Should you visit Austin or Providence?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Austin or Providence, 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.
Providence
Providence is the state capital and the largest city in Rhode Island. It's a fascinating city to visit with diverse neighborhoods, beautiful parks, and a rich history. Like much of New England, the winters are cold and snowy with milder summers. It's a great year round destination that has a beautiful setting whether it's covered in snow or in full bloom.
Which city is cheaper, Providence 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 Providence 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 Austin and Providence in more detail.
Accommodation
A hotel room in Austin is about $90 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
For a normal double-occupancy room in Providence, $182 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Providence, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is $91, such as in a hostel.
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.
In Providence travelers spend around $38 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Austin $28
Providence $38
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
-
Secret Food Tour:
$288
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Providence
For Providence, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Downcity Providence Food Tour:
$74
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.
Providence's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $37 per person, per day on transportation in Providence.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Austin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Austin:
-
Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) to Austin City - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$187
-
Private Austin Transfer: Airport to Hotel:
$128
-
Private Austin Transfer: Hotel to Airport:
$114
-
Transfer from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to Austin:
$109
-
Austin City to Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) - Departure Private Transfer:
$93
-
Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) to Austin City - Arrival Private Transfer:
$93
-
Private Airport and Hotel Transfer Services in Austin:
$86
-
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport One Way Transfer:
$69
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Austin Bergstrom Airport AUS:
$40
-
Private Departure Transfer to Austin Bergstrom Airport AUS:
$40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Providence
Also for Providence, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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New York’s JFK International Airport to Providence – Departure Private Transfer:
$467
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Providence TF Green Airport PVD:
$36
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Private Arrival Transfer: Providence Airport (PVD) to Providence Hotels:
$133
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Private Chauffeur Transfer: Providence Hotels to Providence Airport (PVD):
$107
-
Private Departure Transfer to Providence TF Green Airport PVD:
$36
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Providence to Boston’s Logan International Airport - Departure Private Transfer:
$180
-
Providence to T. F. Green State Airport (PVD) - Departure Private Transfer:
$72
Is it cheaper to fly into Austin or Providence?
Prices for flights to both Providence 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.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Providence can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $21 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
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
-
Austin Biker Gang E-Bike Adventure:
$62
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Austin Capital Photo Tour:
$21
-
Austin City Landmarks and Taco Tour by Bike:
$97
-
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
-
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
-
Austin Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour:
$30
Tours and Activities in Providence
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Providence.
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Ultimate Providence Self-Driving Audio Tour:
$7.00
-
Providence Scavenger Hunt: Providence Adventure:
$12
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Narrated Boat Tours:
$30
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Haunted Boat Tours:
$39
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Twilight River Cruises:
$45
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Boat Tour of Green Jacket Shoal:
$57
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 Providence, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $11.
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
-
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Austin and Providence, we can see that Providence 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 Providence would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Providence than you might in Austin.
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