A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Blue Ridge vs. San Antonio for Families, Attractions, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Blue Ridge or San Antonio?

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 Blue Ridge and San Antonio. 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.

Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge is a charming, outdoorsy, and historic town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

San Antonio

San Antonio is a cultural, colorful, and festive city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and shopping.

Blue Ridge and San Antonio: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Small town charm
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Good music scene
  • Scenic old town
  • Popular at Christmas
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Blue Ridge or San Antonio?

Tourists will generally find more to do in San Antonio. Although Blue Ridge and San Antonio are both popular with visitors, San Antonio has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. San Antonio is more popular for its museums, music, and historical sights, while Blue Ridge is known for its food, hiking, shopping, and small town charm. Blue Ridge is popular for its beautiful mountain setting, miles of hiking trails, and small town atmosphere. San Antonio is popular for being the home to the Alamo, the popular RiverWalk area, and several world-class amusement parks. It is also home to The Alamo.

How is Blue Ridge different from San Antonio?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between San Antonio and Blue Ridge. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Blue Ridge or San Antonio?

Blue Ridge
San Antonio

San Antonio is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Blue Ridge is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around San Antonio. It is known for its role in American history, and the city is famous as the location of the Alamo. It's also where you'll find the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park & Mission Trail, the San Antonio Museum of Art, Witte Museum, and the Guinness World Records Museum, among others.

Blue Ridge offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. While you don't immediately think of museums in the area, there are a couple. The Dahlonega Gold Museum gives information on the gold rush and mining industry in town. In nearby Tennessee, Ducktown Basin Museum is a historic mine site that is open for tours.


Is the Food Better in Blue Ridge or San Antonio? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Blue Ridge
San Antonio

Blue Ridge is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, San Antonio is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Blue Ridge makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find plenty of small town restaurants serving local dishes like barbecue, trout, and biscuits with gravy. Southern food is popular, but you'll also find plenty of breweries and wineries in the area. Head downtown for an assortment of options that include southern, vegan, and even international flavors.

San Antonio has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find a mix of amazing and authentic Mexican food, simpler Tex Mex, and a number of Hill Country specialties. The city is filled with comfort food and the restaurants reflect the diverse character of the population. Popular local dishes include tacos, sweet potato fries, and chicken fried steak.

Is Blue Ridge or San Antonio Better for Nightlife?

Blue Ridge
San Antonio

The good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Blue Ridge and San Antonio.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Blue Ridge. Head downtown for a mix of breweries, bars, and clubs where you'll find live music and a casual meal.

San Antonio has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city's nightlife scene is diverse, with dance halls, breweries, and clubs. It has seen a recent boom in dance clubs, so there are plenty of places to party hard, or to have a more relaxing night out. The RiverWalk is at the heart of the city's nightlife scene, particularly for tourists. Many conferences stay at hotels near the RiverWalk, so it's not uncommon to see professionals out and about after a day of networking.

Is Blue Ridge or San Antonio Better for Music?

Blue Ridge
San Antonio

San Antonio is a good destination for live music. However, Blue Ridge is not a live music destination.

You don't have to look far to find a unique music venue in San Antonio. It's worth checking out The Aztec Theater, Sam's Burger Joint, and 502 Bar.

Blue Ridge is not a live music destination.


Is Blue Ridge or San Antonio Better for its Old Town?

Blue Ridge
San Antonio

San Antonio is a good destination for its historic old town. However, Blue Ridge does not have a historic old town.

San Antonio is a good destination for visiting its old town. The city is famous for its River Walk, which may feel slightly cheesy, but is still a unique and mesmerizing place to wander.

Blue Ridge does not have a historic old town.

Is Blue Ridge or San Antonio Better for Hiking?

Blue Ridge
San Antonio

Blue Ridge is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, San Antonio is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Blue Ridge. There are miles of hiking trails in the area that take you to waterfalls and viewpoints. The starting point of the Appalachian Trail is also nearby, and another popular trail is the Benton MacKaye Trail. Options range from beginner to expert with everything in between.

