A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Clearwater vs. Orlando for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Clearwater or Orlando?

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 Orlando. 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 Orlando?

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.

Orlando

Orlando is a haven for tourists from the entire United States and abroad. The most famous sight in Orlando, Walt Disney World, is not actually located in the city at all, but in nearby Lake Buena Vista. The area attracts over 50 million visitors a year and the city's sprawling development has created amenities and entertainment options for tourists of all ages.

Which place is cheaper, Orlando or Clearwater?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Clearwater is $309, while the average daily cost in Orlando is $321. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Clearwater and Orlando in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Clearwater $141
    Orlando $154
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Clearwater $282
    Orlando $308
Compare Hotels in Clearwater and Orlando

Looking for a hotel in Clearwater or Orlando? 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 Orlando


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 Orlando Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Clearwater $221
    Orlando $66

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Clearwater

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Clearwater:

  • Private Transfer from Clearwater to Tampa Airport: $120
  • From Orlando: Clearwater Beach Day with Transfers and Lunch: $100
  • Private Transfer from St Petersburg Clearwater Airport to St Pete Beach: $70

Typical Local Transportation prices in Orlando

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Orlando are as follows:


  • Parking
    $14
  • Taxi Ride
    $45

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Orlando

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

  • Transfer: Lake Buena Vista Area Hotels to Orlando Airport (MCO): $19
  • MCO Airport: Private Transfer to/from Orlando: $25
  • Private Departure Transfer to Orlando Sanford Airport (SFB): $27
  • Private Arrival Transfer - from Orlando Sanford Airport (SFB): $27
  • Orlando Airport: Private Transfer to-from Disney & Universal: $30
  • One Way Private Transfer from MCO to Orlando Hotels : $31
  • Private One-way Airport Transfer (Orlando International Airport To/From Orlando): $32
  • Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal Transfers: $34
  • Train Transfer to Miami: $39
  • Private Round trip Transfer - Orlando International Airport (MCO): $40
  • Private transfer Orlando Airport - Hotels in Disney and Universal: $47
  • Transfer in private minivan Orlando downtown -Orlando Airport (MCO): $63

Is it cheaper to fly into Clearwater or Orlando?

Prices for flights to both Orlando 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 $46
    Orlando $65

Typical Food prices in Orlando

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Orlando:


  • Lunch for Two at Epcot
    $29

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Orlando

For Orlando, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • The Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show: $36
  • The Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show, Orlando: $36
  • Dinner Show with Comedy, Magic, Music and Stunts: $49
  • Tastes of the World Food Tour in Winter Haven : $50
  • Pirates Adventure Dinner Show with Drinks: $51
  • Mango's LIVE! - Dinner & Show: $72
  • Polynesian Fire Luau with Dinner and Live Show: $75
  • Polynesian Fire Luau and Dinner Show Ticket in Orlando: $75
  • Pirates Dinner Adventure - Top Orlando Dinner Attraction: $78
  • Teatro Martini Dinner Show in Orlando: $79
  • Food Tour of Local Orlando's Ivanhoe Village : $89

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Clearwater -
    Orlando $204

Tours and Activities in Clearwater

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

  • 1-Hour and 30 minutes Tiki Bar Boat Tour in Clearwater Beach: $55
  • 1-hour Dolphin Sightseeing Adventure Cruise from Madeira Beach: $28
  • 1.5 Hour Tiki Tour with Open Bar in Clearwater Beach: $49
  • 2 Hour Guided Kayak Tour in Boca Ciega Bay - St. Pete: $55
  • 2 Hour Guided Segway Tour along Clearwater Boardwalk and Beach: $59
  • 2 Hour Guided Segway Tour around Downtown St Petersburgh: $65
  • 2 Hour Sunset Cruise in Clearwater, Florida: $35
  • 2 Hours Kayak Eco Tour in Tarpon Springs: $54
  • 2.5-Hour Sunset Cruise Tour in St. Petersburg: $67
  • 4-Hour Private Boat Tour to Islands and Sand Bars in Florida: $800
  • 4-Hour St. Pete Pier to Egmont Key Experience by Ferry: $59
  • 90 Minute Axe Throwing Guided Experience in Clearwater at Hatchet Hangout: $50

Typical Entertainment prices in Orlando

For Orlando, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Universal Studios for Two
    $110

Tours and Activities in Orlando

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Orlando.

