A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint Petersburg vs. Saint Thomas for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg and Saint Thomas can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Saint Petersburg or Saint Thomas?

Saint Petersburg

Located at the base of the Tampa Bay peninsula of Florida, Saint Petersburg is a city known for its pleasant weather, coastal activities, and downtown arts scene. Nicknamed the "Sunshine City," Saint Petersburg is also a popular location for golfing, boating, fishing and beachgoing in addition to the usual entertainment options to be found in a thriving city.

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 Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Saint Petersburg?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Saint Petersburg Prices
    USA Prices
    Saint Thomas Prices
    USVI Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Saint Petersburg $239
    Saint Thomas $258

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $239, 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 Petersburg and Saint Thomas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Petersburg $127
    Saint Thomas $131
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Petersburg $254
    Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Saint Thomas

Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg 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.

Hotels in Saint Petersburg


Hotels in Saint Thomas


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 Petersburg Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $47
    Saint Thomas $37

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:

  • Cyril E. King Airport STT to Charlotte Amalie RoundTrip Transfer: $204
  • Prince Taxi & Tours St.Thomas Airport transfer to Redhook Ferry: $200
  • Prince Taxi USVI ST.Thomas Airport transfer to Westin : $180
  • Prince Taxi USVI-ST.Thomas Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton : $180
  • ST.Thomas Private Airport One-Way Transfers: $180
  • Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $179
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Cyril E King Airport to Redhook Bay: $175
  • Prince Taxi ST.Thomas Airport transfer to Yacht Haven/Bluebeards: $175
  • Private Hotel and Resorts Transfers: $173
  • PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St. Thomas- Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton Elysian : $170
  • Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $160
  • Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St Thomas- Airport Transfer Sapphire / Crystal Cove : $160

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Saint Thomas?

Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Saint Petersburg 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 day
    Saint Petersburg $84
    Saint Thomas $94
Typical Food Prices in Saint Petersburg

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Saint Petersburg:


  • Burger Dinner (for 2)
    $20
  • Indian Food Dinner (for 2)
    $37
  • Gelato (for 2)
    $8.00
  • Breakfast at Piper's Patio (for 2)
    $17

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.
    Saint Petersburg $13
    Saint Thomas $60

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 day
    Saint Petersburg $41
    Saint Thomas $27


When comparing the travel costs between Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Saint Thomas?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg 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 Petersburg or Saint Thomas?

Saint Petersburg 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 Petersburg or Saint Thomas in the Summer?

Both Saint Thomas and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Saint Petersburg for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Saint Petersburg is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Saint Petersburg. In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. Saint Petersburg gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint Petersburg 82°F (28°C) 
    Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?

Both Saint Thomas and Saint Petersburg during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Saint Petersburg because of the shopping scene. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is cooler than Saint Thomas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October average around 76°F (24°C), and Saint Thomas averages at about 28°C (82°F).

In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Petersburg. In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas. Saint Petersburg gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun.

Saint Thomas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in October than Saint Thomas. Saint Petersburg gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Saint Petersburg is June to November.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint Petersburg 76°F (24°C) 
    Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Saint Thomas in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Saint Thomas. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Saint Petersburg this time of year. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In January, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 59°F (15°C), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In Saint Petersburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. Saint Petersburg gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint Petersburg 59°F (15°C) 
    Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Saint Thomas in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Saint Thomas. Many travelers come to Saint Petersburg for the beaches. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.

Saint Petersburg is cooler than Saint Thomas in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 73°F (23°C) in April, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Petersburg this time of the year. In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets more sunshine than Saint Thomas. Saint Petersburg gets 299 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Saint Thomas. Saint Petersburg gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Saint Petersburg.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint Petersburg 73°F (23°C) 
    Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg Saint Thomas
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 59°F (15°C) 2.3 inches (59 mm) 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 62°F (17°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 67°F (20°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 73°F (23°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm) 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
May 78°F (25°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm) 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 82°F (28°C) 6.5 inches (165 mm) 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 8.4 inches (214 mm) 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 82°F (28°C) 8 inches (203 mm) 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 81°F (27°C) 6.3 inches (161 mm) 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Oct 76°F (24°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm) 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Nov 69°F (20°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm) 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in)
Dec 62°F (17°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm) 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)