A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Cape Canaveral vs. Fort Lauderdale for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cape Canaveral or Fort Lauderdale?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cape Canaveral or Fort Lauderdale, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Cape Canaveral or Fort Lauderdale?

Cape Canaveral

As a part of the region known as the "Space Coast," Cape Canaveral is best known as the home of America's launch pad, the Kennedy Space Center. The Space Center is located just to the west of the city on Merritt Island. Other features of the cape include the Cape Canaveral lighthouse and Port Canaveral, one of the busiest cruise ports in the world.

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.

Which place is cheaper, Fort Lauderdale or Cape Canaveral?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Cape Canaveral is $162, 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 Cape Canaveral and Fort Lauderdale in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cape Canaveral $97
    Fort Lauderdale $96
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cape Canaveral $194
    Fort Lauderdale $192
Compare Hotels in Cape Canaveral and Fort Lauderdale

Looking for a hotel in Cape Canaveral 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.

Hotels in Cape Canaveral


Hotels in Fort Lauderdale


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cape Canaveral $35
    Fort Lauderdale $51

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cape Canaveral

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

  • Port Canaveral to Orlando Airport MCO and Hotels Private Transfer: $195
  • Private Van Transfer from Port Canaveral,Cocoa Beach to MCO: $70
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Port Canaveral to Orlando by SUV: $234
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Port Canaveral to Orlando by Minibus: $250
  • Canaveral Cruise Port to Orlando Airport (MCO) - Departure Private Transfer: $84
  • Canaveral Cruise Port to Orlando Airport (MCO)-Departure Transfer: $84
  • One Way MCO Orlando Airport to Port Canaveral Private Transfer: $85
  • One Way Port Canaveral to MCO Orlando Airport Private Transfer: $85
  • Private Transfer from Port Canaveral to Altamonte Springs: $247
  • Private Transfer from Port Canaveral to Anna Maria: $594
  • Private Transfer from Port Canaveral to Auburndale: $363
  • Private Transfer from Port Canaveral to Cape Coral: $771

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fort Lauderdale

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Fort Lauderdale:

  • Private Transfer from Fort Lauderdale to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport: $748
  • Private Transfer from Fort Lauderdale to Orlando (MCO) Airport: $663
  • Private Transfer from Fort Lauderdale to Port Canaveral: $625
  • Party Bus Limo Sprinter Transfer Service Fort Lauderdale: $595
  • Private Transfer from Fort Lauderdale Airport to Islamorada / Marathon: $376
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Fort Lauderdale HTL-APT (FLL): $285
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Fort Lauderdale APT-HTL (FLL): $285
  • Fort Lauderdale Airport Private Transfer (Round-Trip): $285
  • Private Transfer from Fort Lauderdale Airport to Islamorada : $263
  • Private Transfer from Fort Lauderdale Airport to Key Largo: $263
  • Bimini Day Cruise from Fort Lauderdale with Round-Trip Miami Transfer: $259
  • Fort Lauderdale Airport(FLL) to Key Largo/ Marathon -Roundtrip Private Transfer: $219

Is it cheaper to fly into Cape Canaveral or Fort Lauderdale?

Prices for flights to both Fort Lauderdale and Cape Canaveral 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
    Cape Canaveral $43
    Fort Lauderdale $49

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cape Canaveral

For Cape Canaveral, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Port Canaveral Food Tours : $80

Typical Food prices in Fort Lauderdale

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Fort Lauderdale:


  • 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
  • Food Tour: $99
  • Beach Food Tour: $109
  • Fort Lauderdale Beach Food Tour: $114

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cape Canaveral $17
    Fort Lauderdale $15

Tours and Activities in Cape Canaveral

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cape Canaveral.

  • Wizard of Oz Museum Entry Ticket: $32
  • Self-Guided Kayaking Manatee and Dolphin Tour: $55
  • Cocoa Beach Aerial Adventures ticket: $58
  • Two Hour Bioluminescence Kayak Tour Near Orlando: $60
  • Dolphin & Manatee Kayaking Tour in Orlando Area: $65
  • Cape Canaveral Private Surf Lesson with Experienced Instructor: $70
  • Fully Guided Kayaking Backwater Manatee and Dolphin Tour: $75
  • Victory Cruises Casino Luxury Transportation: $75
  • Cocoa Beach Night Time Bioluminescence Kayak Tour: $79
  • SUP Paddleboard Lesson and Tour - Port Canaveral & Cocoa Beach: $95
  • Full Day Orlando Art Museum Hopper Tour - From Port Canaveral: $189
  • Full Day Patron of Winter Park Historic Tour from Port Canaveral: $189

