A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Duck vs. San Antonio for Families, Couples, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Duck or San Antonio?

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

Should I visit Duck or San Antonio? 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.

Duck

Duck is a laid-back, traditional, and compact beach town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and food.

San Antonio

San Antonio is a colorful, festive, and fun city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.

Duck and San Antonio: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Nice resorts
  • Popular beach
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Very walkable
  • Small town charm
  • Impressive beauty
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular for nightlife
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Good music scene
  • Scenic old town
  • Popular at Christmas
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less walkable


Is there more to do in Duck or San Antonio?

Both San Antonio and Duck have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Duck is more popular for its resorts, beaches, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while San Antonio is known for its museums, nightlife, music, and historical sights. Duck is more touristy than San Antonio and is known for its quaint atmosphere and small town charm. San Antonio is popular for being the home to the Alamo, the popular RiverWalk area, and several world-class amusement parks.

How is Duck different from San Antonio?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between San Antonio and Duck. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Duck or San Antonio?

Duck
San Antonio

San Antonio is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Duck is not a good beach town for its museums and history.

San Antonio offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. It is known for its role in American history, and the city is famous as the location of the Alamo. It's also where you'll find the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park & Mission Trail, the San Antonio Museum of Art, Witte Museum, and the Guinness World Records Museum, among others.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Duck. Hanging out at the beach and enjoy water sports or outdoor activities are the main draw of this town. You won't find much in the form of museums or indoor activities.


Is the Food Better in Duck or San Antonio? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Duck
San Antonio

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at good restaurants in both Duck and San Antonio.

Duck offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. For such a small town, there's a decent selection of restaurants that range from local seafood eateries to pizza delivery. Homemade ice cream is a favorite in the area, but you also can't skip out on the flagship Duck Donuts store.

San Antonio has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find a mix of amazing and authentic Mexican food, simpler Tex Mex, and a number of Hill Country specialties. The city is filled with comfort food and the restaurants reflect the diverse character of the population. Popular local dishes include tacos, sweet potato fries, and chicken fried steak.

Is Duck or San Antonio Better for Nightlife?

Duck
San Antonio

San Antonio is a popular place for nightlife. However, Duck is not a good beach town for nightlife and partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in San Antonio. The city's nightlife scene is diverse, with dance halls, breweries, and clubs. It has seen a recent boom in dance clubs, so there are plenty of places to party hard, or to have a more relaxing night out. The RiverWalk is at the heart of the city's nightlife scene, particularly for tourists. Many conferences stay at hotels near the RiverWalk, so it's not uncommon to see professionals out and about after a day of networking.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Duck. It's known as a family-friendly destination that isn't often associated with a strong nightlife, but there is often live music and other festivals during the summer months.

Is Duck or San Antonio Better for Music?

Duck
San Antonio

San Antonio is a popular place for live music. However, Duck is not a live music destination.

The music scene in San Antonio is active and vibrant. It's worth checking out The Aztec Theater, Sam's Burger Joint, and 502 Bar.

Duck is not a live music destination.


Is Duck or San Antonio Better for Resorts?

Duck
San Antonio

Duck is a good destination for its resorts. However, San Antonio is not a resort destination.

Duck has a handful of resorts to choose from. Most of the accommodation around town is in the form of vacation beach rental houses that are perfect for family gatherings or larger groups.

San Antonio is not a resort destination.

Is Duck or San Antonio Better for Beaches?

Duck
San Antonio

Duck is an unbeatable place for its beaches. However, San Antonio is not a beach destination.

Duck offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. Long sandy beaches with great surf and a wonderful boardwalk make this a great beach destination. Kids play in the tidal pools and families relax under their beach umbrellas in a classic beach setting.

San Antonio is not a beach destination.

Is Duck or San Antonio Better for its Old Town?

Duck
San Antonio

San Antonio is a popular place for its historic old town. However, Duck does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to San Antonio to see the historical old town. The city is famous for its River Walk, which may feel slightly cheesy, but is still a unique and mesmerizing place to wander.

Duck does not have a historic old town.


Is Duck or San Antonio Better for Hiking?

Duck
San Antonio

Duck is a good destination for its hiking experiences. However, San Antonio is not a hiking destination.

Duck offers some nice hiking trails. The Duck Trail runs for six miles and passes through town. It's popular with walkers, cyclists, and inline skaters.

San Antonio is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Duck or San Antonio?

Duck
San Antonio

Duck is a great destination for shopping. Also, San Antonio is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Duck is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Head to the Waterfront Shops for some of the town's best shopping. You can wander along the boardwalk and check out the independent vendors and local restaurants.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting San Antonio. From souvenir shops to local boutiques and chain stores, there are several shopping options around town. Check out the historic Market Square or the shops at Rivercenter for some of the city's most interesting shopping.

