Should you visit Atlanta or Virginia Beach?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Atlanta or Virginia Beach, 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.
Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay. It's a popular beach destination and has many of the characteristics of most southeastern beach towns. There are many activities that you can enjoy and there's a concrete boardwalk that runs parallel to the water for about three miles. The boardwalk is a fun place to walk or bicycle. The beach itself is wide and sandy and is a great place to soak up some sun. During the summer months and school holidays it can get quite crowded and you might struggle to find a place for your towel and beach chairs. There are also many beach side resorts that line the water front. Most have pools and hot tubs where you can relax and some hotels have indoor pools as well, which can be nice during the cool winter months.
Which city is cheaper, Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach is $104. 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 Virginia Beach 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.
The prices for places to stay in Virginia Beach can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $60, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $120.
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.
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Virginia Beach than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $31 on transportation in Virginia Beach on average per day.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Atlanta
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Atlanta:
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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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Private Transfer: Atlanta to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta Int. Airport (ATL):
$622
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Private Transfer: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta Int. Airport (ATL) to Atlanta:
$622
-
RoundTrip Transfer in Private Minivan from-to Atlanta Airport - Camp Cove Crest:
$433
-
Departure Private Transfer Atlanta City to Hartsfield Airport ATL by Minibus:
$225
-
Private Roundtrip Transfer: Atlanta (ATL) Airport to Hotel by Executive SUV:
$194
-
Atlanta Airport Transfers : Atlanta City to Atlanta Airport ATL in Luxury Car:
$183
-
Atlanta Airport Transfers : Atlanta Airport ATL to Atlanta City in Luxury Car:
$174
-
Private Atlanta Airport Roundtrip Transfer by Van:
$165
-
Atlanta Roundtrip Chauffeur Driven Airport Transfer:
$145
-
Private Roundtrip Transfer: Atlanta (ATL) Airport to Hotel by Executive Sedan:
$145
-
RoundTrip Transfer in Executive Private Minivan from-to Airport-Atlanta Downtown:
$133
-
Individual transfer from Atlanta ATL airport to Atlanta:
$124
Typical Local Transportation prices in Virginia Beach
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Virginia Beach:
Is it cheaper to fly into Atlanta or Virginia Beach?
Prices for flights to both Virginia Beach 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 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.
Food in Virginia Beach costs travelers about $25 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.
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Food
Meals for one day
Atlanta $33
Virginia Beach $25
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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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
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.
Sightseeing expenses in Virginia Beach, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $17 per day, per person.
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 Virginia Beach
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Virginia Beach.
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All-Inclusive, Autumn Weekend Tour for GROUPS of 10-16:
$5,901
-
RIDE ALONG GREEK GODS & AQUATISM *Certified Tours*:
$75
-
Small Group Dolphin Kayak Eco-Tour:
$62
-
Sunset Dolphin Kayak Tours:
$62
-
Sunset Stand Up Paddleboard Tour of Linkhorn Bay:
$41
-
Tour of Virginia Beach (half day), for GROUPS of 10-16:
$499
-
Tour of Virginia Beach, for GROUPS of 10-16:
$831
-
Haunted Walking Ghost Tour:
$22
-
Wetland Zip Tour:
$61
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.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Virginia Beach, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $8.51.
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Atlanta and Virginia Beach, we can see that Atlanta is more expensive. And not only is Virginia Beach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Virginia Beach would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Virginia Beach 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 Atlanta would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Atlanta than you might in Virginia Beach.
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