Should you visit Austin or Las Vegas?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Austin or Las Vegas, 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.
Las Vegas
Las Vegas has long been the gambling capital of the United States. Known as "Sin City," it is a hot spot for bachelor and bachelorette parties, but in recent years it has seen a dramatic increase in weddings and business conferences. It is the largest city in the state of Nevada and one of the most visited and well known cities in the country. It is located in the Mojave Desert in South Nevada and has a very arid climate with very hot and dry summers. The average high in July is 104 degrees Fahrenheit, but as many people like to say "its a dry heat." Winters are cooler and pleasant with highs around 60 degrees Fahrenheits. Snow is very rare but the surrounding mountains are often topped with snow during the winter months.
Which city is cheaper, Las Vegas 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 Las Vegas is $246. 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 Las Vegas in more detail.
Accommodation
A hotel room in Austin is about $90 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $254 for a double occupancy room in Las Vegas.
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.
While meal prices in Las Vegas can vary, the average travelers spends about $64 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Las Vegas should cost around $26 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Las Vegas is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
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Food
Meals for one day
Austin $28
Las Vegas $64
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Austin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Austin.
-
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
-
Secret Food Tour:
$288
Typical Food prices in Las Vegas
Some typical examples of dining costs in Las Vegas are as follows:
-
Coffee
$5.00
-
Deep Fried Twinkie
$1.07
-
Chocolate Dip Banana
$1.07
-
Gelato
$5.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Las Vegas
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Las Vegas.
-
Only On The Strip Food Tour:
$79
-
The "What The Frog?" Senor Frogs Dinner Package:
$80
-
Chinatown Vegan Food Tour:
$87
-
Downtown Vegan Food Tour:
$87
-
Walking Food Tour of Downtown Las Vegas:
$99
-
Evening Walking Food Tour on the Las Vegas Strip:
$103
-
Walking Food Tour of the Las Vegas Strip:
$103
-
Fremont Street Dinner Tour with Photographer:
$129
-
Secret Food Tours Las Vegas:
$131
-
Downtown Las Vegas Food Tour by Segway:
$149
-
Wild West Sunset Horseback Ride with Dinner from Las Vegas:
$150
-
Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Las Vegas:
$156
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.
The cost of a taxi ride in Las Vegas is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $38 per person, per day, on local transportation in Las Vegas.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Austin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Austin:
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Private Arrival Transfer from Austin Bergstrom Airport AUS:
$40
-
Private Departure Transfer to Austin Bergstrom Airport AUS:
$40
-
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport One Way Transfer:
$69
-
Private Airport and Hotel Transfer Services in Austin:
$86
-
Austin City to Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) - Departure Private Transfer:
$93
-
Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) to Austin City - Arrival Private Transfer:
$93
-
Transfer from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to Austin:
$109
-
Private Austin Transfer: Hotel to Airport:
$114
-
Private Austin Transfer: Airport to Hotel:
$128
-
Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) to Austin City - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$187
Typical Local Transportation prices in Las Vegas
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Las Vegas are as follows:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Las Vegas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Las Vegas:
-
Airport Transfer - Round Trip to or from Your Hotel:
$165
-
Arrival Private Transfer: Las Vegas Airport to Las Vegas City by Business Sedan:
$48
-
Arrival Private Transfer: Las Vegas Airport to Las Vegas city in Luxury SUV:
$59
-
Arrival Private Transfer: Las Vegas Airport to Las Vegas city in Tesla X:
$54
-
Arrival Private Transfers: Las Vegas Airport LAS to Las Vegas in Business Car:
$103
-
Arrival Private Transfers: Las Vegas Airport LAS to Las Vegas in Luxury Car:
$163
-
Arrival Private Transfers: Las Vegas Airport LAS to Las Vegas in Luxury SUV:
$149
-
Arrival Private Transfers: Las Vegas Airport LAS to Las Vegas in Luxury Van:
$141
-
Departure Private Transfer Las Vegas City to Las Vegas Airport by Business Sedan:
$48
-
Departure Private Transfer Las Vegas to Los Angeles Airport LAX by Executive SUV:
$1,818
-
Departure Private Transfer Las Vegas to Los Angeles Airport LAX by Minibus:
$1,928
-
Departure Private Transfer Las Vegas to Los Angeles Airport LAX by SUV:
$1,653
Is it cheaper to fly into Austin or Las Vegas?
Prices for flights to both Las Vegas 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.
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.
Entertainment and activities in Las Vegas typically cost an average of $63 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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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Austin Digital Private Scavenger Hunt Adventure:
$11
-
Austin Trails Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure:
$20
-
Austin Capital Photo Tour:
$21
-
Haunted History Ghost Tour:
$21
-
Double Decker Austin Single Loop Sightseeing Tour:
$23
-
Spy Adventure: Operation Mindfall:
$25
-
Spy Adventure at the Domain in Austin:
$25
-
Operation Mindfall, A Spy Adventure in Austin:
$25
-
Austin Street Art Walking Tour:
$25
-
Haunted Austin Walking History Tour:
$26
-
Austin and Hill Country Sightseeing Tour:
$26
-
Downtown Austin Photo Tour:
$26
Typical Entertainment prices in Las Vegas
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Las Vegas are as follows:
Tours and Activities in Las Vegas
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Las Vegas are as follows:
-
SeaQuest Las Vegas - Single Day Passport Ticket:
$13
-
Las Vegas Natural History Museum Admission Ticket:
$14
-
Laughlin: Gambling and Shopping Tour from Las Vegas:
$14
-
Skip the Line: Springs Preserve in Las Vegas Admission Ticket:
$15
-
Haunts and The Mob Las Vegas Walking Tour:
$18
-
Axe Throwing Experience in Las Vegas:
$20
-
Las Vegas Scavenger Hunt Adventure:
$21
-
Skip the Line: Nostalgia Street Rods Museum Ticket and Optional VIP Tour:
$21
-
The High Roller at The LINQ Ticket:
$21
-
Marc Savard Comedy Hypnosis Tickets:
$23
-
Stratosphere Tower Observation Deck Ticket:
$24
-
Boulder City Historic District Self-Guided Tour from Las Vegas:
$25
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.
The average person spends about $44 on alcoholic beverages in Las Vegas per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
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
-
Half-Day Craft Beer and Brewery Tour:
$82
-
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Las Vegas
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Las Vegas:
-
Zombie Burlesque Comedy Musical Show Ticket:
$49
-
Zombie Burlesque at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino:
$49
-
The Weird, Wacky and Wonderful Bar Crawl of Fremont Street:
$89
-
Las Vegas Bar Crawl:
$90
-
Las Vegas Brewery Tour by Party Bus:
$103
-
Bar Crawl On Fremont Street:
$260
-
Small Group Pahrump Wine Tasting with Death Valley Sightseeing and Stargazing:
$295
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Austin and Las Vegas, we can see that Las Vegas 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 Las Vegas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Las Vegas than you might in Austin.
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