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

Should you visit Dayton or San Antonio?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dayton or San Antonio, 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 San Antonio?

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.

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.

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, San Antonio 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 San Antonio is $118. 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 San Antonio in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dayton $250
    San Antonio $69
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dayton $500
    San Antonio $138
Compare Hotels in Dayton and San Antonio

Looking for a hotel in Dayton 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.

Hotels in Dayton


Hotels in San Antonio


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 San Antonio Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dayton $25
    San Antonio $20

Typical Local Transportation Prices in San Antonio

Some typical examples of transportation costs in San Antonio are as follows:


  • Rental Car for a Day
    $60

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Antonio

Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Antonio:

  • Private One-way San Antonio Airport Transfer To/From San Antonio: $67
  • Private Round Trip Transfer - San Antonio International Airport (SAT): $93
  • 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 Dayton or San Antonio?

Prices for flights to both San Antonio 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
    San Antonio $40
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

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dayton -
    San Antonio -

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 San Antonio

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


  • 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:

  • Self-Guided Ghost Walking Tour: $6.75
  • The Alamo In-App Audio Tour (WITHOUT A TICKET): $10
  • The Alamo Exhibit Entry Ticket: $14
  • Briscoe Western Art Museum Entry Ticket: $14
  • Witte Museum Admission Ticket: $16
  • Tower of the Americas Entry Ticket: $20
  • San Antonio Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
  • San Antonio Museum of Art Entry Ticket: $22
  • Hopscotch Immersive Art Experience Ticket: $24
  • Hopscotch Immersive Art Experience: $24
  • San Antonio Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
  • The Ghosts of San Antonio Walking Tour: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dayton -
    San Antonio -

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

Sample the Local Flavors in San Antonio

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Antonio:

  • Epic San Antonio Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12
  • Death Warmed Over: San Antonio Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
  • Guided Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
  • Texas’ Oldest Haunted Pub Crawl Shared Walking Tour: $30
  • Taste of Fredericksburg Small-Group Wine Tour from San Antonio: $155


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

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


Which is Bigger, Dayton or San Antonio?

San Antonio has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Dayton. When comparing the sizes of Dayton and 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 along with the activities and attractions that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Dayton 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 Dayton or San Antonio in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dayton and San Antonio. Also, many visitors come to San Antonio in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Dayton is cooler than San Antonio. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dayton in July average around 78°F (26°C), and San Antonio averages at about 87°F (31°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Antonio 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 San Antonio during summer. Dayton gets 298 hours of sunny skies, while San Antonio receives 307 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Dayton usually receives more rain than San Antonio. Dayton gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Dayton 78°F (26°C) 
    San Antonio 87°F (31°C)

Should I visit Dayton or San Antonio in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dayton as well as San Antonio. Also, most visitors come to San Antonio for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Dayton is generally much colder than San Antonio. Daily temperatures in Dayton average around 57°F (14°C), and San Antonio fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Antonio. In the autumn, Dayton often gets less sunshine than San Antonio. Dayton gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Antonio receives 213 hours of full sun.

Dayton usually gets less rain in October than San Antonio. Dayton gets 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Dayton 57°F (14°C) 
    San Antonio 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Dayton or San Antonio in the Winter?

Both San Antonio and Dayton are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to San Antonio because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Dayton can be very cold during winter. Dayton is much colder than San Antonio in the winter. The daily temperature in Dayton averages around 30°F (-1°C) in January, and San Antonio fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

Dayton usually receives less sunshine than San Antonio during winter. Dayton gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while San Antonio receives 155 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Dayton usually receives more rain than San Antonio. Dayton gets 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Dayton 30°F (-1°C) 
    San Antonio 54°F (12°C)

Should I visit Dayton or San Antonio in the Spring?

Both San Antonio and Dayton during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to San Antonio this time of year.

In the spring, Dayton is much colder than San Antonio. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dayton in April average around 55°F (13°C), and San Antonio averages at about 74°F (23°C).

In San Antonio, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Dayton. In the spring, Dayton often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Antonio. Dayton gets 215 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Antonio receives 216 hours of full sun.

Dayton usually gets more rain in April than San Antonio. Dayton gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Dayton 55°F (13°C) 
    San Antonio 74°F (23°C)

Typical Weather for San Antonio and Dayton

Dayton San Antonio
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 30°F (-1°C) 2.1 inches (54 mm) 54°F (12°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm)
Feb 33°F (1°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm) 57°F (14°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm)
Mar 44°F (7°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 65°F (18°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm)
Apr 55°F (13°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm) 74°F (23°C) 2.4 inches (60 mm)
May 65°F (18°C) 4 inches (102 mm) 79°F (26°C) 4.4 inches (111 mm)
Jun 74°F (23°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) 84°F (29°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
Jul 78°F (26°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 87°F (31°C) 2.2 inches (57 mm)
Aug 76°F (25°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 87°F (31°C) 2.6 inches (66 mm)
Sep 69°F (21°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm) 82°F (28°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Oct 57°F (14°C) 2.5 inches (64 mm) 73°F (23°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Nov 47°F (8°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 64°F (18°C) 2.6 inches (66 mm)
Dec 35°F (2°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 56°F (13°C) 1.6 inches (40 mm)