Which place is cheaper, Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Niagara Falls? 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 Niagara Falls?
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.
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls, Ontario sits on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, across the border from Niagara Falls, New York. Together these cities have claimed themselves to be the "Honeymoon Capital of the World" a status that is probably little more than a marketing ploy. That said, Niagara Falls, Ontario, is perhaps a quainter and more natural version of its American counterpart. The town has existed as a tourist destination for hundreds of years, with its main attraction, obviously, being Niagara Falls. Today, millions of visitors come to see the falls every year. It's truly an impressive sight, and there is no shortage of entertainment options while you're in the area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.
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Saint Thomas Prices
USVI PricesNiagara Falls Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Thomas $258Niagara Falls $149
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Thomas is $258, while the average daily cost in Niagara Falls is $149. 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 Niagara Falls in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Thomas $131Niagara Falls $76
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Thomas $262Niagara Falls $152
Compare Hotels in Saint Thomas and Niagara Falls
Looking for a hotel in Saint Thomas or Niagara Falls? 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: Niagara Falls Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Thomas $37Niagara Falls $16
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: $82
- 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
- Vi Top Taxi -St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove : $110
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove: $110
- Prince Taxi USVI- ST.Thomas Aiport Transfer to Crown bay ferry: $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 Ritz Carlton Resort: $144
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St. Thomas Airport Transfer to Wyndham Margaritaville: $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $160
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Niagara Falls
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Niagara Falls:
- Niagara Falls South Airport Private Transfer to Pearson: $1,851
- Niagara Falls South Airport Private Transfer to Hamilton: $360
- Fixed Price :- Private Transfers Niagara falls Hotel OR Pearson Toronto Airport : $292
- Niagara Falls to Pearson Toronto Airport Private Transfer: $275
- Round-Trip Private-Safe Transfer Between Buffalo Airport & Niagara Falls Canada: $257
- ROUNDTRIP Ground Transfer Buffalo Niagara Int Airport (BUF)-Niagara Falls Canada: $202
- Buffalo Niagara Airport (BUF) to Buffalo - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $179
- Transfer Niagara Falls, Canada to Toronto, Canada (Downtown): $176
- Private Arrival Transfer: Buffalo Niagara International Airport to Niagara Falls, New York: $138
- Private Transfer from Buffalo Intl, Airport (BUF) to Niagara Falls Canada: $110
- Transfer Buffalo Niagara International Airport BUF to Niagara-on-the-Lake,Canada: $106
- Transfer Niagara-on-the-Lake,Canada to Buffalo Niagara Int Airport (BUF): $106
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Thomas or Niagara Falls?
Prices for flights to both Niagara Falls 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 $94Niagara Falls $53
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
- Flavors of St Thomas Walking Food Tour : $145
- St. John PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail with Beach Stop, Lunch & Open Bar - Westin: $149
- St. Thomas Dinner Sail to St. John with Open Bar & Hors D'oeuvres - Ritz-Carlton: $149
- Christmas Cove and Pizza Pi Happy Hour Sail Tour: $185
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Niagara Falls
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Niagara Falls.
- The Wing Ride: The Hidden History of Chicken Wings Food Tour: $105
- Walking Food Tour in Niagara Falls: $106
- Guided Night Tour w/ Dinner & Hotel Transfer: $139
- Niagara-on-the-Lake: Sunset Wine Tour with Dinner: $162
- Sunset Niagara-on-the-Lake Small Group Wine Tour with Dinner: $176
- Night Tour w/ 3 Course Dinner & Light Show: $193
- Night Tour with Fireworks Boat Ride & Dinner: $197
- Night on Niagara Walking Tour with Fireworks Cruise + Dinner: $197
- Niagara Falls USA Night, Lights & Dinner : $199
- Niagara Falls Canada: Premium Night Tour with Boat & Dinner: $215
- Niagara Falls Premium Night Tour: Fireworks Boat Cruise & Dinner: $241
- Day & Night Tour with Boat Ride and Dinner: $279
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Thomas $60Niagara Falls $19
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
- Island Eco Farm Tour with Local Treats and Sapphire Beach Time: $27
- Cruise Ship Shuttle to Ferry going to St. John: $28
- Coral World Ocean Park General Admission Ticket: $29
- Cruise Ship Port Shuttle to St John Ferry : $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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Niagara Falls
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Niagara Falls are as follows:
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Maid of the Mist$37
Tours and Activities in Niagara Falls
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Niagara Falls are as follows:
- Fireworks & Falls Glow Walking Tour Canada + Skylon Tower : $60
- Historic Walking Private Tour at Niagara Falls: $35
- Private Custom Niagara Falls, Canada Winery Tour from Buffalo,NY: $293
- Whirlpool Adventure Course ~ Kids Course: $22
- "Niagara Virtual" Parasailing Adventure in VR!: $26
