Should you visit Chattanooga or Galveston?
Should I visit Chattanooga or Galveston? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Chattanooga
Located on the Tennessee River near the border of the U.S. state of Georgia, Chattanooga is Tennessee's fourth largest city and a major transportation hub. The city has received national recognition for the renaissance of its once dilapidated downtown and redevelopment of its riverfront, including the restoration of the historic Walnut Street Bridge.
Galveston
Located on Galveston Island off the Texas Gulf Coast, Galveston is a popular destination for Texans and a departure point for cruise ships. It also makes a great beach destination for anyone looking to enjoy a week or weekend.
Galveston is a popular destination during the summer months, but the warm climate makes it comfortable year round. Even during the winter months you can enjoy mild temperatures, although on occasion it can have a cold spell.
Which city is cheaper, Galveston or Chattanooga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Chattanooga is $145, while the average daily cost in Galveston is $147. 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 Chattanooga and Galveston in more detail.
Accommodation
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $73. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Chattanooga the cost is $146 on average.
Double occupancy rooms typically run around $128 in Galveston For nicer amenities and a premiere location, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
In Chattanooga travelers spend around $47 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 Galveston cost around $42 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 $17.
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Food
Meals for one day
Chattanooga $47
Galveston $42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chattanooga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chattanooga.
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Small-Group Electric Bike Food Tour in Chattanooga:
$50
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2-Hour Small Group Southern Cuisine Food Tour in Chattanooga:
$65
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2-Hour Chattanooga Walking Food Tour:
$69
Local Transportation
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $28 per day to get around in Chattanooga.
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Galveston than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $28 on transportation in Galveston on average per day.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Chattanooga
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Chattanooga:
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Chattanooga Zoo (for 2)
$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Galveston
Also for Galveston, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Galveston Port to Houston Airport Transfer:
$432
Is it cheaper to fly into Chattanooga or Galveston?
Prices for flights to both Galveston and Chattanooga 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
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $42 per person, per day in Chattanooga. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Sightseeing expenses in Galveston, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $12 per day, per person.
Tours and Activities in Chattanooga
Here are a few actual costs in Chattanooga for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Chattanooga "Awakening" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$29
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Chattanooga "C-Block Prison Break" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$36
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Chattanooga "Locker Room Lockdown: Mascot Rescue" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$32
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Chattanooga "Secret Agent" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$32
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Chattanooga "Speakeasy" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$32
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Chattanooga "The Hunted" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$32
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Chattanooga "The Inheritance Mystery Room" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$36
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Chattanooga "Vaccine: Search For The Zombie Cure" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$36
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Chattanooga Guided Electric Bike City Tour:
$80
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Chattanooga Guided Party Bike Tour:
$26
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Chattanooga Guided Walking Tour:
$23
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Chattanooga Stand-Up Paddleboarding & Kayak Tour:
$75
Tours and Activities in Galveston
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Galveston.
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Galveston Ghosts Walking Tour:
$8.00
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Spooky Strand Ghost Tour:
$8.00
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Al's Galveston Ghost Tour:
$9.99
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Galveston Ghost Tour:
$10
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Ghost On the Strand Ghost Tour:
$10
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Historic Galveston Ghost Tour:
$10
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Storm on the Strand Ghost Tour:
$13
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Galveston Island Ghost Tour:
$13
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Dolphin Sightseeing Tour in Galveston with a Guide:
$15
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Great! Galveston Ghost Tour:
$16
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Historic Galveston Red Light District Tour:
$19
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Galveston's Haunted Cemetery Walking Tour:
$20
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Chattanooga may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $19 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Galveston, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $30.
Sample the Local Flavors in Chattanooga
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Chattanooga:
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Chattanooga Brewery Walking Tour with Beer Tastings:
$41
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Half-Day Private Wine Tour in Chattanooga:
$159
When comparing the travel costs between Chattanooga and Galveston, we can see that Galveston 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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