Is Duck or San Antonio Better for Christmas?

Duck
San Antonio

San Antonio is a popular place for its Christmas activities. However, Duck does not offer Christmas activities.

San Antonio is a fun destination over Christmas. It's fun to see the lights along the River Walk at Christmas.

Duck does not offer Christmas activities.


Is Duck or San Antonio Better for Families?

Duck
San Antonio

San Antonio is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Duck is not as famous, but is still a good beach town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, San Antonio is a very family-friendly destination. The RiverWalk is a fun family-friendly area. There's also Six Flags, SeaWorld and the San Antonio Zoo as well as a number of museums and other amusement parks in the area. It's easy to spend days having a great family vacation in this area and you can combine history, culture, and entertainment all in one setting.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Duck is very family-friendly. Kid-friendly beaches, local ice cream joints, and the famed Duck Donuts all make this an ideal kid's beach destination. There's a waterpark nearby and plenty of water sports that the whole family can enjoy. The boardwalk is also a very family-friendly environment.

Is Duck or San Antonio Better for Couples?

Duck
San Antonio

Duck is a great destination for romance. Also, San Antonio is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Duck frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's a charming beach town with great local restaurants and a beautiful and peaceful setting. For couples who want to enjoy a relaxing beach town without the energy of a larger destination, then this is the perfect place. Much of the accommodation is in the form of rental houses, which can be a bit much for a couple, but the setting is perfect for a weekend escape.

San Antonio makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy taking a boat ride and exploring the many sites around town. The RiverWalk has many restaurants and a great atmosphere for a date night. There's also the botanical gardens and many outdoor spaces to explore.

Is Duck or San Antonio Better for Students?

Duck
San Antonio

San Antonio is a popular place for students. However, Duck is not popular with students.

San Antonio is a good city to visit for students. There are a couple of colleges in the area. This is also a major conference destination so it's possible to network and meet other professionals.

Duck is not popular with students.


Is Duck or San Antonio Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Duck
San Antonio

Both Duck and San Antonio offer decent public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Duck. It's best to have a car if you want to exploring the Outer Banks and its many activities.

Public transit is mostly limited in San Antonio. Buses connect most of the city's tourist attractions, but you'll find life much easier if you have your own car.

Is Duck or San Antonio a more walkable city?

Duck
San Antonio

Duck is an unbeatable place for its walkability. However, San Antonio is a city with minimal options for its high level of walkability.

Getting around Duck on foot is easy. It's a wonderfully walkable and pedestrian-friendly town with a great boardwalk and many walking and cycling paths.

San Antonio is generally not a very walkable beach town. If you stick to the downtown area you will be fine getting around on foot. Outside of that area, you'll need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Duck Worth Visiting? and Is San Antonio Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Antonio or Duck?

How long in Duck or San Antonio?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Duck and San Antonio. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Duck than in San Antonio. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Duck, and 2-3 days is enough time in San Antonio.

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

Couples should spend more time in Duck than San Antonio. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Duck that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Antonio than Duck 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 San Antonio.


  • How many days in Duck or San Antonio? Ideal Length of Stay
    Duck 5-7 
    San Antonio 2-3

One day in Duck or San Antonio?

Duck is a small town with plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people visit for the beaches. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of San Antonio. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.


A weekend in Duck or San Antonio?

Duck might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This beach town offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

San Antonio is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Duck or San Antonio?

Even though Duck is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

You'll find food and shopping around the colorful destination of San Antonio. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Duck or San Antonio?

Duck is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Most people come for the beaches. Most people visit for the beaches. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this beach town.

The festive city of San Antonio offers shopping and museums. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.


Which place is cheaper, San Antonio or Duck?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Duck is $188, while the average daily cost in San Antonio is $132. 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 and San Antonio in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Duck $107
    San Antonio $69
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Duck $214
    San Antonio $138
Compare Hotels in Duck and San Antonio

Looking for a hotel in Duck or San Antonio? 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.

Hotels in Duck


Hotels in San Antonio


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: San Antonio Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Duck $66
    San Antonio $20

Typical Local Transportation Prices in San Antonio

Some typical examples of transportation costs in San Antonio are as follows:


  • Rental Car for a Day
    $60

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Antonio

Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Antonio:

  • Private One-way San Antonio Airport Transfer To/From San Antonio: $67
  • Private Round Trip Transfer - San Antonio International Airport (SAT): $93
  • Private Transfer: San Antonio Airport to San Antonio by Sedan, SUV or Minibus : $97
  • Galveston: One-Way Transfer GLS Airport to City: $237

Is it cheaper to fly into Duck or San Antonio?

Prices for flights to both San Antonio and Duck 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Duck $45
    San Antonio $40

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Antonio

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Antonio.