San Antonio is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Blue Ridge or San Antonio?

Blue Ridge
San Antonio

Blue Ridge is a great destination for shopping. Also, San Antonio is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Blue Ridge is an extremely popular place for shoppers. You'll find artisan shops, art galleries, and boutique clothing vendors. Many places are concentrated in the charming downtown area, which is fun to explore for a day or two.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting San Antonio. From souvenir shops to local boutiques and chain stores, there are several shopping options around town. Check out the historic Market Square or the shops at Rivercenter for some of the city's most interesting shopping.


Is Blue Ridge or San Antonio Better for Christmas?

Blue Ridge
San Antonio

San Antonio is a good destination for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Blue Ridge does not offer Christmas activities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy Christmas activities while in San Antonio. It's fun to see the lights along the River Walk at Christmas.

Blue Ridge does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Blue Ridge or San Antonio Better for Families?

Blue Ridge
San Antonio

San Antonio is an amazing city to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Blue Ridge is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, San Antonio is very family-friendly. The RiverWalk is a fun family-friendly area. There's also Six Flags, SeaWorld and the San Antonio Zoo as well as a number of museums and other amusement parks in the area. It's easy to spend days having a great family vacation in this area and you can combine history, culture, and entertainment all in one setting.

Blue Ridge is a very kid-friendly town. Kids who enjoy hiking and playing outdoors will have fun here. There are waterfall hikes, fruit picking farms, and plenty of playgrounds. There's also a scenic railway and lots of places to sample treats.

Is Blue Ridge or San Antonio Better for Couples?

Blue Ridge
San Antonio

Blue Ridge is a great destination for romance. Also, San Antonio is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Blue Ridge frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. If you're looking for a cozy retreat where you can relax in a cabin, take long walks through nature, and enjoy local food, then this is your place. There are plenty of bed and breakfasts, vacation rentals, and rustic cabins with fireplaces and simple pleasures. If you want to escape it all then the mountains are the place to be.

San Antonio makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy taking a boat ride and exploring the many sites around town. The RiverWalk has many restaurants and a great atmosphere for a date night. There's also the botanical gardens and many outdoor spaces to explore.


Is Blue Ridge or San Antonio Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Blue Ridge
San Antonio

Blue Ridge is a great destination for backpackers. However, San Antonio is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Blue Ridge. There are a number of campgrounds in the area as well as plenty of hikes that backpackers will enjoy. Nearby you'll also find the start of the famed Appalachian Trail.

San Antonio is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While its not on most backpacker's lists, it does have a fun atmosphere and a social setting.

Is Blue Ridge or San Antonio Better for Students?

Blue Ridge
San Antonio

San Antonio is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Blue Ridge is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit San Antonio. There are a couple of colleges in the area. This is also a major conference destination so it's possible to network and meet other professionals.

Blue Ridge is not popular with students.

Is Blue Ridge or San Antonio Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Blue Ridge
San Antonio

San Antonio is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Blue Ridge is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in San Antonio. Buses connect most of the city's tourist attractions, but you'll find life much easier if you have your own car.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Blue Ridge. There's no real public transportation system in the area.


Is Blue Ridge or San Antonio a more walkable city?

Blue Ridge
San Antonio

Blue Ridge is a good destination for its walkability. However, San Antonio is a city with minimal options for its high level of walkability.

Blue Ridge is somewhat walkable. While the downtown area is relatively walkable, if you want to hike and get out in nature, you'll need to have a car.

San Antonio is generally not a very walkable town. If you stick to the downtown area you will be fine getting around on foot. Outside of that area, you'll need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Blue Ridge Worth Visiting? and Is San Antonio Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Antonio or Blue Ridge?

