Should you visit Chattanooga or San Antonio?
Should I visit Chattanooga or San Antonio? 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.
San Antonio
The third largest city in Texas, San Antonio, has grown in recent years as a popular travel destination. It's a beautiful city that is strategically situated at the edge of Texas's Hill Country near the South Texas Plains and Prairie Lakes areas. The city holds on to its small town feel despite having a population of about 1.4 million and 2.3 million in the greater metropolitan area. The city holds tight to its Spanish and Mexican heritage, making it a fascinating cultural destination. The Hispanic population has much influence in the city and this makes it a fun and unique city to visit, particularly during Fiesta week, which is an annual celebration with parades, music and food.
Which city is cheaper, San Antonio 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 San Antonio is $106. 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 San Antonio 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.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $110 for a double occupancy room in San Antonio.
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.
In San Antonio travelers spend around $32 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.
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Food
Meals for one day
Chattanooga $47
San Antonio $32
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Antonio
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Antonio.
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San Antonio Walking Food Tour: Downtown Delicacies:
$66
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.
The cost of a taxi ride in San Antonio is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $16 per person, per day, on local transportation in San Antonio.
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
Typical Local Transportation prices in San Antonio
Some typical examples of transportation costs in San Antonio are as follows:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Antonio
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Antonio:
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Private Arrival Transfer from San Antonio Airport SAT:
$35
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Private Departure Transfer to San Antonio Airport SAT:
$35
-
Private San Antonio Transfer: Airport to Hotel:
$147
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Private San Antonio Transfer: Hotel to Airport:
$138
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Private Transfer from San Antonio Airport to San Antonio City:
$78
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Private Transfer from San Antonio to Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport:
$270
-
Private Transfer from San Antonio to San Antonio Airport:
$78
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Private transfer San Antonio Pier to Airport:
$125
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Private transfer: San Antonio Airport (SAT) to San Antonio:
$622
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Private transfer: San Antonio to San Antonio Airport (SAT):
$622
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San Antonio Airport (SAT) to San Antonio - Arrival Private Transfer:
$93
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San Antonio Airport (SAT) to San Antonio - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$187
Is it cheaper to fly into Chattanooga or San Antonio?
Prices for flights to both San Antonio 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.
Entertainment and activities in San Antonio typically cost an average of $28 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Tours and Activities in Chattanooga
Here are a few actual costs in Chattanooga for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Entrance Ticket to National Medal of Honor Heritage Center:
$14
-
Murder & Mayhem Haunted History Walking Tour in Chattanooga:
$23
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Chattanooga Guided Walking Tour:
$23
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Chattanooga Guided Party Bike Tour:
$26
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Hillbilly Jeep Tours from Chattanooga:
$26
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Chattanooga "Awakening" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$29
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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 "Secret Agent" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$32
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Chattanooga "Locker Room Lockdown: Mascot Rescue" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$32
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Chattanooga "C-Block Prison Break" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$36
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Chattanooga "The Inheritance Mystery Room" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$36
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:
Tours and Activities in San Antonio
Here are a few actual costs in San Antonio for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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San Antonio Ranger Creek Brewstillery Tour:
$13
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Skip the Line: San Antonio Zoo General Admission Ticket:
$17
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LEGOLAND Discovery Center San Antonio Admission Ticket:
$18
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San Antonio Ghost Walking Tour:
$18
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Walking Ghost Tour of Downtown San Antonio:
$19
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River City Ghost Walking Tour of San Antonio:
$20
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Ripley's San Antonio Haunted Adventure Haunted House:
$20
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San Antonio Scavenger Hunt Adventure:
$21
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San Antonio Haunted History Ghost Tour:
$21
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The Madames and Mayhem Walking Ghost Tour:
$23
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Mutiny: Pirate Adventure Escape Room at Extreme Escape San Antonio:
$32
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Trapped Below: Underground Escape Room Adventure at Extreme Escape San Antonio:
$32
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.
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
-
Half-Day Private Wine Tour in Chattanooga:
$159
Sample the Local Flavors in San Antonio
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Antonio:
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Epic San Antonio Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam:
$12
-
Haunted San Antonio Ghost and Pub Walking Tour:
$27
-
Texas Hill Country and LBJ Ranch Tour with Wine Tasting Options:
$109
-
Taste of Fredericksburg Wine Tour from San Antonio:
$149
-
San Antonio port, wine tasting an off the beaten path destination:
$151
-
Fredericksburg Wine Tour with Five Winery Stops:
$325
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Fredericksburg Wine Tour with Five Winery Stops and Transport to Local Eatery:
$375
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chattanooga and San Antonio, we can see that Chattanooga is more expensive. And not only is San Antonio much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Antonio would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Antonio 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 Chattanooga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chattanooga than you might in San Antonio.
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