Should you visit Baltimore or Lancaster?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Baltimore and Lancaster can help you decide which place is right for you.
Baltimore
Baltimore is a large, industrial city and popular tourist destination in the state of Maryland. It is about an hour outside of Washington, D.C. and is a hub of tourism and entertainment for the area. It has a vibrant nightlife, comfortable climate, and is a great place to visit when you're in the area. The city proper has a population of about 600,000 and the metropolitan area has 2.7 million. Its economy is centered around science, technology, engineering and math and it has many undergraduate and graduate schools including the world renowned Johns Hopkins University.
Lancaster
The largest city in Pennsylvania's Dutch Country, Lancaster is surrounded by scenic landscape and a unique culture. The area is predominately agricultural in nature and you will find lush farms growing crops and produce most seasons. The Amish communities are spread throughout the area and although they remain relatively isolated, they are acknowledged by fellow community members and their customs are respected. The Amish community prides themselves on minimalist living. They do not use electricity and travel around in horse and buggy, a sight which you will grow accustomed to while you're in the area. They are excellent farmers and craftsmen and you can find shops that proudly sell Amish made goods. Their close are old fashion in nature. Women generally wear long dresses and bonnets while men wear black suits and hats. The Amish community has their own churches and their own schools. There are a handful of places where you can learn more about the Amish community in the area. The Amish Experience F/X Theater offers shows and the People's Place Quilt Museum shows some handicrafts. It is possible to take an Amish Country tour or visit the Mennonite Information Center for more information.
Which city is cheaper, Lancaster or Baltimore?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Baltimore is $143, while the average daily cost in Lancaster is $146. 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 Baltimore and Lancaster in more detail.
Accommodation
Baltimore's average price for two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $150. A typical place to stay for one person, per day is $75.
The prices for places to stay in Lancaster can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $73, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $146.
Food
The average traveler spends about $37 per day in Baltimore 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 Lancaster 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
Baltimore $37
Lancaster $42
Typical Food prices in Baltimore
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Baltimore:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Baltimore
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Baltimore.
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Federal Hill Food Tour:
$71
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Little Italy and Jonestown Food Tour:
$71
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Fells Point Food Tour in Baltimore:
$73
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Spirit of Baltimore Dinner Cruise with Buffet:
$100
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Baltimore Helicopter Sightseeing Tour Plus Dinner:
$288
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Platinum Package - Helicopter Tour with Dinner at Ruth's Chris or Capital Grille:
$315
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Baltimore Helicopter Tour plus Lunch or Dinner Cruise:
$321
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lancaster
For Lancaster, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Private Walking Food Tour in Lancaster:
$48
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Baltimore is $15 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Lancaster'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 $55 per person, per day on transportation in Lancaster.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Baltimore
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Baltimore:
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Private Transfer: Baltimore to Baltimore Airport (BWI):
$622
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Baltimore City to New York City - Private Car Transfer:
$454
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Baltimore City to New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) - Departure Private Transfer:
$448
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Baltimore to New York J.F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) - Departure Private Transfer:
$448
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Baltimore City to Newark International Airport (EWR)- Departure Private Transfer:
$411
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Private transfer from or to BWI , PHL , MDT airports and PA:
$350
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Baltimore City to Philadelphia City - Private Car Transfer:
$311
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Private Airport Transfer to Washington DC from Baltimore:
$280
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Baltimore Washington Airport (BWI) to Washington - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$219
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Baltimore City to Washington City - Private Car Transfer:
$168
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Private Baltimore Transfer: Cruise Port to Airport or Hotel:
$143
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Private Baltimore Transfer: Hotel to Airport or Cruise Port:
$143
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lancaster
Also for Lancaster, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Transfer from Lancaster to Manchester Airport (MAN):
$183
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Private transfer: Lancaster to Lancaster Airport (LNS):
$622
Entertainment
Baltimore's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $14 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Lancaster can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $15 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Tours and Activities in Baltimore
Here are a few actual costs in Baltimore for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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2 Hour Chesapeake Signature Cruise:
$15
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Baltimore City Historical Tours with a local private tour guide.:
$250
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Baltimore Helicopter Sightseeing Tour:
$151
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Baltimore Inner Harbor Sailing Experience:
$49
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Baltimore Inner Harbor Sightseeing Tour:
$23
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Baltimore Monuments Walking Tour:
$12
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Baltimore Scavenger Hunt Adventure:
$21
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Baltimore Tour-shuttle service:
$190
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Bay of a hundred islands cruise. West Cork. Private guided. 50 mins.:
$432
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Christmas in Baltimore tour:
$250
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From Inner Harbor to Happy Hour Small Group Tour with Local:
$139
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Highlights of Baltimore - Food and History Tour:
$199
Tours and Activities in Lancaster
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lancaster.
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Lancaster County: National Toy Train Museum Admission Ticket:
$7.50
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Evening Ghost Tour by Candlelight:
$18
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Ghost Tour of Lancaster:
$18
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Premium Amish Country Tour including Amish Farm and House:
$32
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Truly Authentic Lancaster Experience!:
$59
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Sweet & Savory Tour of Lancaster City!:
$60
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Downtown & Amish Country Authentic Lancaster Tour:
$65
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Authentic Tour & Meal with an Amish Family!:
$65
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Lancaster City VIP Restaurant Tour:
$75
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Baltimore may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $14 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 Lancaster, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $9.14.
Sample the Local Flavors in Baltimore
Also in Baltimore, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Sip of Baltimore Brewery Tour:
$90
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Westminster Region Wine Tour:
$97
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Chesapeake Region Wine Tour:
$97
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Heritage Region Wine Tour:
$97
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Chocolate and Wine Tour:
$106
When comparing the travel costs between Baltimore and Lancaster, we can see that Lancaster is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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