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

Should you visit Big Pine Key or Arlington?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Big Pine Key and Arlington. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Big Pine Key or Arlington?

Big Pine Key

If you are yearning for a slice of paradise without the hustle and bustle of an ever-growing tourist population, the calm, turquoise waters and the untouched sands of Big Pine Key will surely do. Located 100 miles south of Miami and 30 miles north of Key West, this small community huddled in the family of Florida keys is often overlooked by many. However, Big Pine Key is truly a gem for all who seek a tropical vacation as activities like boating, fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling are found throughout the town. Besides its oceanic wonders, Big Pine Key also boasts in containing some of the United States' best seafood restaurants. Enjoy the aquatic wonders of the Keys and stop at Big Pine Key!

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Arlington or Big Pine Key?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Big Pine Key is $144, while the average daily cost in Arlington is $264. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Big Pine Key and Arlington in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Big Pine Key $64
    Arlington $131
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Big Pine Key $128
    Arlington $262
Compare Hotels in Big Pine Key and Arlington

Looking for a hotel in Big Pine Key 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 Big Pine Key


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: Arlington Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Big Pine Key $56
    Arlington $49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arlington

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

  • Ronald Reagan DCA Airport Transfers: $160

Is it cheaper to fly into Big Pine Key or Arlington?

Prices for flights to both Arlington and Big Pine Key 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
    Big Pine Key $42
    Arlington $81

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Big Pine Key $42
    Arlington $11

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Big Pine Key $9.29
    Arlington $17


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Big Pine Key and Arlington, we can see that Arlington is more expensive. And not only is Big Pine Key much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Big Pine Key would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Big Pine Key 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 Big Pine Key.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Big Pine Key Expensive? and Is Arlington Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Big Pine Key or Arlington?

Arlington has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Big Pine Key. When comparing the sizes of Big Pine Key and Arlington, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Big Pine Key or Arlington?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Arlington in the Summer?

Both Arlington and Big Pine Key are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Arlington for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Big Pine Key is a little warmer than Arlington. Typically, the summer temperatures in Big Pine Key in July average around 84°F (29°C), and Arlington averages at about 79°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Arlington. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Big Pine Key. Big Pine Key usually receives more sunshine than Arlington during summer. Big Pine Key gets 328 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 278 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Big Pine Key usually receives around the same amount of rain as Arlington. Big Pine Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Big Pine Key 84°F (29°C) 
    Arlington 79°F (26°C)

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Arlington in the Autumn?

Both Arlington and Big Pine Key during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Arlington because of the shopping scene.

In October, Big Pine Key is generally much warmer than Arlington. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 80°F (27°C), and Arlington fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).

It's quite sunny in Big Pine Key. In the autumn, Big Pine Key often gets more sunshine than Arlington. Big Pine Key gets 258 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 197 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Big Pine Key. Big Pine Key usually gets more rain in October than Arlington. Big Pine Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Big Pine Key 80°F (27°C) 
    Arlington 60°F (15°C)

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Arlington in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Pine Key and Arlington. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Arlington this time of year.

It's quite cold in Arlington in the winter. Big Pine Key is much warmer than Arlington in the winter. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 70°F (21°C) in January, and Arlington fluctuates around 35°F (1°C).

In Big Pine Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. Big Pine Key usually receives more sunshine than Arlington during winter. Big Pine Key gets 252 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 139 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than Arlington. Big Pine Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Big Pine Key 70°F (21°C) 
    Arlington 35°F (1°C)

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Arlington in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Big Pine Key as well as Arlington.

In the spring, Big Pine Key is much warmer than Arlington. Typically, the spring temperatures in Big Pine Key in April average around 77°F (25°C), and Arlington averages at about 56°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arlington. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Big Pine Key this time of the year. In the spring, Big Pine Key often gets more sunshine than Arlington. Big Pine Key gets 326 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 228 hours of full sun.

Big Pine Key usually gets less rain in April than Arlington. Big Pine Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Big Pine Key 77°F (25°C) 
    Arlington 56°F (14°C)

Typical Weather for Arlington and Big Pine Key

Big Pine Key Arlington
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 70°F (21°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm) 35°F (1°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Feb 71°F (21°C) 1.4 inches (36 mm) 37°F (3°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
Mar 74°F (23°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm) 47°F (8°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Apr 77°F (25°C) 0.8 inches (21 mm) 56°F (14°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
May 81°F (27°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 66°F (19°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Jun 83°F (28°C) 4.5 inches (114 mm) 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Jul 84°F (29°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 79°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Aug 84°F (29°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 78°F (26°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Sep 83°F (29°C) 5.7 inches (144 mm) 71°F (22°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Oct 80°F (27°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm) 60°F (15°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Nov 76°F (24°C) 2 inches (50 mm) 50°F (10°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Dec 72°F (22°C) 1.4 inches (35 mm) 39°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)