A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Atlantic City vs. Boston for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Atlantic City or Boston?

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 Atlantic City and Boston. 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: Atlantic City or Boston?

Atlantic City

Atlantic City, on the southeastern coast of New Jersey, is a popular destination for gambling, partying, and generally having fun. The beach is lined with casinos, many with famous names, and there's a boardwalk that offers a diverse experience. Most people don't head to Atlantic City for the beaches - it's the casinos and partying that draws a crowd. This is a popular spot for bachelor and bachelorette parties, or anybody looking for an affordable place to gamble.

Boston

Boston is one of the oldest and most historic cities in New England. It is also the capital of the state of Massachusetts and the largest city in the region. The city proper covers 48 square miles and has a population of more than 600,000. The Greater Boston area has 4.5 million people and is the tenth largest metropolitan area in the country.

Which city is cheaper, Boston or Atlantic City?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Atlantic City is $123, while the average daily cost in Boston is $203. 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 Atlantic City and Boston in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Atlantic City $58
    Boston $132
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Atlantic City $116
    Boston $264
Compare Hotels in Atlantic City and Boston

Looking for a hotel in Atlantic City or Boston? 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 Atlantic City


Hotels in Boston


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: Atlantic City Hotel Prices and Boston Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Atlantic City $32
    Boston $28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Atlantic City

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Atlantic City:

  • Private Transfer: Atlantic City to JFK or Laguardia Airports: $665

Typical Local Transportation prices in Boston

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Boston are as follows:


  • Taxi
    $35
  • Subway Daily Pass
    $9.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boston:

  • Airport Transfer by Private Car Service: $55
  • Arrival Private Transfer Boston Airport BOS to Boston Business or Luxury Vehicle: $67
  • Boston Airport Private Sedan Transfer: $143
  • Boston Airport Transfer Arrival And Departure: $340
  • Boston Logan Airport (BOS) to Boston - Arrival Private Transfer: $71
  • Boston Logan Airport (BOS) to Boston - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $142
  • Boston to Boston Logan Airport (BOS) - Departure Private Transfer: $71
  • Boston Logan International Airport Private Transfer: $68
  • Private Boston International Airport (BOS) Transfer: $112
  • Boston’s Logan International Airport to Providence - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $361
  • Boston’s Logan International Airport to Providence – Arrival Private Transfer: $180
  • Departure Private Transfer Boston to Boston Airport BOS Business-Luxury Vehicle: $67

Is it cheaper to fly into Atlantic City or Boston?

Prices for flights to both Boston and Atlantic City 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
    Atlantic City $40
    Boston $40

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Boston

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Boston.

  • Boston's North End "Little Italy" Pizza, Cannoli, and Freedom Trail Walking Tour: $49
  • Boston's North End Small-Group Walking Food Tour: $71
  • Fenway Neighborhood Food Tour (Boston): $79
  • Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise on Boston Harbor: $81
  • Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Boston North End: $103
  • Spirit of Boston Sunset Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $105
  • Boston Odyssey Dinner Cruise: $118
  • Lunch or Dinner Cruise on the Odyssey: $122
  • North End Neighborhood Food Tour: $150

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Atlantic City $35
    Boston $26

Tours and Activities in Atlantic City

Here are a few actual costs in Atlantic City for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Morning or Afternoon Skyline Ocean Cruise: $20

Typical Entertainment prices in Boston

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Boston are as follows:


  • Two Tickets to Celtics Game
    $101
  • Duck Tour
    $32

Tours and Activities in Boston

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

  • Self-Guided Smartphone Ghost Walking Tour in Boston: $3.95
  • Self-Guided Boston Christmas Tour: $4.50
  • The Great Cannoli Tour: $5.00
  • Boston Harborwalk & Tea Party Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.00
  • Boston's Freedom Trail - Smart Phone guided (GPS) walking tour - go anytime: $5.00
  • The Ghosts of Boston's Past Haunted Self-guided Tour: $5.00
  • Boston's Freedom Trail, 3 tours in 1, Smart Phone Guided Tour (GPS) - go anytime: $7.99
  • Freedom Trail Best Tour (Boston Common to Faneuil Hall): $15
  • Boston Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Freedom Trail Walking Tours: $16
  • Tour of The Freedom Trail: $16
  • Downtown Freedom Trail Walking Tour in Boston: $20

For more ideas for your next trip, check out Free Things to Do in Boston, Must-See Monuments and Memorials In Boston, and The Best Things To Do in Boston with Kids.


Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Atlantic City $31
    Boston $22

Sample the Local Flavors in Atlantic City

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Atlantic City:

  • All Bets Are Off: Atlantic City Bar Crawl: $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Boston

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Boston:

  • Haunted Boston Ghost and Pub Walking Tour: $27
  • Historic Pub Crawl Tour along the Freedom Trail: $56
  • Sip of Boston Guided Brewery Tour: $90

About these numbers

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


When is the best time to visit Atlantic City or Boston?

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 Atlantic City or Boston in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Atlantic City and Boston. Also, the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Boston this time of year.

Atlantic City is around the same temperature as Boston in the summer. The temperature in Atlantic City is usually 75°F (24°C) in July, and Boston stays around 73°F (23°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Boston this time of the year. In Atlantic City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Atlantic City usually receives less sunshine than Boston during summer. Atlantic City gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 304 hours of full sun in the summer.

Atlantic City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Atlantic City usually receives more rain than Boston. Atlantic City gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Atlantic City 75°F (24°C) 
    Boston 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Atlantic City or Boston in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Atlantic City as well as Boston. Also, many travelers come to Boston for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Atlantic City is around the same temperature as Boston. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Atlantic City in October are around 56°F (13°C), and Boston is about 54°F (12°C).

In the autumn, Atlantic City often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Boston. Atlantic City gets 197 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 194 hours of full sun.

Atlantic City usually gets less rain in October than Boston. Atlantic City gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Atlantic City 56°F (13°C) 
    Boston 54°F (12°C)

Should I visit Atlantic City or Boston in the Winter?

Both Boston and Atlantic City are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Boston in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Boston can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Atlantic City. In January, Atlantic City is generally much warmer than Boston. Temperatures in Atlantic City average around 31°F (-0°C), and Boston stays around 29°F (-2°C).

Atlantic City usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Boston during winter. Atlantic City gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 153 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Atlantic City usually receives around the same amount of rain as Boston. Atlantic City gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Atlantic City 31°F (-0°C) 
    Boston 29°F (-2°C)

Should I visit Atlantic City or Boston in the Spring?

Both Boston and Atlantic City during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Boston for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

Atlantic City is a little warmer than Boston in the spring. The temperature in Atlantic City is usually 51°F (10°C) in April, and Boston stays around 48°F (9°C).

In Boston, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Atlantic City. In the spring, Atlantic City often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Boston. Atlantic City gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 225 hours of full sun.

Atlantic City usually gets less rain in April than Boston. Atlantic City gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Atlantic City 51°F (10°C) 
    Boston 48°F (9°C)

Typical Weather for Boston and Atlantic City

Atlantic City Boston
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 31°F (-0°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 29°F (-2°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Feb 33°F (1°C) 2.5 inches (64 mm) 30°F (-1°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
Mar 42°F (6°C) 4.6 inches (116 mm) 38°F (4°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm)
Apr 51°F (10°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 48°F (9°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
May 61°F (16°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 58°F (15°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Jun 70°F (21°C) 2 inches (50 mm) 68°F (20°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
Jul 75°F (24°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm) 73°F (23°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm)
Aug 74°F (23°C) 4.6 inches (116 mm) 72°F (22°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Sep 67°F (19°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 64°F (18°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
Oct 56°F (13°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm) 54°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Nov 46°F (8°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 45°F (7°C) 4.3 inches (108 mm)
Dec 36°F (2°C) 3 inches (76 mm) 33°F (1°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)


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Atlantic City vs. Boston Travel Comparison

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