Should you visit Austin or Galveston?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Austin or Galveston, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
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.
Galveston
Located on Galveston Island off the Texas Gulf Coast, Galveston is a popular destination for Texans and a departure point for cruise ships. It also makes a great beach destination for anyone looking to enjoy a week or weekend.
Galveston is a popular destination during the summer months, but the warm climate makes it comfortable year round. Even during the winter months you can enjoy mild temperatures, although on occasion it can have a cold spell.
Which city is cheaper, Galveston 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 Galveston is $147. 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 Austin and Galveston in more detail.
Accommodation
A hotel room in Austin is about $90 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Double occupancy rooms typically run around $128 in Galveston For nicer amenities and a premiere location, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
The average traveler spends about $28 per day in Austin 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 Galveston 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
Austin $28
Galveston $42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Austin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Austin.
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Austin Food Tour by Bus with Live Band On Board:
$93
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Austin Beer and Food Tour by Bike:
$97
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Private Secret Food Tour of Downtown Austin:
$103
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East Austin Urban Farms & Brewery Food Tour by Bike:
$106
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Wood Fired Dinner Series at the Austin Winery:
$159
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Secret Food Tour of Downtown Austin w/ Private Tour Option:
$221
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Secret Food Tour:
$288
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Austin is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $38 per person, per day, on local transportation in Austin.
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Galveston than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $28 on transportation in Galveston on average per day.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Austin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Austin:
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Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) to Austin City - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$187
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Private Austin Transfer: Airport to Hotel:
$128
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Private Austin Transfer: Hotel to Airport:
$114
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Transfer from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to Austin:
$109
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Austin City to Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) - Departure Private Transfer:
$93
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Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) to Austin City - Arrival Private Transfer:
$93
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Private Airport and Hotel Transfer Services in Austin:
$86
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Austin-Bergstrom International Airport One Way Transfer:
$69
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Private Arrival Transfer from Austin Bergstrom Airport AUS:
$40
-
Private Departure Transfer to Austin Bergstrom Airport AUS:
$40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Galveston
Also for Galveston, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Galveston Port to Houston Airport Transfer:
$432
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Austin typically cost an average of $22 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Sightseeing expenses in Galveston, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $12 per day, per person.
Typical Entertainment prices in Austin
Here are a few typical costs in Austin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Tours and Activities in Austin
Here are a few actual costs in Austin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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48-Hour Austin Hop-On Hop-Off Blue Line City Tour:
$45
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Austin Biker Gang E-Bike Adventure:
$62
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Austin Capital Photo Tour:
$21
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Austin City Landmarks and Taco Tour by Bike:
$97
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Austin Digital Private Scavenger Hunt Adventure:
$11
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Austin E-Bike Tour:
$69
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Austin Electric Bike Tour: Let it Ride:
$71
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Austin Electric Minibike Adventure Tour:
$77
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Austin Famous Ghost and Bat Segway Tour:
$59
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Austin Indoor Skydiving Experience with 2 Flights & Personalized Certificate:
$81
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Austin Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour:
$33
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Austin Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour:
$30
Tours and Activities in Galveston
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Galveston.
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Galveston Ghosts Walking Tour:
$8.00
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Spooky Strand Ghost Tour:
$8.00
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Al's Galveston Ghost Tour:
$9.99
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Galveston Ghost Tour:
$10
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Ghost On the Strand Ghost Tour:
$10
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Historic Galveston Ghost Tour:
$10
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Storm on the Strand Ghost Tour:
$13
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Galveston Island Ghost Tour:
$13
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Dolphin Sightseeing Tour in Galveston with a Guide:
$15
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Great! Galveston Ghost Tour:
$16
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Historic Galveston Red Light District Tour:
$19
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Galveston's Haunted Cemetery Walking Tour:
$20
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Austin may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $23 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Galveston, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $30.
Sample the Local Flavors in Austin
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Austin:
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Austin Bar Hunt: Sixth Street Spree: Austin Bar Crawl:
$12
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More than a Pub Crawl:
$24
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Haunted Austin Ghost and Pub Walking Tour:
$27
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Brewery Tours through East Austin via Motorized Pedicab:
$40
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Austin Pedicab Brewery Tour with Beer Flights Included Option:
$46
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The Brew Bus: Austin Brewery Tour with Live Band:
$81
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Half-Day Craft Beer and Brewery Tour:
$82
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Private Texas Hill Country Half-Day Wine Tour from Austin:
$140
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Texas Hill Country Wine Tour by Limousine:
$175
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Customizable Austin Distillery and Brewery Tour:
$206
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Half-Day Brewery and Craft Beer Tour in Austin with Tastings:
$240
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Austin and Galveston, we can see that Galveston 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 Galveston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Galveston than you might in Austin.
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