A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint Thomas vs. Martha's Vineyard for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Saint Thomas or Martha's Vineyard?

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

Should I visit Saint Thomas or Martha's Vineyard? 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 Martha's Vineyard?

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.

Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard is a famous destination for CEO's, celebrities, and executives. It's an island that's just 8 miles from the Cape Cod peninsula and it is a popular place to "summer" for many recognizable people. Martha's Vineyard has become so popular among the stars, that it's no longer surprising to see a celebrity hanging around.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Martha's Vineyard 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
    Martha's Vineyard Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Saint Thomas $258
    Martha's Vineyard $285

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Thomas is $258, while the average daily cost in Martha's Vineyard is $285. 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 Martha's Vineyard in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Thomas $131
    Martha's Vineyard $132
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Thomas $262
    Martha's Vineyard $264
Compare Hotels in Saint Thomas and Martha's Vineyard

Looking for a hotel in Saint Thomas or Martha's Vineyard? 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 Marthas Vineyard


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: Martha's Vineyard Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Thomas $37
    Martha's Vineyard $83
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 Martha's Vineyard?

Prices for flights to both Martha's Vineyard 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
    Martha's Vineyard $104

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
    Martha's Vineyard $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 Martha's Vineyard

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Martha's Vineyard.

  • Best of Martha's Vineyard 3 hour Full-Island Tour: $65
  • 4 hours Hop-on Hop-off Jawsome Jaws Tour: $120
  • All Island Bus Tour: $75
  • All New Shared Jaws tour Budget Friendly: $130
  • Best 3-Hour Martha's Vineyard shared Island Tour from Oak Bluffs: $65
  • Discovering Oak Bluffs: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
  • Down Island Tour with One Hour in Edgartown: $65
  • Edgartown Martha’s Vineyard Self-Guided (GPS) Audio Walking Tour: $9.75
  • Martha Vineyard Bus Tour: $60
  • Martha's Vineyard: All Island Tour: $70
  • Martha’s Vineyard Self-Guided Driving & Walking Audio Tour: $15
  • Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard Audio Tour: $13

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint Thomas $27
    Martha's Vineyard $22


When comparing the travel costs between Saint Thomas and Martha's Vineyard, we can see that Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Saint Thomas or Martha's Vineyard?

Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard in the Summer?

Both Martha's Vineyard 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, the summer months attract visitors to Martha's Vineyard because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint Thomas is generally a little warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Daily temperatures in Saint Thomas average around 29°C (83°F), and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Martha's Vineyard. 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 Martha's Vineyard during summer. Saint Thomas gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Martha's Vineyard receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint Thomas usually receives less rain than Martha's Vineyard. Saint Thomas gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F) 
    Martha's Vineyard 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Saint Thomas or Martha's Vineyard in the Autumn?

Both Martha's Vineyard 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, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Martha's Vineyard this time of year.

Saint Thomas is much warmer than Martha's Vineyard in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Thomas averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

In Martha's Vineyard, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. In the autumn, Saint Thomas often gets more sunshine than Martha's Vineyard. Saint Thomas gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Martha's Vineyard receives 211 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 Martha's Vineyard. Saint Thomas gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F) 
    Martha's Vineyard 53°F (12°C)

Should I visit Saint Thomas or Martha's Vineyard in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Thomas and Martha's Vineyard. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Martha's Vineyard for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Martha's Vineyard. In the winter, Saint Thomas is much warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Thomas in January average around 26°C (78°F), and Martha's Vineyard averages at about 28°F (-2°C).

In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Thomas usually receives more sunshine than Martha's Vineyard during winter. Saint Thomas gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Martha's Vineyard receives 170 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Thomas usually receives less rain than Martha's Vineyard. Saint Thomas gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F) 
    Martha's Vineyard 28°F (-2°C)

Should I visit Saint Thomas or Martha's Vineyard in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saint Thomas as well as Martha's Vineyard. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Martha's Vineyard in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, Saint Thomas is generally much warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Daily temperatures in Saint Thomas average around 27°C (80°F), and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Martha's Vineyard. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In the spring, Saint Thomas often gets more sunshine than Martha's Vineyard. Saint Thomas gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Martha's Vineyard receives 225 hours of full sun.

Saint Thomas usually gets less rain in April than Martha's Vineyard. Saint Thomas gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F) 
    Martha's Vineyard 48°F (9°C)

Typical Weather for Martha's Vineyard and Saint Thomas

Saint Thomas Martha's Vineyard
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 28°F (-2°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Feb 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 30°F (-1°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Mar 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 38°F (3°C) 4 inches (101 mm)
Apr 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 48°F (9°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
May 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 58°F (15°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 67°F (20°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 73°F (23°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in) 72°F (22°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in) 64°F (18°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in) 53°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Nov 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in) 44°F (7°C) 4.5 inches (115 mm)
Dec 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 33°F (0°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)


Related Articles for Saint Thomas
Related Articles for Martha's Vineyard