A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Daytona Beach vs. Hilton Head Island for Families, Resorts, Beaches, and Food

Should you visit Daytona Beach or Hilton Head Island?

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

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Hilton Head Island? 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.

Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island is a relaxing, peaceful, and beautiful coastal town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include shopping, food, and beaches.

Daytona Beach and Hilton Head Island: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Daytona Beach or Hilton Head Island?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Daytona Beach. Although Daytona Beach and Hilton Head Island are popular destinations, Daytona Beach has more sights and attractions for tourists. Daytona Beach is very popular for its nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Hilton Head Island attracts visitors for its food, resorts, beaches, shopping, and impressive beauty. Daytona Beach is more touristy than Hilton Head Island 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. Hilton Head Island is famous for its long sandy beaches, many golf courses, popular tennis camps, and accessible bike trails.

How is Daytona Beach different from Hilton Head Island?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is the Food Better in Daytona Beach or Hilton Head Island? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Hilton Head Island is a popular place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its restaurants.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Hilton Head Island area. The island has many famous restaurants but reservations during the summer are a must. Restaurants can get very crowded during peak times. For some of the best restaurants head to Shelter Cove or Harbour Town. Popular local dishes include fried seafood and oysters.

Daytona Beach offers some easy restaurants to choose from. This beach is more about the parties and drinks than it is about the food.

Is Daytona Beach or Hilton Head Island Better for Nightlife?

Daytona Beach is terrific for its evening party scene. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Daytona Beach is a must-see party destination. 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 Hilton Head Island. There are a few sports bars and comedy clubs, but nightlife isn't really a thing in Hilton Head. This is very much a family destination that shuts down with the sunset.

Is Daytona Beach or Hilton Head Island Better for Music?

Daytona Beach is very good for its music scene. However, Hilton Head Island is not a live music destination.

Music lovers will find a few good venues in Daytona Beach. You can see live music at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Bandshell and The Roof.

Hilton Head Island is not a live music destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Hilton Head Island Better for Resorts?

Hilton Head Island is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its luxury resorts.

Hilton Head Island is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Most of the accommodation in the area is in the form of weekly condo rentals, which usually include a pool and outdoor space. Tennis and golf are also popular on the island so many resorts have facilities for each.

Daytona Beach has a few resort options worth checking out. 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.

Is Daytona Beach or Hilton Head Island Better for Beaches?

Hilton Head Island is a well-known place for the beach. Also, Daytona Beach is not as famous, but is still a good beach city to visit for its beaches.

Hilton Head Island is considered a top beach destination. The island has nice beaches that are popular with families. They are great for swimming during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. While some beaches may get a bit crowded during peak holidays, they're usually pretty relaxed and less crowded than many nearby beaches.

Many people head to Daytona Beach to enjoy the beach. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Daytona Beach or Hilton Head Island?

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

Many visitors go to Hilton Head Island to go shopping. The area has upscale shopping with designer names and local venues. Popular shopping areas include Shelter Cove Town Center and Harbor Town.

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 Hilton Head Island Better for Families?

Hilton Head Island is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Hilton Head Island is a very family-friendly destination. This area is a popular family-friendly beach destination with a number of summer events for the whole family, peaceful beaches, and family-friendly restaurants throughout. Older kids will enjoy cycling around the island's many bike trails or attending a popular tennis camp.

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 Hilton Head Island Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Daytona Beach and Hilton Head Island 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.

Hilton Head Island is a nice destination for couples. While the area is most popular with families, it is a fun place to explore as a couple because of the many high end restaurants and the beautiful setting. Couples can rent bikes to explore or play a friendly game of tennis.

Is Daytona Beach or Hilton Head Island Better for Students?

Daytona Beach is terrific for its student-friendly activities. However, Hilton Head Island is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit 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.

Hilton Head Island is not popular with students.

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

Neither Daytona Beach or Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island. You must have a car to get most places on the island, unless you bike. Rush hour during summer months can have intense traffic.

Is Daytona Beach or Hilton Head Island a more walkable city?

Hilton Head Island is a moderate coastal town for its ease of walking around. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its walkability.

Hilton Head Island is generally not very walkable. You really need a car to get around, but for those who are motivated, there is a great network of bike trails. It's mostly used for recreational purposes though.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Hilton Head Island or Daytona Beach?

How long in Daytona Beach or Hilton Head Island?

Both Daytona Beach and Hilton Head Island have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Hilton Head Island than in Daytona Beach. Usually, 7 days is a good amount of time for Daytona Beach, and 5-7 days is enough time in Hilton Head Island.

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

Couples should spend more time in Hilton Head Island than Daytona Beach. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Hilton Head Island that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island.

One day in Daytona Beach or Hilton Head Island?

Visitors enjoy the live music and nightlife when visiting the fun destination of Daytona Beach. This beach city offers something for everyone. Most people visit for the nightlife. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the peaceful destination of Hilton Head Island. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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 Hilton Head Island?

Daytona Beach is a popular place to visit. Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the party-hard beach city of Daytona Beach. Most people visit for the nightlife. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hilton Head Island. Most people come for the beaches. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Five days in Daytona Beach or Hilton Head Island?

Visitors enjoy the live music and nightlife when visiting the destination of Daytona Beach. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people visit for the nightlife. With so much to do, five days is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the resort-filled destination of Hilton Head Island. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A week in Daytona Beach or Hilton Head Island?

Daytona Beach is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. It offers something for everyone. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and food when visiting the coastal town of Hilton Head Island. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. 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 comparing the travel costs between Daytona Beach and Hilton Head Island, we can see that Hilton Head Island 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.

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 Hilton Head Island Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Daytona Beach or Hilton Head Island?

Daytona Beach has a larger population, and is about 88% larger than the population of Hilton Head Island. When comparing the sizes of Daytona Beach and Hilton Head Island, 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 Hilton Head Island?

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 Hilton Head Island in the Summer?

Both Hilton Head Island and Daytona Beach during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Daytona Beach this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Hilton Head Island for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Daytona Beach is around the same temperature as Hilton Head Island in the summer. The daily temperature in Daytona Beach averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Hilton Head Island fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

Hilton Head Island gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Daytona Beach. Daytona Beach usually gets less rain in July than Hilton Head Island. Daytona Beach gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Hilton Head Island receives 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Hilton Head Island in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Daytona Beach and Hilton Head Island. Many travelers come to Daytona Beach for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, many visitors come to Hilton Head Island in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Daytona Beach is a little warmer than Hilton Head Island. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Daytona Beach in October average around 74°F (23°C), and Hilton Head Island averages at about 68°F (20°C).

Daytona Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Daytona Beach usually receives more rain than Hilton Head Island. Daytona Beach gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Hilton Head Island receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Hilton Head Island in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Daytona Beach as well as Hilton Head Island. Many visitors come to Daytona Beach in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Hilton Head Island for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Daytona Beach is generally much warmer than Hilton Head Island. Daily temperatures in Daytona Beach average around 58°F (14°C), and Hilton Head Island fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

Daytona Beach usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Hilton Head Island. Daytona Beach gets 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain, while Hilton Head Island receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Hilton Head Island in the Spring?

Both Hilton Head Island and Daytona Beach are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Daytona Beach for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Hilton Head Island because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

Daytona Beach is around the same temperature as Hilton Head Island in the spring. The daily temperature in Daytona Beach averages around 69°F (21°C) in April, and Hilton Head Island fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

In April, Daytona Beach usually receives less rain than Hilton Head Island. Daytona Beach gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Hilton Head Island receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hilton Head Island and Daytona Beach