A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Dallas vs. San Francisco for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Dallas or San Francisco?

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 Francisco can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Dallas or San Francisco?

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 Francisco

San Francisco is a beautiful city that is famous for it's picturesque neighborhoods, liberal character, and stunning location on the bay. Some people describe San Francisco as the United State's most "European City." This title most likely comes from its compact development and its easy walkability. It also has no shortage of parks and public spaces where you can pass some time. The city sits on the end of a peninsula and offers stunning views of the blue bay, rolling green hills, and the striking Golden Gate Bridge.

Which city is cheaper, San Francisco or Dallas?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Dallas is $112, while the average daily cost in San Francisco is $175. 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 Dallas and San Francisco in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dallas $67
    San Francisco $106
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dallas $134
    San Francisco $212
Compare Hotels in Dallas and San Francisco

Looking for a hotel in Dallas or San Francisco? 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 San Francisco


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 Francisco Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dallas $23
    San Francisco $13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dallas

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dallas:

  • Private Round-Trip Transfer to Winstar Casino from Dallas: $720
  • Private transfer: Dallas to Dallas Airport (DAL): $622
  • Dallas Love Field Airport - Ground Transfer to/from Your Hotel: $245
  • DFW - Dallas Fort Worth Airport - Round Trip Ground Transfer to/from Your Hotel: $245
  • Round trip transfer in private minivan from-to Love Field Airport in Dallas City: $187
  • Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) to Dallas - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $169
  • RoundTrip transfer in executive private car from-to Love Field Airpt-Dallas City: $147
  • Departure Private Transfers from Dallas to Dallas Airport DFW in Luxury Van: $130
  • Dallas Airport Transfers : Dallas City to Dallas Airport DFW in Luxury SUV: $128
  • Departure Private Transfers from Dallas to Dallas Airport DFW in Luxury SUV: $128
  • Private Dallas Transfer: Dallas Airport DAL to Hotel: $123
  • Private Dallas Transfer: Hotel to Dallas Airport DAL: $123

Typical Local Transportation prices in San Francisco

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in San Francisco:


  • Taxi to SFO
    $45
  • Golden Gate Bridge Toll
    $6.00
  • Alcatraz Tour
    $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Francisco

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

  • Private Arrival Transfer from San Francisco Airport SFO: $40
  • Private Departure Transfer to San Francisco Airport SFO: $40
  • Private Airport Transfer: from San Francisco to San Francisco Int. Airport (SFO): $43
  • Private Departure Transfer from San Francisco to SFO San Francisco Airport: $57
  • Cruise Terminal to San Francisco Airport (SFO) - Departure Private Transfer: $60
  • San Francisco Airport (SFO) to Cruise Terminal - Arrival Private Transfer: $60
  • San Francisco Departure Chauffeur Driven Airport Transfer: $65
  • San Francisco Departure Chauffeur Driven Airport Transfer by Executive Sedan: $65
  • Private transfer from San Francisco to SFO Airport for up to 4 passengers: $73
  • Private SFO Departure Transfer from San Francisco: $74
  • San Francisco Departure Chauffeur Driven Airport Transfer by Executive SUV: $75
  • Private transfer from San Francisco Airport (SFO) to San Francisco City for up to 4 passengers: $80

Is it cheaper to fly into Dallas or San Francisco?

Prices for flights to both San Francisco 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 $28
    San Francisco $32
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.

  • Live from Eggs Benedict Cooking Class with Bri from MasterChef: $33
  • Live from Eggs Benedict Brunch Cooking Class with Bri from MasteChef: $33
  • Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament Admission Ticket in Dallas: $73
  • Secret Food Tour of Dallas w/ Private Tour Option: $221

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Francisco

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

  • San Francisco Virtual Food Tour with Local Guide: $15
  • Traveling Spoon Pad Thai and Papaya Salad Private Online Cooking Class: $25
  • Chinatown Walking Food Tour: $75
  • Cooking with Ale: let's make Tiramisu - private groups: $80
  • San Francisco Food Tour: Ferry Building and Ferry Plaza Farmers Market: $80
  • American Cooking Class in San Francisco with a Local near Golden Gate Park: $82
  • San Francisco Chinatown Food Tour: $89
  • Russian Hill Gourmet Food Tour: $97
  • I Can't Believe I Ate My Way Through Chinatown - Food Tour: $98
  • Mamaz Social Food Arepa Class and Dinner: $100
  • Private Tour: Secret Food Tours San Francisco: $103
  • Hayes Valley Gourmet Food Tour: $108

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dallas $10
    San Francisco $37

Tours and Activities in Dallas

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

  • 2-Hour Historic Dallas Segway Tour: $59
  • Best of Dallas Sightseeing Bus Tour: Reunion Tower GeO-Deck or CityPass: $60
  • Create Your Own Dallas Ft. Worth Combination Tour: $129
  • Dallas City Highlights Tour: $29
  • Dallas City Tour: $51
  • Dallas Cowboys Stadium Tour with Transport: $90
  • Dallas Cruizer Tour: $25
  • Dallas Food and Culture Tour: $36
  • Dallas Highlights Tour: $69
  • Dallas Shopping Tour: $106
  • Dallas and Cowboys Stadium Combo Tour: $150
  • Dallas and JFK Full-Day Tour with Sixth Floor Museum and Oswald Rooming House: $133

Tours and Activities in San Francisco

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

  • San Francisco Private Tour: 19th Century Gold Rush Exploration Game: $4.96
  • Syn City SF: The Synesthesia Walking Audio Tour of Haight-Ashbury by VoiceMap: $5.34
  • San Francisco's Barbary Past Walking Audio Tour: $5.34
  • Food, History, and Resistance: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of San Francisco's Japantown: $5.34
  • Union Square to Lotta's Fountain Walking Tour by VoiceMap: $5.40
  • Walk the Haight Audio Tour: Tune into San Francisco’s Hippie Counterculture: $5.99
  • San Francisco Private Tour: 70s Hippie Culture Exploration Game: $6.21
  • The Remarkable History of San Francisco's Glen Park and Glen Canyon Audio Tour: $7.55
  • Ultimate San Francisco Self-Driving Audio Tour: $8.00
  • Bike Tour of Tucson: $10
  • The Flyer San Francisco Admission Ticket: $12
  • San Francisco Scavenger Hunt: SF Park Tour and Haight-Ashbury Experience: $12

For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Museums in San Francisco, The Best Outdoor Activities in San Francisco, and Things to Do In San Francisco on a Rainy Day.


Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dallas $9.82
    San Francisco $15

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
  • Haunted Dallas Ghost and Pub Walking Tour: $27
  • Party Bike Pub Crawl in Deep Ellum and Downtown Dallas: $55

Sample the Local Flavors in San Francisco

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in San Francisco:

  • San Francisco Bar Hunt: Soul of San Francisco Bar Crawl: $12
  • San Francisco North Beach Pub Crawl: $60
  • Wine Tasting on the Bay: $70
  • Half-Day Sonoma Wine Tour: $100
  • Shore Excursion: Napa and Sonoma Ultimate Wine Tasting Experience Full-Day Tour: $135
  • San Francisco City & Wine tour: $140
  • Chariot wine tour: $145
  • From Full-Day Sonoma Valley Wine Tour: $149
  • Viticulture with Charm: Sonoma Valley Wine Tour from San Francisco: $149
  • Small Group Redwoods and Wine Country Trip Including Wine Tasting and Cave Tour: $152
  • Small Group Muir Woods with Napa & Sonoma Wine Tour: $169
  • The Perfect Blend: Napa and Sonoma Combo Wine Tour from San Francisco: $169

About these numbers

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


When is the best time to visit Dallas or San Francisco?

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 San Francisco in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Dallas as well as San Francisco. Additionally, many travelers come to San Francisco for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Dallas is much warmer than San Francisco. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dallas in July are around 88°F (31°C), and San Francisco is about 63°F (17°C).

Dallas usually gets more rain in July than San Francisco. Dallas gets 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Dallas 88°F (31°C) 
    San Francisco 63°F (17°C)

Should I visit Dallas or San Francisco in the Autumn?

Both San Francisco and Dallas are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to San Francisco in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Dallas is generally a little warmer than San Francisco. Temperatures in Dallas average around 69°F (21°C), and San Francisco stays around 63°F (17°C).

In October, Dallas usually receives more rain than San Francisco. Dallas gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Dallas 69°F (21°C) 
    San Francisco 63°F (17°C)

Should I visit Dallas or San Francisco in the Winter?

Both San Francisco and Dallas during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to San Francisco for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.

Dallas is cooler than San Francisco in the winter. The temperature in Dallas is usually 46°F (8°C) in January, and San Francisco stays around 50°F (10°C).

Dallas usually gets less rain in January than San Francisco. Dallas gets 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Dallas 46°F (8°C) 
    San Francisco 50°F (10°C)

Should I visit Dallas or San Francisco in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dallas and San Francisco. Also, the spring months attract visitors to San Francisco because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Dallas is a little warmer than San Francisco. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dallas in April are around 68°F (20°C), and San Francisco is about 58°F (14°C).

In April, Dallas usually receives more rain than San Francisco. Dallas gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Dallas 68°F (20°C) 
    San Francisco 58°F (14°C)

Typical Weather for San Francisco and Dallas

Dallas San Francisco
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 46°F (8°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm) 50°F (10°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
Feb 51°F (10°C) 2.3 inches (59 mm) 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
Mar 60°F (15°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 56°F (13°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
Apr 68°F (20°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 58°F (14°C) 1.2 inches (31 mm)
May 76°F (24°C) 5 inches (128 mm) 60°F (15°C) 0.2 inches (5 mm)
Jun 83°F (29°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 62°F (17°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Jul 88°F (31°C) 2.4 inches (60 mm) 63°F (17°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Aug 87°F (31°C) 2.3 inches (58 mm) 64°F (18°C) 0.1 inches (1 mm)
Sep 80°F (27°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm) 66°F (19°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Oct 69°F (21°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 63°F (17°C) 1.3 inches (33 mm)
Nov 59°F (15°C) 2.4 inches (60 mm) 57°F (14°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Dec 50°F (10°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm) 51°F (11°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)


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Dallas vs. San Francisco Travel Comparison

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