Should you visit Columbia or Galveston?
Should I visit Columbia or Galveston? 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.
Galveston
Located on Galveston Island off the Texas Gulf Coast, Galveston is a popular destination for Texans and a departure point for cruise ships. It also makes a great beach destination for anyone looking to enjoy a week or weekend.
Galveston is a popular destination during the summer months, but the warm climate makes it comfortable year round. Even during the winter months you can enjoy mild temperatures, although on occasion it can have a cold spell.
Which city is cheaper, Galveston 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 Galveston is $147. 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 Galveston in more detail.
Accommodation
Double occupancy rooms typically run around $128 in Galveston For nicer amenities and a premiere location, you can expect to pay a bit more.
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.
On average, meal and food prices in Galveston cost around $42 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $17.
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Food
Meals for one day
Columbia $4.02
Galveston $42
Local Transportation
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Galveston than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $28 on transportation in Galveston on average per day.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Galveston
Also for Galveston, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Galveston Port to Houston Airport Transfer:
$432
Is it cheaper to fly into Columbia or Galveston?
Prices for flights to both Galveston 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing expenses in Galveston, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $12 per day, per person.
Tours and Activities in Galveston
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Galveston.
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Galveston Ghosts Walking Tour:
$8.00
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Spooky Strand Ghost Tour:
$8.00
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Al's Galveston Ghost Tour:
$9.99
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Galveston Ghost Tour:
$10
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Ghost On the Strand Ghost Tour:
$10
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Historic Galveston Ghost Tour:
$10
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Storm on the Strand Ghost Tour:
$13
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Galveston Island Ghost Tour:
$13
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Dolphin Sightseeing Tour in Galveston with a Guide:
$15
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Great! Galveston Ghost Tour:
$16
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Historic Galveston Red Light District Tour:
$19
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Galveston's Haunted Cemetery Walking Tour:
$20
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.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Galveston, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $30.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Columbia and Galveston, we can see that Galveston is more expensive. And not only is Columbia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Columbia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Columbia 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 Galveston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Galveston than you might in Columbia.
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