Which place is cheaper, Sarasota or Daytona Beach?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Daytona Beach vs. Sarasota for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Daytona Beach or Sarasota?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Daytona Beach or Sarasota? 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.
Where Should I go: Daytona Beach or Sarasota?
Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach, Florida, located on the Atlantic coast, is a wildly popular tourist destination for people from all over the world due to great beaches, spring break fun, and NASCAR races. Tourists come to enjoy the warm Florida weather, the beautiful beaches, the activities, the boardwalk, the nightlife, and many other things the city has to offer. The beaches around Daytona are famous for their hard-packed sand, which makes them easy for cars to drive on. For this reason, Daytona has a history of automobile racing, and is home to dozens of races that take place throughout the year, the most famous of which is the Daytona 500. Naturally, Daytona is also home to NASCAR headquarters. But it's so much more than just a race destination, as it's also a fun and family-friendly destination that attractions a wide range of visitors.
Sarasota
Located on the Gulf Coast of southwest Florida, Sarasota is a popular city known for its thriving arts scene, selection of restaurants, plenty of shopping, and beautiful beaches. The metropolitan area is a hub of city culture, while the beaches offer escapes of fine white sand and aqua waters.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDaytona Beach $211Sarasota $249
The average daily cost (per person) in Daytona Beach is $211, while the average daily cost in Sarasota is $249. 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 Daytona Beach and Sarasota in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDaytona Beach $84Sarasota $108
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDaytona Beach $168Sarasota $216
Compare Hotels in Daytona Beach and Sarasota
Looking for a hotel in Daytona Beach or Sarasota? 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.
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: Daytona Beach Hotel Prices and Sarasota Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Daytona Beach $53Sarasota -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Daytona Beach
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Daytona Beach:
- Private Transfer from Daytona to Orlando (MCO) Airport: $332
- Private Transfer from New Smyrna Beach to Orlando (MCO) Airport: $332
- Private Transfer from Daytona to Port Canaveral: $316
- Private Transfer from New Smyrna Beach to Port Canaveral: $240
- Private Transfer from Daytona to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport: $200
- Private Transfer from New Smyrna Beach to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport: $185
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sarasota
Also for Sarasota, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Arrival Transfer from Sarasota Airport SRQ: $32
- Private Departure Transfer to Sarasota Airport SRQ: $32
- Sarasota to Sarasota–Bradenton Intl. Airport (SRQ) - Departure Private Transfer: $48
- Sarasota–Bradenton Intl. Airport (SRQ) to Sarasota - Arrival Private Transfer: $48
- Sarasota–Bradenton Airport (SRQ) to Sarasota Round-Trip Transfer: $96
- Round-Trip Transfer from Sarasota to the Mall at UTC: $130
- Private Transfer to Tampa International Airport: $171
- Private Transfer to Southwest Florida Airport: $224
- Private Transfer from Longboat Key to Orlando (MCO) Airport: $442
- Private Transfer from Anna Maria to Orlando (MCO) Airport: $479
- Private Transfer from Longboat Key to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport: $541
- Private Transfer from Anna Maria to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport: $541
Is it cheaper to fly into Daytona Beach or Sarasota?
Prices for flights to both Sarasota and Daytona Beach 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
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Food Meals for one dayDaytona Beach $80Sarasota $137
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Daytona Beach
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Daytona Beach.
- Polynesian Fire and Dinner Show Ticket in Daytona Beach: $53
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sarasota
For Sarasota, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Taste of Downtown Food Tour: $105
- Downtown Walking Food Tour in Sarasota: $110
- Sarasota Electric Bike and Food Tour : $125
- Sarasota Kayak and Food Tour: $165
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Daytona Beach $28Sarasota $11
Tours and Activities in Daytona Beach
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Daytona Beach are as follows:
- St. Johns River Nature Cruise at Blue Spring State Park : $28
- Guided Kayaking or Standup Paddling Tour: $65
- Dolphin and Manatee Kayak Tour of Daytona Beach: $65
- Dolphin and Manatee Stand Up Paddleboard Tour in Daytona Beach: $65
- Guided Wildlife Eco Kayak Tour in New Smyrna Beach: $45
- New Smyrna Dolphin and Manatee Adventure Tour: $65
- Orlando Manatee and Natural Spring Adventure Tour at Blue Springs: $65
- Small-Group Sailing Tour in Daytona Beach: $79
- The Great Daytona Wine Bar Tour: $40
- Wildlife Tour of Indian River Lagoon with Experienced Captain: $32
- Zipline Adventure through Tuscawilla Park: $59
Tours and Activities in Sarasota
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sarasota.
