Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or New Orleans?
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 New Orleans or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between New Orleans and Saint Thomas can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: New Orleans or Saint Thomas?
New Orleans
New Orleans is the largest city in the state of Louisiana, and it is a cultural city that is the home of jazz, unique cuisine, and Mardi Gras in the U.S. It was established in 1718 and is one of the oldest cities in the country. The culture of the city has a mix of French, Creole, African American, Caribbean, Irish, Haitian, German and Vietnamese. There's an energy and atmosphere that is unlike any place else.
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 Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.
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New Orleans Prices
USA PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNew Orleans $271Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in New Orleans is $271, 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 New Orleans and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNew Orleans $125Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNew Orleans $250Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in New Orleans and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in New Orleans 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: New Orleans Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.New Orleans $51Saint Thomas $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in New Orleans
Some typical examples of transportation costs in New Orleans are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in New Orleans
Also for New Orleans, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Handicap New Orleans Airport or Hotel Transfer: $260
- New Orleans Airport One way Transfer to Baton Rouge or Slidell: $250
- New Orleans Louis Armstrong Airport MSY Round-Trip Private Transfer: $226
- Private Transfer from Port Of New of New Orleans Cruise: $210
- NOLA Cruise Port to New Orleans hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $209
- One-Way Private New Orleans Arrival or Departure Transfer: $200
- Transfer from New Orleans MSY or Port to New Orleans by Minibus: $190
- Private Airport Transfer From New Orleans To Baton Rouge: $177
- Airport Transfer in New Orleans: $175
- Private Mercedes Sprinter Transfer NOLA, Airport, Cruise Ship: $175
- Airport and City Transfers in New Orleans : $135
- New Orleans Departure Transfers: $135
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:
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours -Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay/ Limetree: $110
- VI Top Taxi and Tours - St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $90
- Transfer from Cyril E. King Airport(STT) to Charlotte Amalie Port: $83
- St.Thomas to St.Thomas Airport (STT) - Departure Private Transfer: $115
- 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
- ST.Thomas Private Airport One-Way Transfers: $180
- Private Hotel and Resorts Transfers: $173
- Private Ground Transfers: $120
- Private Arrival Transfer from Cyril E King Airport to Redhook Bay: $175
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $179
Is it cheaper to fly into New Orleans or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and New Orleans 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 dayNew Orleans $78Saint Thomas $94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in New Orleans
For New Orleans, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- New Orleans Demonstration Cooking Class with Meal: $42
- Steamboat Natchez Evening Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option: $58
- Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Jazz Dinner Cruise in New Orleans: $60
- French Quarter Food Tour: Signature Tastes of New Orleans: $75
- New Orleans Sunset Food Tour Experience: $85
- Private New Orleans Food Tour of the French Quarter : $85
- Lower Garden District Food Tour: $89
- NOLA Carte Food Tours: $96
- Voodoo, Vampires and Delicious Bites Food Tour: $97
- New Orleans Cooking Class and Cocktail Walking Tour: $106
- New Orleans Small-Group Food Walking Tour and Cooking Class: $109
- Food Tour of New Orleans Garden District: Group of Nine or Less: $129
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.New Orleans $55Saint Thomas $60
Typical Entertainment Prices in New Orleans
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for New Orleans's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Zoo & Aquarium Tickets (2)$75
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Riverboat Cruise$70
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French Quarter City Tour$100
Tours and Activities in New Orleans
For New Orleans, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Bom Creole Dining Experience w/ Pool and Louisiana Native Chef : $135
- Creole French Quarter Walking Tour: $35
- 45-Minute French Quarter Highlights Tour in New Orleans: $23
- 45-Minute Garden District Highlights Tour in New Orleans: $22
- 45-Minute Marigny Triangle Highlights Tour in New Orleans: $22
- 60-minute Tremé Walking Tour & Photo Experience: $15
- 90-Minute Jean Lafitte Swamp and Bayou Tour with Transportation: $62
- A Local's Garden District Tour: $165
- A Locals' Drink Dat! Cocktail Tour: $200
- A Walk in the Park: City Park New Orleans Audio Tour: $9.99
- Adults-Only Garden District Cemetery Anne Rice True Crime Tour: $35
- Adults-Only New Orleans Ghost, Crime, Voodoo, and Vampire Tour: $37
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Island Icons & Treasures Tour - St. Thomas USVI : $199
- Magens Bay Trail Hiking Tour: $60
- Two-Hour Sightseeing Excursion : $58
- Vi Top Taxi &Tours USVI-Coki Beach Snorkeling Tour : $68
- 1 Hour Jet Ski Tour in the Virgin Islands from Westin St. John: $169
- 1-Hour Guided Jet Ski Tour in St. Thomas from Frenchman's Reef: $159
- 1.5 Hour Private Mini Jeep Tour on St. Thomas: $220
