Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Philadelphia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Philadelphia or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Philadelphia or Saint Thomas, 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: Philadelphia or Saint Thomas?
Philadelphia
Philadelphia is the fourth largest urban area, and the fifth largest city in the United States. It's located in southeastern Pennsylvania and has a rich history, having once been the capital of the United States. The city has very impressive architecture, museums, universities, and entertainment venues. It's a cultural and artistic center for the country and it continues to climb as a top travel destination.
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 Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.
-
Philadelphia Prices
USA PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhiladelphia $224Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Philadelphia is $224, 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 Philadelphia and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhiladelphia $119Saint Thomas $131
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhiladelphia $238Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Philadelphia and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Philadelphia 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: Philadelphia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Philadelphia $28Saint Thomas $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Philadelphia
Also for Philadelphia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Minibus Private Transfer Philadelphia Airport PHL to Philadelphia: $273
- Minibus Private Transfer Philadelphia to Philadelphia Airport PHL: $273
- Philadelphia Airport (PHL) to Philadelphia - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $217
- Philadelphia City to Baltimore City - Private Car Transfer: $210
- Private Transfer Philadephia Airport PHL to Philadelphia by SUV: $152
- Private Transfer Philadelphia to Philadephia Airport PHL by SUV: $146
- Private transfer from PHL to Philadelphia Downtown: $130
- Private Transfer: Philadelphia Airport PHL to Philadelphia in Luxury SUV: $115
- Private Transfer: Philadelphia to Philadelphia Airport PHL in Luxury SUV: $115
- Philadelphia Airport (PHL) to Philadelphia - Arrival Private Transfer: $109
- Philadelphia to Philadelphia Airport (PHL) - Departure Private Transfer: $109
- Private Transfer: Philadelphia Airport PHL to Philadelphia in Business Car: $104
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Thomas
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Saint Thomas are as follows:
-
Scooter Rental$65
-
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 Philadelphia or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Philadelphia 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
-
Food Meals for one dayPhiladelphia $84Saint Thomas $94
Typical Food Prices in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Casual Lunch (for 3)$27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Philadelphia Africatown Walking Food Tour: $56
- Nibble Food Tour: $58
- Philadelphia Italian Market Public Food Tour: $59
- Center City Philadelphia Food Tour with Reading Market : $59
- Philadelphia's Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $65
- Flavors of Philly Food Tour: $65
- Behind The Scenes Food Tour: South Philly & Italian Market: $95
- Highlights of East Passyunk Food Tour: $105
- City Cruises Signature Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $109
- Italian Market Private 2.5 Hour Walking Food Tour : $130
- Flavours of Private Reading Market 2.5-hr Food Tour: $290
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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Philadelphia $28Saint Thomas $60
Typical Entertainment Prices in Philadelphia
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Philadelphia's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Big Bus Tour (family of 3)$99
Tours and Activities in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Philly Italian Market Walking Tour Geno's: $79
- 1 Hour Philadelphia Private Guided Tour by Deluxe Electric Car: $150
- 2.5 Hour Philadelphia History Tour with Washington War Tent Show: $45
- 3-Hour Private Favorite & Secret Bars Walking Tour Philadelphia: $35
- 5K Walking Sightseeing Tour of Historic Benjamin Franklin Bridge: $24
- 90 Minute History Walking Tour of Old City Philadelphia: $29
- Alexander Hamilton Private Group Walking Tour in Philadelphia: $250
- Arabic Walking Tour of Historic Philadelphia for 2 hours. : $75
- BYOB Historically Hilarious Trolley Tour of Philadelphia: $49
- Badass Women's History Walking Tour of Philadelphia: $59
- Beyond the [Liberty] Bell History Walking Tour: $59
- City Sightseeing Philadelphia Double Decker Hop-On Hop-Off (24, 48, 72 Hours): $68
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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPhiladelphia $21Saint Thomas $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Philadelphia
Also in Philadelphia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Philly Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- Liberty History Tour Pub Crawl: $45
- Haunted Pub Crawl: $50
- Philadelphia Prohibition Pub Crawl: $50
- Philly Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
When comparing the travel costs between Philadelphia and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas 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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Philadelphia or Saint Thomas?
Philadelphia has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia or Saint Thomas?
Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Philadelphia and Saint Thomas. Many visitors come to Philadelphia in the summer 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.
In July, Philadelphia is generally cooler than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Philadelphia average around 77°F (25°C), 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 Philadelphia, it's very sunny this time of the year. Philadelphia usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas during summer. Philadelphia gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
Philadelphia gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Philadelphia usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. Philadelphia gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyPhiladelphia 77°F (25°C)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Philadelphia or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Philadelphia as well as Saint Thomas. Most visitors come to Philadelphia for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
Philadelphia is much colder than Saint Thomas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Philadelphia averages around 56°F (14°C) in October, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 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 Philadelphia this time of the year. In the autumn, Philadelphia often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Philadelphia gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Saint Thomas. Philadelphia usually gets less rain in October than Saint Thomas. Philadelphia gets 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPhiladelphia 56°F (14°C)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Philadelphia or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
Both Saint Thomas and Philadelphia are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Philadelphia because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The weather in Philadelphia can be very cold. In the winter, Philadelphia is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Philadelphia in January average around 30°F (-1°C), and Saint Thomas averages at about 26°C (78°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. Philadelphia usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during winter. Philadelphia gets 152 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Philadelphia usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. Philadelphia gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPhiladelphia 30°F (-1°C)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Philadelphia or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
Both Saint Thomas and Philadelphia during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Philadelphia this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
In April, Philadelphia is generally much colder than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Philadelphia average around 52°F (11°C), 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 Philadelphia. In the spring, Philadelphia often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Philadelphia gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun.
Philadelphia usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Saint Thomas. Philadelphia gets 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilPhiladelphia 52°F (11°C)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Philadelphia
| Philadelphia | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 33°F (1°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 42°F (6°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 52°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 72°F (22°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 76°F (24°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 56°F (14°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 46°F (8°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 36°F (2°C) | 2.7 inches (69 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.