A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Atlanta vs. Columbus for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Atlanta or Columbus?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Atlanta or Columbus, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Atlanta or Columbus?

Atlanta

Atlanta is a city rich in history but modern in its development and industry. It has a population of just under 500,000 with more than five million people living in the metropolitan area. It is also the ninth largest metropolitan area in the United States The city is rich in culture and was at the center of the civil rights movement. It is the capital of the state of Georgia, and was home to the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. It has the world's busiest airport and arguably some of the country's worst traffic, but the residents are recognized for their friendly and welcoming nature and the city is lush with green trees and wonderful parks.

Columbus

The capital city of Ohio, Columbus sits at the meeting point of America's Rust Belt, Bible Belt, Appalachia, and the Plains. It is also home of Ohio State University, which is a major financial and economic force in the city. You'll likely need a car to navigate the city, although there is a bus system, COTA, which can take you to some of Columbus' highlights.

Which city is cheaper, Columbus or Atlanta?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Atlanta is $136, while the average daily cost in Columbus is $126. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Atlanta and Columbus in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Atlanta $72
    Columbus $58
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Atlanta $144
    Columbus $116
Compare Hotels in Atlanta and Columbus

Looking for a hotel in Atlanta or Columbus? 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.

Hotels in Atlanta


Hotels in Columbus


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: Atlanta Hotel Prices and Columbus Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Atlanta $34
    Columbus $40
Typical Local Transportation prices in Atlanta

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Atlanta:


  • MARTA Subway Ticket
    $4.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Atlanta

Also for Atlanta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer in executive private vehicle from Atlanta Downtown to Atlanta Airport: $53
  • Transfer in executive private vehicle from Atlanta Airport to Atlanta Downtown: $53
  • Transfer in Executive Private Minivan from Atlanta Downtown to Atlanta Airport: $67
  • Transfer in Executive Private Minivan from Atlanta Airport to Atlanta Downtown: $67
  • Transfer from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport (ATL) to Atlanta: $83
  • RoundTrip Transfer in Private Minivan from-to Atlanta Airport - Camp Cove Crest: $433
  • RoundTrip Transfer in Executive Private Minivan from-to Airport-Atlanta Downtown: $133
  • Round trip transfer in executive private car from-to Airport - Atlanta Downtown: $105
  • Private Transfer: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta Int. Airport (ATL) to Atlanta: $622
  • Private Transfer: Atlanta to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta Int. Airport (ATL): $622
  • Private Transfer from Atlanta City to Atlanta (ATL) Airport: $107
  • Private Transfer from Atlanta (ATL) Airport to Atlanta City: $107

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Columbus

Also for Columbus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) to Columbus - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $174
  • Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) to Columbus - Arrival Private Transfer: $87
  • Columbus to Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) - Departure Private Transfer: $87

Is it cheaper to fly into Atlanta or Columbus?

Prices for flights to both Columbus and Atlanta 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Atlanta $33
    Columbus $39
Typical Food prices in Atlanta

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Atlanta:


  • Fast Food Lunch (for 2)
    $15
  • Lunch
    $20

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Atlanta

For Atlanta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • 2.5-Hour History and Food Tour in Atlanta: $75
  • Atlanta's Southern Food Tour: $86
  • Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Atlanta: $116
  • Secret Food Tours Atlanta w/ Private Tour Option: $249

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Atlanta $45
    Columbus $37

Tours and Activities in Atlanta

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Atlanta.

  • 3 Hour Hollywood of the South Private Atlanta Film Locations Tour: $136
  • 3 Hour Private Gone With the Wind Tour of Margaret Mitchell's Atlanta: $136
  • 6-Day Charleston+North Carolina+Tennessee Tour (Atlanta departure)(G6): $888
  • A City in a Forest: Private Atlanta Nature Tour: $136
  • Art on the Streets: Private Atlanta Public and Street Art Tour: $136
  • Atlanta Beltline Small Group Walking Tour: $38
  • Atlanta Black History and Civil Rights Tour: $67
  • Atlanta Brew Bus Tour: $71
  • Atlanta City Private Hop-on Hop-off Tour by Bus: $700
  • Atlanta City Tour by Convertible: $77
  • Atlanta City Tour by Luxury Car: $65
  • Atlanta Heart & Soul Tour by Luxury Car: $65

