Which place is cheaper, Albuquerque or Saint Thomas?
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 Thomas or Albuquerque?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Albuquerque? 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 Thomas or Albuquerque?
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.
Albuquerque
Albuquerque is a large city in the middle of the desert, right in the heart of New Mexico. It's the largest city in the state and has a lot to offer visitors. The city has a quaint downtown with a handful of good shops and restaurants. The surrounding area is quite beautiful and every fall the city hosts a famous and spectacular hot air balloon festival.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.
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Saint Thomas Prices
USVI PricesAlbuquerque Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Thomas $258Albuquerque $165
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Thomas is $258, while the average daily cost in Albuquerque is $165. 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 Thomas and Albuquerque in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Thomas $131Albuquerque $69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Thomas $262Albuquerque $138
Compare Hotels in Saint Thomas and Albuquerque
Looking for a hotel in Saint Thomas or Albuquerque? 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: Albuquerque Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Thomas $37Albuquerque $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: $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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Albuquerque
Also for Albuquerque, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Balloon Fiesta Albuquerque 2024 transfers: $625
- Albuquerque International Sunport Private Transfer: $196
- Albuquerque Airport (ABQ) to Albuquerque - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $91
- Albuquerque Airport (ABQ) to Albuquerque - Arrival Private Transfer: $45
- Albuquerque to Albuquerque Airport (ABQ) - Departure Private Transfer: $45
- Private Departure Transfer To Albuquerque Airport ABQ: $40
- Private Arrival Transfer from Albuquerque Airport (ABQ): $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Thomas or Albuquerque?
Prices for flights to both Albuquerque and Saint Thomas 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 Thomas $94Albuquerque $71
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Albuquerque
For Albuquerque, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Show - Albuquerque, NM: $80
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Thomas $60Albuquerque $24
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
Tours and Activities in Albuquerque
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Albuquerque.
- A Food and Art Walking Tour through Old Town ABQ: $120
- 12pm - Public High Noon History, Legends & Lore Tour - Guided Old Town Stroll: $35
- 4pm Private Ghost Tour of Old Town Albuquerque: $67
- 6pm Private Ghost Tour of Old Town Albuquerque: $81
- 8pm Private Ghost Tour of Old Town Albuquerque : $94
- Albuquerque Desert Shadows Rising Ghost Tour: $24
- Albuquerque Desert Shadows Rising Ghost Tour: $26
- Albuquerque Family Adventure: A Private Discovery Tour: $935
- Albuquerque Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $49
- Albuquerque Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
- Albuquerque Snowshoe Experience: $159
- 10pm Late Night RATED "R" Ghost Tour Ages 18+: $38
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Thomas $27Albuquerque $20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Thomas and Albuquerque, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Albuquerque much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint Thomas is in Caribbean Islands and Albuquerque 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 Albuquerque would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Albuquerque 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 Albuquerque.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint Thomas Expensive? and Is Albuquerque Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Thomas or Albuquerque?
Albuquerque has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Saint Thomas and Albuquerque, 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.
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.