Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Williamsburg?
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 Williamsburg or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Williamsburg and Saint Thomas. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Williamsburg or Saint Thomas?
Williamsburg
In southeast Virginia, Williamsburg is a historic city that was the capital of Virginia during the 1700's. It's now a popular tourist destination in the state because it has managed to recreate its past in a theme park like setting. Perhaps the most famous attraction in the city is "Colonial Williamsburg," an outdoor museum that recreates an 18th century town with working tradesmen and functioning jobs. You can purchase a one day pass to the area for $36 and multiple day passes at a slight discount. Exhibits in the area include observing a court proceeding, seeing the Governor's Palace, and witnessing the impact of the American Revolution on the area.
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 Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
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Williamsburg Prices
USA PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayWilliamsburg $135Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Williamsburg is $135, 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 Williamsburg and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personWilliamsburg $66Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomWilliamsburg $132Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Williamsburg and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Williamsburg 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: Williamsburg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Williamsburg $11Saint Thomas $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:
- Cyril E. King Airport STT to Charlotte Amalie RoundTrip Transfer: $204
- Exclusive Airport Transfers (up to 4 persons) One-Way: $135
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St. Thomas- Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton Elysian : $170
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove: $110
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay / Limetree: $110
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St Thomas- Airport Transfer Sapphire / Crystal Cove : $160
- Prince Taxi & Tours St.Thomas Airport transfer to Redhook Ferry: $200
- Prince Taxi ST.Thomas Airport transfer to Yacht Haven/Bluebeards: $175
- Prince Taxi USVI ST.Thomas Airport transfer to Westin : $180
- Prince Taxi USVI-ST.Thomas Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton : $180
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $179
Is it cheaper to fly into Williamsburg or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Williamsburg 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 dayWilliamsburg $54Saint Thomas $94
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.Williamsburg $34Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Williamsburg
Here are a few actual costs in Williamsburg for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Colonial Williamsburg Ghost Stories and Walking Tour: $25
- 1 Hour Christmastide Walking Tour in Virginia Past and Present : $25
- 2-Hour Private Guided The best of Williamsburg Walking Tour: $250
- Busch Gardens Williamsburg Admission Ticket: $82
- Civil War Ghost Tour: $25
- Colonial Contradictions Self Guided Walking Tour of Williamsburg: $9.99
- Colonial Ghosts: Ghostly Whispers of Williamsburg Ghost Tour: $26
- Colonial Ghosts: Ghostly Whispers of Williamsburg Ghost Tour: $26
- Colonial History Tour in Williamsburg Virginia: $25
- Colonial Williamsburg Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $13
- Colonial Christmas Walking Tour: $25
- Colonial Colonial History Guided Walking Tour: $25
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
- Coral World Ocean Park General Admission Ticket: $29
- Cruise Ship Shuttle to Ferry going to St. John: $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
- Guided Kayak Tour from Margaritaville: $48
- Guided Kayak Tour from Elysian: $48
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayWilliamsburg -Saint Thomas $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Williamsburg
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Williamsburg:
- Williamsburg Ghosts and Brews Haunted Pub Crawls: $29
- Colonial Ghosts Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- The Murder Tour and Pub Crawl: $48
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Williamsburg and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Williamsburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Williamsburg is in North America and Saint Thomas is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Williamsburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Williamsburg Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Williamsburg or Saint Thomas?
Saint Thomas has a larger population, and is about 75% larger than the population of Williamsburg. When comparing the sizes of Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg or Saint Thomas?
Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
Both Saint Thomas and Williamsburg during the summer are popular places to visit. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Williamsburg this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
In the summer, Williamsburg is cooler than Saint Thomas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Williamsburg in July average around 78°F (26°C), and Saint Thomas averages at about 29°C (83°F).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Williamsburg. In the summer, Williamsburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas. Williamsburg gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Williamsburg. Williamsburg usually gets more rain in July than Saint Thomas. Williamsburg gets 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyWilliamsburg 78°F (26°C)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Williamsburg or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Williamsburg and Saint Thomas. Many travelers come to Williamsburg for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Williamsburg is generally much colder than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Williamsburg average around 61°F (16°C), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In Williamsburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Williamsburg usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during autumn. Williamsburg gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Saint Thomas receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Williamsburg usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Williamsburg gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberWilliamsburg 61°F (16°C)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Williamsburg or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Williamsburg as well as Saint Thomas. Many visitors come to Williamsburg in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
Williamsburg can get quite cold in the winter. Williamsburg is much colder than Saint Thomas in the winter. The daily temperature in Williamsburg averages around 38°F (4°C) in January, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. In the winter, Williamsburg often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Williamsburg gets 168 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun.
Williamsburg usually gets more rain in January than Saint Thomas. Williamsburg gets 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryWilliamsburg 38°F (4°C)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Williamsburg or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
Both Saint Thomas and Williamsburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Williamsburg for the natural beauty during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Williamsburg is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Williamsburg in April average around 57°F (14°C), and Saint Thomas averages at about 27°C (80°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Williamsburg. Williamsburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas during spring. Williamsburg gets 253 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Williamsburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint Thomas. Williamsburg gets 3 inches (76 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilWilliamsburg 57°F (14°C)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Williamsburg
| Williamsburg | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 38°F (4°C) | 3.6 inches (93 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 41°F (5°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 49°F (9°C) | 4.2 inches (106 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 57°F (14°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 74°F (24°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 78°F (26°C) | 4.7 inches (120 mm) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 78°F (25°C) | 4.7 inches (120 mm) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 72°F (22°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 61°F (16°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 52°F (11°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 43°F (6°C) | 3.5 inches (90 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.