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

Should you visit Dayton or Hershey?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dayton or Hershey, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Dayton or Hershey?

Dayton

Located in southwest Ohio, Dayton is known as the "Gem City." It's the original home of Orville and Wilbur Wright, the brothers who designed the first airplane. You'll also find the Dayton Aviation Heritage Park here, which is one of the only multi-site National Parks in the United States. The cities climate has four different seasons, winter, spring, summer and fall. The winter months are quite cold and you can expect a decent amount of snow in the area. Spring remains cool and there are infrequent showers. This is also the peak time for tornadoes in the area. Summer is hot and humid and can be unpleasant at times, but fall is crisp and refreshing with occasional storms and infrequent tornadoes.

Hershey

Often called "Chocolatetown, USA" and "The Sweetest Place on Earth," Hershey, Pennsylvania is most known for being home to the famous Hershey's chocolates. The Hershey Company was founded in 1894 by Milton S. Hershey, and has grown to sell products in over sixty countries worldwide. Before the town was named Hershey, it was called Derry Church and was the hometown of the chocolatier. While there are now manufacturing plants in many locations, Hershey, PA, remains the location that draws the crowds. It is the place where the Hershey Company originated and is home to attractions like Hershey Park, Hershey Gardens, and Hershey's Chocolate World.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, and The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Hershey or Dayton?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Dayton is $323, while the average daily cost in Hershey is $212. 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 Dayton and Hershey in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dayton $250
    Hershey $114
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dayton $500
    Hershey $228
Compare Hotels in Dayton and Hershey

Looking for a hotel in Dayton or Hershey? 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 Dayton


Hotels in Hershey


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: Dayton Hotel Prices and Hershey Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dayton $25
    Hershey $49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hershey

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hershey:

  • Private transfer from MDT airport to Harrisburg, Lancaster, York, Hershey: $150

Is it cheaper to fly into Dayton or Hershey?

Prices for flights to both Hershey and Dayton 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
    Dayton $61
    Hershey $61
Typical Food Prices in Dayton

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


  • Noodle Company Lunch (for 2)
    $17
  • Indian Food Dinner (for 2)
    $34

Typical Food Prices in Hershey

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hershey:


  • Frozen Hot Chocolate
    $4.19
  • Plain and Fancy Farm
    $46
  • Homemade Apple Butter
    $7.98

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dayton -
    Hershey $53

Tours and Activities in Dayton

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

  • Daytona Beach: Guided Kayaking or Standup Paddling Tour: $65

Typical Entertainment Prices in Hershey

Here are a few typical costs in Hershey for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Hershey Chocolate World (for 3)
    $75

Tours and Activities in Hershey

Here are a few actual costs in Hershey for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Skip the Line: AACA Museum Admission Ticket: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dayton -
    Hershey $27

Sample the Local Flavors in Dayton

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

  • Dive Bar Bus Crawl: $38


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dayton and Hershey, we can see that Dayton is more expensive. And not only is Hershey much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hershey would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hershey 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 Dayton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dayton than you might in Hershey.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dayton Expensive? and Is Hershey Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Dayton or Hershey?

Dayton has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Hershey. When comparing the sizes of Dayton and Hershey, 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 along with the activities and attractions that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Dayton or Hershey?

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 Dayton or Hershey in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dayton and Hershey. Also, most visitors come to Hershey for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Dayton is around the same temperature as Hershey. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dayton in July average around 78°F (26°C), and Hershey averages at about 77°F (25°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hershey this time of the year. In Dayton, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dayton usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hershey during summer. Dayton gets 298 hours of sunny skies, while Hershey receives 310 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Dayton usually receives around the same amount of rain as Hershey. Dayton gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Dayton 78°F (26°C) 
    Hershey 77°F (25°C)

Should I visit Dayton or Hershey in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dayton as well as Hershey. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Hershey because of the shopping scene.

In October, Dayton is generally around the same temperature as Hershey. Daily temperatures in Dayton average around 57°F (14°C), and Hershey fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In the autumn, Dayton often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hershey. Dayton gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hershey receives 194 hours of full sun.

Dayton usually gets less rain in October than Hershey. Dayton gets 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Dayton 57°F (14°C) 
    Hershey 56°F (13°C)

Should I visit Dayton or Hershey in the Winter?

Both Hershey and Dayton are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Hershey this time of year.

It's quite cold in Hershey in the winter. The weather in Dayton can be very cold. Dayton is around the same temperature as Hershey in the winter. The daily temperature in Dayton averages around 30°F (-1°C) in January, and Hershey fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).

Dayton usually receives less sunshine than Hershey during winter. Dayton gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Hershey receives 153 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Dayton usually receives less rain than Hershey. Dayton gets 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Dayton 30°F (-1°C) 
    Hershey 30°F (-1°C)

Should I visit Dayton or Hershey in the Spring?

Both Hershey and Dayton during the spring are popular places to visit.

In the spring, Dayton is around the same temperature as Hershey. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dayton in April average around 55°F (13°C), and Hershey averages at about 53°F (12°C).

In Hershey, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Dayton. In the spring, Dayton often gets less sunshine than Hershey. Dayton gets 215 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hershey receives 237 hours of full sun.

Dayton usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Hershey. Dayton gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Hershey receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Dayton 55°F (13°C) 
    Hershey 53°F (12°C)

Typical Weather for Hershey and Dayton

Dayton Hershey
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 30°F (-1°C) 2.1 inches (54 mm) 30°F (-1°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
Feb 33°F (1°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm) 33°F (0°C) 2.9 inches (75 mm)
Mar 44°F (7°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 42°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Apr 55°F (13°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm) 53°F (12°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
May 65°F (18°C) 4 inches (102 mm) 63°F (17°C) 4.3 inches (108 mm)
Jun 74°F (23°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) 72°F (22°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Jul 78°F (26°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 77°F (25°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Aug 76°F (25°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Sep 69°F (21°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm) 68°F (20°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Oct 57°F (14°C) 2.5 inches (64 mm) 56°F (13°C) 2.9 inches (75 mm)
Nov 47°F (8°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 46°F (8°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm)
Dec 35°F (2°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 35°F (2°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)