Should you visit Columbus or Norfolk?
Should I visit Columbus or Norfolk? 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.
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.
Norfolk
The city of Norfolk in the U.S. state of Virginia is a port city holding a large Navy and shipping presence in its harbor. With a long history as a strategic military point, Norfolk is home to the largest Navy base in the world, Naval Station Norfolk. Other attractions include opportunities for dining, shopping, and entertainment as well as many parks and memorials.
Which city is cheaper, Norfolk 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 Norfolk is $133. 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 Columbus and Norfolk in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $116 in Columbus For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $68. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Norfolk the cost is $136 on average.
Food
The average traveler spends about $39 per day in Columbus for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
Norfolk food costs typically run travelers around $39 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
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Food
Meals for one day
Columbus $39
Norfolk $39
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Norfolk
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Norfolk.
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Spirit of Norfolk Dinner Cruise on the Elizabeth River:
$84
Local Transportation
To get around in Columbus, the average visitor spends $40 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
The cost of a taxi ride in Norfolk is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $44 per person, per day, on local transportation in Norfolk.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Columbus
Also for Columbus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) to Columbus - Arrival Private Transfer:
$87
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Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) to Columbus - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$174
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Columbus to Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) - Departure Private Transfer:
$87
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Norfolk
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Norfolk:
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Private Arrival Transfer: PFH to Outer Banks North Carolina by Luxury Vehicle:
$283
Is it cheaper to fly into Columbus or Norfolk?
Prices for flights to both Norfolk 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.
Entertainment
In Columbus, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $37 per person, per day.
Entertainment and activities in Norfolk typically cost an average of $11 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Tours and Activities in Columbus
For Columbus, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Columbus:
$11
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Columbus Scavenger Hunt Adventure:
$21
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LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus Ticket:
$21
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Central Park Bike Tour:
$53
Tours and Activities in Norfolk
Here are a few actual costs in Norfolk for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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1/2 Day E-Bike Tour of Norfolk's History and Art:
$79
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1/2 Day E-Bike Tour of Norfolk's History and Art:
$78
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Candle Making Experience:
$69
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City Sightseeing Norwich Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour:
$19
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E-Bike Cannonball Trail Guided History Tour of Norfolk:
$59
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Neon District Contemporary Art Walking Tour:
$32
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Norfolk Chronicles History Walking Tour:
$36
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Norfolk Passport to Fun City Sightseeing and Discount Book:
$52
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Best of Norfolk Guided E-Bike Tour:
$60
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Self-Guided E-Bike Tour Elizabeth River Trail 2-Hour/3rd Hour Free:
$50
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Spirit of Norfolk Lunch Cruise on the Elizabeth River:
$61
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Columbus spend on average $16 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Norfolk may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $8.39 per day on alcoholic beverages.
When comparing the travel costs between Columbus and Norfolk, we can see that Norfolk 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.
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