A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Daytona Beach vs. Fairbanks for Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Daytona Beach or Fairbanks?

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

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Fairbanks? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach is a party-hard, energetic, and lively beach city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the beaches, nightlife, and live music.

Fairbanks

Fairbanks is a outdoorsy, remote, and Arctic city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include museums, hiking, and shopping.

Daytona Beach and Fairbanks: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Daytona Beach or Fairbanks?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Daytona Beach. Although Daytona Beach and Fairbanks are popular destinations, Daytona Beach has more sights and attractions for tourists. Daytona Beach is very popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, beaches, and big city activities, while Fairbanks attracts visitors for its skiing, museums, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty. Daytona Beach is more touristy than Fairbanks and is popular for its spring break culture, wild parties, and the Daytona 500 NASCAR race. It is also well known for The Daytona International Speedway. Fairbanks is famous for its remote wilderness setting, access to the Arctic, unique winter sports, and popularity for seeing the northern lights.

How is Daytona Beach different from Fairbanks?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Fairbanks and Daytona Beach. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Daytona Beach or Fairbanks Better for Skiing?

Fairbanks is a moderate city for snow skiing. However, Daytona Beach is not a skiing destination.

While in the area, visitors like to go to Fairbanks for snow skiing. The closest ski areas are the ski resorts of Fort Wainwright/Birch Hill, Moose Mountain and Skiland. The area also has dog mushing, snowshoeing, sledding, tubing and sleigh riding.

Daytona Beach is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Daytona Beach or Fairbanks?

Fairbanks is a popular place for its sights and museums. However, Daytona Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Fairbanks. The city is mostly known for its outdoor activities, but you can also visit the Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center, the Aurora Ice Museum, Fountainhead Auto Museum, the Museum of the North, and Pioneer Park.

Daytona Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Daytona Beach or Fairbanks? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Daytona Beach and Fairbanks offer a number of reasonable restaurants to choose from.

Daytona Beach may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. This beach is more about the parties and drinks than it is about the food.

Fairbanks offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Food can be expensive and of varying quality, but many restaurants use local meats and seafood. There's a surprising number of international restaurants in town as well. Also make sure you try the local specialties like reindeer sausage, Yukon gold potatoes, and Alaskan salmon.

Is Daytona Beach or Fairbanks Better for Nightlife?

Daytona Beach is an amazing beach city to visit for its evening party scene. However, Fairbanks is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Daytona Beach has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. Spring break is when the parties are at their peak. For the most active nightlife head to A1A from Ormond-by-the-Sea to Ponce Inlet, Main and Beach Streets, and Seabreeze Boulevard, ONE DAYTONA and International Speedway Boulevard in Daytona Beach, and Granada Boulevard in Ormond Beach.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Fairbanks. You will find some bars around town, but for the most part, the city stays quiet at night.

Is Daytona Beach or Fairbanks Better for Music?

Daytona Beach is a popular place for its music scene. However, Fairbanks is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Daytona Beach is active and vibrant. You can see live music at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Bandshell and The Roof.

Fairbanks is not a live music destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Fairbanks Better for Resorts?

Daytona Beach is a decent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Fairbanks is not a resort destination.

You might not think of Daytona Beach as a resort destination, but it has a few places. Many resorts in the area focus more on affordability than luxury. The oceanfront hotels usually have nice beachfront pools and rooms with balconies and oceanfront views. You'll pay a bit more for the waterfront rooms.

Fairbanks is not a resort destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Fairbanks Better for Beaches?

Daytona Beach is a popular place for the beach. However, Fairbanks is not a beach destination.

Daytona Beach is a good option for a beach vacation. The city's beaches are lively and festive, so if you're looking for a beach with music, drinking, and partying, then this is your place. In the surrounding areas you'll find some quieter, more family-friendly beaches. It's also best to avoid the Spring Break crowds if you're hoping for a quieter and more family-friendly vacation.

Fairbanks is not a beach destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Fairbanks Better for Hiking?

Fairbanks is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Daytona Beach is not a hiking destination.

Fairbanks is a popular spot for hiking. While the town serves as a gateway to the Arctic and all that it has to offer, there are also hiking trails both in town and nearby. There are trails that connect the city's historic sites as well as day hikes that start at the edge of town.

Daytona Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Daytona Beach or Fairbanks?

Fairbanks is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for shopping.

Many visitors go to Fairbanks to go shopping. There are interesting local shops and boutiques that sell native Alaskan handmade items. You'll find "Made in Alaska" merchandise at many boutiques and souvenir shops. There are also larger retailers available in case you forgot clothing or other items at home.

Daytona Beach is a good destination for shopping. Souvenir shops and t-shirt shops are the main shopping you'll find in this area. The boardwalk is lined with gimmicky shops where you can pick up magnets or beach paraphernalia.

Is Daytona Beach or Fairbanks Better for Families?

Fairbanks is a popular place for its family-friendly activities. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its kid-friendly activities.

Fairbanks is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids who enjoy searching for wildlife, playing in the snow, and exploring nature will love a visit to Fairbanks. Make sure you visit the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as well as Pioneer Park.