How long in Blue Ridge or San Antonio?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Blue Ridge and San Antonio. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Blue Ridge than in San Antonio. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Blue Ridge, and 2-3 days is enough time in San Antonio.

Families should spend more time in San Antonio than Blue Ridge. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in San Antonio, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Blue Ridge than San Antonio. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Blue Ridge that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Blue Ridge than San Antonio if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Blue Ridge.


  • How many days in Blue Ridge or San Antonio? Ideal Length of Stay
    Blue Ridge 2-5 
    San Antonio 2-3

One day in Blue Ridge or San Antonio?

Blue Ridge is a small town with plenty to do. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

With live music and food around the historic city of San Antonio, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Blue Ridge or San Antonio?

Blue Ridge might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

With food and shopping around the destination of San Antonio, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.


Five days in Blue Ridge or San Antonio?

Even though Blue Ridge is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

San Antonio, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Blue Ridge or San Antonio?

Since Blue Ridge is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

San Antonio is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.


Which place is cheaper, San Antonio or Blue Ridge?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Blue Ridge is $124, while the average daily cost in San Antonio is $132. 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 Blue Ridge and San Antonio in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Blue Ridge $67
    San Antonio $69
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Blue Ridge $134
    San Antonio $138
Compare Hotels in Blue Ridge and San Antonio

Looking for a hotel in Blue Ridge or San Antonio? 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 Blue Ridge


Hotels in San Antonio


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: Blue Ridge Hotel Prices and San Antonio Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Blue Ridge $34
    San Antonio $20

Typical Local Transportation Prices in San Antonio

Some typical examples of transportation costs in San Antonio are as follows:


  • Rental Car for a Day
    $60

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Antonio

Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Antonio:

  • Private Transfer: San Antonio Airport to San Antonio by Sedan, SUV or Minibus : $97
  • Private Round Trip Transfer - San Antonio International Airport (SAT): $93
  • Private One-way San Antonio Airport Transfer To/From San Antonio: $67
  • Galveston: One-Way Transfer GLS Airport to City: $237

Is it cheaper to fly into Blue Ridge or San Antonio?

Prices for flights to both San Antonio and Blue Ridge 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
    Blue Ridge $35
    San Antonio $40

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Antonio

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Antonio.

  • The Haunted Dinner Tour: $75

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Blue Ridge $18
    San Antonio $36

Tours and Activities in Blue Ridge

For Blue Ridge, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 2 Hour Culture Tour in Helen: $25
  • 2-Hour Helen Haunts and History Walk Tour: $29

Typical Entertainment Prices in San Antonio

Here are a few typical costs in San Antonio for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Spa Treatments
    $200

Tours and Activities in San Antonio

Here are a few actual costs in San Antonio for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 3 Hours Private Historic Sightseeing Tour in San Antonio : $95
  • Best of San Antonio Small Group Tour with Boat + Tower + Alamo: $169
  • Cave Without a Name Admission Ticket with Guided Cavern Tour: $25
  • Downtown San Antonio Helicopter Tour: $197
  • Half-Day Afternoon City Tour of Historic San Antonio : $65
  • Historic Downtown & Riverwalk Walking Tour: $39
  • Historic Missions Bike Tour - 2 Mission Southern Route: $65
  • Historic Missions Bike Tour - 2 Missions Northern Route: $65
  • Historic Spanish Missions Bike Tour - 3 Missions Tour: $85
  • Hopscotch Immersive Art Experience: $24
  • LEGOLAND Discovery Center San Antonio Admission Ticket: $27
  • PRIVATE Missions and More - Half-day City Tour: $149

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Blue Ridge $20
    San Antonio -

Sample the Local Flavors in San Antonio

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Antonio:

  • Epic San Antonio Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12
  • Death Warmed Over: San Antonio Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
  • Guided Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
  • Texas’ Oldest Haunted Pub Crawl Shared Walking Tour: $30
  • Taste of Fredericksburg Small-Group Wine Tour from San Antonio: $155


When comparing the travel costs between Blue Ridge and San Antonio, we can see that San Antonio 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.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Blue Ridge Expensive? and Is San Antonio Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Blue Ridge or San Antonio?

