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

Should you visit Atlanta or Dayton?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Atlanta or Dayton, 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 Dayton?

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.

Dayton

Located in southwest Ohio, Dayton is known as the "Gem City." It's the original home of Orville and Wilbur Wright, the brothers who designed the first airplane. You'll also find the Dayton Aviation Heritage Park here, which is one of the only multi-site National Parks in the United States. The cities climate has four different seasons, winter, spring, summer and fall. The winter months are quite cold and you can expect a decent amount of snow in the area. Spring remains cool and there are infrequent showers. This is also the peak time for tornadoes in the area. Summer is hot and humid and can be unpleasant at times, but fall is crisp and refreshing with occasional storms and infrequent tornadoes.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Dayton or Atlanta?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Atlanta is $173, while the average daily cost in Dayton is $323. 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 Atlanta and Dayton in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Atlanta $90
    Dayton $250
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Atlanta $180
    Dayton $500
Compare Hotels in Atlanta and Dayton

Looking for a hotel in Atlanta or Dayton? 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 Dayton


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 Dayton Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Atlanta $44
    Dayton $25
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:

  • San Jose Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to San Jose Costa: $35
  • Atlanta Airport (ATL) to Lithia Springs -Arrival Private Transfer: $36
  • Transfer in executiveprivate vehicle from Atlanta Airport(ATL) -Atlanta Downtown: $53
  • Transfer in Executive Private Minivan from Atlanta Airport to Atlanta Downtown: $67
  • Transfer in Executive Private Minivan from Atlanta Downtown to Atlanta Airport: $67
  • Private Car Transfer From Atlanta Airport to Atlanta Metro Area: $67
  • Private Transfer from Atlanta (ATL) Airport to Atlanta City: $95
  • Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta Airport (ATL) to Atlanta - Arrival Private Transfer: $98
  • Roundtrip Transfer PrivateExecutive Vehicle Atlanta Airport(ATL)-AtlantaDowntown: $105
  • Arrival Transfer: Atlanta Airport ATL to Atlanta in Sedan Car: $120
  • Departure Transfer: Atlanta to Atlanta Airport ATL in Sedan Car: $120
  • Private Transfer: H. J. Airport ATL to Atlanta in Business Car: $120

Is it cheaper to fly into Atlanta or Dayton?

Prices for flights to both Dayton 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 $43
    Dayton $61
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:

  • City Lights Atlanta Night-Time Tour with Photos & Dinner Stop: $65
  • City Lights Night Tour with Photos & Dinner Stop: $65
  • 2 Hour Historic Market Food Tour and Hands-On Biscuit Class: $70
  • Historic Market Food Tour and Biscuit Cooking Class: $70
  • Ponce City Market 2.5-Hour Weekend Food Tour: $99
  • Food Tour of Inman Park and the Atlanta Beltline: $99

Typical Food Prices in Dayton

Some typical examples of dining costs in Dayton are as follows:


  • Noodle Company Lunch (for 2)
    $17
  • Indian Food Dinner (for 2)
    $34

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Atlanta $56
    Dayton -

Tours and Activities in Atlanta

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

  • Civil Rights Self-Guided Audio App Walking Tour: $6.75
  • Atlanta Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour Guide: $9.00
  • Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $9.00
  • Olympic Park & Pemberton Place: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Georgia Aquarium: Ocean Voyager Virtual Tour: $11
  • Georgia Aquarium at Home: Cold Water Quest Virtual Tour: $11
  • Civil Rights Movement in A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
  • Atlanta Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $13
  • Atlanta Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $14
  • Atlanta- Downtown- An audio walking tour.: $15
  • SkyView Ferris Wheel Ticket: $16
  • Atlanta Braves Baseball Game Ticket at Truist Park: $17

Tours and Activities in Dayton

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dayton are as follows:

