Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Richmond?
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 Richmond or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Richmond and Saint Thomas can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Richmond or Saint Thomas?
Richmond
One of the oldest American cities, Richmond was established in 1607 by English settlers led by Captain Christopher Newport and Captain John Smith. During the Civil War it existed as the capital of the Confederacy, and today it remains the capital of the U.S. state of Virginia. There are many historic sights to see and museums to explore, as well as plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment.
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 Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.
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Richmond Prices
USA PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRichmond $176Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Richmond is $176, 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 Richmond and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRichmond $101Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRichmond $202Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Richmond and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Richmond 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: Richmond Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Richmond $72Saint Thomas $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Richmond
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Richmond:
- Richmond City to Richmond Airport (RIC) - Departure Private Transfer: $175
- Richmond Airport (RIC) to Richmond city - Arrival Private Transfer: $175
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 Richmond or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Richmond 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 dayRichmond $36Saint Thomas $94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Richmond
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Richmond.
- Church Hill Food Tour: $89
- Trendy Carytown Food Tour: $89
- The Carytown Food Tour with Discover Richmond Tours: $90
- Church Hill Food Tour with Discover Richmond Tours: $90
- Arts District Food Tour in Richmond with Discover Richmond: $90
- Delicious Pizza & Ice Cream Tour of Richmond: $94
- Arts District Walking Food Tour: $99
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.Richmond $13Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Richmond
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Richmond are as follows:
- Capitol Steps and Stories Walking Tour : $45
- Church Hill Chillers Ghost Tour: $27
- Church Hill Segway Tour in Richmond: $80
- Creepy Tales on Campus Ghost Tour: $27
- Discover Downtown Richmond Bike Tour: $165
- Discover Downtown and Riverfront Bike Tour : $115
- Haunted Capitol Hill Ghost Tour: $27
- Historic Trolley Tour: $42
- Hollywood Cemetery Segway Tour in Richmond: $80
- Offbeat History Tour of Richmond on a bus: $45
- Phantoms of Franklin Ghost Tour: $27
- Quirk Richmond Art and Secret Garden Tour: $115
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 dayRichmond -Saint Thomas $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Richmond
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Richmond:
- Richmond Virginia Bar Crawl: $15
- Richmond Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Richmond Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl : $37
- Richmond Craft Brewery Crawl By Junket: $86
- Brewery Tour of Richmond, VA: $90
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Richmond and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Richmond much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Richmond 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 Richmond would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Richmond 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 Richmond.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Richmond Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Richmond or Saint Thomas?
Richmond has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Richmond 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 Richmond or Saint Thomas?
Richmond 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 Richmond or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Richmond as well as Saint Thomas. Most visitors come to Richmond for the family-friendly experiences during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
In the summer, Richmond is cooler than Saint Thomas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Richmond in July average around 78°F (26°C), and Saint Thomas averages at about 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 Richmond this time of the year. In the summer, Richmond often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas. Richmond gets 305 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun.
Richmond receives a lot of rain in the summer. Richmond usually gets more rain in July than Saint Thomas. Richmond gets 5 inches (128 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 JulyRichmond 78°F (26°C)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Richmond or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
Both Saint Thomas and Richmond are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Richmond because of the shopping scene. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Richmond is generally much colder than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Richmond average around 59°F (15°C), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Richmond. Richmond usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas during autumn. Richmond gets 221 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, Richmond usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Richmond gets 3.5 inches (90 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 OctoberRichmond 59°F (15°C)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Richmond or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
Both Saint Thomas and Richmond during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Richmond this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
It's quite cold in Richmond in the winter. Richmond is much colder than Saint Thomas in the winter. The daily temperature in Richmond averages around 36°F (2°C) in January, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Richmond often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Richmond gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun.
Richmond usually gets more rain in January than Saint Thomas. Richmond gets 3.2 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 JanuaryRichmond 36°F (2°C)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Richmond or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Richmond and Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Richmond is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Richmond in April average around 58°F (14°C), and Saint Thomas averages at about 27°C (80°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In Richmond, it's very sunny this time of the year. Richmond usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas during spring. Richmond gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Richmond usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint Thomas. Richmond gets 3 inches (75 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 AprilRichmond 58°F (14°C)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Richmond
| Richmond | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 36°F (2°C) | 3.2 inches (83 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 inches (80 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 49°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 58°F (14°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 3.8 inches (98 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 | 78°F (26°C) | 5 inches (128 mm) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 77°F (25°C) | 4.4 inches (113 mm) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 71°F (21°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 59°F (15°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 41°F (5°C) | 3.3 inches (83 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.