Which place is cheaper, Valdosta or Daytona Beach?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Daytona Beach or Valdosta?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Daytona Beach or Valdosta? 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 Valdosta?
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.
Valdosta
Valdosta is a fast-growing city located in Southern Georgia in the United States. With a humid, subtropical climate, Valdosta is sometimes called the Azalea City, as the blossoms thrive in the area. The city is also home to many museums, galleries, restaurants, and venues for entertainment, as well as Valdosta State University.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDaytona Beach $211Valdosta $136
The average daily cost (per person) in Daytona Beach is $211, while the average daily cost in Valdosta is $136. 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 Valdosta in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDaytona Beach $84Valdosta $70
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDaytona Beach $168Valdosta $140
Compare Hotels in Daytona Beach and Valdosta
Looking for a hotel in Daytona Beach or Valdosta? 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 Valdosta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Daytona Beach $53Valdosta $34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Daytona Beach
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Daytona Beach:
- Private Transfer from New Smyrna Beach to Port Canaveral: $239
- Private Transfer from Daytona to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport: $200
- Private Transfer from New Smyrna Beach to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport: $185
Is it cheaper to fly into Daytona Beach or Valdosta?
Prices for flights to both Valdosta 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 $80Valdosta $45
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Daytona Beach $28Valdosta $19
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
- 2 Hour Coastal Discovery Cruise: $75
- 2-Hour Glass Bottom Guided Eco Tour in Flagler County-Small-group: $85
- 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
- Electric Bike Tour of New Smyrna Beach: $115
- Guided Wildlife Eco Kayak Tour in New Smyrna Beach: $45
- Half Day Coastal Fun Cruise in Florida: $200
- New Smyrna Dolphin and Manatee Kayak and SUP Adventure Tour: $65
- Orlando Manatee and Natural Spring Adventure Tour at Blue Springs: $65
- Ormond Beach Manatee and Nature Tour Kayaking or Paddle Boarding: $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDaytona Beach $43Valdosta $27
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: $38
- Dive Bar Bus Crawl from Daytona Beach: $40
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Daytona Beach and Valdosta, we can see that Daytona Beach is more expensive. And not only is Valdosta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Valdosta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Valdosta 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 Valdosta.
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 Valdosta Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Daytona Beach or Valdosta?
Daytona Beach has a larger population, and is about 42% larger than the population of Valdosta. When comparing the sizes of Daytona Beach and Valdosta, 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 Valdosta?
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 Valdosta in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Daytona Beach as well as Valdosta. The summer months attract visitors to Daytona Beach because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Daytona Beach is generally around the same temperature as Valdosta. Daily temperatures in Daytona Beach average around 81°F (27°C), and Valdosta fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).
It's quite rainy in Valdosta. Daytona Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Daytona Beach usually gets less rain in July than Valdosta. Daytona Beach gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Valdosta receives 8.9 inches (227 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDaytona Beach 81°F (27°C)Valdosta 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Daytona Beach or Valdosta in the Autumn?
Both Valdosta and Daytona Beach are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Daytona Beach this time of year.
Daytona Beach is a little warmer than Valdosta in the autumn. The daily temperature in Daytona Beach averages around 74°F (23°C) in October, and Valdosta fluctuates around 69°F (20°C).
It's quite rainy in Daytona Beach. In October, Daytona Beach usually receives more rain than Valdosta. Daytona Beach gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Valdosta receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDaytona Beach 74°F (23°C)Valdosta 69°F (20°C)
Should I visit Daytona Beach or Valdosta in the Winter?
Both Valdosta and Daytona Beach during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Daytona Beach for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
In the winter, Daytona Beach is a little warmer than Valdosta. Typically, the winter temperatures in Daytona Beach in January average around 58°F (14°C), and Valdosta averages at about 51°F (11°C).
Daytona Beach usually gets less rain in January than Valdosta. Daytona Beach gets 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain, while Valdosta receives 3.7 inches (95 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDaytona Beach 58°F (14°C)Valdosta 51°F (11°C)
Should I visit Daytona Beach or Valdosta in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Daytona Beach and Valdosta. Many visitors come to Daytona Beach in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.
In April, Daytona Beach is generally around the same temperature as Valdosta. Daily temperatures in Daytona Beach average around 69°F (21°C), and Valdosta fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).
Valdosta receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Daytona Beach usually receives less rain than Valdosta. Daytona Beach gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Valdosta receives 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDaytona Beach 69°F (21°C)Valdosta 67°F (19°C)
Typical Weather for Valdosta and Daytona Beach
| Daytona Beach | Valdosta | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 58°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) | 51°F (11°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) |
| Feb | 59°F (15°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) |
| Mar | 65°F (18°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) | 60°F (16°C) | 5.9 inches (151 mm) |
| Apr | 69°F (21°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) | 67°F (19°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) |
| May | 75°F (24°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) |
| Jun | 80°F (26°C) | 6 inches (152 mm) | 80°F (27°C) | 6.6 inches (168 mm) |
| Jul | 81°F (27°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) | 82°F (28°C) | 8.9 inches (227 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 6.2 inches (157 mm) | 82°F (28°C) | 6.9 inches (175 mm) |
| Sep | 80°F (26°C) | 6.3 inches (161 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 6.7 inches (169 mm) |
| Oct | 74°F (23°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) | 69°F (20°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
| Nov | 66°F (19°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 60°F (16°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Dec | 60°F (16°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) |
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.