San Antonio has a larger population, and is about 1070 times larger than the population of Blue Ridge. When comparing the sizes of Blue Ridge and San Antonio, 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 Blue Ridge or San Antonio?

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 Blue Ridge or San Antonio in the Summer?

Both San Antonio and Blue Ridge during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Blue Ridge because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Antonio this time of year.

Blue Ridge is cooler than San Antonio in the summer. The daily temperature in Blue Ridge averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and San Antonio fluctuates around 87°F (31°C).

In San Antonio, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Blue Ridge. In the summer, Blue Ridge often gets less sunshine than San Antonio. Blue Ridge gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Antonio receives 307 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Blue Ridge. Blue Ridge usually gets more rain in July than San Antonio. Blue Ridge gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Blue Ridge 81°F (27°C) 
    San Antonio 87°F (31°C)

Should I visit Blue Ridge or San Antonio in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Blue Ridge and San Antonio. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Blue Ridge this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to San Antonio for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Blue Ridge is cooler than San Antonio. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Blue Ridge in October average around 63°F (17°C), and San Antonio averages at about 73°F (23°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Antonio this time of the year. In Blue Ridge, it's very sunny this time of the year. Blue Ridge usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Antonio during autumn. Blue Ridge gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while San Antonio receives 213 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Blue Ridge usually receives less rain than San Antonio. Blue Ridge gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Blue Ridge 63°F (17°C) 
    San Antonio 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Blue Ridge or San Antonio in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Blue Ridge as well as San Antonio. Many travelers come to Blue Ridge for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to San Antonio in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Blue Ridge. In January, Blue Ridge is generally much colder than San Antonio. Daily temperatures in Blue Ridge average around 40°F (5°C), and San Antonio fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

In the winter, Blue Ridge often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Antonio. Blue Ridge gets 145 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Antonio receives 155 hours of full sun.

Blue Ridge receives a lot of rain in the winter. Blue Ridge usually gets more rain in January than San Antonio. Blue Ridge gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Blue Ridge 40°F (5°C) 
    San Antonio 54°F (12°C)

Should I visit Blue Ridge or San Antonio in the Spring?

Both San Antonio and Blue Ridge are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Blue Ridge in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to San Antonio for the natural beauty during these months.

Blue Ridge is cooler than San Antonio in the spring. The daily temperature in Blue Ridge averages around 62°F (17°C) in April, and San Antonio fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in San Antonio. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Blue Ridge. Blue Ridge usually receives more sunshine than San Antonio during spring. Blue Ridge gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while San Antonio receives 216 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Blue Ridge. In April, Blue Ridge usually receives more rain than San Antonio. Blue Ridge gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Blue Ridge 62°F (17°C) 
    San Antonio 74°F (23°C)

Typical Weather for San Antonio and Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge San Antonio
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (5°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 54°F (12°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm)
Feb 44°F (7°C) 5.2 inches (132 mm) 57°F (14°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm)
Mar 53°F (12°C) 5.6 inches (143 mm) 65°F (18°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm)
Apr 62°F (17°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm) 74°F (23°C) 2.4 inches (60 mm)
May 70°F (21°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 79°F (26°C) 4.4 inches (111 mm)
Jun 78°F (25°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 84°F (29°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 5.2 inches (131 mm) 87°F (31°C) 2.2 inches (57 mm)
Aug 80°F (27°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 87°F (31°C) 2.6 inches (66 mm)
Sep 74°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm) 82°F (28°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Oct 63°F (17°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 73°F (23°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) 64°F (18°C) 2.6 inches (66 mm)
Dec 44°F (7°C) 5.2 inches (133 mm) 56°F (13°C) 1.6 inches (40 mm)