- 3 Hour Kayak and Snorkel Tour: $139
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- Best of Mangrove Lagoon Kayak, Hike and Snorkel Adventure with Picnic Lunch: $159
- Book Your Private Two and a Half Hour Island Tour today!: $150
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNew Orleans $60Saint Thomas $27
Sample the Local Flavors in New Orleans
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New Orleans:
- Ghost Tour and Haunted Pub Crawl Party with Free Shot!: $24
- New Orleans Small-Group History Tour Pub Crawl of The Irish Channel: $25
- NOLA Distillery Tour: $30
- New Orleans Spooky Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl and Ghost Tour: $30
- Vixens and Villains Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- New Orleans Happy Hour Ghost Walking Tour Pub Crawl: $33
- New Orleans Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Till Death Do Us Part: Haunted Pub Crawl Where Love Meets Death: $35
- Sin and Tonic Pub Crawl in New Orleans: $35
- New Orleans Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $36
- Adults Only Haunted Pub Crawl in New Orleans: $37
- New Orleans' Finest Haunted Pub Tour: $40
When comparing the travel costs between New Orleans and Saint Thomas, we can see that New Orleans is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though New Orleans is in North America and Saint Thomas is in Caribbean Islands, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is New Orleans Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, New Orleans or Saint Thomas?
New Orleans has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of New Orleans 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 New Orleans or Saint Thomas?
New Orleans 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 New Orleans or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both New Orleans and Saint Thomas. Many travelers come to New Orleans for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
New Orleans is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas in the summer. The daily temperature in New Orleans averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In New Orleans, it's very sunny this time of the year. New Orleans usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during summer. New Orleans gets 264 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, New Orleans usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. New Orleans gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNew Orleans 82°F (28°C)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit New Orleans or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to New Orleans as well as Saint Thomas. Many visitors come to New Orleans in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
In the autumn, New Orleans is cooler than Saint Thomas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in New Orleans in October average around 69°F (21°C), and Saint Thomas averages at about 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in New Orleans this time of the year. In the autumn, New Orleans often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas. New Orleans gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Saint Thomas. New Orleans usually gets less rain in October than Saint Thomas. New Orleans gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNew Orleans 69°F (21°C)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit New Orleans or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
Both Saint Thomas and New Orleans are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to New Orleans for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, New Orleans is generally much colder than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in New Orleans average around 51°F (11°C), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. New Orleans usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during winter. New Orleans gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in New Orleans. In January, New Orleans usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. New Orleans gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNew Orleans 51°F (11°C)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit New Orleans or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
Both Saint Thomas and New Orleans during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to New Orleans because of the activities around the city. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
New Orleans is cooler than Saint Thomas in the spring. The daily temperature in New Orleans averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in New Orleans. In the spring, New Orleans often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas. New Orleans gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. New Orleans usually gets more rain in April than Saint Thomas. New Orleans gets 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNew Orleans 68°F (20°C)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and New Orleans
| New Orleans | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 51°F (11°C) | 5.2 inches (131 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 54°F (12°C) | 5.8 inches (147 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 62°F (16°C) | 5 inches (126 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 68°F (20°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 75°F (24°C) | 4.3 inches (110 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 80°F (27°C) | 5.9 inches (151 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 5.9 inches (149 mm) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 82°F (28°C) | 6.2 inches (157 mm) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 78°F (26°C) | 5.5 inches (140 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 69°F (21°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 61°F (16°C) | 4.8 inches (122 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 55°F (13°C) | 5.7 inches (146 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.