Which place is cheaper, Kauai or Saint Croix?
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 Croix or Kauai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Croix or Kauai? 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: Saint Croix or Kauai?
Saint Croix
Sometimes all you want out of a vacation is the warmth of the sun, the sound of the waves and the taste of a cold drink. No more. No less. That's exactly what you can expect in St. Croix.
The largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Croix is a place of our leisure and relaxation. It's a bit of an expensive lifestyle for its 50,000 residents and daily visitors, but when you're living on island time, money is never a worry. There are no worries on island time.
This once volcanic island is covered in incredible beaches, stunning mountains, palm tress in the wind and historic colonial towns. While they may be a bit old and rundown, the Danish architecture still stands as a unique part of this island's legacy. Don't expect much window-shopping, though. That was not a feature incorporated in this style of architecture. If you want to know if a store is open, just step on in, but remember, shop hours are also running on island time.
Kauai
Hawaii is certainly a bucket list destination, but what if you want to do it without being surrounded by tourists? You want the adventure of the land of volcanoes and less of the kids in water wings. Then Kaua'i is the island for you.
Kaua'i, or the "garden island," is full of tropical forests, little villages and even more laid back lifestyle – if you can imagine. It's a smaller island at 560 square miles with a population of only 68,000.
With more coastline miles than any other island, Kaua'i is the result of massive erosion forming awe-inspiring sights like the Waimea Canyon and Na Pali Coast. The island experiences more rainfall every year – keeping it lush and green all year.
You'll feel like you've walked into another world in Kaua'i. Because of height restrictions, this island's buildings are no taller than the coconut trees. So if you're looking for an escape from civilization, you'll want to head straight for Kaua'i.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.
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Saint Croix Prices
USVI PricesKauai Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Croix $277Kauai $231
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Croix is $277, while the average daily cost in Kauai is $231. 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 Croix and Kauai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Croix $149Kauai $113
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Croix $298Kauai $226
Compare Hotels in Saint Croix and Kauai
Looking for a hotel in Saint Croix or Kauai? 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 Croix Hotel Prices and Kauai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Croix $35Kauai $34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Croix
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint Croix:
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St. Croix : $180
- Private Transfer from St.Croix hotels to St. Croix Cruise Port : $175
- Private Transfer from St.Croix Cruise Port to St.Croix hotels: $175
- Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Round-Trip Transfer: $167
- St. Croix to St. Croix Airport (STX) - Departure Private Transfer: $91
- St.Croix Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Arrival Private Transfer: $91
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Airport to St. Croix Cruise Port : $87
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Port to St. Croix Airport (STX): $87
- St. Croix to Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) - Departure Transfer: $84
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kauai
Also for Kauai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private SUV Transfer- Lihue Airport to Lihue/Kapaa : $149
- Private SUV Transfer-LIH Airport to Koloa/Poipu : $179
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Croix or Kauai?
Prices for flights to both Kauai and Saint Croix 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 Croix $97Kauai $96
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Croix
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint Croix.
- A Evening Cultural Experience Through Food Cooking Class St. Croix: $90
- A Morning Cultural Experience Through Food Cooking Class St. Croix: $90
- C'sted Sip & Savor Mixology Class with VI Food Tours: $131
- Taste of Twin City Food Tour with VI Food Tours: $145
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kauai
For Kauai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Allerton Garden and Estate Tour with Sunset Dinner: $106
- Local Tastes Small Group Food Tour: $121
- Walking Food Tour of Hanalei, Kauaʻi : $129
- Local Dishes Cooking Class: $174
- Luau Kalamaku on Kauai with Buffet Dinner and Show: $179
- Luau Ka Hikina Admission Ticket with Dinner and Lei Greeting: $189
- Luau Kalamaku – Elevated Seating, Dinner & Show: $198
- Napali Coast Sunset Sailboat Tour with Dinner: $226
- Napali Sunset Dinner Cruise: $226
- VIP Manor House Dinner & Luau Kalamaku Show: $237
- Luau Kalamaku on Kauai with Manor House 4-Course Dinner & Show: $251
- Leila Na Pali Sunset Dinner Sail: $264
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Croix $58Kauai $17
Tours and Activities in Saint Croix
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Saint Croix are as follows:
- Christiansted's Artisan Shopping Tour: $33
- Frederiksted Moke Tour: $75
- Guided Kayak Tour of Salt River Bay Ecology and History: $115
- Horseback Riding Experience: $160
- Parasail Experience in St Croix: $132
- Private Sailing Tour of Pirate Waters and Shipwrecks: $175
- St Croix Island Tour: $118
- St. Croix Ghost Tour of Historic Christiansted: $45
- The Frederiksted St. Croix Sea Turtles Snorkeling Tour: $89
Tours and Activities in Kauai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kauai.