Daytona Beach is not always a place people visit with their families. Although it's best avoided during spring break, Daytona with kids can be fun when the crowds aren't too bad. There are water parks, surfing lessons, and of course the beach. The restaurants are usually family-friendly as well with many offering kid's menus and early opening hours.

Is Daytona Beach or Fairbanks Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Daytona Beach and Fairbanks make for a nice place to visit.

Daytona Beach is a good beach city for couples to visit. While romance isn't exactly what comes to mind when you first think of Daytona, couples who like to party and be out and about will enjoy a visit to Daytona Beach. There's plenty to do and some very great seafood restaurants in the area, so it's not hard to turn it into a couple's destination.

Fairbanks is a nice destination for couples. Couples who enjoy hiking and nature will love a visit here. If you're hoping to see the northern lights, Fairbanks is your best destination in Alaska. Try to visit sometime between August to April for the best chance of enjoying the lights.

Is Daytona Beach or Fairbanks Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Fairbanks is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Daytona Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Fairbanks is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. There are many outdoor recreation areas where backpackers can explore. Alaska, and Fairbanks in particular, can have very harsh conditions, so unless you know what you're doing, it's best to take a guide.

Daytona Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Fairbanks Better for Students?

Daytona Beach is an amazing beach city to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Fairbanks is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Daytona Beach. It's one of the original Spring Break destinations, and the trend continues. If you're a student looking to cut loose, you'll find plenty of likeminded vacationers in the area, with many bars and hotels catering specifically to the younger crowd.

Fairbanks is not popular with students.

Is Daytona Beach or Fairbanks Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Neither Daytona Beach or Fairbanks offer decent public transit.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Daytona Beach. There's limited transportation options around town so you really must have a private vehicle. If you've been out drinking, you can call a taxi or an Uber.

Public transit is quite limited in Fairbanks. There is a public bus system that connects the downtown area with the shopping areas and the university. However, you really can't rely on it to explore the region and you should have your own vehicle.

Is Daytona Beach or Fairbanks a more walkable city?

Neither Daytona Beach or Fairbanks are walkable places.

Daytona Beach is not a walkable beach city. This area requires a car if you want to access restaurants, nightlife, or anything away from your hotel.

Fairbanks is not a very walkable beach city. The city was built for cars and there are very few walkable areas around town.

For even more information, also check out Is Daytona Beach Worth Visiting? and Is Fairbanks Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Fairbanks or Daytona Beach?

How long in Daytona Beach or Fairbanks?

It's fun to spend time in either Daytona Beach or Fairbanks. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Fairbanks due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 7 days is a good amount of time for Daytona Beach, and 2-4 days is enough time in Fairbanks.

Families should spend more time in Fairbanks than Daytona Beach. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Fairbanks, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Fairbanks than Daytona Beach if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Fairbanks.

One day in Daytona Beach or Fairbanks?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the beach city of Daytona Beach. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the remote destination of Fairbanks. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Daytona Beach or Fairbanks?

You'll find live music and nightlife around the fun destination of Daytona Beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This beach city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Fairbanks. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Daytona Beach or Fairbanks?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the energetic beach city of Daytona Beach. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the remote destination of Fairbanks. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

A week in Daytona Beach or Fairbanks?

Daytona Beach is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find museums and shopping around the beautiful city of Fairbanks. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Daytona Beach or Fairbanks?

Daytona Beach has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Fairbanks. When comparing the sizes of Daytona Beach and Fairbanks, 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 Daytona Beach or Fairbanks?

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 Daytona Beach or Fairbanks in the Summer?

Both Fairbanks and Daytona Beach during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Daytona Beach because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Fairbanks this time of year.

Daytona Beach is much warmer than Fairbanks in the summer. The daily temperature in Daytona Beach averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Fairbanks fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Daytona Beach. Daytona Beach usually gets more rain in July than Fairbanks. Daytona Beach gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 2 inches (51 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Fairbanks in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Daytona Beach and Fairbanks. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Daytona Beach this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Fairbanks for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Fairbanks. In the autumn, Daytona Beach is much warmer than Fairbanks. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Daytona Beach in October average around 74°F (23°C), and Fairbanks averages at about 27°F (-3°C).

Daytona Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Daytona Beach usually receives more rain than Fairbanks. Daytona Beach gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Fairbanks in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Daytona Beach as well as Fairbanks. Many travelers come to Daytona Beach for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Fairbanks in the winter for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Fairbanks can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Daytona Beach is generally much warmer than Fairbanks. Daily temperatures in Daytona Beach average around 58°F (14°C), and Fairbanks fluctuates around -9°F (-23°C).

Daytona Beach usually gets more rain in January than Fairbanks. Daytona Beach gets 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Fairbanks in the Spring?

Both Fairbanks and Daytona Beach are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Daytona Beach in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Fairbanks for the natural beauty during these months.

Fairbanks can be very cold during spring. Daytona Beach is much warmer than Fairbanks in the spring. The daily temperature in Daytona Beach averages around 69°F (21°C) in April, and Fairbanks fluctuates around 32°F (0°C).

In April, Daytona Beach usually receives more rain than Fairbanks. Daytona Beach gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Fairbanks and Daytona Beach