Which place is cheaper, Tampa 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 Tampa?
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 Tampa. 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 Tampa?
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!
Tampa
On the north shore of Tampa Bay, across the water from Saint Peterburg, is the city of Tampa. The city has a population of almost 350,000. The metropolitan area includes Tampa, St. Peterburg, and Clearwater. It has about 2.9 million residents and is the second largest metropolitan area in the state. The city is a popular destination for outdoor activities and in 2008 it was ranked the 5th best outdoor city by Forbes.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBig Pine Key $144Tampa $179
The average daily cost (per person) in Big Pine Key is $144, while the average daily cost in Tampa is $179. 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 Tampa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBig Pine Key $64Tampa $85
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBig Pine Key $128Tampa $170
Compare Hotels in Big Pine Key and Tampa
Looking for a hotel in Big Pine Key or Tampa? 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: Tampa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Big Pine Key $56Tampa $69
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tampa
Also for Tampa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer to/from Tampa Airport (TPA): $72
- One Way Airport Transfer Service: $84
- Tampa Bay Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Tampa hotels: $312
- Tampa Bay Cruise Port to Tampa Hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $104
- Tampa Airport to Tampa Bay Cruise Port Private Arrival Transfer: $52
- Tampa Airport (TPA): Transfer tо Tampa Bay Cruise Port: $312
- Tampa Airport (TPA): Private Transfer to Tampa hotel/address: $210
- Tampa Airport (TPA) to Tampa Bay Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $104
- Tampa Airport (TPA) to St Petersburg - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $181
- Tampa Airport (TPA) to Lakeland / Winter Haven - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $111
- Tampa Airport (TPA) to Lakeland / Winter Haven - Arrival Private Transfer: $55
- Private transfer from Tampa airport To Zephyrhills, FL: $155
Is it cheaper to fly into Big Pine Key or Tampa?
Prices for flights to both Tampa 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 $42Tampa $53
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tampa
For Tampa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- VIP Dinner and A Ghost Adventure Tour: $53
- Cooking Class near Disney in Tampa Florida: $88
- Ybor City Food Tour On Sundays: $89
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Big Pine Key $42Tampa $20
Tours and Activities in Tampa
For Tampa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Tampa Terrors Ghost Tour By US Ghost Adventures: $30
- 1.5-hour Dolphin Sightseeing Cruise from Tampa: $31
- 2 Hour Guided Segway Tour: $69
- Adventure Island Water Park Ticket: $43
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Admission Ticket: $108
- Christmas Lights Wonderland Deluxe Golf Cart Guided Tour in Tampa: $49
- Downtown Tampa Historic Walking Tour: $30
- Escape to Paradise: Private Island Boat Adventure in Tampa: $630
- Ghost Hunters Paranormal Ghost Tour: $39
- Ghost Investigation Tour Interactive Paranormal Experience 18Plus: $35
- Ghost Investigation Tours with Interactive Paranormal Experience: $35
- Go Tiki Tours Tampa "#1 Floating Tiki Boat" Bathroom on Board: $59
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBig Pine Key $9.29Tampa $26
Sample the Local Flavors in Tampa
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tampa:
- Largo: Distillery Tour and Handcrafted Spirits Tasting: $12
- Haunted Pub Crawl: $28
- Tampa Bar Crawl on a 2023 Street Legal Golf Cart: $40
- Ybor City Private Brewery Tour by Custom Golf Cart: $200
- Tampa Heights Private Brewery Tour by Custom Golf Cart: $200
- Tampa's Top Dive Bar Tour Experience by Golf Cart: $275
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Big Pine Key and Tampa, we can see that Tampa 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 Tampa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tampa 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 Tampa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Big Pine Key or Tampa?
Tampa has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Big Pine Key. When comparing the sizes of Big Pine Key and Tampa, 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 Tampa?
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 Tampa in the Summer?
Both Tampa and Big Pine Key are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Tampa for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Big Pine Key is around the same temperature as Tampa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Big Pine Key in July average around 84°F (29°C), and Tampa averages at about 82°F (28°C).
It's quite sunny in Tampa. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Big Pine Key. Big Pine Key usually receives more sunshine than Tampa during summer. Big Pine Key gets 328 hours of sunny skies, while Tampa receives 265 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Tampa. In July, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than Tampa. Big Pine Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Tampa receives 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBig Pine Key 84°F (29°C)Tampa 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Tampa in the Autumn?
Both Tampa and Big Pine Key during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Tampa in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions.
In October, Big Pine Key is generally a little warmer than Tampa. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 80°F (27°C), and Tampa fluctuates around 75°F (24°C).
In Tampa, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Big Pine Key. In the autumn, Big Pine Key often gets more sunshine than Tampa. Big Pine Key gets 258 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tampa receives 234 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 Tampa. Big Pine Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Tampa receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBig Pine Key 80°F (27°C)Tampa 75°F (24°C)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Tampa in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Pine Key and Tampa. Furthermore, most visitors come to Tampa for the cuisine during these months.
Big Pine Key is a little warmer than Tampa in the winter. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 70°F (21°C) in January, and Tampa fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tampa this time of the year. In Big Pine Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. Big Pine Key usually receives more sunshine than Tampa during winter. Big Pine Key gets 252 hours of sunny skies, while Tampa receives 200 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than Tampa. Big Pine Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Tampa receives 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBig Pine Key 70°F (21°C)Tampa 60°F (15°C)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Tampa in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Big Pine Key as well as Tampa. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Tampa because of the beaches and the activities around the city.
In the spring, Big Pine Key is a little warmer than Tampa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Big Pine Key in April average around 77°F (25°C), and Tampa averages at about 71°F (22°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tampa. 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 Tampa. Big Pine Key gets 326 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tampa receives 299 hours of full sun.
Big Pine Key usually gets less rain in April than Tampa. Big Pine Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Tampa receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBig Pine Key 77°F (25°C)Tampa 71°F (22°C)
Typical Weather for Tampa and Big Pine Key
| Big Pine Key | Tampa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 70°F (21°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 60°F (15°C) | 2.3 inches (59 mm) |
| Feb | 71°F (21°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) | 61°F (16°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Mar | 74°F (23°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) | 67°F (19°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Apr | 77°F (25°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) | 71°F (22°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| May | 81°F (27°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| Jun | 83°F (28°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 6.5 inches (165 mm) |
| Jul | 84°F (29°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 82°F (28°C) | 8.4 inches (214 mm) |
| Aug | 84°F (29°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 82°F (28°C) | 8 inches (203 mm) |
| Sep | 83°F (29°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 6.3 inches (161 mm) |
| Oct | 80°F (27°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 75°F (24°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) |
| Nov | 76°F (24°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Dec | 72°F (22°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 2.2 inches (56 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.