A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Austin vs. Arlington for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

North America / Comparisons /
Jump to  down-arrow

Should you visit Austin or Arlington?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Austin or Arlington, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Austin or Arlington?

Austin

Located in the Texas Hill Country, Austin is the capital city of the state. It is a relatively small city with a compact downtown area and many sprawling suburbs stretching out along the interstate. Austin prides itself on its eclectic culture and alternative vibe which is epitomized by the city's unofficial slogan "Keep Austin Weird." The University of Texas at Austin is also located downtown. The school's large student population helps give the city a youthful feel with a lively nightlife and no shortage of activities on weekends. The city is also the self proclaimed live music capital of the country. As such, it has many music venues and bars, most of which are clustered around the 6th Street area downtown. There are also many free outdoor concerts, particularly during the summer months.

Arlington

Located just across the Potomac River from Washington DC, capital of the United States, Arlington is a city that also has many government sites and monuments that commemorate the nation's past. Two of its most famous features include Arlington National Cemetery and the Pentagon-the largest office building in the world.

Which city is cheaper, Arlington or Austin?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Austin is $114, while the average daily cost in Arlington is $211. 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 Austin and Arlington in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Austin $45
    Arlington $105
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Austin $90
    Arlington $210
Compare Hotels in Austin and Arlington

Looking for a hotel in Austin or Arlington? 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 Austin


Hotels in Arlington


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: Austin Hotel Prices and Arlington Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Austin $38
    Arlington $39

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Austin

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Austin:

  • Transfer from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to Austin: $109
  • Private Departure Transfer to Austin Bergstrom Airport AUS: $40
  • Private Austin Transfer: Hotel to Airport: $114
  • Private Austin Transfer: Airport to Hotel: $128
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Austin Bergstrom Airport AUS: $40
  • Private Airport and Hotel Transfer Services in Austin: $86
  • Austin-Bergstrom International Airport One Way Transfer: $69
  • Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) to Austin City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $187
  • Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) to Austin City - Arrival Private Transfer: $93
  • Austin City to Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) - Departure Private Transfer: $93

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arlington

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

  • Arrival Private Transfer Ronald Reagan Airport DCA to Washington DC by SUV: $104
  • Arrival Private Transfers: National Airport DCA to Washington in Business Car: $72
  • Arrival Private Transfers: National Airport DCA to Washington in Luxury SUV: $78
  • Arrival Private Transfers: National Airport DCA to Washington in Luxury Van: $78
  • Private Airport Transfer: Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) to Washington: $40
  • Private Arrival Transfer DCA Ronald Regan Washington Airport to Washington City: $46
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Washington Reagan Airport DCA: $29
  • Private Transfer Ronald Reagan Airport DCA to Washington DC by Business Car: $75
  • Private Transfer from Washington Reagan Airport to Washington DC by Luxury SUV: $154
  • Private Washington DC Transfer: DCA Airport to Hotel: $103
  • Private transfer from DCA airport to Washington DC: $250
  • Private transfer from or to IAD, DCA, JFK, LGA, EWR airports, MD, WDC, and NY: $700

Is it cheaper to fly into Austin or Arlington?

Prices for flights to both Arlington and Austin 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
    Austin $28
    Arlington $64

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Austin

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

  • Secret Food Tour: $90
  • Austin Food Tour by Bus with Live Band On Board: $93
  • Austin Beer and Food Tour by Bike: $97
  • Private Secret Food Tour of Downtown Austin: $103
  • East Austin Urban Farms & Brewery Food Tour by Bike: $106
  • Wood Fired Dinner Series at the Austin Winery: $159
  • Secret Food Tour of Downtown Austin w/ Private Tour Option: $221

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Austin $22
    Arlington $8.50
Typical Entertainment prices in Austin

Here are a few typical costs in Austin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Austin Duck Tour
    $31

Tours and Activities in Austin

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

  • 48-Hour Austin Hop-On Hop-Off Blue Line City Tour: $45
  • Austin Biker Gang E-Bike Adventure: $62
  • Austin Capital Photo Tour: $21
  • Austin City Landmarks and Taco Tour by Bike: $97
  • Austin Digital Private Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $11
  • Austin E-Bike Tour: $69
  • Austin Electric Bike Tour: Let it Ride: $71
  • Austin Electric Minibike Adventure Tour: $77
  • Austin Famous Ghost and Bat Segway Tour: $59
  • Austin Indoor Skydiving Experience with 2 Flights & Personalized Certificate: $81
  • Austin Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour: $33
  • Austin Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour: $30

Tours and Activities in Arlington

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

  • Tasting & Tour: $8.78
  • Arlington National Cemetery Hop-On Hop-Off Tour: $15
  • Arlington National Cemetery Guided Walking Tour: $36
  • DC: Monuments Tour with Optional Arlington National Cemetery: $49
  • Arlington National Cemetery Guided Walking Tour - 8ppl Max: $73
  • Arlington National Cemetery Guided Walking Tour - Private Tour: $73
  • Arlington Cemetery & American History Museum Guided Tour - 8ppl Max: $143
  • Arlington Cemetery & American History Museum Guided Combo Tour - Private Tour: $143
  • Arlington Cemetery Private Tour: $359
  • Arlington National Cemetery Private Walking Tour: $360
  • 4 Hours Private Chauffeured DC Sight Seeing Tour / SUV & Sedan: $428
  • Stuck at the Airport Washington DC Tour: $450