  • The Haunted Dinner Tour: $75

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Duck $13
    San Antonio $36

Typical Entertainment Prices in San Antonio

Here are a few typical costs in San Antonio for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Spa Treatments
    $200

Tours and Activities in San Antonio

Here are a few actual costs in San Antonio for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Self-Guided Ghost Walking Tour: $6.75
  • The Alamo In-App Audio Tour (WITHOUT A TICKET): $10
  • Briscoe Western Art Museum Entry Ticket: $14
  • The Alamo Exhibit Entry Ticket: $14
  • Witte Museum Admission Ticket: $16
  • Tower of the Americas Entry Ticket: $20
  • San Antonio Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
  • San Antonio Museum of Art Entry Ticket: $22
  • Hopscotch Immersive Art Experience: $24
  • Hopscotch Immersive Art Experience Ticket: $24
  • San Antonio Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
  • Historical Ghost Tour: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Duck $45
    San Antonio -

Sample the Local Flavors in San Antonio

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Antonio:

  • Epic San Antonio Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12
  • Death Warmed Over: San Antonio Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
  • Guided Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
  • Texas’ Oldest Haunted Pub Crawl Shared Walking Tour: $30
  • Taste of Fredericksburg Small-Group Wine Tour from San Antonio: $155


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Duck and San Antonio, we can see that Duck is more expensive. And not only is San Antonio much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Antonio would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Antonio 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 Duck would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Duck than you might in San Antonio.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Duck Expensive? and Is San Antonio Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Duck or San Antonio?

San Antonio has a larger population, and is about 2240 times larger than the population of Duck. When comparing the sizes of Duck and San Antonio, 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 or San Antonio?

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 or San Antonio in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Duck and San Antonio. Most visitors come to Duck for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to San Antonio because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

Duck is cooler than San Antonio in the summer. The daily temperature in Duck averages around 78°F (26°C) in July, and San Antonio fluctuates around 87°F (31°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Antonio this time of the year. In Duck, it's very sunny this time of the year. Duck usually receives less sunshine than San Antonio during summer. Duck gets 279 hours of sunny skies, while San Antonio receives 307 hours of full sun in the summer.

Duck gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Duck usually receives more rain than San Antonio. Duck gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Duck 78°F (26°C) 
    San Antonio 87°F (31°C)

Should I visit Duck or San Antonio in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Duck as well as San Antonio. The autumn months attract visitors to Duck because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to San Antonio this time of year.

In the autumn, Duck is cooler than San Antonio. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Duck in October average around 62°F (16°C), and San Antonio averages at about 73°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Antonio. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Duck this time of the year. In the autumn, Duck often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Antonio. Duck gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Antonio receives 213 hours of full sun.

Duck usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as San Antonio. Duck gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Duck 62°F (16°C) 
    San Antonio 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Duck or San Antonio in the Winter?

Both San Antonio and Duck are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Duck this time of year. Also, many travelers come to San Antonio for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Duck in the winter. In January, Duck is generally much colder than San Antonio. Daily temperatures in Duck average around 41°F (5°C), and San Antonio fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

Duck usually receives more sunshine than San Antonio during winter. Duck gets 168 hours of sunny skies, while San Antonio receives 155 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Duck. In January, Duck usually receives more rain than San Antonio. Duck gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Duck 41°F (5°C) 
    San Antonio 54°F (12°C)

Should I visit Duck or San Antonio in the Spring?

Both San Antonio and Duck during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Duck for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to San Antonio in the spring for the natural beauty.

Duck is much colder than San Antonio in the spring. The daily temperature in Duck averages around 59°F (15°C) in April, and San Antonio fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

In San Antonio, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Duck. In the spring, Duck often gets more sunshine than San Antonio. Duck gets 253 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Antonio receives 216 hours of full sun.

Duck usually gets more rain in April than San Antonio. Duck gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Duck 59°F (15°C) 
    San Antonio 74°F (23°C)

Typical Weather for San Antonio and Duck

Duck San Antonio
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 41°F (5°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) 54°F (12°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm)
Feb 42°F (6°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 57°F (14°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm)
Mar 50°F (10°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 65°F (18°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm)
Apr 59°F (15°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 74°F (23°C) 2.4 inches (60 mm)
May 67°F (19°C) 4.6 inches (117 mm) 79°F (26°C) 4.4 inches (111 mm)
Jun 74°F (23°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) 84°F (29°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
Jul 78°F (26°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 87°F (31°C) 2.2 inches (57 mm)
Aug 78°F (25°C) 5 inches (127 mm) 87°F (31°C) 2.6 inches (66 mm)
Sep 72°F (22°C) 4.7 inches (119 mm) 82°F (28°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Oct 62°F (16°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 73°F (23°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 64°F (18°C) 2.6 inches (66 mm)
Dec 45°F (7°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm) 56°F (13°C) 1.6 inches (40 mm)