Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Saint Augustine?
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 Saint Augustine or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Augustine 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: Saint Augustine or Saint Thomas?
Saint Augustine
St. Augustine is the oldest European-established settlement in the United States. Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon landed nearby and claimed the land now known as Florida in the name of Spain in 1513. They had originally named the land La Florida, which means "Land of Flowers". The city was founded by Spanish explorer Pedro Menendez de Aviles in 1565. Sir Francis Drake and John Davis burnt the city to the ground in 1586 and 1665 respectively, but St. Augustine soon became strong enough to fend off such attacks. Florida was purchased by the United States from Spain in 1819; it seceded during the Civil War, during which St. Augustine was occupied by Union forces.
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 Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.
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Saint Augustine Prices
USA PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Augustine $195Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Augustine is $195, 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 Saint Augustine and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Augustine $86Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Augustine $172Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Saint Augustine and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Saint Augustine 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: Saint Augustine Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Augustine $39Saint Thomas $37
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: $203
- 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
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St. Thomas Airport Transfer to Wyndham Margaritaville: $160
- Prince Taxi & Tours St.Thomas Airport transfer to Redhook Ferry: $200
- Prince Taxi USVI- ST.Thomas Aiport Transfer to Crown bay ferry: $120
- 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 Saint Augustine or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Saint Augustine 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 daySaint Augustine $85Saint Thomas $94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Augustine
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint Augustine.
- Cooking Class/Dinner W/ Celebrity French Chef OR Private Chef Ser: $115
- St. Augustine Historical FOOD Tour on Electric Cart with Pick Up : $129
- Feast of Saint Augustine Historical Walking Food Tour: $139
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
- Flavors of St Thomas Walking Food Tour : $145
- St. John PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail with Beach Stop, Lunch & Open Bar - Westin: $149
- St. Thomas Dinner Sail to St. John with Open Bar & Hors D'oeuvres - Ritz-Carlton: $149
- Christmas Cove and Pizza Pi Happy Hour Sail Tour: $185
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Augustine $18Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Saint Augustine
Here are a few actual costs in Saint Augustine for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- St. Augustine Ghost Tour on Premium Golf Cart with PiCk Up : $39
- 1 Hour Historical Tour of Saint Augustine Florida & FREE Parking: $36
- 1 Hour Private Historical Tour of Saint Augustine, Florida : $250
- : Step back in time with pastime private historical tours: $38
- A Self-Guided Audio Tour of St Augustine's Twisted History: $15
- Adventure Boat Tours - Nights of Lights by Water in St. Augustine FL: $38
- Adventure Boat Tours - Sunset Water Tour in St. Augustine: $40
- Airboat Adventure in Saint Augustine with a Guide: $80
- America‘s Oldest City: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of St Augustine: $20
- Blood On The Cobblestones True Crime Tour of St Augustine: $35
- Booze and Boos Haunted St. Augustine Ghost Walking Tour: $34
- Bourbon and Whiskey History Tour in St Augustine : $209
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
- Island Eco Farm Tour with Local Treats and Sapphire Beach Time: $27
- Cruise Ship Shuttle to Ferry going to St. John: $28
- Coral World Ocean Park General Admission Ticket: $29
- Cruise Ship Port Shuttle to St John Ferry : $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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Augustine $25Saint Thomas $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Augustine
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Augustine:
- The Original Haunted Pub Tour: $27
- Wine Tasting Cruise in St. Augustine : $49
- Toast of St. Augustine Walking Pub Crawl - drinks included: $63
- Mobile Wine Tasting and Food Pairing Tour St. Augustine: $129
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Augustine and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Saint Augustine much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint Augustine Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Augustine or Saint Thomas?
Saint Thomas has a larger population, and is about 65% larger than the population of Saint Augustine. When comparing the sizes of Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine or Saint Thomas?
Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
Both Saint Thomas and Saint Augustine during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Saint Augustine in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
Saint Augustine is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Augustine averages around 82°F (28°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 Saint Augustine. In the summer, Saint Augustine often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas. Saint Augustine gets 286 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 Saint Augustine. Saint Augustine usually gets more rain in July than Saint Thomas. Saint Augustine gets 5.4 inches (137 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 JulySaint Augustine 82°F (28°C)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Saint Augustine or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Augustine and Saint Thomas. Most visitors come to Saint Augustine for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Saint Augustine is cooler than Saint Thomas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Augustine in October average around 70°F (21°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 Saint Augustine, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Augustine usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during autumn. Saint Augustine gets 214 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, Saint Augustine usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Saint Augustine gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Saint Augustine is the hurricane season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Augustine 70°F (21°C)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Saint Augustine or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Saint Augustine as well as Saint Thomas. The winter months attract visitors to Saint Augustine because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
In January, Saint Augustine is generally much colder than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Saint Augustine average around 53°F (12°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, Saint Augustine often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Saint Augustine gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun.
Saint Augustine usually gets more rain in January than Saint Thomas. Saint Augustine gets 3.3 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 JanuarySaint Augustine 53°F (12°C)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Saint Augustine or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
Both Saint Thomas and Saint Augustine are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Saint Augustine this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Saint Augustine is cooler than Saint Thomas in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Augustine averages around 68°F (20°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 Saint Augustine. Saint Augustine usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas during spring. Saint Augustine gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Saint Augustine usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint Thomas. Saint Augustine gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Saint Augustine is June to November.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Augustine 68°F (20°C)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Saint Augustine
| Saint Augustine | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 56°F (13°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 62°F (17°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 74°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 80°F (27°C) | 5.7 inches (146 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 82°F (28°C) | 7.8 inches (199 mm) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 79°F (26°C) | 7.1 inches (180 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 70°F (21°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 62°F (17°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 56°F (13°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.