Which place is cheaper, Honolulu 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 Honolulu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Honolulu? 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 Honolulu?
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.
Honolulu
Hawaii's capital city of Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, is the state's center for government, finance, and transportation. It's also the home of Waikiki Beach, one of the most famous beaches in the state of Hawaii. Nearly one million people live in this Honolulu metropolitan area. This is almost 80% of the state's population. The city is not the relaxed Hawaiian destination that you might be searching for, but is instead a fast paced, cosmopolitan city. In addition to attracting many tourists every year, you'll also find international businesses, military defense and a diverse culture and population.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City.
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Saint Thomas Prices
USVI PricesHonolulu Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Thomas $258Honolulu $329
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Thomas is $258, while the average daily cost in Honolulu is $329. 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 Honolulu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Thomas $131Honolulu $190
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Thomas $262Honolulu $380
Compare Hotels in Saint Thomas and Honolulu
Looking for a hotel in Saint Thomas or Honolulu? 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: Honolulu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Thomas $37Honolulu $26
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Honolulu
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Honolulu are as follows:
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Rental Car for One Day$35
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Airport Shuttle for Two$30
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Hilton Parking$24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Honolulu
Also for Honolulu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Honolulu HNL Airport Round-Trip Private Transfer in SUV: $299
- Private Minibus Arrival transfer Honolulu Airport HNL to Waikiki: $283
- Private Transfer from Waikiki to Honolulu Airport HNL by Minibus: $266
- Luxury Sprinter Transfer Airport, Waikiki and Cruise Terminal: $250
- One-Way VIP Transfer: Honolulu Airport, Ko Olina, Port 2/11: $240
- Airport to Waikiki Transfer with Meet and Greet: $225
- Private Airport Transfer from Honululu : $210
- One-Way VIP Transfer: Honolulu Airport, Waikiki, Cruise Port: $199
- Private Transfer from HNL Airport to Honolulu / Waikiki : $180
- One-Way VIP Transfer: Honolulu Airport, Waikiki, Cruise Port: $180
- Honolulu Airport & KoOlina Hotels Private Transfer by Luxury SUV(up to 5 People): $180
- Honolulu Hawaii Airport Transfer: $179
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Thomas or Honolulu?
Prices for flights to both Honolulu 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 $94Honolulu $91
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 Honolulu
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Honolulu:
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Dinner for Two$73
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Lapperts Hawaii Ice Cream$5.55
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Chai's Island Bistro (for 2)$53
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Cheeseburger Waikiki (for 2)$34
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Matsumoto Shave Ice (for 2)$7.50
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Hot Dog with the Fixins'$8.30
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Sushi Dinner for Two$73
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Honolulu
For Honolulu, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Oʻahu: Nā Lei Aloha Lūʻau & Dinner or Cocktail Show Option: $93
- Waikiki Food Tour with Local Guide: $100
- Da Local's Food Tour of Oahu: $150
- Ka Moana Luau Dinner and Show with Transportation: $166
- Sunset 5 Course Dinner Cruise with Entertainment: $193
- Nova Five Star Sunset Dinner Cruise with Live Jazz: $236
- Brewery and Local Food Tour: $600
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Thomas $60Honolulu $40
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Honolulu
For Honolulu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Parking for Hike$5.00
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Pearl Harbor Audio Tour for Two$12
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2 hr Dinner Cruise$85
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1 Day Kayak Rental$36
Tours and Activities in Honolulu
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Honolulu.
- Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial, small group Tour: $100
- #1 Private VIP USS Arizona Memorial & Historic Honolulu Tour: $799
- 'Lost' and Movie Tour: $200
- 3 Hour Sightseeing *SPECIALTY Tour: $149
- 3 Zipline Adventure with Waikiki Transportation: $157
- 3-Hour Honolulu Bottom Fishing Adventure: $87
- 4 Hour Half Day Island Jeep Tour: $190
- 5 Hour Romantic Hawaii Jeep Tour: $276
- 6 Hour Local Food Plate Jeep Tour: $230
- 7 Day Hawaii Tour!: $8,800
- Afternoon Honolulu City Tour: $144
- Afternoon at McGarret - Hawaii 5-0 TV Tour: $239
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Thomas $27Honolulu $6.47
Sample the Local Flavors in Honolulu
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Honolulu:
- Waikiki Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Thomas and Honolulu, we can see that Honolulu is more expensive. And not only is Saint Thomas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint Thomas is in Caribbean Islands and Honolulu 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 Saint Thomas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Thomas 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 Honolulu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Honolulu than you might in Saint Thomas.
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 Honolulu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Thomas or Honolulu?
Honolulu has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Saint Thomas and Honolulu, 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 Honolulu?
Honolulu 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 Honolulu in the Summer?
Both Honolulu 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, most visitors come to Honolulu for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Saint Thomas is around the same temperature as Honolulu in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Thomas averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Honolulu fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).
It's quite sunny in Honolulu. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Honolulu during summer. Saint Thomas gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Honolulu receives 303 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Saint Thomas usually receives more rain than Honolulu. Saint Thomas gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Thomas 29°C (83°F)Honolulu 81°F (27°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Honolulu in the Autumn?
Both Honolulu 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. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Honolulu because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Saint Thomas is around the same temperature as Honolulu. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Thomas in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Honolulu averages at about 80°F (26°C).
In Honolulu, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. In the autumn, Saint Thomas often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Honolulu. Saint Thomas gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Honolulu receives 246 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas usually gets more rain in October than Honolulu. Saint Thomas gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Thomas 28°C (82°F)Honolulu 80°F (26°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Honolulu in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Thomas and Honolulu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Honolulu this time of year.
In January, Saint Thomas is generally a little warmer than Honolulu. Daily temperatures in Saint Thomas average around 26°C (78°F), and Honolulu fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Honolulu this time of the year. In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Thomas usually receives more sunshine than Honolulu during winter. Saint Thomas gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Honolulu receives 212 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Saint Thomas usually receives less rain than Honolulu. Saint Thomas gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Thomas 26°C (78°F)Honolulu 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Honolulu in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Saint Thomas as well as Honolulu. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Honolulu for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
Saint Thomas is around the same temperature as Honolulu in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Thomas averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and Honolulu fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Honolulu. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In the spring, Saint Thomas often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Honolulu. Saint Thomas gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Honolulu receives 253 hours of full sun.
Saint Thomas usually gets more rain in April than Honolulu. Saint Thomas gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 1.7 inches (42 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Thomas 27°C (80°F)Honolulu 76°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Honolulu and Saint Thomas
| Saint Thomas | Honolulu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.6 inches (15 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.7 inches (19 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (98 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.