Which place is cheaper, Toronto 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 Toronto?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Toronto? 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 Toronto?
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.
Toronto
The capital of Ontario and the most populated city in Canada, Toronto is a very popular travel destination for any number of reasons. It's positioned along the coast of Lake Ontario and has a population of more than 2.6 million with 6.2 million in the Greater Toronto Area. It's a very international and diverse city, with a very rich cultural history. More than half of the city's population was not born in Canada, and there are more than eighty different ethnic neighborhoods sprinkled throughout the city. The city is a center for music, theater, film, and television. It has countless museums, festivals, and sights that attract more than 25 million tourists every year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.
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Saint Thomas Prices
USVI PricesToronto Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Thomas $258Toronto $249
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Thomas is $258, while the average daily cost in Toronto is $249. 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 Toronto in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Thomas $131Toronto $86
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Thomas $262Toronto $172
Compare Hotels in Saint Thomas and Toronto
Looking for a hotel in Saint Thomas or Toronto? 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: Toronto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Thomas $37Toronto $32
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:
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours -Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay/ Limetree: $110
- VI Top Taxi and Tours - St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $90
- Transfer from Cyril E. King Airport(STT) to Charlotte Amalie Port: $83
- St.Thomas to St.Thomas Airport (STT) - Departure Private Transfer: $115
- 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
- ST.Thomas Private Airport One-Way Transfers: $180
- Private Hotel and Resorts Transfers: $173
- Private Ground Transfers: $120
- Private Arrival Transfer from Cyril E King Airport to Redhook Bay: $175
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $179
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Toronto
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Toronto are as follows:
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Airport Shuttle$26
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Train: 2 Day Passes$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Toronto
Also for Toronto, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) Transfer to Downtown Montreal: $1,618
- Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) Transfer to Kingston: $856
- Private Transfer to Kingston City or Queen's Unive…: $816
- Niagara Falls: Private Transfer to/from Toronto Airport: $700
- Pearson Airport to Blue Mountain Resort Transfer: $666
- Low cost Transfer: Toronto Downtown to Niagara Falls (Lake): $657
- Guided layover and stopover tour with transfers.: $500
- Pvt. Transfer St. Catharines Airport to Pearson Int Airport: $476
- Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) Transfer to Niagara Falls: $442
- Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) Transfer to Port Hope: $439
- Private Transfer to and from Kitchener Waterloo Region - Toronto Pearson Airport: $294
- Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) Transfer to Hamilton: $281
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Thomas or Toronto?
Prices for flights to both Toronto 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 $94Toronto $112
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 Toronto
For Toronto, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch at St. Lawrence Market for Two$23
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Dinner at Mill Street Brewery (for 2)$56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Toronto
For Toronto, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Premium Harbor Cruise with Lunch, Brunch, or Dinner: $46
- Great White North Food Tour: $54
- Great White North Toronto Food Tour: $55
- Pasta Making Cooking Class at a Local Distillery: $61
- Toronto Delicious Donut Adventure and Walking Food Tour: $65
- Toronto Premier Dinner Cruise on Odyssey in Toronto Harbour: $66
- St Lawrence Market Food Tour with 6 Food Tastings: $71
- Kensington Market 'Taste the World' Food Tour: $72
- Must-Do Toronto Food Tour by Toronto's First Food Tour Company: $73
- St Lawrence Market Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $78
- French Bistro Cooking Class in Toronto (Includes 3-Course Meal): $80
- Niagara Falls Evening Tour with Boat, Journey, Dinner & Fireworks: $81
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Thomas $60Toronto $31
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 Toronto
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Toronto's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Art Gallery of Ontario for Two$15
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CN Tower at night for Two$36
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Harbour Dinner Cruise$26
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Bata Shoe Museum (2)$7.26
Tours and Activities in Toronto
For Toronto, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Casual Tour of Toronto by Land, Sky and Sea: $111
- 1 Day City Sightseeing Tour at Toronto City: $69
- 1-Hour Private Guided Photography Tour in Toronto: $296
- 1-Hour Toronto Harbour Tour with Live Narration: $25
- 14-Minute Helicopter Tour Over Toronto: $240
- 3hr Shared Sailing Adventure: $177
- 60-Minute Toronto Sightseeing Harbour Tour: $28
- 7-Minute Helicopter Tour over Toronto: $135
- Action Film and Television Locations Half Day Tour in Toronto: $150
- Admission Ticket: Explore Canada in Miniature Scale: $33
- Algonquin Park Hiking: Adventure Tour from Toronto: $151
- Algonquin Park and Ragged Falls Hike and Canoe Adventure: $104
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Thomas $27Toronto $22
Sample the Local Flavors in Toronto
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Toronto:
- Distillery District Historic Walking Tour: $20
- Nickel 9 Distillery Tour and Tasting: $25
- Illuminarium Toronto in the Distillery District: $26
- Distillery & Old Town Private Walking Tour: $28
- Short Distillery District Segway Tour: $35
- 30-Minute Distillery District Segway Tour: $36
- Toronto Distillery & Old Town Walking Tour With A Guide: $42
- Toronto Distillery District Self-Guided Walking Tour: $43
- Pub Crawl Toronto: $44
- Pub Crawl Toronto: $44
- Distillery District Breakfast Walking Tour: $53
- Distillery District Breakfast Tour: $54
When comparing the travel costs between Saint Thomas and Toronto, 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 Toronto 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 Toronto Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Thomas or Toronto?
Toronto has a larger population, and is about 230 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Saint Thomas and Toronto, 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 Toronto?
Toronto 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 Toronto in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Thomas and Toronto. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Toronto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Saint Thomas is a little warmer than Toronto in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Thomas averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Toronto fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toronto this time of the year. In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Thomas usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Toronto during summer. Saint Thomas gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 281 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Saint Thomas usually receives around the same amount of rain as Toronto. Saint Thomas gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Thomas 29°C (83°F)Toronto 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Toronto in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Thomas as well as Toronto. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Toronto because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Saint Thomas is much warmer than Toronto. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Thomas in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Toronto averages at about 11°C (51°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In the autumn, Saint Thomas often gets more sunshine than Toronto. Saint Thomas gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 153 hours of full sun.
Saint Thomas receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Saint Thomas usually gets more rain in October than Toronto. Saint Thomas gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Thomas 28°C (82°F)Toronto 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Toronto in the Winter?
Both Toronto and Saint Thomas are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Toronto this time of year.
It's quite cold in Toronto in the winter. In January, Saint Thomas is generally much warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Saint Thomas average around 26°C (78°F), and Toronto fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during winter. Saint Thomas gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 87 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Saint Thomas usually receives less rain than Toronto. Saint Thomas gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Thomas 26°C (78°F)Toronto -4°C (25°F)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Toronto in the Spring?
Both Toronto and Saint Thomas during the spring 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, many travelers come to Toronto for the activities around the city.
Saint Thomas is much warmer than Toronto in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Thomas averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and Toronto fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. In the spring, Saint Thomas often gets more sunshine than Toronto. Saint Thomas gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 179 hours of full sun.
Saint Thomas usually gets more rain in April than Toronto. Saint Thomas gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Thomas 27°C (80°F)Toronto 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Toronto and Saint Thomas
| Saint Thomas | Toronto | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | -4°C (25°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | -4°C (26°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | -1°C (30°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.