  • Daytona Beach: Guided Kayaking or Standup Paddling Tour: $65

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Atlanta $17
    Dayton -

Sample the Local Flavors in Atlanta

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

  • Drag Queen Guided Pub Crawl and Cabaret Show: $36
  • ATLANTA Yes, Queen! Drag Queen Pub Crawl : $40
  • Half-Day Wine Tastings in the North Georgia Mountains : $115
  • Full-Day Wine Country Wine Tastings From Atlanta : $120


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Atlanta and Dayton, we can see that Dayton is more expensive. And not only is Atlanta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Atlanta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Atlanta 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 Dayton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dayton than you might in Atlanta.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Atlanta Expensive? and Is Dayton Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Atlanta or Dayton?

Atlanta has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Dayton. When comparing the sizes of Atlanta and Dayton, 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 Atlanta or Dayton?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Atlanta or Dayton in the Summer?

Both Dayton and Atlanta during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Atlanta because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Atlanta is around the same temperature as Dayton in the summer. The daily temperature in Atlanta averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Dayton fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

In Dayton, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Atlanta. In the summer, Atlanta often gets less sunshine than Dayton. Atlanta gets 271 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dayton receives 298 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Atlanta. Atlanta usually gets more rain in July than Dayton. Atlanta gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Atlanta 82°F (28°C) 
    Dayton 78°F (26°C)

Should I visit Atlanta or Dayton in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Atlanta and Dayton. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Atlanta this time of year.

In the autumn, Atlanta is a little warmer than Dayton. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Atlanta in October average around 66°F (19°C), and Dayton averages at about 57°F (14°C).

In Atlanta, it's very sunny this time of the year. Atlanta usually receives more sunshine than Dayton during autumn. Atlanta gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Dayton receives 188 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Atlanta usually receives more rain than Dayton. Atlanta gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


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

Should I visit Atlanta or Dayton in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Atlanta as well as Dayton. Many travelers come to Atlanta for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Dayton can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Atlanta is generally much warmer than Dayton. Daily temperatures in Atlanta average around 45°F (7°C), and Dayton fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).

In the winter, Atlanta often gets more sunshine than Dayton. Atlanta gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dayton receives 129 hours of full sun.

Atlanta receives a lot of rain in the winter. Atlanta usually gets more rain in January than Dayton. Atlanta gets 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Atlanta or Dayton in the Spring?

Both Dayton and Atlanta are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Atlanta in the spring for the activities around the city.

Atlanta is a little warmer than Dayton in the spring. The daily temperature in Atlanta averages around 65°F (18°C) in April, and Dayton fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

It's quite sunny in Dayton. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Atlanta. Atlanta usually receives more sunshine than Dayton during spring. Atlanta gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Dayton receives 215 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Atlanta. In April, Atlanta usually receives more rain than Dayton. Atlanta gets 4.1 inches (104 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Atlanta 65°F (18°C) 
    Dayton 55°F (13°C)

Typical Weather for Dayton and Atlanta

Atlanta Dayton
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 45°F (7°C) 4.7 inches (120 mm) 30°F (-1°C) 2.1 inches (54 mm)
Feb 49°F (9°C) 4.8 inches (123 mm) 33°F (1°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm)
Mar 57°F (14°C) 5.8 inches (147 mm) 44°F (7°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Apr 65°F (18°C) 4.1 inches (104 mm) 55°F (13°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
May 73°F (23°C) 4.2 inches (107 mm) 65°F (18°C) 4 inches (102 mm)
Jun 80°F (27°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm) 74°F (23°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 5.2 inches (133 mm) 78°F (26°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm)
Aug 82°F (28°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm) 76°F (25°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Sep 76°F (25°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 69°F (21°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm)
Oct 66°F (19°C) 3 inches (77 mm) 57°F (14°C) 2.5 inches (64 mm)
Nov 57°F (14°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 47°F (8°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm)
Dec 48°F (9°C) 4.4 inches (111 mm) 35°F (2°C) 3 inches (75 mm)