  • Orlando’s Historical Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour around Lake Eola in Orlando: $6.65
  • Orlando Self-Guided Historic App/GPS Audio Walking Tour: $6.75
  • Gem Mine Experience at Boggy Creek Adventures : $7.95
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure City Game on Your Phone: $10
  • Orlando Magic NBA Basketball Tickets: $10
  • United States eSIM Tourist Roaming Data Plan: $11
  • 25 Minutes Adventure Rooms in Max Action Arena ICON Park: $12
  • 7-D Dark Ride Entry Ticket: $12
  • Orlando Icon Park Adventure Room Ticket: $12
  • Winter Park Scavenger Hunt: Winter Park Adventure: $12
  • Skip the Line: Museum of Military History Ticket: $12

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Clearwater -
    Orlando $30

Sample the Local Flavors in Clearwater

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Clearwater:

  • The Tour and Wine Tasting Experience at Aspirations Winery: $32

Sample the Local Flavors in Orlando

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Orlando:

  • Orlando's Boos And Booze Haunted Pub Crawl By US Ghost Adventures: $35
  • Orlando Haunts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Sanford’s Haunted Brewery Tour: $43
  • Pontoon Pub Crawl, 5 Lakeside Pubs and Restaurants Visit by Boat: $85


When comparing the travel costs between Clearwater and Orlando, we can see that Orlando 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.

Which is Bigger, Clearwater or Orlando?

Orlando is bigger, and its population is about 92% larger than the population of Clearwater. When comparing the population of Clearwater vs. Orlando, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit and the activities that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Clearwater or Orlando?

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 Orlando in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Clearwater as well as Orlando. Additionally, many travelers come to Orlando for the family-friendly experiences.

Clearwater is around the same temperature as Orlando in the summer. The daily temperature in Clearwater averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Orlando fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

It's quite rainy in Orlando. Clearwater receives a lot of rain in the summer. Clearwater usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Orlando. Clearwater gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Orlando receives 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Clearwater 82°F (28°C) 
    Orlando 82°F (28°C)

Should I visit Clearwater or Orlando in the Autumn?

Both Orlando and Clearwater are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Orlando in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Clearwater is around the same temperature as Orlando. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Clearwater in October average around 75°F (24°C), and Orlando averages at about 75°F (24°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Orlando. In October, Clearwater usually receives less rain than Orlando. Clearwater gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Orlando receives 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Clearwater 75°F (24°C) 
    Orlando 75°F (24°C)

Should I visit Clearwater or Orlando in the Winter?

Both Orlando and Clearwater during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Orlando for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Clearwater is generally around the same temperature as Orlando. Daily temperatures in Clearwater average around 60°F (15°C), and Orlando fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

Clearwater usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Orlando. Clearwater gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Orlando receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Clearwater 60°F (15°C) 
    Orlando 59°F (15°C)

Should I visit Clearwater or Orlando in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Clearwater and Orlando.

Clearwater is around the same temperature as Orlando in the spring. The daily temperature in Clearwater averages around 71°F (22°C) in April, and Orlando fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).

In April, Clearwater usually receives less rain than Orlando. Clearwater gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Orlando receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Clearwater 71°F (22°C) 
    Orlando 72°F (22°C)

Typical Weather for Orlando and Clearwater

Clearwater Orlando
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 60°F (15°C) 2.3 inches (59 mm) 59°F (15°C) 2.3 inches (58 mm)
Feb 61°F (16°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 62°F (16°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Mar 67°F (19°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 67°F (19°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Apr 71°F (22°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm) 72°F (22°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
May 77°F (25°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm) 77°F (25°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Jun 81°F (27°C) 6.5 inches (165 mm) 81°F (27°C) 7.1 inches (181 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 8.4 inches (214 mm) 82°F (28°C) 8.3 inches (211 mm)
Aug 82°F (28°C) 8 inches (203 mm) 82°F (28°C) 6.7 inches (171 mm)
Sep 81°F (27°C) 6.3 inches (161 mm) 81°F (27°C) 7.2 inches (183 mm)
Oct 75°F (24°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm) 75°F (24°C) 4.1 inches (103 mm)
Nov 68°F (20°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm) 68°F (20°C) 1.6 inches (40 mm)
Dec 62°F (17°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm) 62°F (17°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm)


Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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Clearwater vs. Orlando Travel Comparison

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