Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Norfolk?
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 Norfolk or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Norfolk 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: Norfolk or Saint Thomas?
Norfolk
The city of Norfolk in the U.S. state of Virginia is a port city holding a large Navy and shipping presence in its harbor. With a long history as a strategic military point, Norfolk is home to the largest Navy base in the world, Naval Station Norfolk. Other attractions include opportunities for dining, shopping, and entertainment as well as many parks and memorials.
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 Camping Tours in United States of America, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America.
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Norfolk Prices
USA PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNorfolk $202Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Norfolk is $202, 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 Norfolk and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNorfolk $84Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNorfolk $168Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Norfolk and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Norfolk 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: Norfolk Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Norfolk $54Saint Thomas $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Norfolk
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Norfolk:
- Bamville Transportation (Private & Airport Transfers): $275
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:
- Cyril E. King Airport STT to Charlotte Amalie RoundTrip Transfer: $204
- Exclusive Airport Transfers (up to 4 persons) One-Way: $135
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St. Thomas- Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton Elysian : $170
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove: $110
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay / Limetree: $110
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St Thomas- Airport Transfer Sapphire / Crystal Cove : $160
- Prince Taxi & Tours St.Thomas Airport transfer to Redhook Ferry: $200
- Prince Taxi ST.Thomas Airport transfer to Yacht Haven/Bluebeards: $175
- Prince Taxi USVI ST.Thomas Airport transfer to Westin : $180
- Prince Taxi USVI-ST.Thomas Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton : $180
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $179
Is it cheaper to fly into Norfolk or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Norfolk 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 dayNorfolk $85Saint Thomas $94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Norfolk
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Norfolk.
- City Cruises Lunch, Brunch, or Dinner Buffet Cruise: $57
- City Cruises Buffet Dinner Cruise : $103
- 4th of July Buffet Dinner Cruise with Fireworks: $210
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.Norfolk $14Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Norfolk
Here are a few actual costs in Norfolk for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- City Cruises Signature Lunch Cruise: $84
- Experience the season with a scavenger hunt in Norfolk with Holly Jolly Hunt: $20
- Half-Day Self-Guided Tour E-Bike Rental in Norfolk: $75
- Norfolk's Combo Tickets - Virginia Zoo & Battleship Wisconsin: $40
- Virginia Zoo & Battleship Wisconsin Combo Ticket: $42
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 dayNorfolk $10Saint Thomas $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Norfolk
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Norfolk:
- Norfolk Bar Crawl: $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Norfolk and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Norfolk much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Norfolk 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 Norfolk would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Norfolk 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 Norfolk.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Norfolk Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Norfolk or Saint Thomas?
Norfolk has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Norfolk 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 Norfolk or Saint Thomas?
Norfolk 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 Norfolk or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
Both Saint Thomas and Norfolk during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Norfolk because of the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
Norfolk is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas in the summer. The daily temperature in Norfolk averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Norfolk. In the summer, Norfolk often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas. Norfolk gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Norfolk. Norfolk usually gets more rain in July than Saint Thomas. Norfolk gets 5.7 inches (145 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 JulyNorfolk 79°F (26°C)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Norfolk or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Norfolk and Saint Thomas. The shopping scene are the main draw to Norfolk this time of year. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Norfolk is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Norfolk in October average around 62°F (16°C), and Saint Thomas averages at about 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In Norfolk, it's very sunny this time of the year. Norfolk usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during autumn. Norfolk gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Saint Thomas receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Norfolk usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Norfolk gets 3.1 inches (78 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 OctoberNorfolk 62°F (16°C)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Norfolk or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Norfolk as well as Saint Thomas. Many travelers come to Norfolk for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Norfolk. In January, Norfolk is generally much colder than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Norfolk average around 39°F (4°C), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. In the winter, Norfolk often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Norfolk gets 168 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun.
Norfolk usually gets more rain in January than Saint Thomas. Norfolk 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 JanuaryNorfolk 39°F (4°C)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Norfolk or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
Both Saint Thomas and Norfolk are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Norfolk is much colder than Saint Thomas in the spring. The daily temperature in Norfolk averages around 58°F (14°C) in April, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Norfolk. Norfolk usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas during spring. Norfolk gets 253 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Norfolk usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint Thomas. Norfolk 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 AprilNorfolk 58°F (14°C)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Norfolk
| Norfolk | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 39°F (4°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 41°F (5°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 49°F (10°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 58°F (14°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 74°F (24°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 79°F (26°C) | 5.7 inches (145 mm) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 78°F (25°C) | 5.9 inches (150 mm) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 72°F (22°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 62°F (16°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 inches (79 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.