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

Should you visit Columbus or Fairfield?

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

Should I visit Columbus or Fairfield? 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: Columbus or Fairfield?

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. While not always famous for it's sights and attractions, visitors will be pleasantly surprised by what they find here.

Fairfield

The city of Fairfield is in Solano County, California, in the Sacramento Valley area. It's a medium sized city that is home to the Travis Air Force Base. It's also halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento along Interstate 80. There are a handful of interesting activities in the area. Consider visiting either the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area or the Hill Slough Wildlife Area both of which have hiking, fishing, birdwatching, and boating opportunities. You can also take a tour of the Jelly Belly Factory which is in town, or tour the Anheuser-Busch Brewery which includes two complimentary beers and a limitless supply of pretzels. On Thursdays you can take a guided tour of the Travis Air Force Base. If you're interested in visited a working ranch, Rush Ranch is open to the public and can be a fun experience with an opportunity to visit with the animals.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.


Which place is cheaper, Fairfield or Columbus?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Columbus is $158, while the average daily cost in Fairfield is $131. 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 Columbus and Fairfield in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Columbus $72
    Fairfield $97
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Columbus $144
    Fairfield $194
Compare Hotels in Columbus and Fairfield

Looking for a hotel in Columbus or Fairfield? 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 Columbus


Hotels in Fairfield


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: Columbus Hotel Prices and Fairfield Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Columbus $50
    Fairfield -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Columbus

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

  • Columbus Ohio (CMH) Airport Arrival or Departure Private Transfer: $180
  • Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) to Columbus - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $130
  • Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) to Columbus - Arrival Private Transfer: $65
  • Columbus to Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) - Departure Private Transfer: $65

Is it cheaper to fly into Columbus or Fairfield?

Prices for flights to both Fairfield and Columbus 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
    Columbus $49
    Fairfield $30

Typical Food Prices in Fairfield

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


  • El Pollo Loco Lunch (for 3)
    $17
  • Hometown Buffet Dinner (for 3)
    $44

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Columbus $46
    Fairfield $13

Tours and Activities in Columbus

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

  • Columbus Blue Jackets Ice Hockey Game Ticket at Nationwide Arena: $24
  • Columbus Scavenger Hunt Adventure : $21
  • 1-Hour Themed Escape Room Adventure & Narrative: $41
  • Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44
  • Experience the season with a scavenger hunt in Columbus with Holly Jolly Hunt: $20
  • LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus Ticket: $28
  • The Escape Game Epic 60-Minute Adventures: $41
  • Trolley Pub Holiday Lights Tour in Columbus: $45
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Columbus by Crazy Dash: $10

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Columbus $20
    Fairfield -

Sample the Local Flavors in Fairfield

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fairfield:

  • Olive Oil, Cheese, and Wine Tasting with Local Expert: $133


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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Columbus Expensive? and Is Fairfield Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Columbus or Fairfield?

Columbus has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Fairfield. When comparing the sizes of Columbus and Fairfield, 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 along with the activities and attractions that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Columbus or Fairfield?

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 Columbus or Fairfield in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbus and Fairfield. Many visitors come to Columbus in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Columbus is around the same temperature as Fairfield in the summer. The daily temperature in Columbus averages around 77°F (25°C) in July, and Fairfield fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Fairfield this time of the year. In Columbus, it's very sunny this time of the year. Columbus usually receives less sunshine than Fairfield during summer. Columbus gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Fairfield receives 439 hours of full sun in the summer.

Columbus gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Columbus usually receives more rain than Fairfield. Columbus gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Columbus 77°F (25°C) 
    Fairfield 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Columbus or Fairfield in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Columbus as well as Fairfield. Most visitors come to Columbus for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Columbus is cooler than Fairfield. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Columbus in October average around 57°F (14°C), and Fairfield averages at about 62°F (17°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Fairfield. In the autumn, Columbus often gets less sunshine than Fairfield. Columbus gets 179 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Fairfield receives 300 hours of full sun.

Columbus usually gets more rain in October than Fairfield. Columbus gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Columbus 57°F (14°C) 
    Fairfield 62°F (17°C)

Should I visit Columbus or Fairfield in the Winter?

Both Fairfield and Columbus are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Columbus because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Columbus can be very cold. In January, Columbus is generally much colder than Fairfield. Daily temperatures in Columbus average around 30°F (-1°C), and Fairfield fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).

Columbus usually receives less sunshine than Fairfield during winter. Columbus gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Fairfield receives 149 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Columbus usually receives less rain than Fairfield. Columbus gets 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Columbus 30°F (-1°C) 
    Fairfield 46°F (8°C)

Should I visit Columbus or Fairfield in the Spring?

Both Fairfield and Columbus during the spring are popular places to visit.

Columbus is cooler than Fairfield in the spring. The daily temperature in Columbus averages around 54°F (12°C) in April, and Fairfield fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In Fairfield, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Columbus often gets less sunshine than Fairfield. Columbus gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Fairfield receives 328 hours of full sun.

Columbus usually gets more rain in April than Fairfield. Columbus gets 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Columbus 54°F (12°C) 
    Fairfield 56°F (13°C)

Typical Weather for Fairfield and Columbus

Columbus Fairfield
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 30°F (-1°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm) 46°F (8°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm)
Feb 33°F (1°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm) 51°F (11°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Mar 45°F (7°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Apr 54°F (12°C) 3.2 inches (81 mm) 56°F (13°C) 1.3 inches (32 mm)
May 65°F (18°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) 64°F (18°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Jun 73°F (23°C) 4 inches (102 mm) 69°F (21°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Jul 77°F (25°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm) 73°F (23°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Aug 75°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm) 72°F (22°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Sep 69°F (20°C) 3 inches (76 mm) 70°F (21°C) 0.5 inches (12 mm)
Oct 57°F (14°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm) 62°F (17°C) 1.1 inches (27 mm)
Nov 47°F (8°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Dec 35°F (2°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 46°F (8°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm)