Which place is cheaper, Kailua-Kona 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 Kailua-Kona?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Kailua-Kona? 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 Kailua-Kona?
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.
Kailua-Kona
Kailua-Kona, often simply called Kona, is a vibrant seaside town located on the west coast of Hawaii’s Big Island. Known for its sunny weather, beautiful beaches, and laid-back atmosphere, Kona offers travelers an appealing mix of natural beauty and Hawaiian culture. The town is famous for its historic waterfront, local coffee farms, and as the gateway to many of the island’s unique adventures. Despite its popularity, Kailua-Kona remains more relaxed and less crowded than some of Hawaii’s other tourist hubs. Beach lovers, water sports enthusiasts, history buffs, and foodies will all find plenty to enjoy here. With a mix of affordable accommodations, local eateries, and free or inexpensive attractions, it’s a great destination for budget travelers. The nearby volcanic landscapes, snorkeling spots, and lively marketplaces make it an excellent base for exploring the west side of the Big Island.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.
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Saint Thomas Prices
USVI PricesKailua-Kona Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Thomas $258Kailua-Kona $274
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Thomas is $258, while the average daily cost in Kailua-Kona is $274. 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 Kailua-Kona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Thomas $131Kailua-Kona $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Thomas $262Kailua-Kona $282
Compare Hotels in Saint Thomas and Kailua-Kona
Looking for a hotel in Saint Thomas or Kailua-Kona? 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: Kailua-Kona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Thomas $37Kailua-Kona $45
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:
- Transfer from Cyril E. King Airport(STT) to Charlotte Amalie Port: $83
- VI Top Taxi and Tours - St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $90
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay / Limetree: $110
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours -Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay/ Limetree: $110
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove: $110
- St.Thomas to St.Thomas Airport (STT) - Departure Private Transfer: $115
- Private Ground Transfers: $120
- Exclusive Airport Transfers (up to 4 persons) One-Way: $135
- St.Thomas island to Cyril E. King Airport(STT)-Departure Transfer: $135
- St. Thomas USVI Airport Transfer to the Redhook Ferry: $144
- St. Thomas USVI Airport Transfer to The Ritz Carlton Resort: $144
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $160
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Rental Car for One Day$35
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Thomas or Kailua-Kona?
Prices for flights to both Kailua-Kona 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 $94Kailua-Kona $100
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 Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Buffet Breakfast for Two$53
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Thomas $60Kailua-Kona $40
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 Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Diving with Manta Rays for Two$162
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Body Board Rental (1 Day)$12
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1 Day Kayak Rental$47
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2 Tank Morning Scuba Dive$115
Tours and Activities in Kailua-Kona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kailua-Kona are as follows:
- From Kona: Volcano & Waterfall Tour, Small Group: $295
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Thomas $27Kailua-Kona $15
When comparing the travel costs between Saint Thomas and Kailua-Kona, we can see that Kailua-Kona 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 Kailua-Kona 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 Kailua-Kona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Thomas or Kailua-Kona?
Saint Thomas has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Kailua-Kona. When comparing the sizes of Saint Thomas and Kailua-Kona, 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 Kailua-Kona?
Kailua-Kona 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 Kailua-Kona in the Summer?
Both Kailua-Kona and Saint Thomas during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Saint Thomas is a little warmer than Kailua-Kona in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Thomas averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. In the summer, Saint Thomas often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Saint Thomas gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 169 hours of full sun.
Saint Thomas usually gets more rain in July than Kailua-Kona. Saint Thomas gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Thomas 29°C (83°F)Kailua-Kona 78°F (25°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Kailua-Kona in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Thomas and Kailua-Kona. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
In the autumn, Saint Thomas is around the same temperature as Kailua-Kona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Thomas in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 78°F (26°C).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Thomas usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during autumn. Saint Thomas gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 138 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Saint Thomas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Saint Thomas usually receives more rain than Kailua-Kona. Saint Thomas gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Thomas 28°C (82°F)Kailua-Kona 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Kailua-Kona in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Saint Thomas as well as Kailua-Kona. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Saint Thomas is generally a little warmer than Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Saint Thomas average around 26°C (78°F), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In the winter, Saint Thomas often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Saint Thomas gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 158 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Kailua-Kona. Saint Thomas usually gets less rain in January than Kailua-Kona. Saint Thomas gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Thomas 26°C (78°F)Kailua-Kona 74°F (23°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Kailua-Kona in the Spring?
Both Kailua-Kona and Saint Thomas are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
Saint Thomas is a little warmer than Kailua-Kona in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Thomas averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during spring. Saint Thomas gets 272 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 134 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Saint Thomas usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kailua-Kona. Saint Thomas gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Thomas 27°C (80°F)Kailua-Kona 74°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Kailua-Kona and Saint Thomas
| Saint Thomas | Kailua-Kona | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.4 inches (87 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.