Should you visit Atlantic City or Mystic?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Atlantic City and Mystic. 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. So, let's dig into it.
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.
Mystic
Mystic is a popular tourist destination in Connecticut for its many marinas, historic buildings, aquarium, and seaport. It was historically a shipbuilding and maritime town but today it attracts crowds from many nearby states and regions. Sailing trips are a fun activity that get visitors out on the water. The town is also near Foxwoods Casino.
Which city is cheaper, Mystic 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 Mystic is $168. 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 Atlantic City and Mystic in more detail.
Accommodation
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $116 for a double occupancy room in Atlantic City.
For a normal double-occupancy room in Mystic, $200 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Mystic, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is $100, such as in a hostel.
Food
The average traveler spends about $40 per day in Atlantic City for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
On average, meal and food prices in Mystic cost around $42 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $17.
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Food
Meals for one day
Atlantic City $40
Mystic $42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mystic
For Mystic, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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2-Hour Guided Walking Tour with Pizza and Sweets:
$39
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Atlantic City is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $32 per person, per day, on local transportation in Atlantic City.
To get around in Mystic, the average visitor spends $45 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Atlantic City
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Atlantic City:
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Private Transfer: Atlantic City to JFK or Laguardia Airports:
$665
Is it cheaper to fly into Atlantic City or Mystic?
Prices for flights to both Mystic 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.
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Atlantic City typically cost an average of $35 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
In Mystic, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $19 per person, per day.
Tours and Activities in Mystic
For Mystic, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Mystic Seaport Museum Adventure:
$19
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Fields of Fire Adventure Park Admission Ticket:
$58
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Atlantic City may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $31 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Typically, people visiting Mystic spend on average $25 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Sample the Local Flavors in Atlantic City
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Atlantic City:
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All Bets Are Off: Atlantic City Bar Crawl:
$12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Atlantic City and Mystic, we can see that Mystic 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 Mystic would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mystic than you might in Atlantic City.
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