Which place is cheaper, Hershey 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 Hershey?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Hershey? 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 Hershey?
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.
Hershey
Often called "Chocolatetown, USA" and "The Sweetest Place on Earth," Hershey, Pennsylvania is most known for being home to the famous Hershey's chocolates. The Hershey Company was founded in 1894 by Milton S. Hershey, and has grown to sell products in over sixty countries worldwide. Before the town was named Hershey, it was called Derry Church and was the hometown of the chocolatier. While there are now manufacturing plants in many locations, Hershey, PA, remains the location that draws the crowds. It is the place where the Hershey Company originated and is home to attractions like Hershey Park, Hershey Gardens, and Hershey's Chocolate World.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.
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Saint Thomas Prices
USVI PricesHershey Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Thomas $258Hershey $257
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Thomas is $258, while the average daily cost in Hershey is $257. 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 Hershey in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Thomas $131Hershey $114
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Thomas $262Hershey $228
Compare Hotels in Saint Thomas and Hershey
Looking for a hotel in Saint Thomas or Hershey? 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: Hershey Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Thomas $37Hershey $49
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
- 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
- Prince Taxi & Tours St.Thomas Airport transfer to Redhook Ferry: $200
- Prince Taxi ST.Thomas Airport transfer to Yacht Haven/Bluebeards: $175
- Prince Taxi USVI ST.Thomas Airport transfer to Westin : $180
- Prince Taxi USVI-ST.Thomas Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton : $180
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $179
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hershey
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hershey:
- Private transfer from MDT airport to Harrisburg, Lancaster, York, Hershey: $150
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Thomas or Hershey?
Prices for flights to both Hershey 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 $94Hershey $105
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
Typical Food Prices in Hershey
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hershey:
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Frozen Hot Chocolate$4.19
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Plain and Fancy Farm$46
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Homemade Apple Butter$7.98
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hershey
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hershey.
- Hershey Trolley Crawl and Evening Food Tour on a Vintage Trolley: $20
- Hershey Trolley Food Tour Experience: $99
- Rise and Dine Food Tour in Vintage Style Trolley: $99
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Thomas $60Hershey $53
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
- Coral World Ocean Park General Admission Ticket: $29
- Cruise Ship Shuttle to Ferry going to St. John: $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
- Guided Kayak Tour from Margaritaville: $48
- Guided Kayak Tour from Elysian: $48
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hershey
Here are a few typical costs in Hershey for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Hershey Chocolate World (for 3)$75
Tours and Activities in Hershey
Here are a few actual costs in Hershey for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Harrisburg's Historic Downtown Smartphone Guided Walking Tour: $9.75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Thomas $27Hershey $27
When comparing the travel costs between Saint Thomas and Hershey, 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 Thomas is in Caribbean Islands and Hershey 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 Hershey Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Thomas or Hershey?
Saint Thomas has a larger population, and is about 52% larger than the population of Hershey. When comparing the sizes of Saint Thomas and Hershey, 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 Thomas or Hershey?
Hershey 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 Hershey in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Saint Thomas as well as Hershey. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Hershey this time of year.
Saint Thomas is a little warmer than Hershey in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Thomas averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Hershey fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hershey. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In the summer, Saint Thomas often gets less sunshine than Hershey. Saint Thomas gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hershey receives 310 hours of full sun.
Saint Thomas usually gets less rain in July than Hershey. Saint Thomas gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Hershey receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Thomas 29°C (83°F)Hershey 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Hershey in the Autumn?
Both Hershey and Saint Thomas are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Hershey for the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Saint Thomas is much warmer than Hershey. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Thomas in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Hershey averages at about 56°F (13°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas usually receives more sunshine than Hershey during autumn. Saint Thomas gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Hershey receives 194 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Saint Thomas. In October, Saint Thomas usually receives more rain than Hershey. Saint Thomas gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Hershey receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Thomas 28°C (82°F)Hershey 56°F (13°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Hershey in the Winter?
Both Hershey and Saint Thomas during the winter 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 Hershey in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Hershey can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Saint Thomas is generally much warmer than Hershey. Daily temperatures in Saint Thomas average around 26°C (78°F), and Hershey fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. In the winter, Saint Thomas often gets more sunshine than Hershey. Saint Thomas gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hershey receives 153 hours of full sun.
Saint Thomas usually gets less rain in January than Hershey. Saint Thomas gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Hershey receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Thomas 26°C (78°F)Hershey 30°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Hershey in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Thomas and Hershey. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
Saint Thomas is much warmer than Hershey in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Thomas averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and Hershey fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hershey this time of the year. In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Thomas usually receives more sunshine than Hershey during spring. Saint Thomas gets 272 hours of sunny skies, while Hershey receives 237 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Saint Thomas usually receives less rain than Hershey. Saint Thomas gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Hershey receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Thomas 27°C (80°F)Hershey 53°F (12°C)
Typical Weather for Hershey and Saint Thomas
| Saint Thomas | Hershey | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 33°F (0°C) | 2.9 inches (75 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 42°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 53°F (12°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.9 inches (75 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) | 46°F (8°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 35°F (2°C) | 3.2 inches (82 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.