A Travel Price Comparison for Texas Dallas vs. Galveston for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Dallas or Galveston?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dallas and Galveston can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Dallas or Galveston?

Dallas

Located in the north central part of the state, Dallas is a prominent city in Texas and is one of the most populated metropolitan areas in the United States of America. The business reputation of Dallas rose from its historical status as the center for cotton and oil industries. It was also positioned among numerous railroads.

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 place is cheaper, Galveston or Dallas?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Dallas is $141, while the average daily cost in Galveston is $183. 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 Dallas and Galveston in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dallas $84
    Galveston $81
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dallas $168
    Galveston $162
Compare Hotels in Dallas and Galveston

Looking for a hotel in Dallas or Galveston? 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 Dallas


Hotels in Galveston


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: Dallas Hotel Prices and Galveston Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dallas $28
    Galveston $35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dallas

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dallas:

  • Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW): Transfer to Dallas: $207
  • Roundtrip Transfer Private Minivan Dallas Airport (DAL) - Dallas City Center: $181
  • Roundtrip Transfer Private Minivan Dallas Airport (DFW) - Dallas City Center: $181
  • RoundtripTransfer Executive Private Car Dallas Airport (DFW) -Dallas City Center: $142
  • Roundtrip Transfer Executive Private car Dallas Airport (DAL)-Dallas City Center: $142
  • Dallas Airport (DFW) to Plano / Allen -RoundTrip Private Transfer: $136
  • Arrival Private Transfer Dallas Airport DAL to Fort Worth by Luxury Vehicle: $136
  • Departure Private Transfer: Dallas to Dallas Airport DFW in Luxury Van: $129
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Dallas Airport DFW to Dallas in Luxury Van: $128
  • Private Transfer from Dallas to Dallas Airport DFW in Luxury Van: $127
  • Private Transfer from Dallas Airport DFW to Dallas in Luxury SUV: $127
  • Departure Private Transfer: Dallas to Dallas Airport DFW in Luxury SUV: $127

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Galveston

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

  • Private Departure Transfer from Galveston Port to HOU Airport: $169
  • Private Departure Transfer from Galveston to HOU Airport: $169
  • Galveston Port to William Hobby Airport Departure Transfer: $169
  • Private Transfer from Port of Galveston to Houston Airport (HOU): $169
  • Galveston to Houston George Bush Airport (IAH) Private Transfer: $194
  • Galveston Port to George Bush Airport Private Departure Transfer: $194
  • Privat Transfer from Galveston Port to Houston Airport (IAH): $194

Is it cheaper to fly into Dallas or Galveston?

Prices for flights to both Galveston and Dallas 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
    Dallas $35
    Galveston $52
Typical Food prices in Dallas

Some typical examples of dining costs in Dallas are as follows:


  • Cowboys Stadium Tour (for 2)
    $55
  • Whataburger Lunch (family of 4)
    $21

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dallas

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dallas.

  • Happy Hour West Village Food Tour: $39
  • West Village Happy Hour Food Tour: $39
  • Deep Ellum Foodie Lovers Tour with Food Tours of America: $85
  • Discover Downtown Dallas Food Tour with Food Tours of America: $89
  • Uptown Eats! Trolley Tour with Food Tours of America: $89
  • JFK Food & Culture Walking Tour with Food Tours of America: $89
  • Dallas Secret Food Tour: $93
  • Secret Food Tour of Dallas with Private Tour Option: $95

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Galveston

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

  • Taste of the Strand Food Tour on Galveston Island: $105

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dallas $13
    Galveston $15

Tours and Activities in Dallas

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dallas are as follows:

  • 2 Hour Dallas Night Sightseeing E-Scooter Tour: $90
  • Private Legacy Lives Tour of JFK Assassination in Texas: $724
  • 1-Hour JFK Assassination Walking Tour: $28
  • 1-Hour JFK Assassination Walking Tour : $28
  • 2 Hour Late Night Downtown Dallas E-Scooter Tour: $70
  • 2-Hour Historic Dallas Segway Tour: $79
  • 2hr Dallas Mural tour on Talking E-Bike - Ride it yourself : $60
  • 3-Hour Ropes Course & Zip Line Adventure : $60
  • 3hr Dallas Cowboys Stadium Small Group Tour with Transportation: $103
  • Clue-solving adventure around Dallas: $65
  • Combination Southfork Ranch and Dallas/JFK Highlights Tour: $145
  • Create Your Own Dallas and Fort Worth Combination Tour: $129

Tours and Activities in Galveston

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Galveston.

