Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Hot Springs?
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 Hot Springs or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hot Springs 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: Hot Springs or Saint Thomas?
Hot Springs
Hot Springs is a popular resort city in central Arkansas. It's location in the Ouachita Mountains make it a convenient base for exploring the area's natural hot springs, from which the city gets its name. The city is also home to Hot Springs National Park, which have long been believed to have healing properties. Today many spas have popped up around the hot springs.
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 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.
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Hot Springs Prices
USA PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHot Springs $220Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Hot Springs is $220, 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 Hot Springs and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHot Springs $100Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHot Springs $200Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Hot Springs and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Hot Springs 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: Hot Springs Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hot Springs $47Saint Thomas $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hot Springs
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hot Springs:
- Hot Springs to Little Rock Airport LIT Departure Private Transfer: $126
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 Hot Springs or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Hot Springs 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 dayHot Springs $90Saint Thomas $94
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.Hot Springs $30Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Hot Springs
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hot Springs are as follows:
- Hot Springs NP Self Guided Driving and Walking Audio Tour: $17
- Small-Group Zipline Tour in Hot Springs: $67
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 dayHot Springs $22Saint Thomas $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hot Springs and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Hot Springs much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hot Springs Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hot Springs or Saint Thomas?
Hot Springs has a larger population, and is about 87% larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs or Saint Thomas?
Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Hot Springs as well as Saint Thomas. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
Hot Springs is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas in the summer. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 83°F (28°C) in July, 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 Hot Springs this time of the year. In the summer, Hot Springs often gets more sunshine than Saint Thomas. Hot Springs gets 364 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun.
Hot Springs usually gets more rain in July than Saint Thomas. Hot Springs gets 3.6 inches (92 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 JulyHot Springs 83°F (28°C)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
Both Saint Thomas and Hot Springs are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Hot Springs is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hot Springs in October average around 64°F (18°C), and Saint Thomas averages at about 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hot Springs. Hot Springs usually receives more sunshine than Saint Thomas during autumn. Hot Springs gets 254 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, Hot Springs usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Hot Springs gets 3.7 inches (93 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 OctoberHot Springs 64°F (18°C)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
Both Saint Thomas and Hot Springs during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Hot Springs. In January, Hot Springs is generally much colder than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 40°F (4°C), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hot Springs. In the winter, Hot Springs often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Hot Springs gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun.
Hot Springs usually gets more rain in January than Saint Thomas. Hot Springs gets 3.3 inches (83 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 JanuaryHot Springs 40°F (4°C)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hot Springs and Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Hot Springs is cooler than Saint Thomas in the spring. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 65°F (18°C) in April, 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. In Hot Springs, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hot Springs usually receives more sunshine than Saint Thomas during spring. Hot Springs gets 304 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
Hot Springs gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. Hot Springs gets 5.2 inches (133 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 AprilHot Springs 65°F (18°C)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Hot Springs
| Hot Springs | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (4°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 45°F (7°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 54°F (12°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 65°F (18°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 79°F (26°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 83°F (28°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 64°F (18°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 5.1 inches (130 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 44°F (6°C) | 4.6 inches (118 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.