Should you visit Atlanta or Columbus?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Atlanta or Columbus, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Atlanta and Columbus in more detail.
Accommodation
The prices for places to stay in Atlanta can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $72, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $144.
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $116 in Columbus For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
Food in Atlanta costs travelers about $33 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
The average traveler spends about $39 per day in Columbus for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
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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:
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Ponce City Market 2.5-Hour Weekend Food Tour:
$75
-
Grant Park Past & Future Food Tour:
$75
-
2.5-Hour History and Food Tour in Atlanta:
$75
-
Atlanta's Southern Food Tour:
$86
-
Modern Southern Food Tour of Historic Inman Park:
$99
-
Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Atlanta:
$116
-
Secret Food Tours Atlanta w/ Private Tour Option:
$249
Local Transportation
Atlanta's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $34 per person, per day on transportation in Atlanta.
To get around in Columbus, the average visitor spends $40 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
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:
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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:
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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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Atlanta can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $45 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
In Columbus, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $37 per person, per day.
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 5 Hour City Tour by Air-Conditioned Bus:
$70
-
Atlanta Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure:
$27
-
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
Tours and Activities in Columbus
For Columbus, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Central Park Bike Tour:
$53
-
Columbus Scavenger Hunt Adventure:
$21
-
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus Ticket:
$21
-
Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Columbus:
$11
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Atlanta, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $14.
Typically, people visiting Columbus spend on average $16 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
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
-
Krog Street Market Pub Crawl:
$36
-
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
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.
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