Which place is cheaper, Lancaster or Atlantic City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Atlantic City and Lancaster. 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.
Atlantic City is a colorful, glitzy, and flashy city. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.
Lancaster is a scenic, traditional, and picturesque town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.
Visitors will usually find more to do in Atlantic City than Lancaster, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Atlantic City is better known for its nightlife, resorts, and beaches, while Lancaster is more popular for its museums, shopping, and impressive beauty. Atlantic City is more touristy than Lancaster and is popular for its casinos, gambling culture, nightlife scene, and wild personality Also, Atlantic City is famous for Steel Pier and the Boardwalk. Lancaster is well known for its history and long running Amish community.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Lancaster and Atlantic City. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Lancaster is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Atlantic City is not particularly known for its historical sights.
Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Lancaster. Filled with history and local culture, there are many educational opportunities in the area where you can learn about Amish traditions. The Amish Village has tours and unique experiences. The town also has James Buchanan's Wheatland, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, the National Toy Train Museum, the Ephrata Cloister, and the National Watch & Clock Museum, among many others.
While most people don't head to Atlantic City specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. While most people don't spend their time in museums, there is the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, the African American Heritage Museum, and the Noyes Museum Galleries.
Foodies will find both Atlantic City and Lancaster both to be notable destinations.
Atlantic City offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are budget buffets around town as well as seafood restaurants and even some fine dining. Salt water taffy is a local specialty that you should pick up while you're in the area.
Lancaster has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You can sample authentic Pennsylvania Dutch dishes at one of the Amish restaurants in the area. Many places serve food family-style and dishes include chicken pot pie, ham balls, and pork and sauerkraut. Whoopie pies also originated in the area.
Atlantic City is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. However, Lancaster is not known for nightlife.
Atlantic City has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. This is a city that is all about its nightlife scene. Many visitors come here just to party, and you'll find clubs with DJs or bands playing from sunset to sunrise. There are glitzy lounges and dive bars with everything in between. As a gambling town, there are casinos and all-night activities that keep the energy going round the clock.
Most people don't head to Lancaster specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a small town, but you'll still find local pubs and cozy bars where you can enjoy a drink in a laid back atmosphere.
Atlantic City is a great city for its luxury resorts. However, Lancaster is not a resort destination.
Atlantic City is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. The beach and boardwalk are lined with casinos and resorts. There are many recognizable names such as Harrah's, Bally's, Caesars, Hard Rock, and the Tropicana.
Lancaster is not a resort destination.
Atlantic City is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Lancaster is not a beach destination.
Atlantic City has a beach worth visiting. There's a Boardwalk that runs along the beach and is lined with piers and hotels. The Downtown Beach is the most accessible, and where most tourists hang out. If you're willing to travel a little further, there are some nice beaches nearby such as Margate Beach and Brigantine Beach.
Lancaster is not a beach destination.
Lancaster is well known for shopping. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.
Lancaster is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Many visitors pick up hand-crafted Amish items while they're in town. Furniture and Amish quilts are particularly popular. Farmers markets and antique shopping are both unique in the area and there are also art galleries and several outlet stores that you can visit.
Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Atlantic City. You'll find many souvenir shops along the boardwalk. There's also a Tangier Outlet Mall in the area. Some of the hotels such as the Tropicana have their own shopping areas as well.
Lancaster is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Atlantic City is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.
Lancaster is a very family-friendly place to visit. In you area you'll find farms and petting zoos, amusement parks, and train rides. They can learn about a unique lifestyle at the Amish Experience or soak up the local beauty and farmland in the surrounding countryside.
For families, Atlantic City is not always the best place to visit. Most families avoid this area for more family-friendly beaches, but if you find yourself in the area, you can check out Ripley's Believe It or Not or go on a dolphin cruise. Also popular is Steel Pier, which has rides for all ages.
Lancaster is well known for romance. Also, Atlantic City is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.
Couples visit Lancaster frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This region is known for it's local beauty and serene farmland, making it a relaxing and peaceful destination for couples. There are walking trails, outdoor activities, buggy rides, and a variety of dining experiences. You can also stay at a bed and breakfast or local inn.
Atlantic City makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's not exactly known for its romance, but there are casinos, hotels, and a beaches that are fun to visit. You'll also find several spas and sunset cruises in the area.
Atlantic City is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Lancaster is not known for backpackers.
It's common for backpackers to visit Atlantic City. There is a hostel in the area. You'll also find a younger crowd and plenty of partying.
Lancaster is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Although it's often overlooked by backpackers, the region offers a unique cultural experience.
