A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Daytona Beach vs. Saint Augustine for Nightlife, Food, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit Daytona Beach or Saint Augustine?

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

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Saint Augustine? 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 energetic, lively, and fun beach city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and beaches.

Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine is a colonial, historic, and notable city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Daytona Beach and Saint Augustine: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Daytona Beach or Saint Augustine?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Daytona Beach than Saint Augustine, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Daytona Beach is better known for its nightlife, music, resorts, and big city activities, while Saint Augustine is more popular for its museums, food, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Daytona Beach is more touristy than Saint Augustine and is known for its spring break culture, wild parties, and the Daytona 500 NASCAR race. Also, Daytona Beach is famous for The Daytona International Speedway. Saint Augustine is well known for being the oldest consistently inhabited city in the United States.

How is Daytona Beach different from Saint Augustine?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Saint Augustine is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Daytona Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Saint Augustine offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. It's history is brought to life with many monuments and museums. The Lightner Museum, the Old Jail Museum, the Lincolnville Museum, and Castillo De San Marcos are among the city's most notable sights. Also worth a visit is the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum.

Daytona Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Saint Augustine is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its restaurants.

Dining out in Saint Augustine is an experience not to be missed. The food scene is influenced by the long history of the city. You'll find flavors that are influenced by Spanish, African, and Native American cultures. There are several popular dishes around town such as fried shrimp, clam chowder, and shrimp and grits.

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 Saint Augustine Better for Nightlife?

Daytona Beach is very popular for nightlife. Also, Saint Augustine is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

Daytona Beach is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Saint Augustine has a few options to choose from. There are wineries, pubs, live music venues, and a number of activities that take advantage of the outdoor setting.

Is Daytona Beach or Saint Augustine Better for Music?

Daytona Beach is a nice place to visit for live music. However, Saint Augustine is not a live music destination.

The music scene helps keep Daytona Beach active and fun. You can see live music at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Bandshell and The Roof.

Saint Augustine is not a live music destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Saint Augustine Better for Resorts?

Daytona Beach is a beach city with a few options for its resorts. However, Saint Augustine is not a resort destination.

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.

Saint Augustine is not a resort destination.

Is Daytona Beach or Saint Augustine Better for Beaches?

Saint Augustine 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.

Saint Augustine is considered a top beach destination. Head to the beach to relax and swim. There are miles of sandy beach nearby, with some of the most popular being Ponte Vedra Beach, known for its golf courses, Vilano Beach, with its charming atmosphere, and the scenic Anastasia State Park.

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 Daytona Beach or Saint Augustine Better for its Old Town?

Saint Augustine is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. However, Daytona Beach does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Saint Augustine can be explored in its historical center. As the longest running, continuously occupied city in the United States, the Historic Downtown is at the heart of the city. It's filled with quaint restaurants, historic hotels, and charming streets. You can take carriage rides or wander through the historic sites. Many of the buildings date back to the 1700s and offer a glimpse into Florida's past.

Daytona Beach does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Daytona Beach or Saint Augustine?

Saint Augustine is a well-known place for its shopping areas. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Saint Augustine. The Historic Downtown has unique art galleries and boutiques. St. George Street is the perfect place to pick up a souvenir and Aviles Street is the oldest street in the United States. It's also filled with artisan boutiques. Plaza de la Constitución is known for its long running public market and it often has live entertainment.

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 Saint Augustine Better for Families?

Saint Augustine is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its kid-friendly activities.

Saint Augustine is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Alligator Farm but there's also a surprisingly fascinating archaeological park - The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. The Colonial Quarter is fun for all ages as well, as is a visit to Fort Castillo De San Marcos. If you have some time, head outside of town to the Marineland Dolphin Adventure, which is well worth the trip.

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 Saint Augustine Better for Couples?

Saint Augustine is a well-known place for couples. Also, Daytona Beach is not as famous, but is still a good beach city to visit for romance.