- 1 Hour Private Vineyard Dome Experience in Niagara-on-the-Lake: $44
- 3-Hour 30-Minute Private Guided Tour in Niagara Falls: $145
- 4 hr Summer Fun Tour - Niagara Falls Canada: $142
- 4-Hour Niagara Falls Boat Tour w/ Maple & Chocolate Tastings: $80
- 45 Minutes Whirlpool Tour in Niagara Falls: $40
- Afternoon Wine, Beer & Charcuterie Tour: $131
- All American Tour : $99
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Thomas $27Niagara Falls $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Niagara Falls
Also in Niagara Falls, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Black Glass Wine Tasting: $23
- Niagara Wine Tour and Tastings with Included Transportation : $59
- Public Niagara Wine Tour with Transportation: $61
- Small Group Niagara-on-the-Lake Wine Tasting Tour: $95
- Half-Day Niagara Micro Brewery Tour: $110
- Half Day Wine & Cheese Tour - Niagara On The Lake Wine Tour: $117
- Beer and Wine Tour in Niagara-on-the-Lake: $118
- Niagara Craft Brewery Tour Niagara Falls: $122
- Wine Tasting and lavender Farm Tours: $125
- Relaxing Afternoon Wine Tour through Niagara's Wine Country: $125
- Vine and Dine Bicycle Wine Tour with Lunch : $125
- Vintage Wine Tour In Niagara County USA: $139
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Thomas and Niagara Falls, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Niagara Falls much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint Thomas is in Caribbean Islands and Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Niagara Falls 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 Saint Thomas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Thomas than you might in Niagara Falls.
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 Niagara Falls Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Thomas or Niagara Falls?
Niagara Falls has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Saint Thomas and Niagara Falls, 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 Niagara Falls?
Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls in the Summer?
Both Niagara Falls 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. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Niagara Falls this time of year.
In the summer, Saint Thomas is a little warmer than Niagara Falls. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Thomas in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Niagara Falls averages at about 23°C (74°F).
In Niagara Falls, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. In the summer, Saint Thomas often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Niagara Falls. Saint Thomas gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Niagara Falls receives 306 hours of full sun.
Saint Thomas usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Niagara Falls. Saint Thomas gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Thomas 29°C (83°F)Niagara Falls 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Niagara Falls in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Thomas and Niagara Falls. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round. Also, many travelers come to Niagara Falls for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Saint Thomas is generally much warmer than Niagara Falls. Daily temperatures in Saint Thomas average around 28°C (82°F), and Niagara Falls fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Thomas usually receives more sunshine than Niagara Falls during autumn. Saint Thomas gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Niagara Falls receives 148 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 Niagara Falls. Saint Thomas gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Thomas 28°C (82°F)Niagara Falls 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Niagara Falls in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Saint Thomas as well as Niagara Falls. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Niagara Falls in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Niagara Falls can get quite cold in the winter. Saint Thomas is much warmer than Niagara Falls in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Thomas averages around 26°C (78°F) in January, and Niagara Falls fluctuates around -4°C (26°F).
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 Niagara Falls. Saint Thomas gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Niagara Falls receives 89 hours of full sun.
Saint Thomas usually gets less rain in January than Niagara Falls. Saint Thomas gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Thomas 26°C (78°F)Niagara Falls -4°C (26°F)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Niagara Falls in the Spring?
Both Niagara Falls 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. Also, most visitors come to Niagara Falls for the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Saint Thomas is much warmer than Niagara Falls. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Thomas in April average around 27°C (80°F), and Niagara Falls averages at about 10°C (49°F).
It's quite sunny in Niagara Falls. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas usually receives more sunshine than Niagara Falls during spring. Saint Thomas gets 272 hours of sunny skies, while Niagara Falls receives 203 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Saint Thomas usually receives more rain than Niagara Falls. Saint Thomas gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Thomas 27°C (80°F)Niagara Falls 10°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Niagara Falls and Saint Thomas
| Saint Thomas | Niagara Falls | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | -4°C (26°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | -3°C (28°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | -0°C (31°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) |
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.