  • Self-Guided Ghost Tour on the Galveston Strand: $6.75
  • Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt Adventure in League City : $10
  • Beer Tasting Experience with 4 Beer Flight: $10
  • Unique Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt Experience in League City: $10
  • Pirates! Legends of the Gulf Coast Museum Ticket: $15
  • Al's Authentic Paranormal Excursion Tour: $15
  • Tour Galveston's 1895 Moody Mansion: $18
  • Galveston Cemetery Tour with Ghost Hunting Equipment: $20
  • Galveston Haunted Tour with Ghost Hunting Equipment: $20
  • Galveston Island Ghost Tour: $20
  • Galveston's Flower Winery Tour at the Florvino Winery: $20
  • Tour of haunted locations with ghost hunting gear.: $20

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dallas $12
    Galveston $37

Sample the Local Flavors in Dallas

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

  • Dallas Bar Hunt: Dallas Dynasty Bar Crawl: $12
  • 1-Hour Distillery Tour & Tasting in Dallas: $35
  • Terrors Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Haunted Dallas Ghost and Pub Walking Tour: $37
  • Party Bike Pub Crawl in Deep Ellum and Downtown Dallas: $55
  • Dallas Private Brewery Limousine Tour : $600

Sample the Local Flavors in Galveston

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

  • Galveston Island Brewing Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting : $10
  • Historical Walking Tour and Pub Crawl: $19
  • Galveston Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $30
  • Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $30
  • Texas Tail Distillery Behind-the-Scenes Tour with Tasting: $45

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dallas and Galveston, we can see that Galveston is more expensive. And not only is Dallas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dallas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dallas 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 Dallas.

Which is Bigger, Dallas or Galveston?

Dallas is bigger, and its population is about 21.5 times larger than the population of Galveston. When comparing the population of Dallas vs. Galveston, 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 and the activities that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Dallas or Galveston?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Dallas or Galveston in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Dallas as well as Galveston.

Dallas is around the same temperature as Galveston in the summer. The daily temperature in Dallas averages around 88°F (31°C) in July, and Galveston fluctuates around 84°F (29°C).

Dallas usually gets less rain in July than Galveston. Dallas gets 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain, while Galveston receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Dallas 88°F (31°C) 
    Galveston 84°F (29°C)

Should I visit Dallas or Galveston in the Autumn?

Both Galveston and Dallas are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

In the autumn, Dallas is around the same temperature as Galveston. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dallas in October average around 69°F (21°C), and Galveston averages at about 71°F (22°C).

In October, Dallas usually receives more rain than Galveston. Dallas gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Galveston receives 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Dallas 69°F (21°C) 
    Galveston 71°F (22°C)

Should I visit Dallas or Galveston in the Winter?

Both Galveston and Dallas during the winter are popular places to visit.

In January, Dallas is generally cooler than Galveston. Daily temperatures in Dallas average around 46°F (8°C), and Galveston fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

Dallas usually gets less rain in January than Galveston. Dallas gets 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain, while Galveston receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Dallas 46°F (8°C) 
    Galveston 52°F (11°C)

Should I visit Dallas or Galveston in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dallas and Galveston.

Dallas is around the same temperature as Galveston in the spring. The daily temperature in Dallas averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Galveston fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

In April, Dallas usually receives more rain than Galveston. Dallas gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Galveston receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Dallas 68°F (20°C) 
    Galveston 70°F (21°C)

Typical Weather for Galveston and Dallas

Dallas Galveston
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 46°F (8°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm) 52°F (11°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Feb 51°F (10°C) 2.3 inches (59 mm) 55°F (13°C) 2 inches (50 mm)
Mar 60°F (15°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 63°F (17°C) 1.9 inches (49 mm)
Apr 68°F (20°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 70°F (21°C) 2.4 inches (60 mm)
May 76°F (24°C) 5 inches (128 mm) 76°F (25°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Jun 83°F (29°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 81°F (27°C) 4.3 inches (108 mm)
Jul 88°F (31°C) 2.4 inches (60 mm) 84°F (29°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Aug 87°F (31°C) 2.3 inches (58 mm) 83°F (29°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm)
Sep 80°F (27°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm) 80°F (27°C) 5.6 inches (141 mm)
Oct 69°F (21°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 71°F (22°C) 2.3 inches (59 mm)
Nov 59°F (15°C) 2.4 inches (60 mm) 63°F (17°C) 3.2 inches (81 mm)
Dec 50°F (10°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm) 55°F (13°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)


Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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Dallas vs. Galveston Travel Comparison

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