Tours and Activities in Columbus

For Columbus, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Central Park Bike Tour: $53
  • Columbus Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
  • LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus Ticket: $21
  • New York City: 3-Hour City Highlights Guided Bike Tour: $60
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Columbus: $11

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Atlanta $14
    Columbus $16

Sample the Local Flavors in Atlanta

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Atlanta:

  • Atlanta Bar Hunt: All About Atlanta Bar Crawl: $12
  • Atlanta 5-Hour VIP Brewery Tour with Tastings: $65
  • Atlanta Brewery Guided Tours: $65
  • Three Vineyard Classic Wine Tasting Tour: $165
  • Explore Rabun County - Three Vineyard Wine Tasting Tour: $170
  • Georgia Horseback Ride with Wine Tasting: $204
  • Private Wine Tasting Tour of Three Vineyards: $210

About these numbers

When comparing the travel costs between Atlanta and Columbus, we can see that Atlanta 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. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.


When is the best time to visit Atlanta or Columbus?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Atlanta or Columbus in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Atlanta and Columbus.

In the summer, Atlanta is a little warmer than Columbus. Typically, the summer temperatures in Atlanta in July are around 82°F (28°C), and Columbus is about 77°F (25°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbus this time of the year. In Atlanta, it's very sunny this time of the year. Atlanta usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Columbus during summer. Atlanta gets 271 hours of sunny skies, while Columbus receives 254 hours of full sun in the summer.

Columbus receives a lot of rain in the summer. Atlanta gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Atlanta usually receives more rain than Columbus. Atlanta gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Columbus receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Atlanta 82°F (28°C) 
    Columbus 77°F (25°C)

Should I visit Atlanta or Columbus in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Atlanta as well as Columbus.

In October, Atlanta is generally a little warmer than Columbus. Temperatures in Atlanta average around 66°F (19°C), and Columbus stays around 57°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Atlanta this time of the year. In the autumn, Atlanta often gets more sunshine than Columbus. Atlanta gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbus receives 179 hours of full sun.

Atlanta usually gets more rain in October than Columbus. Atlanta gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Columbus receives 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Atlanta 66°F (19°C) 
    Columbus 57°F (14°C)

Should I visit Atlanta or Columbus in the Winter?

Both Columbus and Atlanta are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

It's quite cold in Columbus in the winter. Atlanta is much warmer than Columbus in the winter. The temperature in Atlanta is usually 45°F (7°C) in January, and Columbus stays around 30°F (-1°C).

Atlanta usually receives more sunshine than Columbus during winter. Atlanta gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Columbus receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Atlanta. In January, Atlanta usually receives more rain than Columbus. Atlanta gets 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain, while Columbus receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Atlanta 45°F (7°C) 
    Columbus 30°F (-1°C)

Should I visit Atlanta or Columbus in the Spring?

Both Columbus and Atlanta during the spring are popular places to visit.

In the spring, Atlanta is much warmer than Columbus. Typically, the spring temperatures in Atlanta in April are around 65°F (18°C), and Columbus is about 54°F (12°C).

It's quite sunny in Atlanta. In the spring, Atlanta often gets more sunshine than Columbus. Atlanta gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbus receives 200 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Atlanta. Atlanta usually gets more rain in April than Columbus. Atlanta gets 4.1 inches (104 mm) of rain, while Columbus receives 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Atlanta 65°F (18°C) 
    Columbus 54°F (12°C)

Typical Weather for Columbus and Atlanta

Atlanta Columbus
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 45°F (7°C) 4.7 inches (120 mm) 30°F (-1°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm)
Feb 49°F (9°C) 4.8 inches (123 mm) 33°F (1°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm)
Mar 57°F (14°C) 5.8 inches (147 mm) 45°F (7°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Apr 65°F (18°C) 4.1 inches (104 mm) 54°F (12°C) 3.2 inches (81 mm)
May 73°F (23°C) 4.2 inches (107 mm) 65°F (18°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)
Jun 80°F (27°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm) 73°F (23°C) 4 inches (102 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 5.2 inches (133 mm) 77°F (25°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm)
Aug 82°F (28°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm) 75°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm)
Sep 76°F (25°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 69°F (20°C) 3 inches (76 mm)
Oct 66°F (19°C) 3 inches (77 mm) 57°F (14°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm)
Nov 57°F (14°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 47°F (8°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Dec 48°F (9°C) 4.4 inches (111 mm) 35°F (2°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)


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Atlanta vs. Columbus Travel Comparison

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