A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Cincinnati vs. Wisconsin Dells for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Cincinnati or Wisconsin Dells?

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

Should I visit Cincinnati or Wisconsin Dells? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Cincinnati or Wisconsin Dells?

Cincinnati

Located on the north banks of the Ohio River, Cincinnati is the third largest city in Ohio having grown from its industrial heritage. It is situated in the southwest part of the state, separated from the Kentucky border by the river. The city is best known for its striking skyline and unique chili.

Wisconsin Dells

Located in central Wisconsin, Wisconsin Dells offers natural beauty, fun rivers, and some of the area's most famous theme parks. Wisconsin Dells is one of the two towns that make up "The Dells." The other town, Lake Delton, is another popular Midwestern tourist spot.

Wisconsin Dells is about an hour north of Madison and two hours from Milwaukee. It's famous for its striking rock formations and scenic bluffs. The town's name comes from the Dells of the Wisconsin River, which is an impressive gorge that was originally formed by a glacier.

Which city is cheaper, Wisconsin Dells or Cincinnati?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Cincinnati is $146, while the average daily cost in Wisconsin Dells is $114. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Cincinnati and Wisconsin Dells in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cincinnati $82
    Wisconsin Dells $56
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cincinnati $164
    Wisconsin Dells $112
Compare Hotels in Cincinnati and Wisconsin Dells

Looking for a hotel in Cincinnati or Wisconsin Dells? 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 Cincinnati


Hotels in Wisconsin Dells


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: Cincinnati Hotel Prices and Wisconsin Dells Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cincinnati $20
    Wisconsin Dells $28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cincinnati

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cincinnati:

  • Cincinnati to Cincinnati Airport (CVG) - Departure Private Transfer: $122

Is it cheaper to fly into Cincinnati or Wisconsin Dells?

Prices for flights to both Wisconsin Dells and Cincinnati 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
    Cincinnati $44
    Wisconsin Dells $34

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cincinnati

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

  • Cincy Vegan Streetcar Food Tour in Cincinnati: $69
  • Cincinnati Streetcar Food Tour + Findlay Market: $69
  • Cincinnati Walking Sightseeing Tour with Pizza and Ice-cream: $180

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cincinnati $21
    Wisconsin Dells $37

Tours and Activities in Cincinnati

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

  • Tour of Historic Wesleyan Cemetery: $20
  • Downtown Cincinnati Self-Guided Walking Tour with Smartphone: $24
  • Cellarman's Tour: $26
  • Ohio River: Sunset Sightseeing Cruise: $28
  • 1919: The year that changed baseball tour: $30
  • 1-Hour Escape Room Adventure: $36
  • The Escape Game Epic 60-Minute Adventures: $36
  • The Original Findlay Market Tour: $39
  • Best Bites and Sites City Streetcar Tour of Cincinnati: $59
  • Cincinnati Wine & Dessert Tour: $65
  • Cincinnati Ethnic Eats in Over the Rhine Food and Culture Tour: $69
  • Cincy Let's Do Brunch Food, History + Streecar Tour: $74

Tours and Activities in Wisconsin Dells

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

  • City and History Trolley Tour in Wisconsin Dells: $24
  • Haunted History Trolley Tour in Wisconsin Dells: $25
  • Wisconsin Dells 1 Hour Land & Water Duck Tour: $31
  • 1-Hour Guided WildThing Jet Boat Tour in Wisconsin Dells: $31

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cincinnati $9.11
    Wisconsin Dells $7.31

Sample the Local Flavors in Cincinnati

Also in Cincinnati, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Cincinnati Bar Hunt: Cin-sational Cincinnati Bar Crawl: $12
  • Craft Brewery 3 Stop Hop: $64
  • Cincinnati Original Craft Brewery Tour: $65

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cincinnati and Wisconsin Dells, we can see that Cincinnati is more expensive. And not only is Wisconsin Dells much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Wisconsin Dells would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Wisconsin Dells 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 Cincinnati would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cincinnati than you might in Wisconsin Dells.


