Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Washington?
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 Washington or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Washington and Saint Thomas can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Washington or Saint Thomas?
Washington
Washington, DC is the capital city of the United States of America. It is also a city rich in history and culture. The city dates back to 1791 when the states of Maryland and Virginia donated the land to create the capital. In 1846, Congress returned the land that was ceded by Virginia and in 1871 it created a single municipal government with the remaining area. Today, Washington, DC has a population of over 600,000 people. The metropolitan area includes suburbs in Maryland and Virginia and has a population of about 5.8 million.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.
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Washington Prices
USA PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayWashington $226Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Washington is $226, while the average daily cost in Saint Thomas is $258. 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 Washington and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personWashington $113Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomWashington $226Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Washington and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Washington or Saint Thomas? 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: Washington Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Washington $47Saint Thomas $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Washington
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Washington are as follows:
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Metro Day Pass$9.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Washington
Also for Washington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Washington DC to Dulles or vice versa : $300
- Private Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) transfer Round trip: $300
- Nation’s Capital Guided Tours and Airport Transfers : $280
- Washington Airport (IAD) to Washington RoundTrip Private Transfer: $262
- Private Transfer to or from Springfield VA and Dulles Airport: $240
- Private Transfer to or from Herndon and Ronald Reagan National Airport: $235
- Departure Private Transfer: Washington to Dulles Airport IAD in Luxury Car: $232
- Private transfer to or form Vienna and Dulles International Airport: $230
- Private Transfer To or From Lorton and Ronald Reagan National Airport: $205
- Private transfer to or from Herndon and Dulles International Airport: $205
- Arrival Private Transfer: National Airport DCA to Washington in Luxury Car: $203
- Arrival Transfer from Dulles Airport IAD to Washington DC by SUV: $188
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:
- 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 Washington or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Washington 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 dayWashington $66Saint Thomas $94
Typical Food Prices in Washington
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Washington:
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Water$2.00
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Snacks on Monuments Tour$6.15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Washington
For Washington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- DC: City Cruises Buffet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise: $60
- DC: City Cruises Gourmet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise: $71
- Little Ethiopia Food Tour: $71
- Adams Morgan Food Tour: $78
- Dupont Circle Food Tour: $84
- Washington D.C: Acquired Taste Food Tour in Georgetown: $95
- DC: Eastern Market Eats Food Tour (5 Food Stops + Dessert): $99
- Washington D.C.: Georgetown Guided Secret Food Tour: $104
- City Cruises Washington DC: Signature Dinner Cruise: $121
- City Cruises Washington DC: Premier Dinner Cruise: $127
- Eastern Market Neighborhood Food Tour (5 Food Stops + Dessert): $129
- Washington D.C.: Taste of Georgetown Walking Food Tour: $129
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Washington $24Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Washington
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Washington.
- Run the Washington DC Monuments with a Local: Group Running Tour: $53
- See DC In A Day: Guided Small Group Ultimate Day Tour : $99
- "Drunk Shakespeare" Live Show Ticket at DC's Sage Theatre: $49
- 2 Hour Guided Bike Tour of Capitol Hill: $52
- 2-Day Best of Niagara Falls (US Side) Tour from Washington D.C.: $49
- 2-Hour Arlington Cemetery Guided Walking Tour : $75
- 2-Hour National Mall Walking Tour from Washington DC: $25
- 3-Hour Small Group Memorial Tour in Washington, D.C.: $59
- 4-Hr DC Monuments Small Group Sightseeing Guided Tour: $79
- Admission & Guided Tour of Mount Vernon and Old Town Alexandria: $99
- African American Tour Of Annapolis From Washington DC: $180
- Air & Space Museum Semi-Private Tour with Reserved Tickets: $103
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayWashington $19Saint Thomas $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Washington
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Washington:
- Epic Washington DC Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12
- Washington DC: Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- DC Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl By US Ghost Adventures: $36
- Washington, D.C.: History Tour Pub Crawl: $56
- DC Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
- DC: Guided Craft Brewery Tours with a Snack: $105
When comparing the travel costs between Washington and Saint Thomas, 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 Washington is in North America and Saint Thomas is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Washington Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Washington or Saint Thomas?
Washington has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Washington and Saint Thomas, 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 Washington or Saint Thomas?
Washington 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 Washington or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
Both Saint Thomas and Washington are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Washington for the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Washington is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas in the summer. The daily temperature in Washington averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Washington. Washington usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas during summer. Washington gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Washington usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. Washington gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyWashington 79°F (26°C)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Washington or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
Both Saint Thomas and Washington during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Washington because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
In the autumn, Washington is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Washington in October average around 60°F (15°C), and Saint Thomas averages at about 28°C (82°F).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Washington often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Washington gets 197 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun.
Saint Thomas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Washington usually gets less rain in October than Saint Thomas. Washington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberWashington 60°F (15°C)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Washington or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Washington and Saint Thomas. The museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Washington this time of year. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
It's quite cold in Washington in the winter. In January, Washington is generally much colder than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Washington average around 35°F (1°C), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. Washington usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during winter. Washington gets 139 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Washington usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. Washington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryWashington 35°F (1°C)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Washington or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Washington as well as Saint Thomas. Many travelers come to Washington for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
Washington is much colder than Saint Thomas in the spring. The daily temperature in Washington averages around 56°F (14°C) in April, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Washington this time of the year. In the spring, Washington often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Washington gets 228 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun.
Washington usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Saint Thomas. Washington gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilWashington 56°F (14°C)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Washington
| Washington | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 35°F (1°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 37°F (3°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 47°F (8°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 56°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 79°F (26°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 78°F (26°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 71°F (22°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 60°F (15°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.