Which place is cheaper, Fort Lauderdale or Big Pine Key?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Big Pine Key or Fort Lauderdale?
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 Fort Lauderdale. 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 Fort Lauderdale?
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!
Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale is located on the Atlantic coast of Florida, not far from Miami, and is famous for its beaches and boating culture. An elaborate system of canals runs through the city, adding to the charm and coastal lifestyle. Plenty of restaurants, shops, watersports, and other things to do can be found here in addition to the beautiful beaches. The city is family-friendly and also caters to older travelers as well as younger generations. While it's not an inexpensive place to visit, the prices are on par with other cities in southeastern Florida. The beach is lined with high-rise condos and hotels that tend to be expensive, while a few blocks back from the shore you'll find plenty of nice houses along with shops, restaurants, and fun activities for all ages. And since Fort Lauderdale is part of the Miami metro area, you can easily get to all of the other beach areas, cities, and activities in the nearby metropolitan areas as well.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBig Pine Key $144Fort Lauderdale $182
The average daily cost (per person) in Big Pine Key is $144, while the average daily cost in Fort Lauderdale is $182. 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 Fort Lauderdale in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBig Pine Key $64Fort Lauderdale $96
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBig Pine Key $128Fort Lauderdale $192
Compare Hotels in Big Pine Key and Fort Lauderdale
Looking for a hotel in Big Pine Key or Fort Lauderdale? 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.
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: Fort Lauderdale Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Big Pine Key $56Fort Lauderdale $51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fort Lauderdale
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Fort Lauderdale:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Fort Lauderdale APT-HTL (FLL): $285
- Transfer: FLL Airport to Fort Lauderdale Area Vice Versa: $120
- Transfer Private Vehicle from Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) -City: $40
- Transfer Private Vehicle from City -Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL): $40
- Private transfer from Port of Miami to Fort Lauderdale: $220
- Private Transfer to Fort Lauderdale Airport FLL Departures: $95
- Private Transfer from Fort Lauderdale Airport to Key Largo: $262
- Private Transfer from Fort Lauderdale Airport to Coral Gables: $131
- Private Transfer from Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) to Fort Lauderdale: $130
- Private Transfer from Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) to Boca Raton: $140
- Private Transfer from FLL to Port Everglades / Fort Lauderdale: $130
- Private Transfer To or From Fort Lauderdale Airport & CruisePort : $94
Is it cheaper to fly into Big Pine Key or Fort Lauderdale?
Prices for flights to both Fort Lauderdale 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
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Food Meals for one dayBig Pine Key $42Fort Lauderdale $49
Typical Food Prices in Fort Lauderdale
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Fort Lauderdale:
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Quick Lunch$12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fort Lauderdale
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Fort Lauderdale.
- Food Tour in Lauderdale By The Sea: $60
- Hollywood Florida Walking Food Tour : $99
- Downtown Fort Lauderdale Dinner & Drinks Tour: $109
- Downtown Fort Lauderdale Dinner and Drinks Tour: $114
- Fort Lauderdale Beach Food Tour: $114
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Big Pine Key $42Fort Lauderdale $15
Tours and Activities in Fort Lauderdale
Here are a few actual costs in Fort Lauderdale for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1-Hour Interactive Pirate Cruise in Ft. Lauderdale (arrive 30 minutes early): $25
- 2 Hour Intimate Cruise for 2ppl w/ Catering - Pompano Beach: $270
- 4 Hour Waterway and Sandbar Cruise: $803
- 90-Minute Parasailing Adventure Above Fort Lauderdale, FL: $80
- 90-Minute Snorkel & Seabob Underwater Guided Reef Tour in Fort Lauderdale: $161
- Air Boat Tour of Palm Beach in The Swamp Monster: $150
- Atlantic Ocean Snorkeling Experience: $79
- Bahamas Day Cruise to Bimni: $299
- Beach Snorkeling Adventure in Lauderdale by the Sea: $45
- Carrie B Cruises! Beautiful and Fun THE VENICE OF AMERICA TOUR!!!: $32
- Champagne Sunset Cruise in Ft. Lauderdale: $89
- Chocolate and Dessert Tasting Tour in Fort Lauderdale Florida: $40
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBig Pine Key $9.29Fort Lauderdale $33
Typical Alcohol Prices in Fort Lauderdale
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Fort Lauderdale are as follows:
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Beer$7.30
Sample the Local Flavors in Fort Lauderdale
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fort Lauderdale:
- Guided Happy Hour Bar Crawl by Beer Bike: $64
- Pedibus Pub Crawl in Fort Lauderdale: $74
- Party Bike Bar Crawl: $74
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Big Pine Key and Fort Lauderdale, we can see that Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Big Pine Key or Fort Lauderdale?
Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale, 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 Fort Lauderdale?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Fort Lauderdale in the Summer?
Both Fort Lauderdale and Big Pine Key during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Fort Lauderdale this time of year.
In July, Big Pine Key is generally around the same temperature as Fort Lauderdale. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 84°F (29°C), and Fort Lauderdale fluctuates around 83°F (28°C).
In Fort Lauderdale, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Big Pine Key. In the summer, Big Pine Key often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Fort Lauderdale. Big Pine Key gets 328 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Fort Lauderdale receives 316 hours of full sun.
Fort Lauderdale gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Big Pine Key usually gets less rain in July than Fort Lauderdale. Big Pine Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Fort Lauderdale receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBig Pine Key 84°F (29°C)Fort Lauderdale 83°F (28°C)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Fort Lauderdale in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Pine Key and Fort Lauderdale. Furthermore, many travelers come to Fort Lauderdale for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
Big Pine Key is around the same temperature as Fort Lauderdale in the autumn. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 80°F (27°C) in October, and Fort Lauderdale fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Fort Lauderdale this time of the year. In Big Pine Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. Big Pine Key usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Fort Lauderdale during autumn. Big Pine Key gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Fort Lauderdale receives 275 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Fort Lauderdale receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Big Pine Key gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than Fort Lauderdale. Big Pine Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Fort Lauderdale receives 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBig Pine Key 80°F (27°C)Fort Lauderdale 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Fort Lauderdale in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Big Pine Key as well as Fort Lauderdale. Additionally, many visitors come to Fort Lauderdale in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
In the winter, Big Pine Key is around the same temperature as Fort Lauderdale. Typically, the winter temperatures in Big Pine Key in January average around 70°F (21°C), and Fort Lauderdale averages at about 67°F (20°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Fort Lauderdale. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Big Pine Key this time of the year. In the winter, Big Pine Key often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Fort Lauderdale. Big Pine Key gets 252 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Fort Lauderdale receives 243 hours of full sun.
Big Pine Key usually gets less rain in January than Fort Lauderdale. Big Pine Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Fort Lauderdale receives 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBig Pine Key 70°F (21°C)Fort Lauderdale 67°F (20°C)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Fort Lauderdale in the Spring?
Both Fort Lauderdale and Big Pine Key are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Fort Lauderdale for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Big Pine Key is generally around the same temperature as Fort Lauderdale. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 77°F (25°C), and Fort Lauderdale fluctuates around 75°F (24°C).
It's quite sunny in Fort Lauderdale. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Big Pine Key. Big Pine Key usually receives more sunshine than Fort Lauderdale during spring. Big Pine Key gets 326 hours of sunny skies, while Fort Lauderdale receives 300 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than Fort Lauderdale. Big Pine Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Fort Lauderdale receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBig Pine Key 77°F (25°C)Fort Lauderdale 75°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Fort Lauderdale and Big Pine Key
| Big Pine Key | Fort Lauderdale | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 70°F (21°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 67°F (20°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) |
| Feb | 71°F (21°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Mar | 74°F (23°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| Apr | 77°F (25°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) | 75°F (24°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| May | 81°F (27°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 6.4 inches (162 mm) |
| Jun | 83°F (28°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 9.4 inches (238 mm) |
| Jul | 84°F (29°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 83°F (28°C) | 5.9 inches (149 mm) |
| Aug | 84°F (29°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 83°F (28°C) | 7.5 inches (191 mm) |
| Sep | 83°F (29°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) | 82°F (28°C) | 7.6 inches (194 mm) |
| Oct | 80°F (27°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 5.6 inches (143 mm) |
| Nov | 76°F (24°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Dec | 72°F (22°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) | 69°F (21°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.