When is the best time to visit Cincinnati or Wisconsin Dells?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Cincinnati or Wisconsin Dells in the Summer?

Both Wisconsin Dells and Cincinnati are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.

Cincinnati is around the same temperature as Wisconsin Dells in the summer. The temperature in Cincinnati is usually 79°F (26°C) in July, and Wisconsin Dells stays around 74°F (24°C).

It's quite sunny in Wisconsin Dells. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cincinnati. Cincinnati usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Wisconsin Dells during summer. Cincinnati gets 298 hours of sunny skies, while Wisconsin Dells receives 309 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Cincinnati usually receives more rain than Wisconsin Dells. Cincinnati gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cincinnati 79°F (26°C) 
    Wisconsin Dells 74°F (24°C)

Should I visit Cincinnati or Wisconsin Dells in the Autumn?

Both Wisconsin Dells and Cincinnati during the autumn are popular places to visit.

In the autumn, Cincinnati is a little warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cincinnati in October are around 58°F (15°C), and Wisconsin Dells is about 52°F (11°C).

In the autumn, Cincinnati often gets more sunshine than Wisconsin Dells. Cincinnati gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wisconsin Dells receives 171 hours of full sun.

Cincinnati usually gets more rain in October than Wisconsin Dells. Cincinnati gets 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cincinnati 58°F (15°C) 
    Wisconsin Dells 52°F (11°C)

Should I visit Cincinnati or Wisconsin Dells in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cincinnati and Wisconsin Dells.

Wisconsin Dells can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Cincinnati. In January, Cincinnati is generally much warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Temperatures in Cincinnati average around 31°F (-0°C), and Wisconsin Dells stays around 19°F (-7°C).

Cincinnati usually receives less sunshine than Wisconsin Dells during winter. Cincinnati gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Wisconsin Dells receives 141 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Cincinnati usually receives more rain than Wisconsin Dells. Cincinnati gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 1 inches (25 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cincinnati 31°F (-0°C) 
    Wisconsin Dells 19°F (-7°C)

Should I visit Cincinnati or Wisconsin Dells in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Cincinnati as well as Wisconsin Dells.

Cincinnati is a little warmer than Wisconsin Dells in the spring. The temperature in Cincinnati is usually 56°F (14°C) in April, and Wisconsin Dells stays around 49°F (10°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wisconsin Dells. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cincinnati this time of the year. In the spring, Cincinnati often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Wisconsin Dells. Cincinnati gets 215 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wisconsin Dells receives 208 hours of full sun.

Cincinnati usually gets more rain in April than Wisconsin Dells. Cincinnati gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cincinnati 56°F (14°C) 
    Wisconsin Dells 49°F (10°C)

Typical Weather for Wisconsin Dells and Cincinnati

Cincinnati Wisconsin Dells
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 31°F (-0°C) 2.2 inches (57 mm) 19°F (-7°C) 1 inches (25 mm)
Feb 35°F (2°C) 2.5 inches (64 mm) 24°F (-5°C) 0.8 inches (21 mm)
Mar 46°F (8°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) 36°F (2°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm)
Apr 56°F (14°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 49°F (10°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm)
May 66°F (19°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 60°F (16°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Jun 74°F (24°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 70°F (21°C) 3 inches (76 mm)
Jul 79°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm) 74°F (24°C) 3 inches (76 mm)
Aug 77°F (25°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 72°F (22°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Sep 71°F (21°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 63°F (17°C) 2.8 inches (70 mm)
Oct 58°F (15°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm) 52°F (11°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm)
Nov 48°F (9°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 39°F (4°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm)
Dec 37°F (3°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 25°F (-4°C) 1.6 inches (41 mm)


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Cincinnati vs. Wisconsin Dells Travel Comparison

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