Which place is cheaper, Victoria 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 Victoria?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Victoria? 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 Victoria?
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.
Victoria
The capital city of British Columbia, Canada, Victoria is positioned near the southern edge of Vancouver Island. It's a wonderfully pleasant city and has been nicknamed the Garden City because of its vast green space and public gardens. There is a population of just over 80,000 in the city proper and almost 350,000 in the greater metropolitan area. Dating back to 1843, it's also one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest. As such, it has many historic buildings and beautiful architecture. It also has the second oldest Chinatown in North America, following San Francisco's.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Canada, and The Best Eco Tours in Canada.
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Saint Thomas Prices
USVI PricesVictoria Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Thomas $258Victoria $201
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Thomas is $258, while the average daily cost in Victoria is $201. 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 Victoria in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Thomas $131Victoria $113
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Thomas $262Victoria $226
Compare Hotels in Saint Thomas and Victoria
Looking for a hotel in Saint Thomas or Victoria? 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: Victoria Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Thomas $37Victoria $37
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Victoria
Also for Victoria, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Cruise Transfer with City Sightseeing Tour: $682
- Victoria to Vancouver Scenic Seaplane Transfer: One Way: $289
- Private Transfer from Victoria City Hotels to Nanaimo Cruise Port: $131
- Victoria to Vancouver - Vancouver Airport (YVR) Drop Off - Coach Bus Transfer: $91
- Victoria to Vancouver - Vancouver Cruise Terminal Drop Off - Coach Bus Transfer: $91
- Victoria to Vancouver - Coach Bus Transfer: $77
- Victoria to Vancouver Ferry with Bus Transfer: $75
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Thomas or Victoria?
Prices for flights to both Victoria 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 $94Victoria $47
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Victoria
For Victoria, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Chinatown and Old Town Food Tour with Tastings: $86
- Hip & Hidden Chinatown + Old Town Food Tour Victoria: $88
- Vistas and Views Food Tour with 3-Course Meal: $100
- Indulge in a Wine & Food Tour - Cowichan Valley : $125
- Sip, Savor, Stroll Evening Food Tour: $144
- Gourmet Dinner Tour Including Local Beer, Wine and City Highlights: $221
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Thomas $60Victoria $45
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 Victoria
For Victoria, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 24 Hour Hop-On, Hop-Off Double Decker Victoria City Tour: $44
- 60-Minute Beacon Hill Park Tour: $227
- 75-Minute The Royal Tour: $279
- Beacon Hill Park Horse-Drawn Carriage Experience in Victoria: $227
- Butchart & Beyond: The Grand Victoria Tour: $355
- Butchart Gardens and City Private Tour: $292
- COMBO Victoria City Tour & Butchart Gardens & Entry Tix: $105
- Chinatown and Hidden Alleys Pedicab Tour: $92
- Downtown Victoria Food & City Tour: $88
- East Sooke Park Coastal Hiking Tour with a Bite and Beer: $129
- Eat Like a Canadian Food & Sightseeing Tour: $59
- Evening Sip, Savor, Stroll Tour: $147
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Thomas $27Victoria $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Victoria
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Victoria:
- Victoria BC: Tour & Tasting Around Award Winning Distillery: $21
- Pickle Pub Crawl: Ferry Rides and Appetizers: $52
- Local Brewery Tour with a Guide: $86
- Victoria, BC: Food & Wine Tour to the Cowichan Valley: $118
- 6-Hour Victoria to Cowichan Wine Tour: $126
- Victoria Wine Tour with Wine Tastings and Charcuterie: $132
- Private Saanich Peninsula Wine Tour : $144
- Cowichan Valley Premium Wine Tour: $474
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Thomas and Victoria, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Victoria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint Thomas is in Caribbean Islands and Victoria 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 Victoria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Victoria 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 Victoria.
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 Victoria Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Thomas or Victoria?
Victoria has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Saint Thomas and Victoria, 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 Victoria?
Victoria 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 Victoria in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Thomas and Victoria. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Victoria because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Saint Thomas is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Saint Thomas average around 29°C (83°F), and Victoria fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In July, Saint Thomas usually receives more rain than Victoria. Saint Thomas gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Thomas 29°C (83°F)Victoria 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Victoria in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Thomas as well as Victoria. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Victoria this time of year.
Saint Thomas is much warmer than Victoria in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Thomas averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Victoria fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
Saint Thomas receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Saint Thomas usually gets more rain in October than Victoria. Saint Thomas gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Thomas 28°C (82°F)Victoria 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Victoria in the Winter?
Both Victoria 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, many travelers come to Victoria for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Victoria. In the winter, Saint Thomas is much warmer than Victoria. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Thomas in January average around 26°C (78°F), and Victoria averages at about 5°C (41°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Victoria. In January, Saint Thomas usually receives less rain than Victoria. Saint Thomas gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Thomas 26°C (78°F)Victoria 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Victoria in the Spring?
Both Victoria 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.
In April, Saint Thomas is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Saint Thomas average around 27°C (80°F), and Victoria fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
Saint Thomas usually gets more rain in April than Victoria. Saint Thomas gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Thomas 27°C (80°F)Victoria 10°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Victoria and Saint Thomas
| Saint Thomas | Victoria | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 67 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 153 mm (6 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.