Atlantic City is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Lancaster is not known for its public transit.
While Atlantic City offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The Jitney are shuttle buses that runs from one end of the city to the other. They pass by most of the hotels and casinos along Pacific Avenue.
Public transit is generally limited in Lancaster. The city has buses and several transportation options, but once you're outside of the urban core, your options are limited.
Atlantic City is a great city for its ease of walking around. However, Lancaster is not known for its walkability.
Atlantic City is a very walkable destination. Many of the hotels are walkable and located near the boardwalk.
Lancaster is generally not very walkable. While the city itself has walkable areas, most visitors want to get out and explore the countryside, which requires a car.
For even more information, also check out Is Atlantic City Worth Visiting? and Is Lancaster Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Atlantic City and Lancaster. In our opinion, Atlantic City has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Atlantic City than Lancaster. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Atlantic City, and 2-3 days is enough time in Lancaster.
Families should spend more time in Lancaster than Atlantic City. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Lancaster, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Lancaster than Atlantic City. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Lancaster that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Atlantic City than Lancaster if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Atlantic City.
You'll find food and shopping around the city of Atlantic City. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Atlantic City has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the scenic destination of Lancaster. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.
You'll find shopping and nightlife around the glitzy destination of Atlantic City. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lancaster. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.
Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the flashy city of Atlantic City. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the scenic destination of Lancaster. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.
Atlantic City is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
You'll find museums and food around the beautiful town of Lancaster. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.
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 Lancaster is $183. 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 Lancaster in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Atlantic City or Lancaster? 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.
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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Atlantic City:
Prices for flights to both Lancaster 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.
For Lancaster, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are a few actual costs in Atlantic City for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lancaster.
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Atlantic City:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lancaster:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Atlantic City and Lancaster, we can see that Lancaster 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 Lancaster would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lancaster than you might in Atlantic City.
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 Lancaster Expensive?.
Lancaster has a larger population, and is about 35% larger than the population of Atlantic City. When comparing the sizes of Atlantic City and Lancaster, 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.
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.
Both Lancaster and Atlantic City during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Atlantic City in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Lancaster for the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Atlantic City is generally around the same temperature as Lancaster. Daily temperatures in Atlantic City average around 75°F (24°C), and Lancaster fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).
In Lancaster, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Atlantic City. In the summer, Atlantic City often gets less sunshine than Lancaster. Atlantic City gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lancaster receives 310 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Atlantic City. Atlantic City usually gets more rain in July than Lancaster. Atlantic City gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Atlantic City and Lancaster. Most visitors come to Atlantic City for the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Lancaster because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
Atlantic City is around the same temperature as Lancaster in the autumn. The daily temperature in Atlantic City averages around 56°F (13°C) in October, and Lancaster fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).
Atlantic City usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lancaster during autumn. Atlantic City gets 197 hours of sunny skies, while Lancaster receives 194 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Atlantic City usually receives less rain than Lancaster. Atlantic City gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Atlantic City as well as Lancaster. The winter months attract visitors to Atlantic City because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Lancaster this time of year.
It's quite cold in Lancaster in the winter. The weather in Atlantic City can be very cold. In the winter, Atlantic City is much warmer than Lancaster. Typically, the winter temperatures in Atlantic City in January average around 31°F (-0°C), and Lancaster averages at about 30°F (-1°C).
In the winter, Atlantic City often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lancaster. Atlantic City gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lancaster receives 153 hours of full sun.
Atlantic City usually gets more rain in January than Lancaster. Atlantic City gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Lancaster and Atlantic City are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches are the main draw to Atlantic City this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lancaster for the natural beauty.
In April, Atlantic City is generally cooler than Lancaster. Daily temperatures in Atlantic City average around 51°F (10°C), and Lancaster fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).
It's quite sunny in Lancaster. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Atlantic City. Atlantic City usually receives less sunshine than Lancaster during spring. Atlantic City gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Lancaster receives 237 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Atlantic City usually receives around the same amount of rain as Lancaster. Atlantic City gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
Atlantic City | Lancaster | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 31°F (-0°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
Feb | 33°F (1°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) | 33°F (0°C) | 2.9 inches (75 mm) |
Mar | 42°F (6°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) | 42°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
Apr | 51°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 53°F (12°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
May | 61°F (16°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
Jun | 70°F (21°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
Jul | 75°F (24°C) | 4.4 inches (112 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
Aug | 74°F (23°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
Sep | 67°F (19°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
Oct | 56°F (13°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.9 inches (75 mm) |
Nov | 46°F (8°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) |
Dec | 36°F (2°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) | 35°F (2°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |