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

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Should you visit Columbus or Minneapolis?

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

Should I visit Columbus or Minneapolis? 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.

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.

Minneapolis

Known as one of the Twin Cities with its neighbor, Saint Paul, the Minneapolis area is the second largest economic center in the Midwest, behind Chicago. Originally a city of lumber and flour milling, the city has grown to prosper in commerce, rail and trucking, health care, industry, education, publishing, milling, and food processing amongst others. In addition to housing the headquarters for five Fortune 500 Companies, Minneapolis is a city of thriving culture. From visual arts, music, and theater to sporting events and award-winning restaurants, the entertainment is never lacking.

Which city is cheaper, Minneapolis or Columbus?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Columbus is $126, while the average daily cost in Minneapolis is $164. 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 Columbus and Minneapolis in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Columbus $58
    Minneapolis $88
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Columbus $116
    Minneapolis $176

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Columbus $40
    Minneapolis $34

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Columbus

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

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Minneapolis

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

  • Private transfer: Minneapolis to Minneapolis Airport (MSP): $622
  • Private Departure Transfer to Minneapolis Airport MSP: $75
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Minneapolis Airport MSP: $75
  • Minneapolis to Minneapolis Airport (MSP) - Departure Private Transfer: $92

Is it cheaper to fly into Columbus or Minneapolis?

Prices for flights to both Minneapolis 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 $39
    Minneapolis $32

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Minneapolis

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

  • Historic Northeast Minneapolis Food Tour: $52
  • Private Dining: Mediterranean dinner in Minneapolis with local chef: $89

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Columbus $37
    Minneapolis $21

Tours and Activities in Columbus

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

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

Tours and Activities in Minneapolis

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

  • "Crooked" St. Paul Gangsters Private Riding Tour (2 hrs): $325
  • City of Lakes Tour With An Interpreter In Minneapolis: $179
  • Minneapolis & St. Paul Highlights Private Riding & Walking Tour (2 hrs): $325
  • Minneapolis & St. Paul Highlights Private Riding & Walking Tour (3 hrs): $425
  • 3-Hour Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44
  • Romantic tour in Minneapolis: $498
  • St Paul Minnesota: Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44
  • The Twin Cities St Paul Tour With An Interpreter: $179
  • The best of Minneapolis walking tour: $498
  • Walking Minneapolis Downtown & Skyways Private Tour (2 hrs): $175
  • Walking Minneapolis Downtown Parks, Fountains & Sculpture Private Tour (2 hrs): $175
  • Walking Minneapolis Mississippi River, Falls & Historic Mills Private Tour(2hrs): $175

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Columbus $16
    Minneapolis $19

Sample the Local Flavors in Minneapolis

Also in Minneapolis, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • All Inclusive 3hr Craft Brewery Tour: $82
  • Minneapolis Distillery Tour: $87

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Columbus and Minneapolis, we can see that Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Minneapolis than you might in Columbus.

Budget Your Trip

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Columbus vs. Minneapolis Travel Comparison

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