Should you visit Cape Canaveral or Tampa?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cape Canaveral or Tampa, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
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.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Tampa or Cape Canaveral?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Cape Canaveral is $130, while the average daily cost in Tampa is $119. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Cape Canaveral and Tampa in more detail.
Accommodation
The prices for places to stay in Cape Canaveral can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $78, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $156.
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $120 in Tampa For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
In Cape Canaveral travelers spend around $34 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
On average, meal and food prices in Tampa cost around $35 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $14.
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Food
Meals for one day
Cape Canaveral $34
Tampa $35
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:
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Port Canaveral Food Tours:
$101
Local Transportation
Cape Canaveral's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $28 per person, per day on transportation in Cape Canaveral.
Tampa's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $38 per person, per day on transportation in Tampa.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tampa
Also for Tampa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Transfer from Tampa to Port Canaveral:
$526
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Private Transfer from Tampa to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport:
$457
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Private Transfer from Tampa to Orlando (MCO) Airport:
$393
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Private Tampa Area to Orlando Area Transfer up to 11 One Price Mercedes Sprinter:
$300
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Tampa Airport (TPA) to St Petersburg - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$167
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Tampa Airport (TPA) to Clearwater Beach - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$167
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Tampa Airport (TPA) to Tampa hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$164
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Private Transfer from Tampa Airport to Anna Maria Island:
$120
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Private Transfer from Tampa Airport to Sarasota:
$120
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Private Tampa Transfer: Hotel to Airport or Cruise Port:
$113
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Private Tampa Transfer: Cruise Port to Airport or Hotel:
$113
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Private Tampa Transfer: Airport to Hotel or Cruise Port:
$113
Is it cheaper to fly into Cape Canaveral or Tampa?
Prices for flights to both Tampa 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Cape Canaveral can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $14 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Tampa can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $15 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Tours and Activities in Cape Canaveral
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cape Canaveral.
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Cocoa Beach Aerial Adventures ticket:
$55
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Cocoa Beach Night Time Bioluminescence Kayak Tour:
$79
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Full-Day (8 hour) Polaris Slingshot Adventure Rental for up to TWO people:
$200
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Fully Guided Kayaking Backwater Manatee and Dolphin Tour:
$75
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Polaris Slingshot Local Adventure Tour For up to TWO People:
$130
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SUP Paddleboard Lesson and Tour - Port Canaveral & Cocoa Beach:
$95
Tours and Activities in Tampa
For Tampa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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1.5-hour Dolphin Sightseeing Cruise from Tampa:
$31
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2-hour Tiki Boat BYOB Cruise in Tampa:
$60
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Adventure Island Water Park Ticket:
$63
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Bayshore Drive Motorbike Tour:
$199
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Bicycle Tour Orlando, Over Tampa Bay Ride:
$150
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Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Admission Ticket:
$110
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Historic Ybor City Food and Drink Walking Tour:
$59
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Motorcycle Tour of Sunshine Skyway Bridge:
$299
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Nature Coast Private Day Tour From Tampa with Photographer , Max Group of 4:
$250
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Nature Lovers Combo Tour:
$136
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Skip the Line: The Florida Aquarium in Tampa Bay Ticket:
$26
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Skip the Line: ZooTampa at Lowry Park Admission Ticket:
$45
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Cape Canaveral, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $10.
Typically, people visiting Tampa spend on average $20 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Sample the Local Flavors in Tampa
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tampa:
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Tampa Bar Hunt: Tampa Takeover Bar Crawl:
$12
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Haunted Tampa Ghost and Pub Walking Tour - Ybor City:
$26
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Private Tampa Brewery Tour - Party Bus:
$600
When comparing the travel costs between Cape Canaveral and Tampa, we can see that Cape Canaveral 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.
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