A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Atlantic City vs. Halifax for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Atlantic City or Halifax?

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 Halifax. 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 Halifax?

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.

Halifax

The quaint and charming coastal town of Halifax, Nova Scotia has an interesting personality. While it caters to travelers from all over the world, it maintains the pace and lifestyle of a small town.

Steeped in maritime history, Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia, and one of the world's greatest natural harbors. This busy seaport serves as the economic and cultural hub of Eastern Canada.

When planning your trip keep in mind that this city has a climate like other coastal cities. Summers are nice with the occasional humidity. Winters are mild, but still full of snow and wind. The best time of year to visit is most certainly the fall.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver.


Which place is cheaper, Halifax or Atlantic City?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Atlantic City is $154, while the average daily cost in Halifax is $114. 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 Atlantic City and Halifax in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Atlantic City $73
    Halifax $65
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Atlantic City $146
    Halifax $130
Compare Hotels in Atlantic City and Halifax

Looking for a hotel in Atlantic City or Halifax? 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 Halifax


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 Halifax Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Atlantic City $40
    Halifax $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Halifax

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

  • From Peggy’s Cove Small-Group Tour with Transfers: $80
  • Halifax Airport (YHZ) to Halifax Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $68
  • Halifax Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Halifax hotels: $133
  • Halifax Stanfield Airport (YHZ) to Halifax Port-Arrival Transfer: $34
  • Halifax Stanfield Airport (YHZ): Transfer to Halifax Port: $209
  • Halifax Stanfield Airport(YHZ) to Halifax Port - Arrival Transfer: $34
  • Transfer to/from Stanfield International Airport: $44
  • Private Transfer from Halifax Stanfield Airport to Halifax: $36

Is it cheaper to fly into Atlantic City or Halifax?

Prices for flights to both Halifax 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 $50
    Halifax $31

Typical Food Prices in Halifax

For Halifax, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Bluenose II Restaurant
    $45

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Halifax

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

  • Peggy's Cove Small Group Night Tour with Dinner: $160

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Atlantic City $44
    Halifax $28

Tours and Activities in Atlantic City

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

  • 75-Minute Ocean Parasailing Adventure Above Ocean City, MD: $70
  • Atlantic City Adventure Scavenger Hunt: $27
  • Absecon Lighthouse Admission Ticket: $10
  • Dolphin Watching Ocean Cruise Adventure: $53
  • Morning or Afternoon Skyline Ocean Cruise: $27
  • Parasailing Experience: $95
  • Quiet Bay Cruise With Happy Hour Options: $27
  • Sunset Party Cruise with DJ: $33
  • Bay Hopper Breakfast Sandwich Cruise: $35
  • Downtown/Boardwalk Foodie Tour: $119
  • Midtown Dining District Foodie Tour: $110
  • OC Bay Hopper - Assateague Island Cruise (Departs 118th): $45

Tours and Activities in Halifax

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

  • Discover the Halifax Explosion Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
  • Churches, Gardens, & Graveyards Smartphone Tour: $5.11
  • Halifax Boardwalk and Seaport: Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.11
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Exlore Halifax with 3 Unique Smartphone Audio Walking Tours: $13
  • Halifax self-guided walking tour and scavenger hunt: $38
  • From City and Peggy's Cove Sunset Guided Tour: $65
  • City Segway Tour: $67
  • Small-Group Tour with Citadel and Peggy's Cove: $94
  • Small Group Walking Tour with Citadel & Museum: $102
  • From Small Group Lunenberg Express Tour: $120
  • Guided Harbourfront Food Walking Tour: $120

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Atlantic City $39
    Halifax $15

Sample the Local Flavors in Atlantic City

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Atlantic City:

  • Little Water Distillery Spirit Tasting: $15


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

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


Which is Bigger, Atlantic City or Halifax?

Halifax has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Atlantic City. When comparing the sizes of Atlantic City and Halifax, 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 Atlantic City or Halifax?

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 Atlantic City or Halifax in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Atlantic City as well as Halifax. Many visitors come to Atlantic City in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Atlantic City is a little warmer than Halifax in the summer. The daily temperature in Atlantic City averages around 75°F (24°C) in July, and Halifax fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Halifax. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Atlantic City this time of the year. In the summer, Atlantic City often gets more sunshine than Halifax. Atlantic City gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 230 hours of full sun.

Atlantic City receives a lot of rain in the summer. Atlantic City usually gets more rain in July than Halifax. Atlantic City gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Atlantic City 75°F (24°C) 
    Halifax 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Atlantic City or Halifax in the Autumn?

Both Halifax and Atlantic City are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Atlantic City for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Atlantic City is a little warmer than Halifax. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Atlantic City in October average around 56°F (13°C), and Halifax averages at about 10°C (49°F).

Atlantic City usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during autumn. Atlantic City gets 197 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Halifax. In October, Atlantic City usually receives less rain than Halifax. Atlantic City gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 121 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Atlantic City 56°F (13°C) 
    Halifax 10°C (49°F)

Should I visit Atlantic City or Halifax in the Winter?

Both Halifax and Atlantic City during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Atlantic City because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Halifax in the winter. The weather in Atlantic City can be very cold. In January, Atlantic City is generally much warmer than Halifax. Daily temperatures in Atlantic City average around 31°F (-0°C), and Halifax fluctuates around -4°C (24°F).

In the winter, Atlantic City often gets more sunshine than Halifax. Atlantic City gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 111 hours of full sun.

Halifax gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Atlantic City usually gets less rain in January than Halifax. Atlantic City gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Atlantic City 31°F (-0°C) 
    Halifax -4°C (24°F)

Should I visit Atlantic City or Halifax in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Atlantic City and Halifax. The beaches are the main draw to Atlantic City this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Halifax. Atlantic City is much warmer than Halifax in the spring. The daily temperature in Atlantic City averages around 51°F (10°C) in April, and Halifax fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In Atlantic City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Atlantic City usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during spring. Atlantic City gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun in the spring.

Halifax receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Atlantic City usually receives less rain than Halifax. Atlantic City gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Atlantic City 51°F (10°C) 
    Halifax 4°C (39°F)

Typical Weather for Halifax and Atlantic City

Atlantic City Halifax
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 31°F (-0°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) -4°C (24°F) 129 mm (5.1 in)
Feb 33°F (1°C) 2.5 inches (64 mm) -5°C (24°F) 108 mm (4.2 in)
Mar 42°F (6°C) 4.6 inches (116 mm) -1°C (31°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Apr 51°F (10°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 4°C (39°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
May 61°F (16°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 9°C (48°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Jun 70°F (21°C) 2 inches (50 mm) 14°C (57°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Jul 75°F (24°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm) 18°C (64°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Aug 74°F (23°C) 4.6 inches (116 mm) 18°C (65°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Sep 67°F (19°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 15°C (58°F) 91 mm (3.6 in)
Oct 56°F (13°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm) 10°C (49°F) 121 mm (4.7 in)
Nov 46°F (8°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 5°C (40°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Dec 36°F (2°C) 3 inches (76 mm) -1°C (29°F) 152 mm (6 in)