Saint Augustine is a very popular place to visit for couples. The Ancient City has a charm that is unique in Florida. There is beautiful architecture and a historical atmosphere that is romantic and genuine. You can enjoy a carriage ride and then sample some local cuisine before heading to the beach.

Daytona Beach is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Is Daytona Beach or Saint Augustine Better for Students?

Daytona Beach is very popular for students. However, Saint Augustine is not popular with students.

Daytona Beach is a great destination for students. 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.

Saint Augustine is not popular with students.

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

Saint Augustine is a moderate city for its public transit. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally limited in Saint Augustine. The Old Town Trolley travels through the historic center. There's also a bus service through the region, but you really need a private vehicle to explore everything.

Public transit is quite limited 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.

Is Daytona Beach or Saint Augustine a more walkable city?

Saint Augustine is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. However, Daytona Beach is not a good beach city for its walkability.

Saint Augustine is a very walkable destination. It's one of the more walkable cities in the area. Downtown, Uptown, and even near the beach have accessible areas with sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly zones.

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 Saint Augustine Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saint Augustine or Daytona Beach?

How long in Daytona Beach or Saint Augustine?

It's fun to spend time in either Daytona Beach or Saint Augustine. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Saint Augustine due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 7 days is a good amount of time for Daytona Beach, and 3-4 days is enough time in Saint Augustine.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine.

One day in Daytona Beach or Saint Augustine?

The energetic destination of Daytona Beach offers nightlife and live music. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the notable destination of Saint Augustine. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 Saint Augustine?

The beach city of Daytona Beach offers live music and nightlife. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Augustine. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Saint Augustine?

Daytona Beach is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. This beach city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the notable destination of Saint Augustine. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting 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 Saint Augustine?

Many people enjoy the live music and nightlife when visiting Daytona Beach. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Saint Augustine. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 Saint Augustine, we can see that Daytona Beach is more expensive. And not only is Saint Augustine much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint Augustine would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Augustine 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 Daytona Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Daytona Beach than you might in Saint Augustine.

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 Saint Augustine Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Daytona Beach or Saint Augustine?

Daytona Beach has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Saint Augustine. When comparing the sizes of Daytona Beach and Saint Augustine, 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 Saint Augustine?

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 Daytona Beach or Saint Augustine in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Daytona Beach and Saint Augustine. Many travelers come to Daytona Beach for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Saint Augustine in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Daytona Beach is around the same temperature as Saint Augustine. Typically, the summer temperatures in Daytona Beach in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Saint Augustine averages at about 82°F (28°C).

Saint Augustine receives a lot of rain in the summer. Daytona Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Daytona Beach usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint Augustine. Daytona Beach gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Saint Augustine in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Daytona Beach as well as Saint Augustine. Many visitors come to Daytona Beach in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Additionally, most visitors come to Saint Augustine for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Daytona Beach is generally around the same temperature as Saint Augustine. Daily temperatures in Daytona Beach average around 74°F (23°C), and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

Daytona Beach receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Daytona Beach usually gets more rain in October than Saint Augustine. Daytona Beach gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Saint Augustine is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Saint Augustine in the Winter?

Both Saint Augustine and Daytona Beach are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Daytona Beach for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Saint Augustine because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Daytona Beach is a little warmer than Saint Augustine in the winter. The daily temperature in Daytona Beach averages around 58°F (14°C) in January, and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

In January, Daytona Beach usually receives less rain than Saint Augustine. Daytona Beach gets 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Saint Augustine in the Spring?

Both Saint Augustine and Daytona Beach during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Daytona Beach because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Saint Augustine this time of year.

In the spring, Daytona Beach is around the same temperature as Saint Augustine. Typically, the spring temperatures in Daytona Beach in April average around 69°F (21°C), and Saint Augustine averages at about 68°F (20°C).

Daytona Beach usually gets less rain in April than Saint Augustine. Daytona Beach gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Saint Augustine is June to November.

Typical Weather for Saint Augustine and Daytona Beach