A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Clearwater vs. Columbus for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Clearwater or Columbus?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Clearwater and Columbus. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Clearwater or Columbus?

Clearwater

Clearwater is a city in Florida's Tampa Bay area known for its sunny weather and gulf coast beaches. Its most famous beach (Clearwater Beach) is located on a barrier island with white sands and crystal waters - a perfect setting for activities such as fishing, sailing, kayaking, jet skiing, dolphin and sunset tours, parasailing, and more.

Columbus

The capital city of Ohio, Columbus sits at the meeting point of America's Rust Belt, Bible Belt, Appalachia, and the Plains. It is also home of Ohio State University, which is a major financial and economic force in the city. You'll likely need a car to navigate the city, although there is a bus system, COTA, which can take you to some of Columbus' highlights.

Which city is cheaper, Columbus or Clearwater?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Clearwater is $241, while the average daily cost in Columbus is $126. 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 Clearwater and Columbus in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Clearwater $104
    Columbus $58
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Clearwater $208
    Columbus $116
Compare Hotels in Clearwater and Columbus

Looking for a hotel in Clearwater or Columbus? 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 Clearwater


Hotels in Columbus


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: Clearwater Hotel Prices and Columbus Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Clearwater $177
    Columbus $40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Clearwater

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Clearwater:

  • St.Pete–Clearwater Airport (PIE) to Clearwater Beach -Roundtrip Private Transfer: $72
  • St. Pete–Clearwater Airport (PIE) to St. Petersburg - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $147
  • St. Pete–Clearwater Airport (PIE) to St. Petersburg - Arrival Private Transfer: $37
  • St. Pete–Clearwater Airport (PIE) to Clearwater Beach - Arrival Private Transfer: $75
  • Private Transfer from Clearwater Beach to Port Canaveral: $658
  • Private Transfer from Clearwater Beach to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport: $588
  • Private Transfer from Clearwater Beach to Orlando (MCO) Airport: $453
  • Clearwater Beach to Tampa Airport (TPA) - Departure Private Transfer: $83
  • Clearwater Beach to St.Pete–Clearwater Airport (PIE) -Departure Private Transfer: $37

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Columbus

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

  • Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) to Columbus - Arrival Private Transfer: $87
  • Columbus to Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) - Departure Private Transfer: $87
  • Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) to Columbus - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $174

Is it cheaper to fly into Clearwater or Columbus?

Prices for flights to both Columbus and Clearwater 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
    Clearwater $38
    Columbus $39

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Clearwater -
    Columbus $37

Tours and Activities in Clearwater

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Clearwater are as follows:

  • Adventure Boat in Clearwater Beach: $23
  • Beach Cruiser Bicycle: $15
  • Boeing 737 Flight Simulator Experience: $154
  • Calypso Queen Tropical Party Buffet Cruise: $35
  • Clearwater Beach Pier 60 Tour: $199
  • Clearwater Beach: Boat Cruise with Dolphin Sightings: $29
  • Clearwater Daytime Yacht Music Cruise with Optional Dining: $22
  • Clearwater Dolphin-Watching Tour: $27
  • Clearwater Encounters with Dolphins Tour: $20
  • Clearwater Evening Yacht Cruise with Optional Dining: $22
  • Clearwater Sunset Celebration Cruise: $29
  • Dolphin Adventure at Clearwater Beach: $32

Tours and Activities in Columbus

For Columbus, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Columbus: $11
  • Columbus Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
  • LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus Ticket: $21
  • Central Park Bike Tour: $53
  • New York City: 3-Hour City Highlights Guided Bike Tour: $60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Clearwater -
    Columbus $16

About these numbers

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


When is the best time to visit Clearwater or Columbus?

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 Clearwater or Columbus in the Summer?

Both Columbus and Clearwater during the summer are popular places to visit.

Clearwater is a little warmer than Columbus in the summer. The temperature in Clearwater is usually 82°F (28°C) in July, and Columbus stays around 77°F (25°C).

In Columbus, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Clearwater. In the summer, Clearwater often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Columbus. Clearwater gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbus receives 254 hours of full sun.

Columbus gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Clearwater. Clearwater usually gets more rain in July than Columbus. Clearwater gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Columbus receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Clearwater 82°F (28°C) 
    Columbus 77°F (25°C)

Should I visit Clearwater or Columbus in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Clearwater and Columbus.

In the autumn, Clearwater is much warmer than Columbus. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Clearwater in October are around 75°F (24°C), and Columbus is about 57°F (14°C).

In Clearwater, it's very sunny this time of the year. Clearwater usually receives more sunshine than Columbus during autumn. Clearwater gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Columbus receives 179 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Clearwater usually receives more rain than Columbus. Clearwater gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Columbus receives 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Clearwater 75°F (24°C) 
    Columbus 57°F (14°C)

Should I visit Clearwater or Columbus in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Clearwater as well as Columbus.

Columbus can be very cold during winter. In January, Clearwater is generally much warmer than Columbus. Temperatures in Clearwater average around 60°F (15°C), and Columbus stays around 30°F (-1°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Clearwater this time of the year. In the winter, Clearwater often gets more sunshine than Columbus. Clearwater gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbus receives 105 hours of full sun.

Clearwater usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Columbus. Clearwater gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Columbus receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Clearwater 60°F (15°C) 
    Columbus 30°F (-1°C)

Should I visit Clearwater or Columbus in the Spring?

Both Columbus and Clearwater are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Clearwater is much warmer than Columbus in the spring. The temperature in Clearwater is usually 71°F (22°C) in April, and Columbus stays around 54°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Clearwater. Clearwater usually receives more sunshine than Columbus during spring. Clearwater gets 299 hours of sunny skies, while Columbus receives 200 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Clearwater usually receives less rain than Columbus. Clearwater gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Columbus receives 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Clearwater 71°F (22°C) 
    Columbus 54°F (12°C)

Typical Weather for Columbus and Clearwater

Clearwater Columbus
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 60°F (15°C) 2.3 inches (59 mm) 30°F (-1°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm)
Feb 61°F (16°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 33°F (1°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm)
Mar 67°F (19°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 45°F (7°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Apr 71°F (22°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm) 54°F (12°C) 3.2 inches (81 mm)
May 77°F (25°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm) 65°F (18°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)
Jun 81°F (27°C) 6.5 inches (165 mm) 73°F (23°C) 4 inches (102 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 8.4 inches (214 mm) 77°F (25°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm)
Aug 82°F (28°C) 8 inches (203 mm) 75°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm)
Sep 81°F (27°C) 6.3 inches (161 mm) 69°F (20°C) 3 inches (76 mm)
Oct 75°F (24°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm) 57°F (14°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm)
Nov 68°F (20°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm) 47°F (8°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Dec 62°F (17°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm) 35°F (2°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)


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Clearwater vs. Columbus Travel Comparison

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