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

Should you visit Saint Thomas or Denali National Park?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Saint Thomas or Denali National Park? 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 Denali National Park?

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.

Denali National Park

There is a place in Alaska, 240 miles wide, where you can be a part of the wild frontier. The expansive and untouched area of Denali National Park welcomes thousands of visitors ever year with stunning natural wonders and incredible wildlife like grizzly bears, wolves, moose, caribou and more.

As home to North America's tallest peak, Denali has attracted nature adventurers from all over the world. Established in 1917 as wildlife refuge, Denali National Park contains areas of tundra and taiga. Taiga zones are covered in evergreen, spruce and aspen trees, while tundra zones are full of miniaturized versions of the plants including flowers, mosses and shrubs.

Remember that the weather changes without warning in Denali. It is a well known to the locals that you can expect sun, wind, rain and clouds in the same day. Pack accordingly.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Denali National Park 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.

  • Saint Thomas Prices
    USVI Prices
    Denali National Park Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Saint Thomas $258
    Denali National Park $260

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Thomas is $258, while the average daily cost in Denali National Park is $260. 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 Denali National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Thomas $131
    Denali National Park $116
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Thomas $262
    Denali National Park $232
Compare Hotels in Saint Thomas and Denali National Park

Looking for a hotel in Saint Thomas or Denali National Park? 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 Thomas


Hotels in Denali National Park


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Thomas $37
    Denali National Park $76
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 Thomas or Denali National Park?

Prices for flights to both Denali National Park 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Saint Thomas $94
    Denali National Park $98

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 Thomas $60
    Denali National Park $30

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 Denali National Park

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Denali National Park.

  • 2.5-Hour Denali Wilderness ATV Adventure Tour: $135
  • 3 Hour Naturalist Walking Tour in Denali National Park: $139
  • 4 Hour Off-Trail Hiking Tour in Denali: $209
  • 5-Hour Mountain Hiking Tour in the Alaska Range - Denali Area: $199
  • Alaskan Back Country Side by Side ATV Adventure with Meal: $163
  • Classic ATV Adventure with Back Country Dining: $163
  • Denali 4 Hour Hiking Adventure with Naturalist Guide: $160
  • Denali 5 Hour Hiking Tour with Naturalist Guide: $182
  • Denali ATV Trailblazer 3.5 Hour Tour : $178
  • Denali Husky Kennel & Brewpub Visit – Half-Day Experience: $130
  • Denali Naturalist Walking Tour: $132
  • Denali Park Zipline Adventure: $190

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint Thomas $27
    Denali National Park $12


When comparing the travel costs between Saint Thomas and Denali National Park, we can see that Denali National Park 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 Thomas is in Caribbean Islands and Denali National Park is in North America, 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 Thomas Expensive? and Is Denali National Park Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Saint Thomas or Denali National Park?

Denali National Park 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 Thomas or Denali National Park in the Summer?

Both Denali National Park and Saint Thomas are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Denali National Park for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saint Thomas is much warmer than Denali National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Thomas in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Denali National Park averages at about 60°F (15°C).

In July, Saint Thomas usually receives less rain than Denali National Park. Saint Thomas gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F) 
    Denali National Park 60°F (15°C)

Should I visit Saint Thomas or Denali National Park in the Autumn?

Both Denali National Park and Saint Thomas during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Denali National Park in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Denali National Park can get quite cold in the autumn. In October, Saint Thomas is generally much warmer than Denali National Park. Daily temperatures in Saint Thomas average around 28°C (82°F), and Denali National Park fluctuates around 32°F (0°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas usually gets more rain in October than Denali National Park. Saint Thomas gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F) 
    Denali National Park 32°F (0°C)

Should I visit Saint Thomas or Denali National Park in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Thomas and Denali National Park. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Denali National Park for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Denali National Park can be very cold during winter. Saint Thomas is much warmer than Denali National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Thomas averages around 26°C (78°F) in January, and Denali National Park fluctuates around 11°F (-12°C).

In January, Saint Thomas usually receives more rain than Denali National Park. Saint Thomas gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F) 
    Denali National Park 11°F (-12°C)

Should I visit Saint Thomas or Denali National Park in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saint Thomas as well as Denali National Park. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Denali National Park because of the natural beauty.

The weather in Denali National Park can be very cold. In the spring, Saint Thomas is much warmer than Denali National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Thomas in April average around 27°C (80°F), and Denali National Park averages at about 34°F (1°C).

Saint Thomas usually gets more rain in April than Denali National Park. Saint Thomas gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F) 
    Denali National Park 34°F (1°C)

Typical Weather for Denali National Park and Saint Thomas

Saint Thomas Denali National Park
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 11°F (-12°C) 1.3 inches (33 mm)
Feb 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 16°F (-9°C) 1.4 inches (37 mm)
Mar 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 23°F (-5°C) 1.5 inches (37 mm)
Apr 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 34°F (1°C) 1.6 inches (41 mm)
May 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 46°F (8°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 56°F (13°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 60°F (15°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in) 56°F (14°C) 4.5 inches (115 mm)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in) 47°F (9°C) 4.2 inches (108 mm)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in) 32°F (0°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
Nov 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in) 18°F (-8°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm)
Dec 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 13°F (-11°C) 1.9 inches (49 mm)


Related Articles for Saint Thomas
Related Articles for Denali National Park