Should you visit Columbia or Alexandria?
Should I visit Columbia or Alexandria? 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.
Columbia
Both the largest and capital city of South Carolina, Columbia is literally the center of everything. Geographically it is located in the middle of the state, and it is the home to the University of South Carolina, the Army's Fort Jackson, as well as a variety of museums that celebrate the city's art, history, and culture.
Alexandria
Just minutes from the nation's capital of Washington DC, Alexandria offers a world of rich history and beautifully preserved buildings from the 18th-19th centuries. A city of many interests, attractions range from the old haunts of George Washington and historic architecture to museums, local crafts, and quaint boutiques. With its cobblestoned streets, Old Town of Alexandria is sure to charm as well.
Which city is cheaper, Alexandria or Columbia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Columbia is $0.00, while the average daily cost in Alexandria is $0.00. 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 Columbia and Alexandria in more detail.
Food
The price of a meal in Columbia can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $4.02 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $1.61 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
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Food
Meals for one day
Columbia $4.02
Alexandria
-
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alexandria
For Alexandria, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Private Full-Day Food Tour of Alexandria with Hotel Pick Up:
$32
-
Alexandria Food Tour:
$36
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Amazing Alexandria Food Tour:
$55
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Alexandria Food Tour:
$60
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Old Town Boutique Food Tour:
$89
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Sound&light show,Giza pyramids-Dinner on the Nile:
$94
Local Transportation
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alexandria
Also for Alexandria, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Airport Transfer: from Alexandria to Borg El Arab Airport (HBE):
$20
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Private transfer from HBE airport to Alexandria Hotel:
$20
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Private Transfer from Borg El Arab Airport to Alexandria Hotels:
$20
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Alexandria Airport Departure Transfer:
$33
-
Alexandria Airport Departure Transfer:
$36
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Alexandria AIRPORT ARRIVAL TRANSFER:
$36
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One Way Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Alexandria Port – Premium:
$37
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One Way Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Alexandria Port - Standard:
$41
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Alexandria Airport Departure Transfer:
$45
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One Way Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Borg El Arab Airport - Standard:
$53
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One Way Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Alexandria Port – 15 Seater:
$57
-
One Way Transfer from Alexandria Hotels to Borg El Arab Airport – Premium:
$66
Is it cheaper to fly into Columbia or Alexandria?
Prices for flights to both Alexandria and Columbia 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.
Alcohol
The average person spends about $70 on alcoholic beverages in Columbia per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Alexandria
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Alexandria:
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Alexandria Bar Hunt: Ye Olde Pub Crawl through Old Town:
$12
-
Haunted Old Town Alexandria Ghost and Pub Walking Tour:
$26
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Columbia and Alexandria, we can see that Columbia is more expensive. And not only is Alexandria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Alexandria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alexandria 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 Columbia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Columbia than you might in Alexandria.
