Which place is cheaper, San Antonio or Dallas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Texas Dallas vs. San Antonio for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Dallas or San Antonio?
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 San Antonio can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dallas or San Antonio?
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.
San Antonio
The third largest city in Texas, San Antonio, has grown in recent years as a popular travel destination. It's a beautiful city that is strategically situated at the edge of Texas's Hill Country near the South Texas Plains and Prairie Lakes areas. The city holds on to its small town feel despite having a population of about 1.4 million and 2.3 million in the greater metropolitan area. The city holds tight to its Spanish and Mexican heritage, making it a fascinating cultural destination. The Hispanic population has much influence in the city and this makes it a fun and unique city to visit, particularly during Fiesta week, which is an annual celebration with parades, music and food.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDallas $141San Antonio $132
The average daily cost (per person) in Dallas is $141, while the average daily cost in San Antonio is $132. 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 San Antonio in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDallas $84San Antonio $69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDallas $168San Antonio $138
Compare Hotels in Dallas and San Antonio
Looking for a hotel in Dallas or San Antonio? 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.
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 San Antonio Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dallas $28San Antonio $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dallas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dallas:
- Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW) to Dallas - Arrival Private Transfer: $52
- Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW): Transfer to Dallas: $201
- Private Arrival Transfer from Dallas Fort Worth Airport DFW: $40
Typical Local Transportation prices in San Antonio
Some typical examples of transportation costs in San Antonio are as follows:
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Rental Car for a Day$60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Antonio
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Antonio:
- Private Arrival Transfer from San Antonio Airport SAT: $35
- Private Departure Transfer to San Antonio Airport SAT: $35
- Private Transfer: San Antonio Airport to San Antonio by Sedan, SUV or Minibus : $97
- Galveston: One-Way Transfer GLS Airport to City: $237
Is it cheaper to fly into Dallas or San Antonio?
Prices for flights to both San Antonio 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
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Food Meals for one dayDallas $35San Antonio $40
Typical Food prices in Dallas
Some typical examples of dining costs in Dallas are as follows:
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Cowboys Stadium Tour (for 2)$55
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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.
- West Village Happy Hour Food Tour: $39
- Uptown Eats! Trolley Tour with Food Tours of America: $89
- Dallas Secret Food Tour: $89
- Secret Food Tour of Dallas with Private Tour Option: $95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Antonio
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Antonio.
- The Haunted Dinner Tour: $75
- Brunch and Stroll Guided Food Tour: $125
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dallas $13San Antonio $36
Tours and Activities in Dallas
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dallas are as follows:
- Historic Downtown Audio Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.50
- Historic Dallas Downtown Solo Self Guided Walking Tour : $6.75
- Dallas Stars Ice Hockey Game Ticket: $9.64
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure City Game on Your Phone: $10
- Dallas in Wonderland: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Must-See Landmarks & Attractions Self-Guided Tour: $13
- Dallas Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Tour: $13
- JFK Assassination Walking Tour (Self-Guided): $16
- John F. Kennedy Trolley Tour in Dallas: $22
- Dallas' Reunion Tower GeO-Deck Observation Ticket: $25
- Texas Rangers Baseball Game Ticket at Globe Life Field: $25
- JFK Assassination Highlights Walking Tour: $26
Typical Entertainment prices in San Antonio
Here are a few typical costs in San Antonio for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Spa Treatments$200
Tours and Activities in San Antonio
Here are a few actual costs in San Antonio for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Historic San Antonio Audio APP and GPS Private Self Guided Tour: $6.75
- Self-Guided Ghost Walking Tour: $6.75
- Private Self-Guided Famous Ghosts Audio Tour in San Antonio: $6.75
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in San Antonio by Wacky Walks: $10
- Briscoe Western Art Museum Entry Ticket: $14
- The Alamo Exhibit Entry Ticket: $14
- San Antonio Ranger Creek Brewstillery Tour: $15
- Witte Museum Admission Ticket: $15
- San Antonio Museum of Art Entry Ticket: $20
- San Antonio Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
- Hopscotch Immersive Art Experience: $24
- Dino Safari, A Walk Thru Adventure Entry Ticket: $24
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDallas $12San Antonio -
Sample the Local Flavors in Dallas
Also in Dallas, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- 1-Hour Distillery Tour & Tasting in Dallas: $35
- Haunted Dallas Ghost and Pub Walking Tour: $37
- Party Bike Pub Crawl in Deep Ellum and Downtown Dallas: $55
Sample the Local Flavors in San Antonio
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Antonio:
- Texas’ Oldest Haunted Pub Crawl Shared Walking Tour: $23
- Death Warmed Over: San Antonio Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Guided Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Haunted San Antonio Ghost and Pub Walking Tour: $37
- Party Bike Pub Crawl in San Antonio: $44
- Taste of Fredericksburg Small-Group Wine Tour from San Antonio: $155
When comparing the travel costs between Dallas and San Antonio, we can see that Dallas 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.
