Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix or Marathon?
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 Marathon or Saint Croix?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marathon or Saint Croix, 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: Marathon or Saint Croix?
Marathon
You step outside your deluxe suite onto the balcony and are greeted with nothing less than tropical perfection. The hum of the ocean, the whispers of the palm trees, the songs of the seagulls - you bask in this paradise otherwise known as Marathon, Florida. A 10-mile-long island, the chain contains Vaca Key, Fat Deer Key and Grassy Key, along with Duck Key just another few minutes up the road.
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 Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.
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Marathon Prices
USA PricesSaint Croix Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMarathon $195Saint Croix $277
The average daily cost (per person) in Marathon is $195, 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 Marathon and Saint Croix in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMarathon $76Saint Croix $149
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMarathon $152Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in Marathon and Saint Croix
Looking for a hotel in Marathon 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: Marathon Hotel Prices and Saint Croix Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Marathon $47Saint Croix $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Croix
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint Croix:
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St. Croix : $179
- Private Transfer from St.Croix hotels to St. Croix Cruise Port : $175
- Private Transfer from St.Croix Cruise Port to St.Croix hotels: $175
- Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Round-Trip Transfer: $167
- St. Croix to St. Croix Airport (STX) - Departure Private Transfer: $91
- St.Croix Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Arrival Private Transfer: $91
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Airport to St. Croix Cruise Port : $87
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Port to St. Croix Airport (STX): $87
- St. Croix to Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) - Departure Transfer: $84
Is it cheaper to fly into Marathon or Saint Croix?
Prices for flights to both Saint Croix and Marathon 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 dayMarathon $89Saint Croix $97
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.Marathon $27Saint Croix $58
Tours and Activities in Marathon
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Marathon.
- Rhum Runner Aqua Park Adventure: $38
- Florida: Sunset Champagne Cruise on the Marathon Mermaid: $82
- Snorkeling Adventure by Boat at Sombrero Reef: $89
- Intro to Foilboarding Experience: $214
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
- Frederiksted Moke Tour: $75
- Guided Kayak Tour of Salt River Bay Ecology and History: $115
- Horseback Riding Experience: $160
- Parasail Experience in St Croix: $132
- Private Sailing Tour of Pirate Waters and Shipwrecks: $175
- St Croix Island Tour: $118
- St. Croix Ghost Tour of Historic Christiansted: $45
- The Frederiksted St. Croix Sea Turtles Snorkeling Tour: $89
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMarathon $24Saint Croix $27
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 Marathon and Saint Croix, we can see that Saint Croix is more expensive. And not only is Marathon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Marathon 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 Marathon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Marathon 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 Marathon.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Marathon Expensive? and Is Saint Croix Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Marathon or Saint Croix?
Marathon 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 Marathon or Saint Croix in the Summer?
Both Saint Croix and Marathon during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Marathon in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round.
In the summer, Marathon is around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Typically, the summer temperatures in Marathon in July average around 84°F (29°C), and Saint Croix averages at about 29°C (83°F).
Marathon usually gets more rain in July than Saint Croix. Marathon gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMarathon 84°F (29°C)Saint Croix 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Marathon or Saint Croix in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Marathon and Saint Croix. Most visitors come to Marathon for the natural beauty of the area during these months. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Marathon is generally around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Marathon average around 80°F (27°C), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Saint Croix receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Marathon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Marathon usually receives less rain than Saint Croix. Marathon gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMarathon 80°F (27°C)Saint Croix 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Marathon or Saint Croix in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Marathon as well as Saint Croix. The winter months attract visitors to Marathon because of the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year.
Marathon is cooler than Saint Croix in the winter. The daily temperature in Marathon averages around 70°F (21°C) in January, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
Marathon usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Saint Croix. Marathon gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMarathon 70°F (21°C)Saint Croix 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Marathon or Saint Croix in the Spring?
Both Saint Croix and Marathon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Marathon this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Marathon is around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Typically, the spring temperatures in Marathon in April average around 77°F (25°C), and Saint Croix averages at about 27°C (80°F).
In April, Marathon usually receives less rain than Saint Croix. Marathon gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMarathon 77°F (25°C)Saint Croix 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Croix and Marathon
| Marathon | Saint Croix | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 70°F (21°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 71°F (21°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 74°F (23°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 77°F (25°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 81°F (27°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 83°F (28°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 84°F (29°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 84°F (29°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 83°F (29°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 80°F (27°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 76°F (24°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 72°F (22°C) | 1.4 inches (35 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.