Tours and Activities in Fort Lauderdale

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

  • Private Guided Airboat Tour in Everglades, Fort Lauderdale: $475
  • 1 Hour Flyboarding Experience in Fort Lauderdale: $320
  • 1-Hour Interactive Pirate Cruise in Ft. Lauderdale (arrive 30 minutes early): $25
  • 2 Hour Private Boat Tour around The Venice of America: $335
  • 2 Hours Electric Bike Experience on Ft Lauderdale: $40
  • 60 min Guided Electric Bike Tour of Fort Lauderdale.: $59
  • 90 min Guided Electric Bike Tours of Greater Fort Lauderdale: $99
  • 90-Minute Parasailing Adventure in Fort Lauderdale : $80
  • 90-Minute Snorkel & Seabob Underwater Guided Reef Tour in Fort Lauderdale: $150
  • Air Boat Tour of Palm Beach in The Swamp Monster: $150
  • Atlantic Ocean Snorkeling Experience: $79
  • BEST Miami, Key West and Fort Lauderdale 4-Day Tour from Miami : $790

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cape Canaveral $13
    Fort Lauderdale $33

Typical Alcohol prices in Fort Lauderdale

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Fort Lauderdale are as follows:


  • Beer
    $7.30

Sample the Local Flavors in Fort Lauderdale

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fort Lauderdale:

  • Ft Lauderdale Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $37
  • Pedibus Pub Crawl in Fort Lauderdale: $69
  • Party Bike Bar Crawl: $69


When comparing the travel costs between Cape Canaveral and Fort Lauderdale, we can see that Fort Lauderdale 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.

Which is Bigger, Cape Canaveral or Fort Lauderdale?

Fort Lauderdale is bigger, and its population is about 16.9 times larger than the population of Cape Canaveral. When comparing the population of Cape Canaveral vs. 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 and the activities that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Cape Canaveral 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 Cape Canaveral or Fort Lauderdale in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cape Canaveral as well as Fort Lauderdale. Additionally, many visitors come to Fort Lauderdale in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Cape Canaveral is around the same temperature as Fort Lauderdale. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cape Canaveral in July average around 80°F (27°C), and Fort Lauderdale averages at about 83°F (28°C).

It's quite rainy in Fort Lauderdale. Cape Canaveral receives a lot of rain in the summer. Cape Canaveral usually gets more rain in July than Fort Lauderdale. Cape Canaveral gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Fort Lauderdale receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cape Canaveral 80°F (27°C) 
    Fort Lauderdale 83°F (28°C)

Should I visit Cape Canaveral or Fort Lauderdale in the Autumn?

Both Fort Lauderdale and Cape Canaveral are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Fort Lauderdale for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Cape Canaveral is generally around the same temperature as Fort Lauderdale. Daily temperatures in Cape Canaveral average around 74°F (24°C), and Fort Lauderdale fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Fort Lauderdale. It's quite rainy in Cape Canaveral. In October, Cape Canaveral usually receives less rain than Fort Lauderdale. Cape Canaveral gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Fort Lauderdale receives 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cape Canaveral 74°F (24°C) 
    Fort Lauderdale 78°F (26°C)

Should I visit Cape Canaveral or Fort Lauderdale in the Winter?

Both Fort Lauderdale and Cape Canaveral during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Fort Lauderdale because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Cape Canaveral is cooler than Fort Lauderdale in the winter. The daily temperature in Cape Canaveral averages around 60°F (15°C) in January, and Fort Lauderdale fluctuates around 67°F (20°C).

Cape Canaveral usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Fort Lauderdale. Cape Canaveral gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Fort Lauderdale receives 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cape Canaveral 60°F (15°C) 
    Fort Lauderdale 67°F (20°C)

Should I visit Cape Canaveral or Fort Lauderdale in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cape Canaveral and Fort Lauderdale. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Fort Lauderdale this time of year.

In the spring, Cape Canaveral is cooler than Fort Lauderdale. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cape Canaveral in April average around 70°F (21°C), and Fort Lauderdale averages at about 75°F (24°C).

In April, Cape Canaveral usually receives less rain than Fort Lauderdale. Cape Canaveral gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Fort Lauderdale receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cape Canaveral 70°F (21°C) 
    Fort Lauderdale 75°F (24°C)

Typical Weather for Fort Lauderdale and Cape Canaveral

Cape Canaveral Fort Lauderdale
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 60°F (15°C) 2.3 inches (58 mm) 67°F (20°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm)
Feb 59°F (15°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 68°F (20°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm)
Mar 65°F (19°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm) 72°F (22°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm)
Apr 70°F (21°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 75°F (24°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm)
May 74°F (24°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 79°F (26°C) 6.4 inches (162 mm)
Jun 78°F (26°C) 7.1 inches (181 mm) 81°F (27°C) 9.4 inches (238 mm)
Jul 80°F (27°C) 8.3 inches (211 mm) 83°F (28°C) 5.9 inches (149 mm)
Aug 80°F (27°C) 6.7 inches (171 mm) 83°F (28°C) 7.5 inches (191 mm)
Sep 79°F (26°C) 7.2 inches (183 mm) 82°F (28°C) 7.6 inches (194 mm)
Oct 74°F (24°C) 4.1 inches (103 mm) 78°F (26°C) 5.6 inches (143 mm)
Nov 64°F (18°C) 1.6 inches (40 mm) 73°F (23°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Dec 62°F (16°C) 1.9 inches (48 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.
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Cape Canaveral vs. Fort Lauderdale Travel Comparison

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