Queen Riverboat 90-Minute Narrated Sightseeing Cruise in Fort Lauderdale: $31
Tours and Activities in Saint Croix
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Saint Croix are as follows:
- Christiansted's Artisan Shopping Tour: $33
- St. Croix Ghost Tour of Historic Christiansted: $45
- Frederiksted Moke Tour: $75
- The Frederiksted St. Croix Sea Turtles Snorkeling Tour: $89
- Guided Kayak Tour of Salt River Bay Ecology and History: $115
- St Croix Island Tour: $118
- Parasail Experience in St Croix: $132
- Horseback Riding Experience: $160
- Private Sailing Tour of Pirate Waters and Shipwrecks: $175
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFort Lauderdale $33Saint Croix $27
Typical Alcohol Prices in Fort Lauderdale
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Fort Lauderdale are as follows:
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Beer$7.30
Sample the Local Flavors in Fort Lauderdale
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fort Lauderdale:
- Fort Lauderdale Bar Crawl: $15
- Ft. Lauderdale: Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Ft Lauderdale Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $36
Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Croix
Also in Saint Croix, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Farm to Bottle Tour at Prosperity Farm Distillery: $35
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fort Lauderdale and Saint Croix, we can see that Saint Croix is more expensive. And not only is Fort Lauderdale much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Fort Lauderdale is in North America and Saint Croix 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 Fort Lauderdale would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Fort Lauderdale 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 Croix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Croix than you might in Fort Lauderdale.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Fort Lauderdale Expensive? and Is Saint Croix Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Fort Lauderdale or Saint Croix?
Fort Lauderdale has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint Croix experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Saint Croix in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Fort Lauderdale and Saint Croix. The beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Fort Lauderdale this time of year. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Fort Lauderdale is around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Typically, the summer temperatures in Fort Lauderdale in July average around 83°F (28°C), and Saint Croix averages at about 29°C (83°F).
Fort Lauderdale gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Fort Lauderdale usually receives more rain than Saint Croix. Fort Lauderdale gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyFort Lauderdale 83°F (28°C)Saint Croix 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Saint Croix in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Fort Lauderdale as well as Saint Croix. Many travelers come to Fort Lauderdale for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year.
In October, Fort Lauderdale is generally around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Fort Lauderdale average around 78°F (26°C), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite rainy in Saint Croix. Fort Lauderdale receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Fort Lauderdale usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Saint Croix. Fort Lauderdale gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberFort Lauderdale 78°F (26°C)Saint Croix 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Saint Croix in the Winter?
Both Saint Croix and Fort Lauderdale are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Fort Lauderdale in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Fort Lauderdale is cooler than Saint Croix in the winter. The daily temperature in Fort Lauderdale averages around 67°F (20°C) in January, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
In January, Fort Lauderdale usually receives more rain than Saint Croix. Fort Lauderdale gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryFort Lauderdale 67°F (20°C)Saint Croix 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Saint Croix in the Spring?
Both Saint Croix and Fort Lauderdale during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Fort Lauderdale for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round.
In the spring, Fort Lauderdale is cooler than Saint Croix. Typically, the spring temperatures in Fort Lauderdale in April average around 75°F (24°C), and Saint Croix averages at about 27°C (80°F).
Fort Lauderdale usually gets more rain in April than Saint Croix. Fort Lauderdale gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilFort Lauderdale 75°F (24°C)Saint Croix 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Croix and Fort Lauderdale
| Fort Lauderdale | Saint Croix | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 67°F (20°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 68°F (20°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 72°F (22°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 75°F (24°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 79°F (26°C) | 6.4 inches (162 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 81°F (27°C) | 9.4 inches (238 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 83°F (28°C) | 5.9 inches (149 mm) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 83°F (28°C) | 7.5 inches (191 mm) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 82°F (28°C) | 7.6 inches (194 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 78°F (26°C) | 5.6 inches (143 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 73°F (23°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 69°F (21°C) | 1.9 inches (48 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.