Which place is cheaper, Tampa or Duck Key?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Duck Key or Tampa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Duck Key and Tampa can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Duck Key or Tampa?
Duck Key
If you are thirsty for the taste of tropical splendor, Duck Key, Florida will surely quench your desires. Located in Monroe County, Florida, right beside its neighbor Conch Key, Duck Key stands. The community is chock full of everyone's favorite seaside activities, including fishing, jetskiing, scuba diving, canoeing, and kayaking. Though a quaint town, Duck Key attracts tourists from all over due to its quiet beaches and friendly locals. Whether you are looking to meet and greet with the dolphins or simply lie upon the sandy white beaches as the fire orange sun sets before you, Duck Key is truly a sweet and small subtropical diversion.
Tampa
On the north shore of Tampa Bay, across the water from Saint Peterburg, is the city of Tampa. The city has a population of almost 350,000. The metropolitan area includes Tampa, St. Peterburg, and Clearwater. It has about 2.9 million residents and is the second largest metropolitan area in the state. The city is a popular destination for outdoor activities and in 2008 it was ranked the 5th best outdoor city by Forbes.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDuck Key $143Tampa $179
The average daily cost (per person) in Duck Key is $143, while the average daily cost in Tampa is $179. 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 Duck Key and Tampa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDuck Key $56Tampa $85
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDuck Key $112Tampa $170
Compare Hotels in Duck Key and Tampa
Looking for a hotel in Duck Key or Tampa? 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: Tampa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Duck Key $69Tampa $69
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tampa
Also for Tampa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer to/from Tampa Airport (TPA): $69
- Tampa hotels to Tampa Bay Cruise Port-Departure Private Transfer : $50
- Tampa Bay Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Tampa hotels: $300
- Tampa Bay Cruise Port to Tampa hotels - Arrival Private Transfer : $50
- Tampa Bay Cruise Port to Tampa Hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $100
- Tampa Airport to Tampa Bay Cruise Port Private Arrival Transfer: $50
- Tampa Airport (TPA): Transfer tо Tampa Bay Cruise Port: $300
- Tampa Airport (TPA): Private Transfer to Tampa hotel/address: $202
- Tampa Airport (TPA) to Lakeland / Winter Haven - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $107
- Tampa Airport (TPA) to Lakeland / Winter Haven - Arrival Private Transfer: $53
- Private transfer from Tampa airport To Zephyrhills, FL: $155
- Private Transfer from Tampa Airport to Clearwater: $120
Is it cheaper to fly into Duck Key or Tampa?
Prices for flights to both Tampa and Duck Key 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 dayDuck Key $45Tampa $53
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tampa
For Tampa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Class near Disney in Tampa Florida: $88
- Ybor City Food Tour On Sundays: $89
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Duck Key $30Tampa $20
Tours and Activities in Tampa
For Tampa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Tampa Terrors Ghost Tour By US Ghost Adventures: $30
- 1.5-hour Dolphin Sightseeing Cruise from Tampa: $31
- 2 Hour Guided Segway Tour: $69
- Adventure Island Water Park Ticket: $62
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Admission Ticket: $86
- Discover Tampa with Local Stories from a Virtual Tour: $30
- Downtown Tampa Historic Walking Tour: $30
- Escape to Paradise: Private Island Boat Adventure in Tampa: $630
- Ghost Hunters Paranormal Ghost Tour: $39
- Ghost Investigation Tour Interactive Paranormal Experience 18Plus: $35
- Ghost Investigation Tours with Interactive Paranormal Experience: $35
- Guided Tampa Sightseeing Tour in 2023 Street Legal Golf Cart: $41
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDuck Key $7.99Tampa $26
Sample the Local Flavors in Tampa
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tampa:
- Tampa Bar Crawl on a 2023 Street Legal Golf Cart: $40
- Haunted Pub Crawl: $40
- Ybor City Private Brewery Tour by Custom Golf Cart: $200
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Duck Key and Tampa, we can see that Tampa is more expensive. And not only is Duck Key much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Duck Key would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Duck Key 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 Tampa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tampa than you might in Duck Key.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Duck Key Expensive? and Is Tampa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Duck Key or Tampa?
Tampa has a larger population, and is about 660 times larger than the population of Duck Key. When comparing the sizes of Duck Key and Tampa, 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 Duck Key or Tampa?
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 Duck Key or Tampa in the Summer?
Both Tampa and Duck Key are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Tampa because of the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Duck Key is around the same temperature as Tampa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Duck Key in July average around 84°F (29°C), and Tampa averages at about 82°F (28°C).
It's quite sunny in Tampa. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Duck Key. Duck Key usually receives more sunshine than Tampa during summer. Duck Key gets 328 hours of sunny skies, while Tampa receives 265 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Tampa. In July, Duck Key usually receives less rain than Tampa. Duck Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Tampa receives 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDuck Key 84°F (29°C)Tampa 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Duck Key or Tampa in the Autumn?
Both Tampa and Duck Key during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the city's sights and attractions are the main draw to Tampa this time of year.
In October, Duck Key is generally a little warmer than Tampa. Daily temperatures in Duck Key average around 80°F (27°C), and Tampa fluctuates around 75°F (24°C).
In Tampa, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Duck Key. In the autumn, Duck Key often gets more sunshine than Tampa. Duck Key gets 258 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tampa receives 234 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Duck Key. Duck Key usually gets more rain in October than Tampa. Duck Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Tampa receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDuck Key 80°F (27°C)Tampa 75°F (24°C)
Should I visit Duck Key or Tampa in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Duck Key and Tampa. Also, many travelers come to Tampa for the cuisine.
Duck Key is a little warmer than Tampa in the winter. The daily temperature in Duck Key averages around 70°F (21°C) in January, and Tampa fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tampa this time of the year. In Duck Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. Duck Key usually receives more sunshine than Tampa during winter. Duck Key gets 252 hours of sunny skies, while Tampa receives 200 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Duck Key usually receives less rain than Tampa. Duck Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Tampa receives 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDuck Key 70°F (21°C)Tampa 60°F (15°C)
Should I visit Duck Key or Tampa in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Duck Key as well as Tampa. Also, many visitors come to Tampa in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.
In the spring, Duck Key is a little warmer than Tampa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Duck Key in April average around 77°F (25°C), and Tampa averages at about 71°F (22°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tampa. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Duck Key this time of the year. In the spring, Duck Key often gets more sunshine than Tampa. Duck Key gets 326 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tampa receives 299 hours of full sun.
Duck Key usually gets less rain in April than Tampa. Duck Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Tampa receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDuck Key 77°F (25°C)Tampa 71°F (22°C)
Typical Weather for Tampa and Duck Key
| Duck Key | Tampa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 70°F (21°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 60°F (15°C) | 2.3 inches (59 mm) |
| Feb | 71°F (21°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) | 61°F (16°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Mar | 74°F (23°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) | 67°F (19°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Apr | 77°F (25°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) | 71°F (22°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| May | 81°F (27°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| Jun | 83°F (28°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 6.5 inches (165 mm) |
| Jul | 84°F (29°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 82°F (28°C) | 8.4 inches (214 mm) |
| Aug | 84°F (29°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 82°F (28°C) | 8 inches (203 mm) |
| Sep | 83°F (29°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 6.3 inches (161 mm) |
| Oct | 80°F (27°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 75°F (24°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) |
| Nov | 76°F (24°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Dec | 72°F (22°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 2.2 inches (56 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.