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Austin $23
    Arlington $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Austin

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Austin:

  • Austin Bar Hunt: Sixth Street Spree: Austin Bar Crawl: $12
  • More than a Pub Crawl: $24
  • Haunted Austin Ghost and Pub Walking Tour: $27
  • Brewery Tours through East Austin via Motorized Pedicab: $40
  • Austin Pedicab Brewery Tour with Beer Flights Included Option: $46
  • The Brew Bus: Austin Brewery Tour with Live Band: $81
  • Private Texas Hill Country Half-Day Wine Tour from Austin: $140
  • Texas Hill Country Wine Tour by Limousine: $175
  • Customizable Austin Distillery and Brewery Tour: $206
  • Half-Day Brewery and Craft Beer Tour in Austin with Tastings: $240

About these numbers

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


When is the best time to visit Austin or Arlington?

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 Austin or Arlington in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Austin as well as Arlington. The summer months attract visitors to Austin because of the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Austin is generally a little warmer than Arlington. Temperatures in Austin average around 87°F (30°C), and Arlington stays around 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arlington. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Austin this time of the year. In the summer, Austin often gets more sunshine than Arlington. Austin gets 318 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 278 hours of full sun.

Austin usually gets less rain in July than Arlington. Austin gets 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Austin 87°F (30°C) 
    Arlington 79°F (26°C)

Should I visit Austin or Arlington in the Autumn?

Both Arlington and Austin are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Austin this time of year.

Austin is a little warmer than Arlington in the autumn. The temperature in Austin is usually 73°F (23°C) in October, and Arlington stays around 60°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Austin. Austin usually receives more sunshine than Arlington during autumn. Austin gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 197 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Austin usually receives around the same amount of rain as Arlington. Austin gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Austin 73°F (23°C) 
    Arlington 60°F (15°C)

Should I visit Austin or Arlington in the Winter?

Both Arlington and Austin during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Austin for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Arlington can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Austin is much warmer than Arlington. Typically, the winter temperatures in Austin in January are around 51°F (11°C), and Arlington is about 35°F (1°C).

In the winter, Austin often gets more sunshine than Arlington. Austin gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 139 hours of full sun.

Austin usually gets less rain in January than Arlington. Austin gets 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Austin 51°F (11°C) 
    Arlington 35°F (1°C)

Should I visit Austin or Arlington in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Austin and Arlington. Many visitors come to Austin in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Austin is generally much warmer than Arlington. Temperatures in Austin average around 71°F (22°C), and Arlington stays around 56°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arlington this time of the year. In Austin, it's very sunny this time of the year. Austin usually receives less sunshine than Arlington during spring. Austin gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 228 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Austin usually receives more rain than Arlington. Austin gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Austin 71°F (22°C) 
    Arlington 56°F (14°C)

Typical Weather for Arlington and Austin

Austin Arlington
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 51°F (11°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm) 35°F (1°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Feb 55°F (13°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 37°F (3°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
Mar 63°F (17°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm) 47°F (8°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Apr 71°F (22°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 56°F (14°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
May 77°F (25°C) 4 inches (101 mm) 66°F (19°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Jun 83°F (29°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Jul 87°F (30°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm) 79°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Aug 87°F (31°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm) 78°F (26°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Sep 82°F (28°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 71°F (22°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Oct 73°F (23°C) 3 inches (77 mm) 60°F (15°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Nov 62°F (17°C) 2 inches (52 mm) 50°F (10°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Dec 54°F (12°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm) 39°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)


Budget Your Trip

Budget Your Trip has average travel costs for thousands of cities around the world, all provided by other travelers. You can also register to organize your spending by category and location with graphs, maps, charts, and tables.
Sign Up

More City Comparisons
Washington vs. Austin
Washington vs. Arlington
Clearwater vs. Austin
Clearwater vs. Arlington
Fort Lauderdale vs. Austin
Fort Lauderdale vs. Arlington
Gainesville vs. Austin
Gainesville vs. Arlington
Jacksonville vs. Austin
Jacksonville vs. Arlington
Miami vs. Austin
Miami vs. Arlington
Orlando vs. Austin
Orlando vs. Arlington
Saint Petersburg vs. Austin
Saint Petersburg vs. Arlington
Tallahassee vs. Austin
Tallahassee vs. Arlington
Tampa vs. Austin
Tampa vs. Arlington
Atlanta vs. Austin
Atlanta vs. Arlington
Savannah vs. Austin
Savannah vs. Arlington
New Orleans vs. Austin
New Orleans vs. Arlington
Baltimore vs. Austin
Baltimore vs. Arlington
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Austin vs. Arlington Travel Comparison

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.