- Ultimate Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour of Kauai (Na Pali, Waimea), Hawaii: $15
- Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Kauai: $20
- Kauai Poipu and Koloa Town Self-Guided Audio Tour: $20
- Kauai Wailua Valley & Waterfalls Audio Driving Tour: $20
- Waimea Canyon & Na Pali Driving Tour app: $23
- Kauai Adventure Bundle: 4 Epic Audio Driving Tours : $35
- Allerton Garden Guided Group Walking Tour: $64
- Kauai Cruise Ship Shore Excursion Journey to Waimea Canyon: $97
- Mālama Kai Adventure Snorkel: $102
- Kauai Cruise Ship Excursion: Wailua River & Fern Grotto: $109
- Kalapaki Kai Sunset Catamaran Cruise: $109
- Catamaran Sunset Cruise: $114
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Croix $27Kauai $14
Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Croix
Also in Saint Croix, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Farm to Bottle Tour at Prosperity Farm Distillery: $35
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Croix and Kauai, we can see that Saint Croix is more expensive. And not only is Kauai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint Croix is in Caribbean Islands and Kauai is in North America, 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 Kauai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kauai 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 Croix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Croix than you might in Kauai.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint Croix Expensive? and Is Kauai Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Saint Croix or Kauai?
Kauai has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint Croix experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Saint Croix or Kauai in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Saint Croix as well as Kauai. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Kauai because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Saint Croix is a little warmer than Kauai. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Croix in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Kauai averages at about 78°F (25°C).
Saint Croix usually gets more rain in July than Kauai. Saint Croix gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Kauai receives 0.6 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Croix 29°C (83°F)Kauai 78°F (25°C)
Should I visit Saint Croix or Kauai in the Autumn?
Both Kauai and Saint Croix are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Kauai this time of year.
In October, Saint Croix is generally a little warmer than Kauai. Daily temperatures in Saint Croix average around 28°C (82°F), and Kauai fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).
It's quite rainy in Saint Croix. In October, Saint Croix usually receives more rain than Kauai. Saint Croix gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Kauai receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Croix 28°C (82°F)Kauai 78°F (25°C)
Should I visit Saint Croix or Kauai in the Winter?
Both Kauai and Saint Croix during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Kauai for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Saint Croix is a little warmer than Kauai in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Croix averages around 26°C (78°F) in January, and Kauai fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).
Saint Croix usually gets less rain in January than Kauai. Saint Croix gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Kauai receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Croix 26°C (78°F)Kauai 71°F (22°C)
Should I visit Saint Croix or Kauai in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Croix and Kauai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round. Also, many visitors come to Kauai in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Saint Croix is a little warmer than Kauai. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Croix in April average around 27°C (80°F), and Kauai averages at about 73°F (23°C).
In April, Saint Croix usually receives more rain than Kauai. Saint Croix gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Kauai receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Croix 27°C (80°F)Kauai 73°F (23°C)
Typical Weather for Kauai and Saint Croix
| Saint Croix | Kauai | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 1.3 inches (32 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2 inches (52 mm) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 0.4 inches (10 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 76°F (25°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 0.6 inches (17 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 0.6 inches (16 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 1 inches (26 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 2.5 inches (62 mm) |
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.