- Sarasota Art Crawl Trolley Tour: $14
- Sharkey's LED illuminated Night & Sunset Tour on Glass Bottom Kayaks in Sarasota: $55
- Nature Preserve Mangrove Tunnel Adventure on Glass Bottom Kayaks in Sarasota: $55
- Paddleboard Tour Through Lido Mangrove Tunnels: $55
- Anna Maria Island Paddleboard Tours: $55
- Siesta Key Kayak Tour : $57
- Public Art Tour: $58
- Sarasota Guided Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Tour: $59
- Siesta Key Guided Eco Tour: $59
- Kayak Tour through Mangrove Tunnels: $59
- Sarasota Mangrove Tunnel Guided Kayak Adventure: $59
- Kayak Paddling Experience at The Bay Park: $61
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDaytona Beach $43Sarasota -
Sample the Local Flavors in Daytona Beach
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Daytona Beach:
- Dive Bar Bus Crawl from Daytona Beach: $40
- Florida Man’s Wild Ride (Private Jeep Bar Crawl): $340
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Daytona Beach and Sarasota, we can see that Sarasota 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 Sarasota would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sarasota than you might in Daytona Beach.
Which is Bigger, Daytona Beach or Sarasota?
Daytona Beach is bigger, and its population is about 21% larger than the population of Sarasota. When comparing the population of Daytona Beach vs. Sarasota, 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 and the activities that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Daytona Beach or Sarasota?
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 Sarasota in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Daytona Beach as well as Sarasota. Most visitors come to Daytona Beach for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Daytona Beach is generally around the same temperature as Sarasota. Daily temperatures in Daytona Beach average around 81°F (27°C), and Sarasota fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).
It's quite rainy in Sarasota. Daytona Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Daytona Beach usually gets less rain in July than Sarasota. Daytona Beach gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Sarasota receives 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDaytona Beach 81°F (27°C)Sarasota 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Daytona Beach or Sarasota in the Autumn?
Both Sarasota and Daytona Beach are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Daytona Beach because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
Daytona Beach is around the same temperature as Sarasota in the autumn. The daily temperature in Daytona Beach averages around 74°F (23°C) in October, and Sarasota fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).
It's quite rainy in Daytona Beach. In October, Daytona Beach usually receives more rain than Sarasota. Daytona Beach gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Sarasota receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDaytona Beach 74°F (23°C)Sarasota 76°F (24°C)
Should I visit Daytona Beach or Sarasota in the Winter?
Both Sarasota and Daytona Beach during the winter are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Daytona Beach this time of year.
In the winter, Daytona Beach is around the same temperature as Sarasota. Typically, the winter temperatures in Daytona Beach in January average around 58°F (14°C), and Sarasota averages at about 59°F (15°C).
Daytona Beach usually gets more rain in January than Sarasota. Daytona Beach gets 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain, while Sarasota receives 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDaytona Beach 58°F (14°C)Sarasota 59°F (15°C)
Should I visit Daytona Beach or Sarasota in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Daytona Beach and Sarasota. Many travelers come to Daytona Beach for the beaches and the activities around the city.
In April, Daytona Beach is generally around the same temperature as Sarasota. Daily temperatures in Daytona Beach average around 69°F (21°C), and Sarasota fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
In April, Daytona Beach usually receives around the same amount of rain as Sarasota. Daytona Beach gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Sarasota receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDaytona Beach 69°F (21°C)Sarasota 73°F (23°C)
Typical Weather for Sarasota and Daytona Beach
| Daytona Beach | Sarasota | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 58°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) | 59°F (15°C) | 2.3 inches (59 mm) |
| Feb | 59°F (15°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Mar | 65°F (18°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) | 67°F (20°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Apr | 69°F (21°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| May | 75°F (24°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| Jun | 80°F (26°C) | 6 inches (152 mm) | 82°F (28°C) | 6.5 inches (165 mm) |
| Jul | 81°F (27°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) | 82°F (28°C) | 8.4 inches (214 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 6.2 inches (157 mm) | 82°F (28°C) | 8 inches (203 mm) |
| Sep | 80°F (26°C) | 6.3 inches (161 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 6.3 inches (161 mm) |
| Oct | 74°F (23°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) |
| Nov | 66°F (19°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 69°F (20°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Dec | 60°F (16°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
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Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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