Which is Bigger, Dallas or San Antonio?
San Antonio is bigger, and its population is about 4% larger than the population of Dallas. When comparing the population of Dallas vs. San Antonio, 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 San Antonio?
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 Dallas or San Antonio in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dallas and San Antonio. Furthermore, most visitors come to San Antonio for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Dallas is generally around the same temperature as San Antonio. Daily temperatures in Dallas average around 88°F (31°C), and San Antonio fluctuates around 87°F (31°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Antonio this time of the year. In Dallas, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dallas usually receives more sunshine than San Antonio during summer. Dallas gets 337 hours of sunny skies, while San Antonio receives 307 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Dallas usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Antonio. Dallas gets 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDallas 88°F (31°C)San Antonio 87°F (31°C)
Should I visit Dallas or San Antonio in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Dallas as well as San Antonio. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to San Antonio because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Dallas is cooler than San Antonio in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dallas averages around 69°F (21°C) in October, and San Antonio fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Antonio. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dallas this time of the year. In the autumn, Dallas often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Antonio. Dallas gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Antonio receives 213 hours of full sun.
Dallas usually gets more rain in October than San Antonio. Dallas gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDallas 69°F (21°C)San Antonio 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Dallas or San Antonio in the Winter?
Both San Antonio and Dallas are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to San Antonio this time of year.
In the winter, Dallas is cooler than San Antonio. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dallas in January average around 46°F (8°C), and San Antonio averages at about 54°F (12°C).
Dallas usually receives more sunshine than San Antonio during winter. Dallas gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while San Antonio receives 155 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Dallas usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Antonio. Dallas gets 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDallas 46°F (8°C)San Antonio 54°F (12°C)
Should I visit Dallas or San Antonio in the Spring?
Both San Antonio and Dallas during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to San Antonio for the natural beauty.
In April, Dallas is generally cooler than San Antonio. Daily temperatures in Dallas average around 68°F (20°C), and San Antonio fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).
In San Antonio, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Dallas. In the spring, Dallas often gets more sunshine than San Antonio. Dallas gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Antonio receives 216 hours of full sun.
Dallas usually gets more rain in April than San Antonio. Dallas gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDallas 68°F (20°C)San Antonio 74°F (23°C)
Typical Weather for San Antonio and Dallas
| Dallas | San Antonio | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 46°F (8°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Feb | 51°F (10°C) | 2.3 inches (59 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Mar | 60°F (15°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 65°F (18°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
| Apr | 68°F (20°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 2.4 inches (60 mm) |
| May | 76°F (24°C) | 5 inches (128 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) |
| Jun | 83°F (29°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 84°F (29°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
| Jul | 88°F (31°C) | 2.4 inches (60 mm) | 87°F (31°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) |
| Aug | 87°F (31°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) | 87°F (31°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) |
| Sep | 80°F (27°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 82°F (28°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
| Oct | 69°F (21°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Nov | 59°F (15°C) | 2.4 inches (60 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) |
| Dec | 50°F (10°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
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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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